Training Camp Jun 6, Rookies Jun 2, TC questions ...

[WestCoastJoe]

Hillside Stadium in Kamloops ...

Rookie Camp runs 4 days before full Training Camp opens on June 6.

TC runs until June 14 with the players traveling back to Vancouver.

The roster as it stands now on the Lions' website ...

1 Printers, Casey QB Import 6.02 216 1981-05-16 Florida A&M
2 Sanchez, Davis CB Non-Import 5.09 188 1974-08-07 Oregon
3 Crawford, Tad S Non-Import 6.03 194 1984-04-16 Columbia
4 McCallum, Paul K Non-Import 5.11 185 1970-01-07 Surrey Rams (Jrs.)
6 Franks, Stanley DB Import 5.11 167 1986-07-07 Idaho
7 Jackson, Jarious QB Import 6.01 232 1977-05-03 Notre Dame
8 George, Trestin DB Import 5.09 179 1983-08-24 San Jose State
9 Williams, Keron DT Import 6.01 260 1984-09-03 Massachusetts
10 Whyte, Sean K Non-Import 5.09 175 1985-10-23 Santa Monica College
11 Haley, Dennis LB Import 6.01 248 1982-02-18 Virginia
12 Champion, Zac QB Import 6.02 200 1984-06-29 Louisiana Tech
14 Lulay, Travis QB Import 6.02 216 1983-09-27 Montana State
17 Toney, Darren DB Import 5.11 185 1984-01-09 Arkansas State
18 Chapdelaine, Matt WR Non-Import 6.02 205 1988-07-28 Simon Fraser
19 Jackson, Paris SB Non-Import 6.03 220 1980-07-24 Utah
20 McEachern, Mike S Non-Import 6.01 205 1986-06-08 Western Illinois
21 Phillips, Ryan DB Import 5.10 195 1982-11-15 Eastern Washington
23 Lee, Jamall RB Non-Import 6.00 221 1987-03-13 Bishop's
24 Banks, Korey DB Import 5.10 185 1979-08-07 Mississippi State
25 Robertson, Jamal RB Import 5.09 216 1977-01-10 Ohio Northern
26 Reddick, Anthony DB Import 6.00 210 1985-12-26 Miami
28 Green, Lyle FB Non-Import 6.01 220 1976-02-04 Toledo
29 Williams, Dominique DB Import 5.10 185 1985-03-31 Arkansas State
31 Marsh, Dante CB Import 5.10 190 1979-02-26 Fresno State
32 Davis, Yonus RB Import 5.07 185 1984-07-21 San Jose State
33 Harris, Andrew RB Non-Import 5.11 195 1987-04-24 Van. Is. Raiders
41 Mahmoudi, Hamid DB Non-Import 5.08 177 1985-09-12 Montreal
42 McKenzie, Anton LB Import 5.11 228 1981-01-04 Massachusetts
45 Arakgi, Jason LB Non-Import 6.02 210 1985-05-12 McMaster
46 Muamba, Cauchy DB Non-Import 5.11 196 1987-05-08 St. Francis Xavier
47 Yurichuk, James LB Non-Import 6.02 222 1986-11-01 Bishop's
48 Henderson, Joe LB Import 6.02 220 1986-03-06 Birmingham-Alabama
49 Gesse, Joash LB Non-Import 5.11 221 1986-09-04 Montreal
50 Schantz, Andy LB Import 6.01 235 1986-08-23 Portland State
54 Valli, Dean G Non-Import 6.05 300 1983-10-05 Simon Fraser
55 Haji-Rasouli, Sherko G Non-Import 6.06 299 1980-09-01 Miami
57 Jones, Andrew OL Non-Import 6.04 320 1982-10-29 McMaster
61 Heerspink, Daren OL Import 6.06 315 1984-04-02 Portland State
62 Singh, Bobby G Non-Import 6.03 315 1975-11-21 Portland State
63 Olafioye, Jovan OL Import 6.06 325 1987-12-16 North Carolina Central
64 Reid, Angus C Non-Import 6.01 305 1976-09-23 Simon Fraser
65 Boone, Jason OL Import 6.04 300 1984-04-20 Utah
66 Baboulas, Adam OL Non-Import 6.04 300 1987-04-05 St. Mary's
67 Hameister-Ries, Jon G Non-Import 6.06 308 1984-01-26 Tulsa
68 Sorensen, Justin OL Non-Import 6.07 316 1986-06-08 South Carolina
69 Duckett, Damane T Import 6.06 329 1981-01-21 East Carolina
70 McCullough, Dan LS Non-Import 6.03 243 1983-04-17 Bishop's
72 Gibbs, Jeremy DT Import 6.03 283 1985-07-03 Oregon
76 Foster, Akeem WR Non-Import 6.04 212 1987-03-20 St. Francis Xavier
79 Pierre-Étienne, Jonathan DL Non-Import 6.02 257 1984-07-07 Montreal
80 Passmore, Darius WR Import 6.03 188 1985-04-07 Marshall
81 Simon, Geroy SB Import 6.00 192 1975-09-11 Maryland
83 Armstrong, Derick WR Import 6.02 211 1979-04-02 Arkansas Monticello
84 Arceneaux, Emmanuel WR Import 6.02 211 1987-09-17 Alcorn State
85 Jordan, Robert WR Import 5.11 171 1986-01-29 California
86 Reed, Kerry WR Import 6.02 198 1984-12-24 Michigan State
87 Binder, Nate WR Non-Import 6.02 200 1985-09-20 Tusculum College
88 Wilson, O'Neil SB Non-Import 6.02 189 1978-01-17 Connecticut
89 Scott, Terence WR Import 5.11 170 1986-09-25 Oregon
90 Hunt, Aaron DT Import 6.03 297 1980-06-19 Texas Tech
92 Pittman, Dominie DL Import 6.03 245 1986-10-13 North Alabama
92 Wright, Abraham DE Import 6.03 235 1984-10-15 Colorado
96 McCuaig, Scott DE Non-Import 6.04 230 1984-06-05 UBC
97 Johnson, Brent DE Non-Import 6.04 271 1976-12-07 Ohio State
98 Williams, Stephen DL Import 6.02 306 1981-09-21 NW Missouri State
99 Harper, Alan DL Import 6.02 291 1979-09-06 Fresno State

