Lions 2022 free agents

[Hambone]

I will be kind. I classify Tavai's season in orange and black as "underwhelming." That is very kind.


DH

Be interesting to see if he has a bounceback year working with an interior DL that will be vastly more impactful than what he was working with in BC. Similarly out here it will be interesting to see if the upgrades in the interior of the DL translate into much more effective play out of the DEs.

Speaking of that I'm still wondering what's up with Woody Baron. The very first signing indicated on 3D Nation 1 minute after noon Tuesday was a John Hodge report that Alden Darby was signing with Ottawa. This morning he signed in Hamilton.

[DanoT]

Lions sign another D lineman, a former Lion with some CFL experience.
https://3downnation.com/2022/02/11/b-c- ... -mclennan/

[B.C.FAN]

I noticed on the cfl.ca transactions list that the Lions have quietly released WR Marcus Davis.

[David]

Interesting (anonymous) quote from CFL Insider Talk, a compendium of quotes from CFL GMs, coaches, executives, agents etc.

The biggest overpay in free agency was B.C. giving (former Montreal Alouettes’ defensive tackle) Woody Baron $190,000. That’s more than Dylan Wynn got (from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats).

It's a combination of things. We desperately needed to upgrade a listless pass rush and there weren't a lot of Grade 'A' D-tackles from which to choose (also, we had the money to spend).



DH

[DanoT]

Interesting (anonymous) quote from CFL Insider Talk, a compendium of quotes from CFL GMs, coaches, executives, agents etc.

The biggest overpay in free agency was B.C. giving (former Montreal Alouettes’ defensive tackle) Woody Baron $190,000. That’s more than Dylan Wynn got (from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats).

It's a combination of things. We desperately needed to upgrade a listless pass rush and there weren't a lot of Grade 'A' D-tackles from which to choose (also, we had the money to spend).



DH

The D line is the Lions biggest area in need of an upgrade especially after last season's complete rebuild was a near complete failure. And it's not like they spent $300k for a top receiver like Lawler, who now as an Elk will no longer be catching passes from the CFL MVP and thus may not be the top receiver this season.

[B.C.FAN]

Interesting (anonymous) quote from CFL Insider Talk, a compendium of quotes from CFL GMs, coaches, executives, agents etc.

The biggest overpay in free agency was B.C. giving (former Montreal Alouettes’ defensive tackle) Woody Baron $190,000. That’s more than Dylan Wynn got (from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats).

It's a combination of things. We desperately needed to upgrade a listless pass rush and there weren't a lot of Grade 'A' D-tackles from which to choose (also, we had the money to spend).



DH

Agreed. A similar anonymous quote was published in Insider Talk two weeks ago about DE Mathieu Betts:

Players typically get paid based on their production. B.C. better hope that Mathieu Betts has a big bounce-back year, otherwise they overpaid him big time. He got like $170,000 and didn’t have a single sack last year.

Building a defensive line through free agency was expensive but necessary. I just hope the Lions gambled correctly by loading up on defensive linemen and standing pat with the offensive line.

[Hambone]

Interesting (anonymous) quote from CFL Insider Talk, a compendium of quotes from CFL GMs, coaches, executives, agents etc.

The biggest overpay in free agency was B.C. giving (former Montreal Alouettes’ defensive tackle) Woody Baron $190,000. That’s more than Dylan Wynn got (from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats).

It's a combination of things. We desperately needed to upgrade a listless pass rush and there weren't a lot of Grade 'A' D-tackles from which to choose (also, we had the money to spend).



DH

The D line is the Lions biggest area in need of an upgrade especially after last season's complete rebuild was a near complete failure. And it's not like they spent $300k for a top receiver like Lawler, who now as an Elk will no longer be catching passes from the CFL MVP and thus may not be the top receiver this season.

