2018-19 Stamps and CFL off-season thread

[dash_pinched]

Just thought we could use a place to hold key off-season news along with rumours and actual signings. Argos and Lions have received permission to interview DeVone Claybrooks. DeVone is also getting some attention from the NFL's Dallas Cowboys as a defensive line coach.

http://www.3downnation.com/2018/11/2...ne-claybrooks/

[RyZ]

If we lose Bo to the NFL, are we gonna just gonna let Arbuckle and Cozart battle it out, or will they try to go after a Jon Jennings/Lulay type in free agency? Next season is going to be pretty dicey if Bo (and Singleton/Micah Johnson) make an NFL roster.

[dash_pinched]

I've heard rumblings that the Stamps are pretty high on Cozart. Obviously, my preference would be that Bo is back in 2019, but that seems to be less and less likely with each passing day. On the defense, chances are the Stamps could lose both Singleton and Thurman which would be big holes to fill.

[transplant99]

Yeah Claybrooks is more likely gone than almost anyone else. He has earned it too. I wonder if Corey Mace wouldn't be able to slide into that role fairly easily.

Really really hope Eric Rogers doesn't retire. Hopefully he has a solid off season and gets that knee back to feeling normal cause i think he has a lot of elite football left.

With Bo, I think if finds a team in the NFL that will give him a signing bonus of 500K AND a legitimate shot to compete for a starters role,he is gonzo as well. I believe he finds that opportunity.....in New York.

Alex Singleton, IMO, has to be Hufs priority. He is as an important player for the Stamps as anyone. Again though, if an NFL team comes calling and there is guaranteed money....he is as good as gone too.

Haven't really seen a list of upcoming UFA's anywhere other than this.

QBs due to become free agents in Feb 2019:
- Bo Levi Mitchell
- Mike Reilly
- Trevor Harris
- Zach Collaros
- Travis Lulay
- Jonathan Jennings
- Brandon Bridge
- Kevin Glenn
- Ricky Ray

How hard is Chris Jones going to go after Reilly?

[tvp2003]

Would hate to lose Claybrooks to the NFL, but as a Stamps fan maybe that's a good thing as I think he'd be a great head coach hire for another CFL team.

And assuming Bo Levi will take a shot in the NFL, I agree Singleton might be the guy to build the roster around if he's willing to stay.

On the offensive side, I would consider a guy like Zach Collaros. In a conservative system with a strong running game and a healthy receiving corps, he could be the veteran guy to manage the offence until the next guy (like Arbuckle or Cozart) are ready to step in. I'd only want him on the cheap though, so if Sask wants to re-sign him for $$$ versus Bridge or another UFA, I'd look elsewhere (maybe Lulay?).

I would bet Harris stays in OTT and Reilly goes back to BC. Not interested in Jennings or Bridge, and Glenn and Ray are both too old (they could probably still play but durability would be my concern).

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

On the offensive side, I would consider a guy like Zach Collaros.

He usually has his best games against Calgary, so to remove him out of the equation makes sense. He wouldn't be cheap though (I think he was making north of 400 grand last season with the Riders).

[Scorch]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

He usually has his best games against Calgary, so to remove him out of the equation makes sense. He wouldn't be cheap though (I think he was making north of 400 grand last season with the Riders).

He’s been dropped by two teams, no way he’ll command that much again

[Erick Estrada]

I sure hope Claybrooks doesn't take the Toronto job if offered. He can do better than that.

[Nadal Fan]

Someone should photoshop Bo kneeling during the anthem so the NFL doesnt touch him

[dirk diggler]

I would think that if Claybrooks had an NFL offer, that would likely be the way to go rather than coach a team like Toronto or Montreal. big changes but with Huf in charge, still feel pretty positive. I am sure him and Dickenson already have a plan for QB this year if Bo is gone

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Someone should photoshop Bo kneeling during the anthem so the NFL doesnt touch him

Why would they care if he kneeled for the Cdn anthem?

[CaptainCrunch]

I tend to think that Singleton will get some camp looks, but he's too small to be a NFL linebacker, and not fast enough to be a defensive back. The best he could hope for would be as a special teams demon, or a 3rd down pass cover linebacker. The problem is that if he makes an NFL team in that role he's getting paid far more then he would in the CFL.


