Who is Winning and Losing in the Lead Up To and in Free Agency among Other CFL Teams?

[jerrym]

Although it's only the first day of free agency, some definite patterns have emerged.
Calgary has been following a strategy of getting younger and cheaper both before and during the opening day of free agency.
Releasing Jerome Messam and Marquay McDaniel and trading away Charleston Hughes, along with the retirements of Rob Cote and Josh Bell, have left the Stampeders with only five players 30 or older.
It also helped them use the money saved from this to extend one of the top National WR, 28 year old Anthony Parker, and keep the CFL 2016 Most Outstanding Rookie, 25 year old Davaris Daniels.
Today's signings and players lost to free agency also reflect this strategy.
The Stampeders signed two International DBs, 29 year old, six year Calgary veteran Deron Mayo, and former Tiger Cat 2015 and 2016 Eastern All Star, 28 year old Emanuel Davis, both of whom missed most of last season due to injuries and therefore likely signed for less money than otherwise would have been the case.
They have also picked up two Canadian free agents: 27 year old ST/DB Adam Berger, who had four years in Calgary before signing with Ottawa last year, and former Rider, 25 year old DL Ese Mrabure, giving the team greater Canadian depth.
At the same time Calgary has lost two International DBs to Montreal: 30 year old Tommie Campbell and 31 year old Joe Burnett. However their performances dropped off from 71 to 37 DT for Campbell despite only one game missed last year and 40 to 11 DT for Burnett who only played in 11 games last year.
The question for Calgary is whether the loss of so much veteran talent will affect the team's performance next year. However, the addition of so much young talent should hold them in good stead, especially over time.

[jerrym]

Hamilton has found the money to extend key players before free agency and then go out and sign a National kicker for a relatively high price, in part by trading Collaros and his large salary to the Riders, although this reduces their depth at the most important position.
They had already resigned Masoli and Banks in January and were able to extend core players Capricciotti, Tasker, Dean, and Laurent, as well as National ST/LB Shortill who had 14 ST tackles in only 10 games and is only 25, and Internationals DB Demond and OL Tony Washington this month.
Adding National kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, who can do all three kicking jobs well, in free agency frees up an International job previously held by an import.
Their losses in free agency today have not been great on opening day: National ST/LB Mitchell Barnett who had 10 ST and 2 DT tackles and was signed by the Lions; and International DB Dominique Ellis who dropped off from 52 to 15 DTs and from 18 to 5 games and was signed by the Als.

[jerrym]

The Bombers have went after two hometown boys in free agency and signed both of them: ST/Wr Nic Demski, who at 24 is already one of the better National WR, and Kienan Lafrance, who was the best National RB not named Messam and much younger. Lafrance will help spell Harris without upsetting the ratio and was not costly at $80,000. Winnipeg also resigned International Tim Flanders earlier to give them greater depth and provide another RB in addition to Harris who is a good receiver. They also signed former Lion DB Chandler Fenner, who should help improve a weak pass defence.
Winnipeg had already extended CFL OL of the year Stanley Bryant; one of the league's historically most consistent FG kickers, although he was only 80% last year; as well as valuable veterans WR Weston Dressler, DBs Chris Randle, Kevin Fogg and Maurice Leggett, and LB Ian Wild.
However, there are reports that the Bombers are likely to lose National DL Jamaal Westerman, even though they offered him around $200,000, TJ Heath, Sam Hurl and Clarence Denmark.
Getting Darian Durant greatly improves their QB backup position as Dominique Davis, who was released, and Dan LeFevour, who retired after being told to look elsewhere for a job, were totally ineffective.
Winnipeg had no trouble scoring last year, but the defence was very weak, so IMO it still needs shoring up.

[Flutie]

The Bombers have went after two hometown boys in free agency and signed both of them: ST/Wr Nic Demski, who at 24 is already one of the better National WR, and Kienan Lafrance, who was the best National RB not named Messam and much younger. Lafrance will help spell Harris without upsetting the ratio and was not costly at $80,000. They also signed former Lion DB Chandler Fenner, who should help improve a weak pass defence.
Winnipeg had already extended CFL OL of the year Stanley Bryant; one of the league's historically most consistent FG kickers, although he was only 80% last year; as well as valuable veterans WR Weston Dressler, DBs Chris Randle, Kevin Fogg and Maurice Leggett, and LB Ian Wild.
However, there are reports that the Bombers are likely to lose National DL Jamaal Westerman, even though they offered him around $200,000, TJ Heath, Sam Hurl and Clarence Denmark.
Winnipeg had no trouble scoring last year, but the defence was very weak, so IMO it still needs shoring up.