http://www.bclions.com/roster/index/team/1

[WestCoastJoe]

That looks like 59 (edited from 61, Shi Zi Mi counts better than me) players of the 68 allowed in camp.

Plus the 8 drafted rookies.

It seems to me there is a need for some NI fullback depth. Some free agents out there not drafted this year.

Guys like Tim Cronk, Boris Radulovic and Dale Stevenson.

http://lionbackers.com/bc_lions/viewtop ... =2&t=18239

2 Cronk, Tim 6'0" 264 Bishop's Has combination of size, strength, and athleticism to become a punishing blocker

6 Radulovic, Boris 6'2" 261 York Slightly undersized CIS OL would be strictly a blocker

7 Stevenson, Dale 6'6" 241 Alberta Versatile performer played FB, TE, SB, and DE for Golden Bears

Might need another import running back or two for camp.

Perhaps one or two more import linebackers and DBs.
...............

Looking forward to it.

Hope springs eternal. Back to Empire.

[Shi Zi Mi]

By my count 59 plus draft picks.......meaning 9 more FA's can be added.

Plus from cfl.ca, "Training camp rosters are set at 68 plus all non-counters (i.e. draft picks and two additional players not selected in the current draft year), the Lions can add another 2 players that weren't selected in the draft.

1) Because the Lions are planning on starting 2 Canadians in the secondary (Crawford and Sanchez), I would like to see them add another NI DB who was passed over in the draft.......my pick would be Nicholas Poloniato from Bishop's.

2) With only an aging Lyle Green as a true NI FB on the roster, it would make sense to add another NI who was passed over in the draft........my pick would be Tim Cronk from Bishop's.

