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Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:31 am
by SammyGreene
Disappointed to lose Johnson and like most of us concern about how effective their d-line is going be.
We just witnessed what a good pass rush can do in Tampa's run to the Super Bowl, regardless of how dynamic the opponent's offence is.
Maybe it would take the great Lowell Ullrich back on the Lions beat to learn exactly how much the Lions saved in their re-worked salaries and where they stand overall with the salary cap.

I need to keep reminding myself that this franchise is owned by the estate of its late owner that is still paying all the bills and the signing bonuses with no revenue coming in. Never mind, there is still no certainty there will even be a 2021 season. After watching the plug get abruptly pulled on their radio rights station yesterday, these are uncertain times where nothing can be taken for granted with my favourite BC sports team.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:54 am
by Murdoch
Nice addition by the Bombers with Bryant Mitchell.

No doubt a team friendly deal with upside if he can return to the form he showed a few years ago. Nice to see they are giving Buck something to work with. Offense should not be a problem providing they can stay healthy.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:43 am
by Hambone
SammyGreene wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:31 am
Disappointed to lose Johnson and like most of us concern about how effective their d-line is going be.
It would have been nice to come out of free agency with either Johnson still in the house or failing that another veteran impact DT signed. So far that hasn't happened and is unlikely to happen barring a trade. For the most part the bones of the FA DT carcass have largely been picked clean. Ryan Brown is still out there and along with Claudell Louis seems to be the only vet DT options. I'd like to see Brown finally arrive. But that's about it. Most of the rest are all DE or rush ends. DT Jeremy Faulk had a 2 game cup of coffee with the Riders in 2019 making him no more proven than the CFL newcomers BC has signed in the last several weeks. I took a look at holdovers from 2020 free agency. Former Lions Jabar Westerman and Esa Mrabure are the only DTs who have not found a home since then, if they are even considering playing again.

Only other name out there would be NAT veteran Zack Evans. At this point I see him only as a depth player. He was very effective as a starter in Ottawa under Campbell but that is going on 4 calendar years ago now. He seems to have faded considerably since then. He continued to start all 18 for the Riders in 2018 and 7 of 11 GP in 2019 when he was hampered by injuries. After having very good seasons in 2016 (17 GP, 24 tackles, 6 sacks) & 2017 (18 GP, 23 tackles, 5 sacks) he would generate only 19 tackles and 2 sacks in 29 GP (25 starts) as a Rider. The fading numbers for his hometown Riders point to a career in decline heading for a backup role and salary for which he may just opt to stay home in Regina and retire instead.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:59 pm
by Reg18
I wonder what the deal is with Taylor Loffler. Heplays his poisition with a very tough edge. Why hasnt the Leos brought this home town guy back does he have a chronic injury or what is it?

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 1:10 pm
by Murdoch
Dusty wrote:
Tue Feb 09, 2021 2:26 pm
The thing about "retirement" is that he can always un-retire in the future should something come up, especially if he feels that he has a lot left in the tank....
Good perspective. It's not like there is a bonus to be had and the season is still a long way off. Nothing to really gain by signing on now.

At the same time I believe he will be quite busy with the CFLPA and upcoming contract discussions. One more reason to enjoy 2021 if they get it in.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 1:48 pm
by OV - 54:40
Reg18 wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:59 pm
I wonder what the deal is with Taylor Loffler. Heplays his poisition with a very tough edge. Why hasnt the Leos brought this home town guy back does he have a chronic injury or what is it?
Injury concerns for sure; missed a lot of last season; chronic bad knees perhaps ?

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:02 pm
by Hambone
Reg18 wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:59 pm
I wonder what the deal is with Taylor Loffler. Heplays his poisition with a very tough edge. Why hasnt the Leos brought this home town guy back does he have a chronic injury or what is it?
There may be some durability issues with Loffler thanks in large part to his lust for hard hitting and wonky knees. He was at Boise State but missed 3 of 4 years to injuries. He finished off his college eligibility with a full season at UBC. He was durable enough with the Bombers although his numbers dropped a bit in his final season. His one year in Montreal didn't go well as he only played 6 games. Numbers were still good though with 27 tackles and 1 pick.