LaFrance was cut by the Riders because he was a huge disappointment. He was a decent backup in Ottawa and his worth went up after he was thrown in during the 016 playoff and Grey Cup. Ottawa went with the better RB Gillanders and let LaFrance walk, so I would strongly disagree with you about La France the "best National RB"

[jerrym]

BC has been most active today. Here's an update on the massive changes that occurred today and in the offseason. More details on individuals are offered in the url below. These changes should significantly improve the Lions over 2017's last place team.

Free agent signings: OLs Joel Figueroa, Jeremy Lewis, DB Dustin Termansen*, LB Mitch Barnett*, DT Euclid Cummings, DBs Garry Peters, AJ Jefferson, OL Chris Greaves.
To be announced: WR Ricky Collins, DB Cauchy Maumba*.
Lost in free agency: DL Alex Bazzie (to Edmonton), DB Chandler Fenner (to Winnipeg), Loucheiz Purifoy (to Ottawa);
Since end of the 2017 season:
Extended: QB Travis Lulay, OLs Antonio Johnson, Hunter Steward, Cody Husband
Acquired veterans: RB Brandon Rutley, DL Gabe Knapton, DL Odell Willis
Traded: WR Chris Williams
Released: LB Micah Awe.
Retired: WR Marco Iannuzzi
Lions now free agents: Adrian Clarke*, Jaz Dhillon*, Kirby Fabien*, Buddy Jackson, Andrew Jones*, Nick Moore, Craig Roh, Bryant Turner, Ronnie Yell.

http://3downnation.com/2018/02/13/li...ee-agent-haul/

[jerrym]

After starting 2017, 3-4 the Alouettes lost their last 11 games in a row. GM Kavis Read said he recognized the team was too old. As Montreal had 21 players 30 or over, while the team with the next largest number of 30 and overs had 12, this was a recognition of the reality that an old team often has the advantage of experience at the beginning of the season but this tends to be countered by an increase in the rate of injury and wear and tear as the season goes on compared to younger teams. Of course, the fact that Reed was HC during much of the consecutive game losing streak just might have been a factor in what happened.

So has Reed attempted to solve what he recognized as the age problem? In releasing Shologan, Guiguere, Lewis, Durant, Greaves and a few others, it would seem he has. However, his extensions of 30 and over players and signings of free agents suggest differently. The following 30 and over players have been resigned: Martin Bedard, Phillip Blake, Michael Carter, Xavier Fulton, Tyrell Sutton, and John Bowman. He also signed 30 year old Josh Freeman before free agency. Since free agency has started he has added the following 30 and over players: Joe Burnett, Tommie Campbell, and Jamaal Westerman.

The net result is the Als now have 21 players on their roster who are 30 or over, exactly the same number they had last year. While many of them are fine players, Reed is once again playing with fire. Furthermore, even if the veteran talent he has signed does significantly improve the team's performance next year, Montreal will be faced with exactly the same problem at the end of the 2018 season with a lineup that is another year older.

[jerrym]

As I was writing the previous post, GM Reed added another 30 and over player to give him 22 players 30 or over, compared to the 21 he had last year: Argo fan favourite, 31 year old Drew Willy. As the following article notes, Reed is also picking overpaying to get this talent to come to the chaos that exists on and off the field in Montreal.

http://3downnation.com/2018/02/14/al...-bring-talent/

[jerrym]

Kavis redefines overpaying in order to get players to come to the chaos in Montreal.

So how much did the #Alouettes have to overpay for players?
Westerman got 50k more than next closest offer.
Mitchell White almost 40k above next closest.
Tommy Campbell got 150k (big $ for a corner).
Jake Harty in the 125k range. @CFLonTSN @didierrds

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 14, 2018

[jerrym]

The RedBlacks, with former Argos Diontae Spencer and Kenny Shaw, as well as Greg Ellington and National Brad Sinopoli forming a receiving core in which each member is capable of 1,000 yard season for another former Argo, QB Trevor Harris, did not need much more added to it, especially when it has the CFL's second leader rusher in William Powell, despite his playing only 12 games last year.

So Ottawa focused on resigning its offensive free agents in the period before free agency: namely Harris, Spencer, Sinopoli, Powell, the RB backups Gillanders and Madu, and the key free agent OL Mateas and MacMillan. They then added further National WR depth in Julian Feoli Gudino in free agency.