Methinks a combination of both what you and David are saying. It's debatable whether DL or OL was the biggest area of need but there were impact DL players who could be huge upgrades for BC. The same couldn't be said for OL once you weeded out the pending FAs who were either going to stay where they were, stay out east or had their minds set on a specific location that wasn't bordered by an ocean. With only marginal upgrade OL options available they made the right move by concentrating their spend on the DL.

Tack on the cap space freed up by removing the contracts of Reilly, Durant and Matthews plus being freed of the 2021 recommendation to operate at the SMS floor and I believe BC was operating with close to $1.5M of cap room to spend as they wish.

With that in mind why pussy foot around trying to get cute with pending FAs at market value. All you do is give other clubs a better chance to land the player you covet to fill your greatest needs. BC had the cap space to make offers to guys that would not be matched and that's what they did. They remain in an enviable cap situation in 2023 with Rourke and Williams still operatimg on their original deals as set out in the CBA pending possible changes in the new one.

[SammyGreene]

Interesting (anonymous) quote from CFL Insider Talk, a compendium of quotes from CFL GMs, coaches, executives, agents etc.

The biggest overpay in free agency was B.C. giving (former Montreal Alouettes’ defensive tackle) Woody Baron $190,000. That’s more than Dylan Wynn got (from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats).

It's a combination of things. We desperately needed to upgrade a listless pass rush and there weren't a lot of Grade 'A' D-tackles from which to choose (also, we had the money to spend).



DH

Agreed. A similar anonymous quote was published in Insider Talk two weeks ago about DE Mathieu Betts:

Players typically get paid based on their production. B.C. better hope that Mathieu Betts has a big bounce-back year, otherwise they overpaid him big time. He got like $170,000 and didn’t have a single sack last year.

Building a defensive line through free agency was expensive but necessary. I just hope the Lions gambled correctly by loading up on defensive linemen and standing pat with the offensive line.

Right now the o-line is potentially bringing 4 of the 5 starters back with Farhan suggesting Knevel could start at guard as an additional American would make a greater impact replacing Godber.

If we need a dramatic upgrade to compete then just go with 4 Americans and start a 2nd national receiver. Unprecedented yes but so is starting a national QB. Take advantage of a unique situation. Something tells me it maybe a last resort scenario if they stumble out of the gate.
But last year’s o-line was overwhelmed in the 2 Bombers games and that is the bar it has to be measured against.

[DanoT]

Starting N on D: Lokumbo, Williams, Menard
Starting N on O: Rourke, Cottoy, 2 N on the O line.

^^^There is your starting 7 N.

[Hambone]

Starting N on D: Lokumbo, Williams, Menard
Starting N on O: Rourke, Cottoy, 2 N on the O line.

^^^There is your starting 7 N.

With the number American receivers they've signed with NFL backgrounds there is no doubt they plan on only 1 NAT starting receiver and that will be Cottoy.

[OV:54-40]

Starting N on D: Lokumbo, Williams, Menard
Starting N on O: Rourke, Cottoy, 2 N on the O line.

^^^There is your starting 7 N.

Sounds about right if Campbell decides to defer to standard thinking 7 only need apply stuff.

Menard & Betts platoon at one DE spot as part of the 3 on D ? = pretty expensive DE spot $M$ cost (if their CFL reported salary figures are correct)

Chungh & either Godber or Knevel as the 2 on O-Line ?

Other possibilities though, maybe: could draft one of the Philpot twins and give him a shot to take a WR job - speedsters with deep threat ability; also safety should be wide-open IMO - and there is a good crop of safety type prospects this coming draft IMO - give the kid a shot and you never know - be nice to find another Laurent Deslauriers type rookie safety.

[B.C.FAN]

Safety is a position that requires a CFL veteran, IMO. The Lions tried Anthony Cioffi, Marcus Sayles and others at safety last year without much success. Loucheiz Purifoy has played safety and other positions. He has the experience, speed and ball-hawking ability to make an impact if he’s deployed in the middle.

[OV:54-40]

Safety is a position that requires a CFL veteran, IMO. The Lions tried Anthony Cioffi, Marcus Sayles and others at safety last year without much success. Loucheiz Purifoy has played safety and other positions. He has the experience, speed and ball-hawking ability to make an impact if he’s deployed in the middle.

A CFL veteran might be nice, but I'd say experience in and understanding of the Canadian game plus a feel for the position in Canadian football is more important. I'd draft a guy who has some proven accomplishments at the position and give him a shot to compete for the starter job, especially when the position is wide-open. Laurent Deslauriers was an outstanding , all-star rookie safety in the CFL; and recent examples like Pruneau, Adeleke, Metchie looked solid at the position in short order when they got the playing time.

[Hambone]

Starting N on D: Lokumbo, Williams, Menard
Starting N on O: Rourke, Cottoy, 2 N on the O line.

^^^There is your starting 7 N.

Sounds about right if Campbell decides to defer to standard thinking 7 only need apply stuff.

Menard & Betts platoon at one DE spot as part of the 3 on D ? = pretty expensive DE spot $M$ cost (if their CFL reported salary figures are correct)

Chungh & either Godber or Knevel as the 2 on O-Line ?

Other possibilities though, maybe: could draft one of the Philpot twins and give him a shot to take a WR job - speedsters with deep threat ability; also safety should be wide-open IMO - and there is a good crop of safety type prospects this coming draft IMO - give the kid a shot and you never know - be nice to find another Laurent Deslauriers type rookie safety.

Looking at the back 8 BC is loaded and deep in talent, perhaps the deepest they've been in many, many years. Williams and Lokombo lock up two of the 8 spots. For the remaining 6 spots Lee, Peters, Sayles and very promising 2nd year Lions Hardin, Edwards-Cooper and Joyner are all returning. Add to them Purifoy and Breaux and you have 8 veterans competing for 6 spots and that's not taking into consideration NAT depth pieces like Guzlyk-Messam, Johnson and Harry. With all that you think safety is wide open for a rookie draft pick to waltz in and be handed the starting safety job?

Deslauriers may not be the best example. His timing was purrfect coming into the CFL in 1984. The Evil Empire was in transition after their 5 year Cup streak was snapped in 1983. In 1982 only 10 rookies suited up while 24 players with 5 or more years experience played. Into a rebuild in 1984 they used 19 rookies while only 15 with 5 or more years played. With long time vets like Highbaugh, Ed "Too Small" Jones and Emilio Friatta and 3 year man Gary Hayes all moving on after 1983 there was plenty of opportunity for a rookie. It also didn't hurt that teams had to suit up 10 NI starters as opposed to 7 now. That is definitely not the same situation a rookie draft pick would face in BC in 2022.

As for the Philpot twins absolutely I could see BC taking one if they are still available at #3 depending of course on their own draft priorities and rankings. Maybe McEvoy and Campbell can discover their inner Brian Burke and wheel and deal to get them both ala the Sedins. Wouldn't that be something. Lol. But who knows how the top end of the draft pans out. We really need to see how the NFL Draft and priority UDFA signings unfold as that will have significant CFL draft ramnifications. Who is to say the Philpot boys won't land NFL UDFA deals too. As has long been proven NFL clubs are not shy about searching colleges on both sides of the 49th for talent.

[OV:54-40]

Didn't say "hand" a starting job to any rookie draft pick; but rather be open minded and when you have a position of need (which of the current group you listed have any significant Canadian game safety experience? - Sayles was lost there IMO), then maybe draft a guy who is accomplished/experienced at the position and give him a shot to compete in TC; and I'd include Harry as a possible safety prospect - tall, rangy guy who was a ball-hawk in U Sports ball - not sure if they see him in the mix there at all though. Adeleke in Hamitlon was not a safety in U Sports ball, but an all-star DB who maybe picked-up safety well with his experience in Canadian ball , defence and field And it won't matter anyways if Campbell & co. have the position pencilled-in for imports only as part of a 7 only plan.

And Deslauriers (Paul Bennett another example) was more of a superb D talent that you are not likely to find in many drafts; don't know till you try though.