Alouettes sign DE Sam

[Neely2005]

Alouettes sign DE Sam:

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-sign-de-sam-1.288843

[Argo]

A much better than good signing. Sam is an athlete, and better-suited to the CFL, as apposed to the NFL, game.

[1argoholic]

Smart move by the Als. This guy can play and really didn't get a fair shake down south. No surprise there. I hope he brings his great talent to our league and does well but just not against us. He was fun to watch as a college player. I know he can play. He could be a tackling machine in the CFL.

[jerrym]

Glad to see the league and Montreal show the open attitude it has displayed in the past with the signing of Herb Trawick (the first Black CFL player), Warren Moon and many others.

[Rich]

Attendance just increased by at least 5,000 for Montreal's next visit to the Skydome.

[Will]

Attendance just increased by at least 5,000 for Montreal's next visit to the Skydome.

Who will these 5,000 people be cheering for?

[ArgoGabe22]

I think he would do better as an outside LB than a DE in the CFL.

[AngeloV]

I think he would do better as an outside LB than a DE in the CFL.

Only if he plays in a 3-4 and is used strictly as a blitzing LB. Everything I've read about him says that he is a straight out pass rusher. His 40 time was also only so so for a LB. Good for DE.

[zontar]

A signing to take the media and PR stink off Mitchell tweet ?

[ArgoRavi]

A signing to take the media and PR stink off Mitchell tweet ?

Considering that they have been pursuing Sam for months, I doubt it.

[Will]

A signing to take the media and PR stink off Mitchell tweet ?

I think the stink of the Mitchell tweet had worn off.

[Rich]

Who will these 5,000 people be cheering for?

Judy Garland.

[OV Argo]

Talented college ball player for sure - didn't pan-out in the NFL, but lots of those types do well in the CFL (just like lots don't) - we shall see; Popp like his big-name ex-NFL or NCAA star signings (just like Barker and plenty of other CFL decision makers) - maybe hoping for some PR and to help with attendance - how did Chad Ochosuperstar pan-out last year? CFL teams not afraid to sign these guys - with often little long-term results : let's sign Ricky Williams and watch him dominate the CFL, or use a roster spot and playing time on a washed-up clown like Andre Rison. Is what it is with the CFL at times, but kinda sad or pathetic at times too IMO.

[Argo57]

Talented college ball player for sure - didn't pan-out in the NFL, but lots of those types do well in the CFL (just like lots don't) - we shall see; Popp like his big-name ex-NFL or NCAA star signings (just like Barker and plenty of other CFL decision makers) - maybe hoping for some PR and to help with attendance - how did Chad Ochosuperstar pan-out last year? CFL teams not afraid to sign these guys - with often little long-term results : let's sign Ricky Williams and watch him dominate the CFL, or use a roster spot and playing time on a washed-up clown like Andre Rison. Is what it is with the CFL at times, but kinda sad or pathetic at times too IMO.

With all the fanfare involved with this signing the Alouettes seem to be guaranteeing Sam a roster spot this season.
As with any other big U.S college signing you don't know how he will react to the nuances of our game, what happens if other prospects outplay Sam in training camp do they simply cut him?
Perhaps a more low key approach might have been advised.

[Argocister]

Although Sam may or may to make the team, I don't begrudge Popp for signing these type of guys. It brings media attention and keeps the Als in the news. And if he makes the team , better for the Als.
I wonder if there would be similar attention within the Toronto media if Sam .... Or Ochocinco .... Came here. ....naw probably not.

[ArgoRavi]

With all the fanfare involved with this signing the Alouettes seem to be guaranteeing Sam a roster spot this season.
As with any other big U.S college signing you don't know how he will react to the nuances of our game, what happens if other prospects outplay Sam in training camp do they simply cut him?
Perhaps a more low key approach might have been advised.

You can't sign Michael Sam and have it be "low key". That simply is not possible IMO.

With Sam, they are getting a player who seems to be tailor-made for the Canadian game. There are no guarantees with him as there are none with any player but he has the potential to be an excellent rush end up here.

[Argo57]

You can't sign Michael Sam and have it be "low key". That simply is not possible IMO.

With Sam, they are getting a player who seems to be tailor-made for the Canadian game. There are no guarantees with him as there are none with any player but he has the potential to be an excellent rush end up here.

As a football player he is no different than any other college signing, held a press conference like they had just signed Lawrence Taylor, expectations will be high to say the least!
Ultimately all that matters is how he plays, big fanfare when he was drafted in the NFL then interest quickly dwindled as he got cut.

[argolio]

interest quickly dwindled as he got cut.

Not that quickly. There were quite a few stories on U.S. sites about Sam signing with the Als.

[T-Bone]

Michael Sam a quitté le camp d'entraînement des Alouettes. / Michael Sam has left the Alouettes' training camp. @LCFca #CFL

— Didier Orméjuste (@DidierRDS) June 12, 2015

[argonaut11xx]

Michael Sam a quitté le camp d'entraînement des Alouettes. / Michael Sam has left the Alouettes' training camp. @LCFca #CFL

— Didier Orméjuste (@DidierRDS) June 12, 2015

Didier Ormejuste of RDS reported the news on Twitter. It's not yet known the reason for Sam's departure.
The defensive end was expected to miss the Alouettes' preseason opener against the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday night due to illness.
Alouettes head coach Tom Higgins hadn't ruled Sam out for Saturday's contest Friday, but added the team would not risk playing him sick.
"I'm not sure what his status is health wise," Higgins said Friday. "We wouldn't want to put him out there if he's under the weather, but we'll wait and see"