However, the lack of QB depth is glaring. Cutting Drew Tate, a 33 year old who only played 3 games in each of 2016 and 2017 due to injury, was hardly surprising. But that leaves them with Ryan Lindley, who despite NFL experience performed poorly last year, the recently signed Dominique Davis, who Winnipeg judged not worth resigning after two years and was rarely used as a result, and the inexperienced William Arndt and Danny Collins. And there is not much available in terms of decent proven QBs, even at the backup level.

GM Marcel Desjardins was not happy with the defence and it shows during the first two days of free agency in the team's emphasizing defence in free agency signings, especially in the defensive backfield, as shown by the addition of DBs Rico Murray and Lucheiz Purifoy, as well as the resigning of Jonathan Rose. They also added A.C. Leonard to replace Zach Evans, who signed with the Riders, on the DL. I suspect that there may well be more defensive free agent signings.

The lack of a decent experienced backup QB could end up being the RedBlacks' Achilles heel if Trevor Harris goes down for an extended period.

[Will]

Some Redblacks fans were voicing their displeasure on Twitter yesterday. They believe that Desjardins has not done enough to address the defensive side of the ball.

[R.J]

Some Redblacks fans were voicing their displeasure on Twitter yesterday. They believe that Desjardins has not done enough to address the defensive side of the ball.

Considering the defense was by far their Achilles heel last season, I suppose the fans have a point, but Noel Thorpe is a pretty massive get.

[Will]

Considering the defense was by far their Achilles heel last season, I suppose the fans have a point, but Noel Thorpe is a pretty massive get.

True--I guess we'll see what he can do with what consider to be less talented personnel.

[R.J]

True--I guess we'll see what he can do with what consider to be less talented personnel.

Yeah, I don't understand why Desjardins doesn't seem to put much emphasis on finding players on defense.

[jerrym]

Hervey comments on the Lions signings:

“Joel Figueroa brings a level of physicality and the kind of gritty attitude that we need to add to our offensive line,” Hervey said in a release. “He’s absolutely committed to doing everything it takes to protect the quarterback.” ...
“Jeremy Lewis is another experienced and physical offensive tackle who brings an edge to the position,” said Hervey. “He’s going to give us some needed depth and will absolutely compete for a starting spot in camp.” ...

“Euclid Cummings is a young, up-and-coming lineman who definitely has the ability and potential to be one of the most dominant interior players in the league,” Hervey said of the Georgia Tech product, who began his career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2014 and played two seasons there before moving to Winnipeg in 2016. “He’s equally skilled at playing the run and getting to the quarterback and never takes a play off.” ...

“In addition to adding a lot of experience to the offence, Cory Watson’s leadership and physical style of play is something we’re going to benefit from this season,” said Hervey. “He’s a versatile and consistent receiver who comes to work every day and can fill a number of roles offensively and on special teams.” ...

“A.J. is another veteran defensive back who brings a lot of tools to our team,” said Hervey. “He’s a skilled guy who understands the nuances of the corner position in our league. He’s also demonstrated the ability to make plays on the ball which is something we definitely need more of this season.” ...

“Garry Peters is a skilled defensive back who can play both the corner and halfback spots,” Hervey said of the 26-year-old, who played 19 games over two seasons with Edmonton, recording 59 defensive tackles and eight more on special teams. He’s young, physical and gives defensive coordinator Mark Washington some options and depth in the secondary.” ...

The 6-1, 212-pound Barnet, the son of former Lions’ defensive back Bruce Barnett, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 CFL Draft by the Tiger-Cats, and played in 29 games over the past two seasons, racking up 10 special teams stops and a pair of defensive tackles. ...
“Mitch Barnett and Dominique Termansen help improve our Canadian depth and have demonstrated the ability to play starting positions on defence,” said Hervey. “They love the physicality of their positions and they’ll make us notably better on special teams.”

http://vancouversun.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions/cfl-free-agency-lions-hervey-continues-to-reshape-roster-from-inside-out/wcm/d7394708-f904-414b-94ee-30818cf3d678

[jerrym]

The Tiger Cats have signed only one free agent - former Argo Lirim Hajrullahu, but have extended most of their free agents including National valuable starters OL Brandon Revenberg, DL Ted Laurent, DL Justin Capicciotti, and promising LB Nicholas Shortill. They have also extended Internationals WRs Luke Tasker and Brandon Banks, LB Larry Dean, QB Jeremiah Masoli, OL Tony Washington, and DB Demond Washington. While continuity in personnel has its advantages and these are good players, I wonder if this involves a pattern of overvaluing those he is familiar with and/or enamoured with, as happened with his signing of assistant offensive HC Art Briles despite his being fired for covering up sexual assault allegations by players at Baylor, of 76 year old Jerry Glanville, a 40-year friend of Jones who has been out of full-time coaching since 2009, and of his pursuit of Johnny Manziel, despite all the warning signs. Did Jones and Austin overspend to extend these players and to sign Hajrullahu, leaving them little money to sign others?