What sidelined Loffler in Montreal was a left ACL tear. It was also the 3rd of his college and pro football career having torn his right ACL twice while at Boise State. He briefly retired from football after those but would make a return to join UBC. He was planning on coming back to Montreal in 2020 for the 2nd year of his contract. Needless to say a team looking at him has to be thinking "as is, where is" or "buyer beware" when considering a player who ripped up his left knee once and right knee twice all in 8 years.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:42 pm
by cms22
I was thinking NFL vs. CFL........

seems like in CFL that the QB/coach is even more important than NFL... 3 down vs. 4 down.

one similarity in the leagues: I think pass rush is by far #2 think after QB/coach passing... and I think DLine is more important than OLine. of course, OLine is heavily Canadian and there just aren't that many good Canadian OLINE men.

one difference in the leagues: seems like CFL requires familiarity of players and having played together some. i.e. not too much turnover in personnel (covid is difficult I understand)... seems like CFL teams, especially defences can be lost out on the field to a degree that does not occur in the NFL (smaller field. players have all played their entire lives by NFL rules etc. etc.)

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:45 pm
by cms22
this is complete thinking out loud, but Seahawks (and Jets before that) did incredibly well blitzing Jamal Adams from safety spot (not sure if JA is strong or free safety. I'd think strong safety). I would think many more teams will look to do this, although I know that JA is a unique talent.

wonder if CFL defences, given 3 down football, should go smaller like some NCAA defences have and bring some blitzing heat from smaller players..... especially when the Lions have at times had enormous problems generating heat on the opposing QB in recent years.......... go to a 3-3-6 or 3-3-5 with a rover.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:53 pm
by Qman
i think the lions have kept some dry powder for one more big signing. Maybe its either judge or henoc given our ratio issues. but I rather we spent that money on mitchell (given his track record with riley)

Loffler if its like 70k in a show-me non-starter rotational roll ... i wouldn't commit real dollars.

Team are going to run 150yds a game on us, given the NTs that are left.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:54 pm
by Qman
cms22 wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:45 pm
this is complete thinking out loud, but Seahawks (and Jets before that) did incredibly well blitzing Jamal Adams from safety spot (not sure if JA is strong or free safety. I'd think strong safety). I would think many more teams will look to do this, although I know that JA is a unique talent.

wonder if CFL defences, given 3 down football, should go smaller like some NCAA defences have and bring some blitzing heat from smaller players..... especially when the Lions have at times had enormous problems generating heat on the opposing QB in recent years.......... go to a 3-3-6 or 3-3-5 with a rover.
were going to run the same D as ottawa had, just look at that.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:07 pm
by OV - 54:40
Qman wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:54 pm
cms22 wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:45 pm
this is complete thinking out loud, but Seahawks (and Jets before that) did incredibly well blitzing Jamal Adams from safety spot (not sure if JA is strong or free safety. I'd think strong safety). I would think many more teams will look to do this, although I know that JA is a unique talent.

wonder if CFL defences, given 3 down football, should go smaller like some NCAA defences have and bring some blitzing heat from smaller players..... especially when the Lions have at times had enormous problems generating heat on the opposing QB in recent years.......... go to a 3-3-6 or 3-3-5 with a rover.
were going to run the same D as ottawa had, just look at that.

You mean a standard 4-3 with mostly imports starting ?

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:33 pm
by Qman
OV - 54:40 wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:07 pm
Qman wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:54 pm
cms22 wrote:
Wed Feb 10, 2021 5:45 pm
this is complete thinking out loud, but Seahawks (and Jets before that) did incredibly well blitzing Jamal Adams from safety spot (not sure if JA is strong or free safety. I'd think strong safety). I would think many more teams will look to do this, although I know that JA is a unique talent.

wonder if CFL defences, given 3 down football, should go smaller like some NCAA defences have and bring some blitzing heat from smaller players..... especially when the Lions have at times had enormous problems generating heat on the opposing QB in recent years.......... go to a 3-3-6 or 3-3-5 with a rover.
were going to run the same D as ottawa had, just look at that.

You mean a standard 4-3 with mostly imports starting ?
no philosophy wise ... its not going to be don mathews 1983 :)
more attack minded than Stubler-style D thank god

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 5:31 am
by Murdoch
Theoretically Shaq Cooper may have something to do with knowing Mike Reilly and that is not being critical of MR's eye for talent.

Re: 2021 CFL free agency

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:02 pm
by B.C.FAN
Backup linebacker and special teamer Mitch Barnett, who didn't re-sign with the Lions, has officially retired to become a firefighter.

LINEBACKER MITCH BARNETT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT