2016 CFL Free Agent list

[Will]

I'd be more than happy with this, and with our new digs; I think it's even more important to get a kicker like Medlock and punter like Hajrullahu (pain to get his name right though).

My late friend Lloyd referred to him as "higha-hoola-hoop."

[R.J]

My late friend Lloyd referred to him as "higha-hoola-hoop."

[ArgoGabe22]

I remember reading somewhere that Medlock could end up landing here as well. Medlock and/or Hajrullahu would be a huge get.

I thought I read somewhere that he was planning to live in the area permanently, along with Chad Owens when he made the move last year. But I may be wrong.

I'm not sure I want a pay top dollar for a K/P but if Medlock can do both than it's a plus. Much better than having 4 kickers on the roster. We need to move on from Palardy and Alix but not against bringing Waters back.

[jerrym]

#BCLions & RB Chris Rainey have agreed to terms on a 2 year deal. #CFLFA #TSN

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 8, 2016

https://twitter.com/FarhanLaljiTSN/s...10166050619392

[R.J]

On another front, told @Wpg_BlueBombers continue to talk with Graig Newman. No deal yet but progress being made #cflfa @cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 8, 2016

things have grown quiet between @Ticats and their pending free agents. Could mean Laurent, Bulcke and Medlock free tomorrow. Still time @cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 8, 2016

Told @MTLAlouettes and OL Josh Bourke are pretty far apart right now. Unless one side comes way off iits stance, he'll hit the #cflfa market

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 8, 2016

Jerome Messam has @calstampeders offer, weighing his options. If he waits and goes to #cflfa market, @BCLions, @Wpg_BlueBombers interested

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 8, 2016

All quiet on @sskroughriders front where Ryan Smith and Chris Getzlaf are concerned

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 8, 2016

Sources say, if Ryan Smith hits the #cflfa market, multiple teams will be in the chase. Could he reuinte with Dressler @Wpg_BlueBombers @cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 8, 2016

Bourke would be a huge signing for any team; although, I think he stays in Montreal. I'm surprised Lawless thinks the Lions may be interested in Messam; Wally stated not too long ago that they would rather go with 2 Internationals, but he may have just comparing Harris' ask to what they could get with internationals.

[KCargosfan]

To what Harris is going to make, you could probably sign 3 international RBs, no doubt. But finding a back as good as Harris, that is going to be a challenge.

[R.J]

To what Harris is going to make, you could probably sign 3 international RBs, no doubt. But finding a back as good as Harris, that is going to be a challenge.

Finding one that pouts and complains less should be easy though.

[KCargosfan]

Finding one that pouts and complains less should be easy though.

haha, truth.

[paulwoods13]

IMO Bulcke is one of the hidden gems of this year's crop, if healthy. He could be had for a lot less than Laurent and would probably be capable of starting for us. Ticats would be scrambling a bit if they lost both Bulcke and Laurent. They have lots of other NAT DTs but it's mostly guys with potential who aren't really proven yet.

[gilthethrill]

IMO Bulcke is one of the hidden gems of this year's crop, if healthy. He could be had for a lot less than Laurent and would probably be capable of starting for us. Ticats would be scrambling a bit if they lost both Bulcke and Laurent. They have lots of other NAT DTs but it's mostly guys with potential who aren't really proven yet.

I have been lobbying for Bulcke to become an Argo for some time. Reports indicate he is finally healthy, he would be a sound signing but would not break the bank like Laurent.

[OV Argo]

I thought I read somewhere that he was planning to live in the area permanently, along with Chad Owens when he made the move last year. But I may be wrong.

I'm not sure I want a pay top dollar for a K/P but if Medlock can do both than it's a plus. Much better than having 4 kickers on the roster. We need to move on from Palardy and Alix but not against bringing Waters back.

Medlock doing both jobs? - while he is a very accurate place kicker, he is about the worst punter in the CFL.

However - IMO - kicking (both place kicking & punting) is so important in the CFL, I would pay big bucks to a guy who is great at one of the jobs even; it's very rare for a dual kicker to continue to be top notch at both jobs - like Watters was 2 seasons back; I hope Swayze could be re-signed and bounce back to the superb form he showed awhile back, but if not I would gladly sign Medlock - as place kicker only though and find a real punter.

