Lionbackers.com

I wonder where he will end up (NFL or CFL). I know he still has a place in Surrey, as I've seen his family out for walks in winter/spring in my neighborhood.

Source

The New Orleans Saints have released former CFL all-star linebacker Adam Bighill.

Bighill suited up in three games for the Saints in 2017 recording one tackle after making the practice squad out of training camp. Bighill signed a reserve/futures contract with the Saints in January but he was let go on Monday.

The 29-year-old racked up 108 tackles – third most in the CFL – five sacks and one interception in 2016 for the B.C. Lions while earning league all-star honours for the fourth time in his six-year CFL career.

While Bighill will likely hope for another NFL opportunity, he could look to return north of the border. CFL training camps get underway on Sunday.

In Bighill’s heart he’s still a Lion. As noted, he lives here in the offseason, still attends community events with Lion players and is popular with fans. I’m not sure the Lions could afford him but I would make him a priority signing ahead of Micah Awe.

He was working out at the Lions practice facility over the winter. If he's coming back to the CFL I really hope it's with the Lions. We still have cap space from the Euclid Cummings fiasco so there is room.

Up front money to Cummings lost. Probably big money to Lokombo being signed. Not sure if there is SMS left at this point.

Blue In BC wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 2:38 pm

Up front money to Cummings lost. Probably big money to Lokombo being signed. Not sure if there is SMS left at this point.

Cummings contract was voided by the league prior to bonus money being paid, so I would think that the Lions have the cap room to pay Awe or Bighill but not both.

Would love to see Team 100 reunited and creating havoc on the field.

Love Bighill, but not sure it makes sense to put that much money towards linebackers. We've been down that road before. I'd put the money in the def and off line.

maxlion wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 3:04 pm

Love Bighill, but not sure it makes sense to put that much money towards linebackers. We've been down that road before. I'd put the money in the def and off line.

Who are you going to give that money to? It's easy to say you would put it towards the offensive and defensive line, but on May 14, who is available that you would pay that money to?

Not to mention our defensive line has been addressed: We have added Odell Willis and Gabe Knapton. We still have Mich'ael Brooks on the interior, as well as David Menard, Maxx Forde, Junior Luke, and now Julian Laurant. Meanwhile we have a big hole at the WILL position.

This is a tough one....

The only things that pop into my head that could give the Lions pause (no pun intended) are the $ involved and Bighill's age. He is 29 so not the oldest guy but do you as a GM/team braintrust start putting some faith in the younger guys? The Lions have Solly and Otha Foster as the most likely starters in the non-Bighill spots, do you go on a youth movement elsewhere in the linebacking corps?

The Lions are tending towards the Gold Watch territory all of a sudden....

And would the $ that Bighill would warrant (and talent deserves) be kept aside as being earmarked for a possible appearance by a guy like Boyko? The team has shown itself as being serious about upgrading the trenches and I suspect Hervey would not be disinclined about bringing a talented National on board should one become available.

Love Biggie...but part of me hopes he catches on with another NFL team and makes the decision for the Leos.

Blue In BC wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 2:38 pm

Up front money to Cummings lost. Probably big money to Lokombo being signed. Not sure if there is SMS left at this point.

doubt lokombo is making more than avg salary of 113k. probably less than 100k. he's a primarily a special teamer and part-time player on defense, not even a starter.

I think it would be slam dunk if Wally was still GM. Not sure much with Ed as not the same loyalty and all the cap money tied into the two linebacker positions.
But given where this team stands in the marketplace and the uphill climb ahead of them, it brings back a popular player and that can't be overlooked.

SammyGreene wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 9:33 pm

I think it would be slam dunk if Wally was still GM. Not sure much with Ed as not the same loyalty and all the cap money tied into the two linebacker positions.
But given where this team stands in the marketplace and the uphill climb ahead of them, it brings back a popular player and that can't be overlooked.

It shouldn't be overlooked but unfortunately it can be overlooked as marketing oppourtunities often have in the past.

DanoT wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 9:40 pm

SammyGreene wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 9:33 pm

I think it would be slam dunk if Wally was still GM. Not sure much with Ed as not the same loyalty and all the cap money tied into the two linebacker positions.
But given where this team stands in the marketplace and the uphill climb ahead of them, it brings back a popular player and that can't be overlooked.

It shouldn't be overlooked but unfortunately it can be overlooked as marketing oppourtunities often have in the past.

A tough call indeed. If I am Ed, do I pay less to the up-and-coming, hard-hitting linebacker Micah Awe if he decides to come back? I know Biggie is hugely popular here and I'd hate to see him end up say, in a Bomber uniform, but can we afford to reunite Team100? Should marketing opportunities be the over-arching concern? Seems we didn't draw that well in his last year in BC, so Ed should (and does) concern himself with putting the best product on the field, by spending as efficiently as possible.


DH

David wrote: ↑

Tue May 15, 2018 1:13 am

DanoT wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 9:40 pm

SammyGreene wrote: ↑

Mon May 14, 2018 9:33 pm

I think it would be slam dunk if Wally was still GM. Not sure much with Ed as not the same loyalty and all the cap money tied into the two linebacker positions.
But given where this team stands in the marketplace and the uphill climb ahead of them, it brings back a popular player and that can't be overlooked.

It shouldn't be overlooked but unfortunately it can be overlooked as marketing oppourtunities often have in the past.

A tough call indeed. If I am Ed, do I pay less to the up-and-coming, hard-hitting linebacker Micah Awe if he decides to come back? I know Biggie is hugely popular here and I'd hate to see him end up say, in a Bomber uniform, but can we afford to reunite Team100? Should marketing opportunities be the over-arching concern? Seems we didn't draw that well in his last year in BC, so Ed should (and does) concern himself with putting the best product on the field, by spending as efficiently as possible.


DH

The bitter reality is that as rightfully popular as Biggie is for all Lion fans getting him back versus allowing him to go elsewhere likely doesn't move the fanny-meter any measurable amount.

I don't want Bighill to go elsewhere in part because I don't want to see him make a Lions opponent stronger.
With his wife being from Vancouver, and Bighill kinda owing the Lions one for releasing him when and how they did, (and the Lions getting fined for doing it), I think he gives the Lions the "Hometown Discount".