2014 free agents

[WestCoastJoe]

BC Lions

BC Lions made offers to:
- OL Josh Bourke
- S Craig Butler
- OL Wayne Smith
- LB Shea Emry
- WR Nick Moore

Ante up in the poker game.

Retread Wayne Smith?

2002
2003
2004–2006
2007–2010
2011
2012–present

Washington Redskins*
Denver Broncos*
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Toronto Argonauts

So far, rather than being aggressive in the FA market, we seem to be going "quietly into the night."

Signing Craig Butler could change that.

As SZM points out, Ted Laurent has NFL hopes. If he comes back to the CFL, he would be a terrific signing for whatever teams gets him.

[David]

Leos in the Craig Butler sweepstakes. I've read the Riders will definitely not be one of those teams. Down to Hamilton and BC.

Coincidentally, these same two teams had the 10th & 11th (Hugh O'Neill) picks in the 2011 Draft...right before Butler went 12th! D'oh!


DH

[Hambone]

Bourke re-ups with Alouettes

Posted: February 11, 2014 12:00 PM

CFL.ca Staff
#CFLFA14

MONTREAL -- Troy Smith and Tanner Marsh can breathe a little easier today.

Tuesday, the Montreal Alouettes announced the re-signing of left tackle Josh Bourke to a new contract. Bourke, 31, was the ranked as the fourth best free agent available by CFL.ca.

After being selected by the Alouettes in the third round of the 2004 CFL Draft, Bourke took his time honing his skills behind a deep Montreal offensive line.

But the Windsor, ON native blossomed into one of the league's elite offensive lineman, eventually earning the daunting task of protecting Anthony Calvillo's blindside for the last seven seasons.

Not a surprise.

Popp could not let this guy slip away. Developed by the Alouettes. They deserve to keep his services.

"After being selected by the Alouettes in the third round of the 2004 CFL Draft, Bourke took his time honing his skills behind a deep Montreal offensive line." Draft and develop.

Of course Buono had to make an offer. But it had a snowball's chance in Hades it seems to me.

I honestly felt the odds of Bourke coming here would be around 100 to 1. He's spent his whole life back east. Montreal wasn't going to let him get away without at least making a fair market offer. You don't let perennial all-stars in their prime get away unless they are hell bent to leave your organization and no offer is going to change their mind. Just didn't see him coming west unless somebody wanted to pay stupid money and it's not in Buono's DNA to spend stupid money on FA's. Even if he wanted to make an exception the Lions don't have the cap space.

[MexicoLionFan]

The Lions should have gone all out on Bourke...he's an elite Tackle and a ratio buster....as Joe said, BC can't just send out casual Lotusland offers and expect players to uproot from where they have been living...you have to be aggressive and Bourke was one of those players we should have been aggressive with.

Joe I agree with your idea of how to build a winner in the CFL, but we have so many keys on Defence to address we have to get at least some help via FA...I would say that either we get the following from FA, or it will be a disaster for the Lions...

* starting DT
* starting Non Import Safety
* starting LB to replace Banks (hello Jamal Johnson?)
* starting Non Import OLineman

The day is growing older and Wally hasn't landed anyone...and we are on the verge of losing Moore...

[MexicoLionFan]

Joe, signing Butler doesn't come close to achieving what is needed for the Leos, but It would be a start...something we don't have yet.

[Rammer]

Bourke re-ups with Alouettes

Posted: February 11, 2014 12:00 PM

CFL.ca Staff
#CFLFA14

MONTREAL -- Troy Smith and Tanner Marsh can breathe a little easier today.

Tuesday, the Montreal Alouettes announced the re-signing of left tackle Josh Bourke to a new contract. Bourke, 31, was the ranked as the fourth best free agent available by CFL.ca.

After being selected by the Alouettes in the third round of the 2004 CFL Draft, Bourke took his time honing his skills behind a deep Montreal offensive line.

But the Windsor, ON native blossomed into one of the league's elite offensive lineman, eventually earning the daunting task of protecting Anthony Calvillo's blindside for the last seven seasons.

Not a surprise.

Popp could not let this guy slip away. Developed by the Alouettes. They deserve to keep his services.

"After being selected by the Alouettes in the third round of the 2004 CFL Draft, Bourke took his time honing his skills behind a deep Montreal offensive line." Draft and develop.

Of course Buono had to make an offer. But it had a snowball's chance in Hades it seems to me.

I honestly felt the odds of Bourke coming here would be around 100 to 1. He's spent his whole life back east. Montreal wasn't going to let him get away without at least making a fair market offer. You don't let perennial all-stars in their prime get away unless they are hell bent to leave your organization and no offer is going to change their mind. Just didn't see him coming west unless somebody wanted to pay stupid money and it's not in Buono's DNA to spend stupid money on FA's. Even if he wanted to make an exception the Lions don't have the cap space.

Remember Dale at this stage the SMS isn't counting, that is a consideration that you can delay until TC. If you get the 5 tool player, you can always trade a 4 tool player making the same amount. An easy shed would be a number of players on the D side of the ball that are making large coin. With that said, your odds seem low to me on Bourke making the plunge, as another consideration is the playoff money that each teams looks to be making for the length of your contract, Als are pretty solid reps for playoff coin year in and year out.