[jerrym]

In signing Chris Rainey before free agency occurs, BC has improved its return game considerably over what it hard at the start of last season. After signing with BC in August, he gained 761 yards on kick returns for a 28.2 yard average and 593 yards with a 12.6 yard average in half a season (9 games).


http://www.cfl.ca/team-leaders/

[jerrym]

IMO Bulcke is one of the hidden gems of this year's crop, if healthy. He could be had for a lot less than Laurent and would probably be capable of starting for us. Ticats would be scrambling a bit if they lost both Bulcke and Laurent. They have lots of other NAT DTs but it's mostly guys with potential who aren't really proven yet.

I agree a healthy Bulcke would be a big bonus for the Argos if they could sign him.

[jerrym]

S J Green has sent out six tweets on February 8th complaining about the Als not signing Winston Venable and Jerald Brown yet, as well as about letting Lemon go last month.


http://www.tsn.ca/wr-green-urges-als...gents-1.435056

[jerrym]

Interesting questions include:

• Does Montreal pass on 33-year-old Canadian tackle Josh Bourke and use his reported $225,000 salary to chase Laurent?
• Does receiver Shamawd Chambers, the top Canadian in Edmonton's Grey Cup win last November, re-sign with the Eskimos, or does the Markham, Ont., native return to southern Ontario with either Toronto or Hamilton?
• Which of its 30-plus free agents, including American kicker Justin Medlock and Canadian defensive linemen Laurent, Brian Bulcke, Michael Atkinson and Hasan Hazime, will Hamilton re-sign?
• Will Toronto re-sign kicker Swayze Waters, who battled injuries last year, or pursue Medlock, a former Argo?
• After being active in free agency last year, which free agents, including Capicciotti, veteran defensive tackle Keith Shologan and defensive back Jovon Johnson, can Ottawa GM Marcel Desjardins re-sign?
• Will quarterback Trevor Harris remain in Toronto and compete with veteran Ricky Ray for the starting job or leave?
• How many of Edmonton's free agents will follow former head coach Chris Jones, now Saskatchewan's head coach/GM?

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cf...rris-1.3439554

[KCargosfan]

Jerald Brown is 35. I can't believe he would be too high on anyone's list.

[jerrym]

GMs make wishlists as more than 140 CFL players prepare to become free agents


https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/gms...9053--spt.html

[jerrym]

Five key players to watch in CFL free agency when it opens Tuesday

Andrew Harris, Canadian running back, B.C. Lions: The 28-year-old Harris seems set to move on after seven seasons in B.C., and plenty of teams should be interested. With Jon Cornish's retirement, Harris looks like the best Canadian running back out there. ...
Ted Laurent, Canadian defensive tackle, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Laurent has become one of the most consistently-effective defensive tackles out there, earning league all-star nods in both 2014 and 2015, and that's before you consider his passport. With it, he's a true ratio-buster who can let you play Americans elsewhere. Laurent's three sacks in 2015 were a step down from the nine he had in 2014, but he still filled gaps, stopped the run and generated plenty of pressure, and he also had an interception. At just 28, he should have plenty of good years left. ...
Justin Capicciotti, Canadian defensive end, Ottawa Redblacks: Capicciotti is another Canadian excelling at a traditionally-American position, which makes him worth his weight in gold. He's a great pass-rusher, notching 23 sacks over the last two years. He had 12 sacks and a forced fumble last season, and is just 26.
Cleyon Laing, Canadian defensive tackle, Toronto Argonauts: Laing is one of the league's most feared defensive linemen, and he had a fantastic 2015 with eight sacks and two forced fumbles. He's also only 25, which adds further excitement; he may be just hitting his peak.
Josh Bourke, Canadian left tackle, Montreal Alouettes: Bourke has long been one of the CFL's best offensive linemen, with seven East Division all-star nods and two selections as the division's top offensive lineman. He's one of the few Canadians who has proven to be able to consistently protect the quarterback's blind side and do so at an extremely high level. The 33-year-old Bourke is older than everyone else on this list, but many offensive linemen have performed well into their late 30s, and Bourke's combination of skill and passport (combined with an overall group of free-agent linemen that doesn't stand out as much as it often has) may make him in high demand.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cf...085510697.html

[jerrym]

Stafford hoping to stay put: Breakout star receiver Kenny Stafford is a pending free agent on Tuesday, but he tweeted Monday that he hopes to stay in Edmonton.

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/02/07/fa-rumour-mill/

[Will]

as of right now both Josh Bourke and Winston Venable appear headed for #cflfa unless a deal with @MTLAlouettes comes together fast @cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 9, 2016