The other option for him is the AAFL, he would get paid in US dollars and get a deeper look from the NFL.


I expect that he will be gone and if he comes back its later next year.


With Bo, the TSN bought up the good point in terms of what kind of guaranteed money would he get from the NFL? Again if this is about following your dream, then he's going to accept lower money for a legit shot in a camp somewhere.


Clybrooks is gone, if the Dallas Cowboys are sniffing around for a dline coach he'll take it. I would expect though that he would be more interested in a head coaching gig.


The stamps are very high on Cozart and he's a unique QB offensive set wise. He's fast, can scramble, has a high QB IQ and can run a option heavy offense or a wildcat, I think he gets a legit shot at the number 2 slot next season.

[Erick Estrada]

If Bo leaves I have to think Huff offers Jennings a contract because he's got experience and raw talent. Maybe DD could coach him up into a passable guy like Glenn who did fine for a couple of years in Calgary. Riders will probably also show interest but from his point of view you would have to think the Stamps would be more attractive if the money is close but considering what the Riders paid for Collaros last season I get the feeling they will overpay to get him.

[White Out 403]

Bombers re-signed Jermarcus Hardrick. Big piece that had to come back, for sure.

[CaptainCrunch]

Just to add on to the Cozart thing, talking to a couple of players on the show, they thought very highly of him.

[tvp2003]

Speaking of QB's, the AAF had their QB draft earlier this week. A few recognizable names but nothing too noteworthy:

Round 1

1. San Diego Fleet: Josh Johnson (protected)
2. Atlanta Legends: Aaron Murray (protected)
3. Memphis Express: Troy Cook (protected)
4. San Antonio Commanders: Dustin Vaughan (protected)
5. Birmingham Iron: Luis Perez
6. Arizona Hotshots: Trevor Knight
7. Orlando Apollos: Garrett Gilbert
8. Salt Lake Stallions: Josh Woodrum

Round 2

1. San Diego Fleet: Mike Bercovici
2. Birmingham Iron: Blake Sims
3. Arizona Hotshots: John Wolford
4. Orlando Apollos: Stephen Morris
5. Atlanta Legends: Matt Simms
6. Salt Lake Stallions: B.J. Daniels
7. Memphis Express: Christian Hackenberg
8. San Antonio Commanders: Marquise Williams

Round 3

1. San Antonio Commanders: Logan Woodside
2. Memphis Express: Brandon Silvers
3. Salt Lake Stallions: Austin Allen
4. Atlanta Legends: Peter Pujals
5. Orlando Apollos: Austin Appleby
6. Arizona Hotshots: Quinn McQueary
7. Birmingham Iron: Scott Tolzien
8. San Diego Fleet: Philip Nelson

Round 4

1. San Antonio Commanders: Dalton Sturm
2. Memphis Express: Zach Mettenberger
3. Salt Lake Stallions: Matt Linehan
4. Atlanta Legends: Justin Holman
5. Orlando Apollos: Kevin Anderson
6. Arizona Hotshots: Jack Heneghan
7. Birmingham Iron: Alek Torgersen
8. San Diego Fleet: Alex Ross

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Just to add on to the Cozart thing, talking to a couple of players on the show, they thought very highly of him.

I watched him in warmups -- looks like he's got a live arm, throws a nice ball.

I'm also interested in Cozart's former teammate at Boise State, Brett Rypien. He's a senior this year and was listed on BC's neg list. He probably has NFL aspirations but I think he could be a pretty good CFL player.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Speaking of QB's, the AAF had their QB draft earlier this week. A few recognizable names but nothing too noteworthy:

Round 1

1. San Diego Fleet: Josh Johnson (protected)
2. Atlanta Legends: Aaron Murray (protected)
3. Memphis Express: Troy Cook (protected)
4. San Antonio Commanders: Dustin Vaughan (protected)
5. Birmingham Iron: Luis Perez
6. Arizona Hotshots: Trevor Knight
7. Orlando Apollos: Garrett Gilbert
8. Salt Lake Stallions: Josh Woodrum

Round 2

1. San Diego Fleet: Mike Bercovici
2. Birmingham Iron: Blake Sims
3. Arizona Hotshots: John Wolford
4. Orlando Apollos: Stephen Morris
5. Atlanta Legends: Matt Simms
6. Salt Lake Stallions: B.J. Daniels
7. Memphis Express: Christian Hackenberg
8. San Antonio Commanders: Marquise Williams

