2023-24 off-season transactions

[Rich]

Seems to me, NFL interest in top CFL football talent is basically at an all-time low.

You’re probably right, but the same time I don’t ever recall before seeing a non-kicker Canadian player jump to the NFL after playing several years in the CFL like Betts did.

I think whatever happens to Stiggers will be a good reflection on how the NFL views the coaching and the quality of play up here in the boondocks.

[OV Argo]

You’re probably right, but the same time I don’t ever recall before seeing a non-kicker Canadian player jump to the NFL after playing several years in the CFL like Betts did.

I think whatever happens to Stiggers will be a good reflection on how the NFL views the coaching and the quality of play up here in the boondocks.

There hasn't been a Canadian player lead the CFL in sacks in a season in a long time(far as i can recall), and pass rush specialists are a big thing in the NFL these days = that's why on Betts.

Some NFL team will always be interested in special "athletes" like Stiggers.

I'm just happy NFL "scouts" don't watch much film of CFL play.

[ArgoRavi]

There hasn't been a Canadian player lead the CFL in sacks in a season in a long time(far as i can recall), and pass rush specialists are a big thing in the NFL these days = that's why on Betts.

Some NFL team will always be interested in special "athletes" like Stiggers.

I'm just happy NFL "scouts" don't watch much film of CFL play.

Given that Betts received no signing bonus/guaranteed money, I will be surprised if he sticks in the NFL. He did well, at age 28 going on 29, to get this chance though, as the NFL is usually not interested in players of that age who have never played a down previously in that league. Shane Ray did sign a year ago down there at around the same age but he had been a former first round draft pick.

[Rich]

Some NFL team will always be interested in special "athletes" like Stiggers.

I'm just happy NFL "scouts" don't watch much film of CFL play.

If Stiggers was selected in the early rounds of the NFL draft, as has been suggested by some, I think that would indicate a healthy NFL respect for CFL coaching and quality of play. But personally I think it’s unlikely he’ll be drafted.

[OV Argo]

If Stiggers was selected in the early rounds of the NFL draft, as has been suggested by some, I think that would indicate a healthy NFL respect for CFL coaching and quality of play. But personally I think it’s unlikely he’ll be drafted.

Didn't I read Stiggers played in the US Shrine all-star game and was rated one of the most impressive players there ? (3 Down report maybe?)

That would do way more for him with NFL "scouts" vs. film of his CFL play - which makes basically zero sense since CFL level of play is so superior to any US college ball it isn't even funny. But, again (IMO) NFL GMs and scouts basically don't, anymore, give a rat'$ @$$ about players who have been very good or even superb in the CFL - they have lots of FAs from their own league, plus the draft is a very big thing for them with tons of good players to look at. And that NFL "thinking" is very good with me.

[bluto]

I actually don't think Stiggers' fate will reflect on the CFL one way or the other as far as NFL observers are concerned. He will most likely be viewed as a special athlete who was a victim of circumstances and slipped through the cracks.

[Shatto]

I have looked at a couple of mock drafts and no mention of Stiggers. That is truly stupid!

[OV Argo]

I have looked at a couple of mock drafts and no mention of Stiggers. That is truly stupid!

I'll bet he climbs in at least some rankings there after his Shrine Game appearance.

[argolio]

I have looked at a couple of mock drafts and no mention of Stiggers. That is truly stupid!

Why would he be in a mock draft? No one really knows him down south other than scouts, and he still has to work out for individual teams. His journey is far from over.

[paulwoods13]

Why would he be in a mock draft? No one really knows him down south other than scouts, and he still has to work out for individual teams. His journey is far from over.

This is a key point. Mocks are based on players in college -- no mock drafter looks outside that pool, and why would they? The number of players drafted all-time who did not come from a college program is probably close to zero.

[ArgoRavi]

Didn't I read Stiggers played in the US Shrine all-star game and was rated one of the most impressive players there ? (3 Down report maybe?)

Yes, Stiggers played in that game and wore his Argos helmet while doing so!

[Will]

I saw a mock draft that had Stiggers going to Houston. Don't remember what round or the website though.

["Issues"Mcgee]

Yes, Stiggers played in that game and wore his Argos helmet while doing so!

Yes. His performance drew a lot of attention from the scouts in attendance. Every team in the NFL now knows who he is.

Pretty awesome to see him with his Argos helmet tearing it up.

[Waffle]

This is a key point. Mocks are based on players in college -- no mock drafter looks outside that pool, and why would they? The number of players drafted all-time who did not come from a college program is probably close to zero.

There is a section called “NFL Players From High School”:


The Odds Of Playing Professional Football: A Look At The Numbers
https://www.highschoolcube.com/the-o...t-the-numbers/


NFL Players Drafted From High School…September, 2023
https://thefootballusa.com/nfl-players-from-high-school


10 NFL players who didn't play college football
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/10-p...llege-football

[paulwoods13]

There is a section called “NFL Players From High School”:
NFL Players Drafted From High School…September, 2023

Thanks for this. Interestingly, most of the players listed in the piece called "NFL Players Drafted From High School" were not, in fact, drafted but rather signed their first contracts as free agents. Only a couple got drafted despite never playing college football. Hopefully Stiggers adds his name to that exclusive list.

[Scooter McCray]

I am grateful the NFL has always been and will continue to be ignorant of the CFL. It has given all of us the opportunity to see great football players regardless of nationality play a more exciting brand of football here in Canada.

[Scooter McCray]

The US has an abundance of talent but really only 1 league Americans will watch. The spring leagues just don survive. That leaves Canada. With our unique rules and field size if the CFL could ever get Americans to tune into our game the leagues financial concerns would come to an end.

[OV Argo]

The US has an abundance of talent but really only 1 league Americans will watch. The spring leagues just don survive. That leaves Canada. With our unique rules and field size if the CFL could ever get Americans to tune into our game the leagues financial concerns would come to an end.

The CFL could make, and will likely continue to try, incremental increases in US viewership; just don't ever expect a lot of Americans to become big CFL fans - not going to happen / not in their DNA; no matter how good the calibre of CFL play is or how exciting the game is. A CFL team could sign Tom Brady to play QB and also sign a bunch of big name NCAA stars (see Rocket Ismail) and it might help a bit, but not going to net them a big US TV contract.

[OV Argo]

I am grateful the NFL has always been and will continue to be ignorant of the CFL. It has given all of us the opportunity to see great football players regardless of nationality play a more exciting brand of football here in Canada.

Yep - I've been saying this for decades. The NFL could make the CFL a de facto sort of feeder or development league if they really wanted to: start heavily scouting CFL play/film/players, and sign way more than they do (now at an all-time low level of interest IMO). But - thankfully - they don't or choose not to; they have tons of their own FAs to choose from plus their heavily hyped draft, to look for new talent. Hope it stays that way.

[Rich]

So what’s going on with Cam Phillips? Will any team sign him? Are we gonna extend him at a reduced price? Or do most of us agree we can and should upgrade his spot on the roster?

Others have noted some great possibilities already on the roster. At 6’6 I’d love to see a big guy like Agudosi winning balls in traffic. BJ Byrd is a great YAC guy a la Gittens, he had a great game in Guelph last year. And I thought Rajae Johnson looked good too, another big body, he deserves another shot.

As for the new guys how can you not be intrigued by the prospect of Jeff Badet, the 4.27 guy, catching up to Chad’s beautiful rainbow longballs? And Arcega-Whiteside, another big guy with big-time tools, former 2nd rd NFL pick, and he’s from Stanford so you know he’s smart. If he’s motivated to play he could be something else.

One way or another, that WR spot will surely be upgraded for 2024.