3) We need a couple more import RB contestants.......we're still waiting for the announcement about Mickey Dean, the Touchdown Machine.

4) We need a couple more import OT contestants......particularly because without drafting a NI OT who's available in 2010, there doesn't seem to be a case to start Sorenson @ RT in 2010.

5) We need a couple more import LB contestants.

That leaves 3 TC roster spots that can be filled by the 3 best athletes available in FA, irregardless of position.

That's the way I see it shaking out before TC opens.

[Rodu]

I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with Crawford starting at safety

[Lions4ever]

I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with Crawford starting at safety

Aren't you glad we passed on a BC guy THREE TIMES in the '09 draft, who started at safety for 4 years in NCAA Div 1, only to have him become the Stampeders first round selection? And isn't it great that one of those three picks (Matt Carter) was a complete waste ?

[WestCoastJoe]

With the addition of LaRose and Ortiz that brings my "count" of Lions for TC to 61.

http://www.bclions.com/roster/index/team/1

The newly drafted players do not count against the 68 allowed at Camp.

As a fan, it does seem to me we are light (non-existent) in NI fullback depth behind Lyle Green, brought back over from his slotback sojourn. Lots of free agents out there (Tim Cronk, for example).

I'd be happy to see a couple more running backs at TC.

The hardest positions to fill for Wally have seemed to be left tackle (the candidates we have now might be as good as we can hope to find), import receiver to support Geroy Simon (a gaping hole over the years), and a run stopping middle linebacker. Wally has said those top left tackle types are making $7 M per year in the NFL. True that. I'm not unhappy with Heerspink and Duckett. We'll see what we come up with.

Dunno if Haley is the guy for the middle. Or Schantz. Or Henderson. I would not be surprised if Shivers brings in another one or two candidates for MLB.

[Shi Zi Mi]

With the addition of LaRose and Ortiz that brings my "count" of Lions for TC to 61.

http://www.bclions.com/roster/index/team/1

The newly drafted players do not count against the 68 allowed at Camp.

As a fan, it does seem to me we are light (non-existent) in NI fullback depth behind Lyle Green, brought back over from his slotback sojourn. Lots of free agents out there (Tim Cronk, for example).

I'd be happy to see a couple more running backs at TC.

The hardest positions to fill for Wally have seemed to be left tackle (the candidates we have now might be as good as we can hope to find), import receiver to support Geroy Simon (a gaping hole over the years), and a run stopping middle linebacker. Wally has said those top left tackle types are making $7 M per year in the NFL. True that. I'm not unhappy with Heerspink and Duckett. We'll see what we come up with.

Dunno if Haley is the guy for the middle. Or Schantz. Or Henderson. I would not be surprised if Shivers brings in another one or two candidates for MLB.

Actually, the count is 60 (you probably forgot to delete Champion).

I've been doing a little Facebooking with Jovan Olafioye.......he's excited to be a Lion.....I asked where he prefers to play on the oline and he said anywhere, but prefers LT (for the reason that Buono gave, bigger $$$ to be made).....hopefully he can come in and take that job outright. As I've stated before, I wasn't impressed with Heerspink @ LT and the fact they never tried Duckett there in 2009 speaks volumes. I really don't see either Heerspink or Duckett being with the Lions come July.

[WestCoastJoe]

Add Bryant Cornell and Geno Johnson to the TC list.

http://bclions.com/article/leos-ink-linebacker-duo

Cornell 6'2" 215 (also seen him listed at 233 and 245)

Johnson 6'2" 230
...............

Cornell in the highlight film:



Standard 4-3 MLB. Shows good lateral speed, sheds blockers, finds the RB. Seems to be a sure tackler. Credited with a 4:59 in the 40 at the combine in Oregon.
.................

Johnson in youtube highlight film:

Listed at 4:56 for the 40



Johnson at outside linebacker, shows good pursuit, some pass coverage ability, hustle, good speed. Good size for the CFL. Anton McKenzie type?
............

With these additions, that would bring the TC list to 62, pending confirmation from Shi Zi Mi.

[OV - 54:40]

I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with Crawford starting at safety

Aren't you glad we passed on a BC guy THREE TIMES in the '09 draft, who started at safety for 4 years in NCAA Div 1, only to have him become the Stampeders first round selection? And isn't it great that one of those three picks (Matt Carter) was a complete waste ?

The draft is a "crapshoot" - or so i have read; and Crawford was a multi year starting safety with top stats and conference all-star in DI ball anyways; McEachaern also was a solid starting safety in US college ball too. Eric Fraser might be OK, but who knows? So Carter & Morencie didn't pan out - back to the drawing/shooting board - if Foster & Binder aren't "good enough" at receiver, maybe Obie could scoop them too? - acquire a draft pick for next year in a trade deal first instead of allowing them to bolt for free?

[Lions4ever]

Crawford was a multi year starting safety with top stats and conference all-star in DI ball anyways; McEachaern also was a solid starting safety in US college ball too.

Columbia is only Div 1 in FCS not FBS. Same with Western Illinois.

[SammyGreene]

With the addition of LaRose and Ortiz that brings my "count" of Lions for TC to 61.

http://www.bclions.com/roster/index/team/1

The newly drafted players do not count against the 68 allowed at Camp.

As a fan, it does seem to me we are light (non-existent) in NI fullback depth behind Lyle Green, brought back over from his slotback sojourn. Lots of free agents out there (Tim Cronk, for example).

I'd be happy to see a couple more running backs at TC.

The hardest positions to fill for Wally have seemed to be left tackle (the candidates we have now might be as good as we can hope to find), import receiver to support Geroy Simon (a gaping hole over the years), and a run stopping middle linebacker. Wally has said those top left tackle types are making $7 M per year in the NFL. True that. I'm not unhappy with Heerspink and Duckett. We'll see what we come up with.

Dunno if Haley is the guy for the middle. Or Schantz. Or Henderson. I would not be surprised if Shivers brings in another one or two candidates for MLB.

Actually, the count is 60 (you probably forgot to delete Champion).

I've been doing a little Facebooking with Jovan Olafioye.......he's excited to be a Lion.....I asked where he prefers to play on the oline and he said anywhere, but prefers LT (for the reason that Buono gave, bigger $$$ to be made).....hopefully he can come in and take that job outright. As I've stated before, I wasn't impressed with Heerspink @ LT and the fact they never tried Duckett there in 2009 speaks volumes. I really don't see either Heerspink or Duckett being with the Lions come July.

Roster is actually at 61 (with the two new LBs) as I ran into Bobby Singh the other day and he has officially retired — even signed his papers. Has been doing a lot of off-season work for the club with the school programs which is likely why there has been no announcement yet.

[OV - 54:40]

Crawford was a multi year starting safety with top stats and conference all-star in DI ball anyways; McEachaern also was a solid starting safety in US college ball too.

Columbia is only Div 1 in FCS not FBS. Same with Western Illinois.

Yeah, so?; my point would still be that both Crawford & McEachern were pretty good safeties in US college ball (DI or close to /whatever); Fraser was a good safety at CMU, but had several injury problems there. The Lions also drafted a couple of pretty good CIS DBs in the recent draft - Maumba & Mahmoudi (neither were safeties i believe, but might get a look there in the CFL - particularly Maumba, who is bigger and posted some pretty good athletic testing #s at the CFL E-Camp); add JR LaRose to the mix now too - CFL experience and pretty impressive in some of his time with the Esks IMO = the Lions should have some decent competition at safety if pencilled in Wally decides he needs to play a NI at that position.

[Lions4ever]

Yeah, so?; my point would still be that both Crawford & McEachern were pretty good safeties in US college ball (DI or close to /whatever); Fraser was a good safety at CMU, but had several injury problems there. The Lions also drafted a couple of pretty good CIS DBs in the recent draft - Maumba & Mahmoudi (neither were safeties i believe, but might get a look there in the CFL - particularly Maumba, who is bigger and posted some pretty good athletic testing #s at the CFL E-Camp); add JR LaRose to the mix now too - CFL experience and pretty impressive in some of his time with the Esks IMO = the Lions should have some decent competition at safety if pencilled in Wally decides he needs to play a NI at that position.