Round 3

1. San Antonio Commanders: Logan Woodside
2. Memphis Express: Brandon Silvers
3. Salt Lake Stallions: Austin Allen
4. Atlanta Legends: Peter Pujals
5. Orlando Apollos: Austin Appleby
6. Arizona Hotshots: Quinn McQueary
7. Birmingham Iron: Scott Tolzien
8. San Diego Fleet: Philip Nelson

Round 4

1. San Antonio Commanders: Dalton Sturm
2. Memphis Express: Zach Mettenberger
3. Salt Lake Stallions: Matt Linehan
4. Atlanta Legends: Justin Holman
5. Orlando Apollos: Kevin Anderson
6. Arizona Hotshots: Jack Heneghan
7. Birmingham Iron: Alek Torgersen
8. San Diego Fleet: Alex Ross

I watched him in warmups -- looks like he's got a live arm, throws a nice ball.

I'm also interested in Cozart's former teammate at Boise State, Brett Rypien. He's a senior this year and was listed on BC's neg list. He probably has NFL aspirations but I think he could be a pretty good CFL player.

Cozart has got great scrambling abilities, and makes really good decisions in terms of using his legs. He has a good arm.


He's an option QB, but he was also run out of the Wildcat offense in his college days.


I think that Rypien is going to find an NFL home somewhere, or AAFL, he's got good skills and can read a defense.

[DirtyMike]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Speaking of QB's, the AAF had their QB draft earlier this week. A few recognizable names but nothing too noteworthy:

Round 1

1. San Diego Fleet: Josh Johnson (protected)
2. Atlanta Legends: Aaron Murray (protected)
3. Memphis Express: Troy Cook (protected)
4. San Antonio Commanders: Dustin Vaughan (protected)
5. Birmingham Iron: Luis Perez
6. Arizona Hotshots: Trevor Knight
7. Orlando Apollos: Garrett Gilbert
8. Salt Lake Stallions: Josh Woodrum

Round 2

1. San Diego Fleet: Mike Bercovici
2. Birmingham Iron: Blake Sims
3. Arizona Hotshots: John Wolford
4. Orlando Apollos: Stephen Morris
5. Atlanta Legends: Matt Simms
6. Salt Lake Stallions: B.J. Daniels
7. Memphis Express: Christian Hackenberg
8. San Antonio Commanders: Marquise Williams

Round 3

1. San Antonio Commanders: Logan Woodside
2. Memphis Express: Brandon Silvers
3. Salt Lake Stallions: Austin Allen
4. Atlanta Legends: Peter Pujals
5. Orlando Apollos: Austin Appleby
6. Arizona Hotshots: Quinn McQueary
7. Birmingham Iron: Scott Tolzien
8. San Diego Fleet: Philip Nelson

Round 4

1. San Antonio Commanders: Dalton Sturm
2. Memphis Express: Zach Mettenberger
3. Salt Lake Stallions: Matt Linehan
4. Atlanta Legends: Justin Holman
5. Orlando Apollos: Kevin Anderson
6. Arizona Hotshots: Jack Heneghan
7. Birmingham Iron: Alek Torgersen
8. San Diego Fleet: Alex Ross

I watched him in warmups -- looks like he's got a live arm, throws a nice ball.

I'm also interested in Cozart's former teammate at Boise State, Brett Rypien. He's a senior this year and was listed on BC's neg list. He probably has NFL aspirations but I think he could be a pretty good CFL player.

I'd be interested to know how these QBs would have faired in the CFL. Pretty much no career NFL backup has done anything in the CFL (Akili Smith, Johnny Football, Vince Young) so I'm not sure guys like Josh Johnson would have been CFLers anyways. AFFL will likely have a greater impact on positions in the CFL on the lower end of the pay-scale, rather than QBs.

[troutman]

Legends vs. Hotshots! LOL.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by troutman

Legends vs. Hotshots! LOL.

I have a feeling this league may not have legs. CFL grade talent without the CFL audience. They are smart enough to keep salaries low so they may be able to endure 2-3 years but I can't see viewership being very good.