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Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:16 pm
by Murdoch
Wow. So this is Rick Campbell bringing in guys he knows. Both good receivers. Three nationals, not so likely all of a sudden.

Hopefully they let them duke it out and run with the one that gets it done. Competition is a good thing.

Maybe Ottawa signs Derel Walker. That would put a smile on Nick Arbuckles face.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:19 pm
by Murdoch
cms22 wrote:
Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:00 pm
so looking at all the changes and the players we already had,

am i right to say we need to find some new talent in the defensive secondary and at linebacker?......... i'm thinking all other areas have adequate talent levels (quantity and expected quality)
Have they signed a kicker?

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:21 pm
by David
B.C.FAN wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 11:03 am
I guess that ends the Derel Walker speculation, and the prospect of pencilling in Joey Augustin as a starter. I’ve heard mixed reviews about Rhymes in Ottawa but his stats last year were almost identical to Walker’s in Toronto, both with over 1,000 yards receiving on bad teams with unstable quarterbacking.
Similar except that Rhymes is younger, taller, and cheaper. Has he reached his ceiling at 26? Probably not, especially with Reilly and great complimentary receivers who are going to occupy a lot of DB attention.

$200K (presumably, or even north of that) on Walker did not seem like money well spent, not unless Reilly was willing to take a bit of a pay cut to make it work.

You have to wonder if the Bombers have legit interest in Walker or were just trying to drive up the bargaining price for us. :wag:


DH :cool:

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:19 pm
by Hambone
Murdoch wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:19 pm
cms22 wrote:
Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:00 pm
so looking at all the changes and the players we already had,

am i right to say we need to find some new talent in the defensive secondary and at linebacker?......... i'm thinking all other areas have adequate talent levels (quantity and expected quality)
Have they signed a kicker?
So far a punter Stefan Flintoft out of UCLA and a kicker, UBC product Greg Hutchings.

Playing off David's Toomer Rumour I wonder if there is still a need come training camp that we will see Sergio Castillo making a return. Both were released at the same time to go on and sign in the XFL. The XFL Championship game goes on April 26, 3 weeks before CFL training camps open.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 5:25 pm
by Gridiron Ernie
I'm not surprised about Mr. Walker (and I've wondered if he's actually hoping to go the XFL route, dunno) and I'm rather pleased with the full stable of 20 WR's currently on our roster. Seems like a lot, and there should be some keepers among the new guys with CFL experience or perhaps even among the complete unknowns. Somebody who'll kick the ol' stall door down! I welcome Mr. Rhymes -- perhaps everything will rhyme with Rhymes. ha ha.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:09 pm
by David
This should be the heading in tomorrow's paper.

Rhymes With Orange. :wink:

Farhan Lalji reporting that this salary is for $95,000/yr which, as predicted, would make this a good value pick-up for the Leos.

Strangely though, he believes this doesn't take the Leos out of the mix for Walker (but I am unsure if this was BEFORE Holley signed later in the day). I don't really see the need for another 6 figure receiver now, unless we cut Chungh or Reilly takes a voluntary haircut. Even then, I'd rather see money spent on the defence.


DH :cool:

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:21 pm
by B.C.FAN
David wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:09 pm
This should be the heading in tomorrow's paper.

Rhymes With Orange. :wink:

Farhan Lalji reporting that this salary is for $95,000/yr which, as predicted, would make this a good value pick-up for the Leos.

Strangely though, he believes this doesn't take the Leos out of the mix for Walker (but I am unsure if this was BEFORE Holley signed later in the day). I don't really see the need for another 6 figure receiver now, unless we cut Chungh or Reilly takes a voluntary haircut. Even then, I'd rather see money spent on the defence.


DH :cool:
If the Lions add free agent DB Anthony Orange, the headline could be Orange, Rhymes with orange (punctuation is key).

Seriously, I don't see any way the Lions bring in Walker now without trading other receivers. He and Rhymes play the same position, and the Lions already have 3 potential starting American WRs in Burnham, Rhymes and Holley and 3 nationals in Durant, Johnson and Cottoy.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:13 pm
by OV - 54:40
Murdoch wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 12:16 pm
Wow. So this is Rick Campbell bringing in guys he knows. Both good receivers. Three nationals, not so likely all of a sudden.

Hopefully they let them duke it out and run with the one that gets it done. Competition is a good thing.

Maybe Ottawa signs Derel Walker. That would put a smile on Nick Arbuckles face.

Yep - Campbelll bringing in some of his guys - hardly surprising / pretty typical.

Rhymes had a thousand yard season and made some big catches for Ottawa, but had some hands problems and made some gaffs, and a weak catch to target ratio; Holley was as he played with the Riders - ultra meh with drops issues.

Still, could see both these guys making Lions starter receivers - CFL experience and the HC knows them and could be in their corner.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 7:57 am
by Murdoch
I wish them the best. High hopes in particular for Rhymes and sounds like he came at a low price for a 1000 yd receiver. Holley likely cap friendly as well. Not sure where Devon Bailey fits in and if Cottoy is still in the picture.