[Shi Zi Mi]

No team has done anything overly significant today.....Winnipeg signs Kohlert to the offer he had before the Ottawa draft, plus backup DB Craig Newman.......Edmonton signed Andrew Jones.

Biggest signings.....Toronto signed Emry......Montreal resigned Bourke.

That's it so far......I'm amazed that Ottawa hasn't made any announcements....they're the ones with all the available SMS room.....hopefully it's a sign of responsible management not willing to drive up salaries even though they can.

[WestCoastJoe]

The Lions should have gone all out on Bourke...he's an elite Tackle and a ratio buster....as Joe said, BC can't just send out casual Lotusland offers and expect players to uproot from where they have been living...you have to be aggressive and Bourke was one of those players we should have been aggressive with.

Joe I agree with your idea of how to build a winner in the CFL, but we have so many keys on Defence to address we have to get at least some help via FA...I would say that either we get the following from FA, or it will be a disaster for the Lions...

* starting DT
* starting Non Import Safety
* starting LB to replace Banks (hello Jamal Johnson?)
* starting Non Import OLineman

The day is growing older and Wally hasn't landed anyone...and we are on the verge of losing Moore...

I hear ya, MLF.

As indicated, I am not a fan of trying to build a winner through FA. I do acknowledge that on occasion a team can upgrade through this method. Not saying we should not play the FA game. We obviously have needs. Lots of them. But having needs is like "the horses are out of the barn already." We are behind the eight ball. Better to build over time through drafting and developing in house. We have not done so well in that regard recently.

Getting Craig Butler would be a coup.

Getting Ted Laurent would be a home run (assuming he comes back from the NFL). And thank you very much for developing these guys, Riders and Esks.

[The_Pauser]

No team has done anything overly significant today.....Winnipeg signs Kohlert to the offer he had before the Ottawa draft, plus backup DB Craig Newman.......Edmonton signed Andrew Jones.

Biggest signings.....Toronto signed Emry......Montreal resigned Bourke.

That's it so far......I'm amazed that Ottawa hasn't made any announcements....they're the ones with all the available SMS room.....hopefully it's a sign of responsible management not willing to drive up salaries even though they can.

Kevin Glenn tweeted a message to Nick Moore and Keron Williams to avoid Ottawa because they lied to him. I suppose the bad press from a disgruntled player doesn't help the situation over there.

Also, Glenn stated that he is trying to be traded to BC, Saskatchewan or Edmonton.

[Shi Zi Mi]

The Lions should have gone all out on Bourke...he's an elite Tackle and a ratio buster....as Joe said, BC can't just send out casual Lotusland offers and expect players to uproot from where they have been living...you have to be aggressive and Bourke was one of those players we should have been aggressive with.

Joe I agree with your idea of how to build a winner in the CFL, but we have so many keys on Defence to address we have to get at least some help via FA...I would say that either we get the following from FA, or it will be a disaster for the Lions...

* starting DT
* starting Non Import Safety
* starting LB to replace Banks (hello Jamal Johnson?)
* starting Non Import OLineman

The day is growing older and Wally hasn't landed anyone...and we are on the verge of losing Moore...

You do realize that Bourke resigned just minutes BEFORE FA started.......no other team had a shot at him.

[MexicoLionFan]

From what I hear Lloyd he was available as the day opened...I didn't know the MTL snagged him before he became available...that would have been a huge coup for the Leos...can you imagine 3 young, talented Canadian guys playing inside of Olafoye and Bourke...nice place to learn. Plus it would have freed up an import elsewhere.

[Shi Zi Mi]

I've been following Twitter since before FA opened.....there were posts minutes before FA that Bourke had resigned......there was speculation the Als did this intentionally to "occupy" other GMs

[MexicoLionFan]

I've been following Twitter since before FA opened.....there were posts minutes before FA that Bourke had resigned......there was speculation the Als did this intentionally to "occupy" other GMs

Popp goes the weasel...

[Hambone]

No team has done anything overly significant today.....Winnipeg signs Kohlert to the offer he had before the Ottawa draft, plus backup DB Craig Newman.......Edmonton signed Andrew Jones.

Biggest signings.....Toronto signed Emry......Montreal resigned Bourke.

That's it so far......I'm amazed that Ottawa hasn't made any announcements....they're the ones with all the available SMS room.....hopefully it's a sign of responsible management not willing to drive up salaries even though they can.

Kevin Glenn tweeted a message to Nick Moore and Keron Williams to avoid Ottawa because they lied to him. I suppose the bad press from a disgruntled player doesn't help the situation over there.

Also, Glenn stated that he is trying to be traded to BC, Saskatchewan or Edmonton.

Also reports of Glenn claiming his twitter account had been hacked. Definitely those tweets sound totally out of character. Glenn is a pro and has been around long enough to understand the business aspect. Ottawa changing gears when Burris became available it little more than a GM doing his job which is to say despite already having Glenn Desjardins saw opportunity to upgrade at QB and went for it.

[TheLionKing]

You do realize that Bourke resigned just minutes BEFORE FA started.......no other team had a shot at him.

I'm sure interested teams were in contact with Bourke before the FA season opened.