Yeah so?? Thank you for your rude reply. I was merely clarifying a fact, not taking issue with anything you had said. I was not expressing an opinion OF ANY KIND. Was there anything factually incorrect in what I posted? Let me answer that for you: NO. I'll take issue with it now though. Fraser did not have "several" injury problems. He had one (1) injury prior to the '09 draft after having a guy from behind roll up on his ankle. This is not indicative of some inherent fragility on his part. If the Lions braintrust had done their homework and interviewed the guy, they would have learned that the guy would run through a wall for the chance to play football and would do it for nothing - that's how deep his passion to play the game is. If you're worried about a history of injuries, now we're signing a guy who had his leg broken so bad he has to have a metal rod in his leg. And the draft is not a "crapshoot" if you've done your due diligence. In the NFL, most guys who go to the Pro Bowl were high picks. It's not an accident, overhyped busts aside.

Yours in politeness.

[OV - 54:40]

Yeah, so?; my point would still be that both Crawford & McEachern were pretty good safeties in US college ball (DI or close to /whatever); Fraser was a good safety at CMU, but had several injury problems there. The Lions also drafted a couple of pretty good CIS DBs in the recent draft - Maumba & Mahmoudi (neither were safeties i believe, but might get a look there in the CFL - particularly Maumba, who is bigger and posted some pretty good athletic testing #s at the CFL E-Camp); add JR LaRose to the mix now too - CFL experience and pretty impressive in some of his time with the Esks IMO = the Lions should have some decent competition at safety if pencilled in Wally decides he needs to play a NI at that position.

Yeah so?? Thank you for your rude reply. I was merely clarifying a fact, not taking issue with anything you had said. I was not expressing an opinion OF ANY KIND. Was there anything factually incorrect in what I posted? Let me answer that for you: NO. I'll take issue with it now though. Fraser did not have "several" injury problems. He had one (1) injury prior to the '09 draft after having a guy from behind roll up on his ankle. This is not indicative of some inherent fragility on his part. If the Lions braintrust had done their homework and interviewed the guy, they would have learned that the guy would run through a wall for the chance to play football and would do it for nothing - that's how deep his passion to play the game is. If you're worried about a history of injuries, now we're signing a guy who had his leg broken so bad he has to have a metal rod in his leg. And the draft is not a "crapshoot" if you've done your due diligence. In the NFL, most guys who go to the Pro Bowl were high picks. It's not an accident, overhyped busts aside.

Yours in politeness.

I believe you are incorrect on Fraser - pretty sure he missed good parts of his last 2 or 3 seasons at CMU due to injury; and i wasn't meaning to imply he was some fragile, injury riddled risk of a draft pick; but when you don't play a full season, especially in your final couple of years of college ball - when pro teams are trying to get a handle on your draftablity, - it's a factor. Crawford had a couple of outstanding stats seasons in the Ivy League; McEachern also played lots and put up good stats - at LB and then safety. And I was being facetious with the crap-shoot CFL draft comment - that, IMO is a tired cliche that some use and that shows, IMO, ignorance of and lack of respect towards, the Canadian talent pool. Smart CFL teams do a good job drafting and end up with a number of draft picks as solid or key contributors - see the Als and the Lions have done pretty well there too.

Wasn't meaning to be rude - but your response about DI "qualifications" seemed to be a bit of a nit-picking attempt to dismiss my point about both Crawford & McEachern being qualified saftety prospects; sorry bout that if i mis-interpreted. Fraser might have been a very good draft pick by the Lions but IMO they were better to address other areas of need with Crawford & McEachern already picked in previous drafts; Jamall Lee and Matt Carter were IMO excellent picks instead - too bad about Carter fleeing (wonder why? ), and we'll see if Lee gets a shot to contribute at his real position - for a team with a huge opening there.

Yours in politically correct politeness.