2014 CFL Offseason Thread

[Bar-Down]

Originally Posted by Drake

I feel like an idiot. I saw something on twitter that turned to be fake from some hack about loudmouth Jovon Johnson heading to BC.

I heard Saskatchewan has a bunch of contracts that are back loaded. I really believe there is truth to that.

Yeah that would make sense as they went all out to win the 101st last year at home. They had a lot of good players and a ton of depth.

Sask and the league did whatever they could to make sure Sask won that home Grey Cup final.

Hopefully they miss playoffs this year. They've lost a ton of guys so it could be possible.

[Drake]

Chris Matthews is heading to the NFL. I thought he was good as gone once his contract was done in his rookie season in 2012. The injury bug bite him bad in 2013 and I didn't think it was gonna to happen.... guess I was wrong.

Every CFL rookie of the year between 2007 and 2012 has signed an NFL contract. Four of those six players are still in the NFL, Solomon Elimimian and Martell Mallett are the ones who aren't as they find themselves back up here.

[Swayze11]

Nvm

[Da_Chief]

Really surprised Solomon didn't stick down there, really good player.

And lets hope 2013 ROY stays with his current team for a loong time.

[Julio]

Riders restock their bare shelves a bit:
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the acquisition of non-import linebacker Shomari Williams, non-import punter Josh Bartel and the eighth overall selection in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft in exchange for the ninth overall selection and the eleventh overall selection.

[Drake]

Marcus Ball becomes another player that is getting a shot down south as Toronto released him this afternoon. One of my favorite players to watch, and this guy can play.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Julio

Riders restock their bare shelves a bit:
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the acquisition of non-import linebacker Shomari Williams, non-import punter Josh Bartel and the eighth overall selection in the 2014 CFL Canadian Draft in exchange for the ninth overall selection and the eleventh overall selection.

Reading this morning what Williams makes I would imagine Taman will ask him to take a pay cut or getting released otherwise because if they really are up against the cap he has a laughable salary for what he brings to the table. Williams is apparently making 120K, which I think is too much for someone who is a rotational/special teams player. Compare that to what Foley is apparently making it makes you shake your head as its rumoured he is making 85K.

Damaso Munoz becomes yet another CFL player to get a shot down south as he tweeted this morning that he is heading to Tampa Bay.

[Drake]

Terrance Edwards has retired. http://www.bluebombers.com/article/e...ces-retirement

The mystery team of which Chris Matthews has signed with has been revealed. He has signed with Seattle. http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444136

[Otto-matic]

@CFL: This one shock you? TJ Hill has been released by the @CFL_Esks - http://t.co/PWuZK2Esgk #CFL

Hill had a career-high 94 tackles in 2013.

[Da_Chief]

He was never that good.

[Drake]

@SUNMitchell:
The #CFL Draft will take place Tuesday, May 13 ... three days after the NFL Draft finishes up.

[Cheese]

Lions re-sign Dante Marsh and release Paris Jackson

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444382

[MissTeeks]

Herb Zurkowsky‏@HerbZurkowsky14 mins

#BREAKING: I've been informed Tom Higgins will be named the #Alouettes' new head coach today or tomorrow.

[Drake]

The second story today that comes way out of left field today, as the other was Winnipeg naming Gene Dahlquist their QB coach. The guy has no CFL experience, but his resume nonetheless is outstanding for a positional coach.

Something has to be going on here as Popp said at the end of the year he was very confident about extending his HC career beyond this year. He sounded like he really wanted the job. Lastly he said he was going to be the HC this year like only two weeks ago.

[MissTeeks]

Official now:

CFL Official Feed‏@CFL5 mins

OFFICIAL: @MTLAlouettes name Tom Higgins head coach. Details to come. #CFL

[Drake]

That answers my question from earlier. Yikes, could be in for a very long year in Montreal if Popp is still around. Popp is also in the final year of his contract.

@Dave_CHED:
Quite the #CFL soap opera happing with the Alouettes. Owner and GM at odds and Tom Higgins shoe-horned in as the new coach. #dysfunctional

@joeyalfieri:
The conference call will be tomorrow at 11:00 A.M. Tom Higgins, Andrew/Bob Wetenhall and Mark Weightman will be on the call. No Jim Popp

@DidierRDS:
Tom Higgins's hiring is a slap in the face of Jim Popp who from what I'm told wasn't consulted for the hiring of the new HC. #Alouettes #CFL

[Drake]

He is a stud and a ratio changer. Will command a lot of green and one of the prized jewels of this year's free agency class in the CFL that is still out there.

@News1130Sports:

The #BCLions talked with free agent DL Ted Laurent's agent and have been told he will make decision after the NFL draft.

Lions have been told they are still in the mix despite the fact he lives in Montreal.

Lions have zero interest in Alex Hall and talked with Laurent's agent over the weekend.

@Dave_CHED:

After free-agency began,
#Eskimos GM Ed Hervey stated he felt confident after talks with Laurent's agent that he'd be returning to
#yeg#CFL

Hervey says he has an offer on the table for Laurent and right now will stand aside and let him pursue NFL oppourtunities. #Eskimos#CFL#yeg

@FarhanLaljiTSN:

@Dave_CHED Als will also pursue him. But Laurent will take as long as he needs re NFL. This may go on until April

____________________________
The number of times BC has came close to signing players in free agency this year, methinks he will be making his new home in BC in the future, as they have likely have enough $$$$$$ to land him.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Darrin Bauming ‏@DarrinBauming 18m
#Bombers release quarterback Justin Goltz.

[tvp2003]

BC reportedly signs two more QB's -- former NFLer John Beck and LSU's Jarrett Lee.

[Cheese]

Buck Pierce retires
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445196

Good for him... a real warrior but too many hits to the noggin