David wrote:I have actually followed Durant since he was a standout high school quarterback here on the Lower Mainland. He was an outstanding athlete, then got a scholarship to U of Nevada (Div 1) before transferring up the SFU after some knee injuries down there.OV - 54:40 wrote:Haven`t been checking in here much but surprised to not find mention of SFU receiver Lamar Durant declaring early for the NFL draft (as did Rice DT Christian Covington (son of CFL great Grover) - these 2 guys should be top 3 material perhaps for the CFL draft now....
I think he would be an interesting pick for the Leos. Not sure what kind of NFL interest he's going to garner coming from Simon Fraser (or the better question is, can he overcome the stigma of being a CDN from a CDN school if he does get drafted - to unseat a higher ranked draft from a big program down south). Gore is our best non-import receiver (slotback) but he's been somewhat inconsistent, or at least has never really lived up to his vast potential. Poblah, Iannuzzi, Haidara - not sure about any of them at this point. It may have been hard to truly judge last season, given all the issues around the team (no Lulay, new OC, all the injuries and line-up changes). Then there's Tomasiuk and Adekolu waiting in the wings. I wouldn't say we're exactly desperate for National receiving picks. Could we use an upgrade? Sure. But not enough to use at #4 overall for Demski or Durant.
WCJ, I agree it's early to give up on Norman and Thorn. Norman won't be lying on the lab table anymore and that should help him. He puts too much pressure on himself. Valli was the same way, that's why he wanted no part of centre. Reid had the the smarts to play the position and the confidence to work with Dorazio's demands, even though he wasn't as gifted athletically IMO.
DH
Not sure passing on maybe the best pure player/talent in this draft, and in a position of big need, would make sense. IF Durant does not draw some serious NFL interest (that should be apparent before the CFL draft - and i'll bet he does get an NFL shot) - a 6,2, 230 athletic receiver who runs a 4.4/4.5 range 40 and has put up an outstanding / conference best receiving season in college ball = first round draft material / maybe the best Canadian receiver talent in years and maybe an impact starter from day one; and a local guy to boot who maybe is proud to play at home and shows appreciation for the local team that drafts him by becoming a long career Lion lifer.
A lot of ifs & maybes there perhaps, but receivers are very important in the CFL game, teams deploy lots of them, and a the chance to add a top notch and local talent
who could perhaps be a dominant receiver in the league ... there better be another very outstanding talent, and in a position of big need, to pass on a guy like Durant IMO (and again IF he does NOT seem like an NFL flight risk).