I'll say it once for those that might agree, there is no more upside here than there would have been bringing DC back. No down side either though at this point. Life goes on, hope for the best.

Agree with the comments of if Reilly wants Walker he could make it happen.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:28 am
by Hambone
OV - 54:40 wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:13 pm

Rhymes had a thousand yard season and made some big catches for Ottawa, but had some hands problems and made some gaffs, and a weak catch to target ratio; Holley was as he played with the Riders - ultra meh with drops issues.

Still, could see both these guys making Lions starter receivers - CFL experience and the HC knows them and could be in their corner.
Interestingly Rhymes "weak catch to target ratio" last year is identical to that of the most talked about FA receiver Derel Walker. Rhymes 65 in 112 targets and Walker 65 in 113 targets. In the case of Rhymes is that all on him or do the QBs deserve a lot of responsibility? Of the 16 QBs who attempted 100 or more passes last year Davis, Jennings and Arndt finished 14th, 15th and 16th respectively in completion percentage. With 72 catches in 113 targets Brad Sinopoli also saw his catch to target average plummet last year going from 75.3% in 2018 to 63.7% in 2019.

Agreed on the ultra meh on Holley who Rider fans accuse of alligator arms. I don't know if it's a factor but he would qualify as one of those Yank-Nuck hybrid NATs.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:56 am
by OV - 54:40
Hambone wrote:
Sat Feb 22, 2020 10:28 am
OV - 54:40 wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 8:13 pm

Rhymes had a thousand yard season and made some big catches for Ottawa, but had some hands problems and made some gaffs, and a weak catch to target ratio; Holley was as he played with the Riders - ultra meh with drops issues.

Still, could see both these guys making Lions starter receivers - CFL experience and the HC knows them and could be in their corner.
Interestingly Rhymes "weak catch to target ratio" last year is identical to that of the most talked about FA receiver Derel Walker. Rhymes 65 in 112 targets and Walker 65 in 113 targets. In the case of Rhymes is that all on him or do the QBs deserve a lot of responsibility? Of the 16 QBs who attempted 100 or more passes last year Davis, Jennings and Arndt finished 14th, 15th and 16th respectively in completion percentage. With 72 catches in 113 targets Brad Sinopoli also saw his catch to target average plummet last year going from 75.3% in 2018 to 63.7% in 2019.

Agreed on the ultra meh on Holley who Rider fans accuse of alligator arms. I don't know if it's a factor but he would qualify as one of those Yank-Nuck hybrid NATs.

Walker & SJ Green (even worse ratio) were bad in that department for the Argos last season - and IMO an example of dumb, predictable CFL offence - over-reliance on a couple of favorite receivers, don\t spread the ball around enough, with little faith in one or 2 of your 5 pack guys, and next to no real or consistent run game, or other diversity on offence (like using an H-back plenty).

Rhymes played in a same old CFL offence too, but with worse QBing than the Argos had; but Rhymes drops too many IMO; and I can't see saying that about Walker or SJ Green, though even a lot of excellent receivers drop the odd pass.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 11:17 am
by David
Murdoch wrote:
Sat Feb 22, 2020 7:57 am
I wish them the best. High hopes in particular for Rhymes and sounds like he came at a low price for a 1000 yd receiver. Holley likely cap friendly as well. Not sure where Devon Bailey fits in and if Cottoy is still in the picture.
Devon Bailey is likely an upgrade on Simonise who was on the roster part of last year. We will likely play 3 Nationals - Durant, Johnson, and Cottoy. Bailey will be good insurance.

The other good news is that with Naaman Roosevelt (SSK), DaVaris Daniels (EDM) and Juwan Brescacin (CGY) signing in the East and Reggie Begelton (CGY) now with the NFL's Packers, that is a decent amount of receiving talent out of the West Division.


DH :cool:

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2020 12:36 pm
by pennw
Gridiron Ernie wrote:
Fri Feb 21, 2020 5:25 pm
I'm not surprised about Mr. Walker (and I've wondered if he's actually hoping to go the XFL route, dunno) and I'm rather pleased with the full stable of 20 WR's currently on our roster. Seems like a lot, and there should be some keepers among the new guys with CFL experience or perhaps even among the complete unknowns. Somebody who'll kick the ol' stall door down! I welcome Mr. Rhymes -- perhaps everything will rhyme with Rhymes. ha ha.
Rhymes with Grymes , not so much with orange though

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2020 9:28 pm
by B.C.FAN
The number of free agent receivers is shrinking. Montreal has signed Naaman Roosevelt, who gives them a clutch possession receiver who will likely replace Quan Bray. Derel Walker, Armanti Edwards and Luke Tasker are among the receivers still on the market. Ottawa could still use some help.

Re: BC Lions Free Agents Signings & Signings around the CFL

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2020 2:01 pm
by The_Pauser
Lions sign Kenny Ladler. Huge signing for our secondary.