[OV Argo]

The Tiger Cats have signed only one free agent - former Argo Lirim Hajrullahu, but have extended most of their free agents including National valuable starters OL Brandon Revenberg, DL Ted Laurent, DL Justin Capicciotti, and promising LB Nicholas Shortill. They have also extended Internationals WRs Luke Tasker and Brandon Banks, LB Larry Dean, QB Jeremiah Masoli, OL Tony Washington, and DB Demond Washington. While continuity in personnel has its advantages and these are good players, I wonder if this involves a pattern of overvaluing those he is familiar with and/or enamoured with, as happened with his signing of assistant offensive HC Art Briles despite his being fired for covering up sexual assault allegations by players at Baylor, of 76 year old Jerry Glanville, a 40-year friend of Jones who has been out of full-time coaching since 2009, and of his pursuit of Johnny Manziel, despite all the warning signs. Did Jones and Austin overspend to extend these players and to sign Hajrullahu, leaving them little money to sign others?

It's hard to say there, and I like the idea of maintaining continuity on the roster by re-signing key players.

The Ticats have some good talent on the roster that June Jones seemed to put together nicely at times after he took over.

Only FA signed Liam H as kicker but they did add QB Vernon Adams in a trade (and maybe learned Manziel is a total @$$-hat?) - Adams has some CFL experience and lots of potential, IMO.

Not sure what to think of Glanville as DC, but i was leery of the June Jones hire as well.

I believe the Ticats will be the Argos main challenger for first in the East this coming season - mostly because of their passing offence - Masoli is quite under-rated and did well under June Jones and they have 5 receivers who have had 1000 yard Ticat seasons (Tasker, Banks. Saunders (last season), plus Fantuz & Tolliver) - (I've asked on other forums - has any CFL team before ever went into TC with 5x CFL 1000 yard receiver season guys on their roster ?) The Ticats also have some very good talent on their defence. Not really sure they needed to add a lot via free agency, so maybe they were wise there = we shall see.

Ottawa might be another force in the East this year, but IMO that depends a lot on what type of defence Thorpe can put together there - and they did add some pretty decent talent on D - Hebert & Murray as vet leaders in particular, perhaps. Ottawa is very solid on offence IMO.

[jerrym]

Before free agency began, the Riders were able to extend WR Duron Carter, who is one of the league's best receivers even if one has to expect problems of one kind or another; QB Brandon Bridge, who provides a strong backup following the acquisition of Zach Collaros in case Zach continues to be injury-prone or does not return to his old form; and veterans DL Willie Jefferson, DB Jovon Johnson and OL Thaddeus Coleman and Dan Clark. They also extended National WR Devon Bailey, but he has never lived up to the promise of his 2014 rookie season.

While the Riders were cutting older veterans, Darian Durant, Weston Dressler, and John Chick last year, the addition of talented but aging 33 yea-old Jerome Messam and 34 year-old Charleston Hughes, signals HC Chris Jones is moving from rebuilding to competing for the Grey Cup, which is wise as Saskatchewan fans are likely to get restless if evidence of moving in that direction does not happen by the end of his third season as HC. The question is whether Messam, who showed signs of slowing down as 2017 wore on, and Hughes will continue to perform at a very high level.

The Riders also added free agents Nationals DL Zach Evans, LB Sam Hurl and WR Jake Harty giving them some Canadian depth. They also signed International OL Travis Bond, who played well in Winnipeg.
However, they also lost valuable but expensive free agents from last year in Derek Dennis and Henoc Muamba, as well as a young promising Nationals in WR/KR Nic Demski and DL Ese Mrabure, in addition to International Otha Foster, who had an off year, in part due to injury.

A healthy Collaros should be a major upgrade over Kevin Glenn. The remaining question is whether the additions to the lineup sufficiently outweigh the losses in order to allow the Riders to compete in a major way for the Grey Cup. I don't think Saskatchewan is there yet.