Yikes! Lions 2024 potential free agents

[SammyGreene]

Betts also worked out for the Cleveland Browns on Friday:
https://3downnation.com/2023/12/22/clev ... um=twitter and

Josh Woods was among a number of CFL players auditioning for the Denver Broncos yesterday as well https://3downnation.com/2023/12/22/denv ... iving-duo/

The Alouettes continued their aggressive and productive December by re-signing linebacker Tyrice Beverette thru 2025. The deal is worth $390,000 over 2 seasons including a $65,000 signing bonus each year. Not sure how much they paid for Sankey too, never mind Lemon, but that's a lot of significant cap money on defence already if there is any interest in Betts.

The Bombers re-signed all-star DB Deatrick Nichols which is significant given he just finished his 3-year rookie deal. 2023 interception leader Demerio Houston worked out for the LA Chargers Friday and also due for a sizable raise coming off his rookie deal. Bombers GM Kyle Walters has at least got Willie Jefferson, Patrick Neufeld and Nichols done before Christmas.

[Hambone]

Betts also worked out for the Cleveland Browns on Friday:
https://3downnation.com/2023/12/22/clev ... um=twitter and

Josh Woods was among a number of CFL players auditioning for the Denver Broncos yesterday as well https://3downnation.com/2023/12/22/denv ... iving-duo/

The Alouettes continued their aggressive and productive December by re-signing linebacker Tyrice Beverette thru 2025. The deal is worth $390,000 over 2 seasons including a $65,000 signing bonus each year. Not sure how much they paid for Sankey too, never mind Lemon, but that's a lot of significant cap money on defence already if there is any interest in Betts.

The Bombers re-signed all-star DB Deatrick Nichols which is significant given he just finished his 3-year rookie deal. 2023 interception leader Demerio Houston worked out for the LA Chargers Friday and also due for a sizable raise coming off his rookie deal. Bombers GM Kyle Walters has at least got Willie Jefferson, Patrick Neufeld and Nichols done before Christmas.

Americans are only required to sign 2 year (1 + 1) first contracts. 3 year entry contracts (2 + 1) only apply to Canadians and Globals on their first contracts. This came into effect for the 2020 season.

From the CBA:
(b) Global Players
All Globals will be required to sign a minimum 2 + 1 first contract.
(c) American Players
All American Players will be required to sign a minimum 1 + 1 first contract.

Nichols originally signed a 2 year deal going into the 2021 season. It was to expire after the 2022 season. In Feb 2022 Winnipeg gave him a 1 year extension to carry him thru the 2023 season.

Houston was orginally signed by Winnipeg to a 3 year futures deal late in 2019. It was to start in 2020 which of course didn't happen. I don't know if because the season got cancelled it got defered to start 2021. I assume that was the case as I can't find anything on him get an extension similar to Nichols.

[SammyGreene]

Americans are only required to sign 2 year (1 + 1) first contracts. 3 year entry contracts (2 + 1) only apply to Canadians and Globals on their first contracts. This came into effect for the 2020 season.

From the CBA:
(b) Global Players
All Globals will be required to sign a minimum 2 + 1 first contract.
(c) American Players
All American Players will be required to sign a minimum 1 + 1 first contract.

Nichols originally signed a 2 year deal going into the 2021 season. It was to expire after the 2022 season. In Feb 2022 Winnipeg gave him a 1 year extension to carry him thru the 2023 season.

Houston was orginally signed by Winnipeg to a 3 year futures deal late in 2019. It was to start in 2020 which of course didn't happen. I don't know if because the season got cancelled it got defered to start 2021. I assume that was the case as I can't find anything on him get an extension similar to Nichols.

Thanks for the clarification Hambone. The Lions somewhat did the same with Hatcher, giving him a 1-year extension in June of 2022 after he had dressed for 8 games of the shortened 2021 season. Wonder if they tried the same for Hollins after he came on the roster late in the 2022 season as a starter.

Still wonder why Broxton isn't a free agent by now unless his extended time on the injury list bought the Lions another season.

He made his CFL debut on August 28, 2021, against the Ottawa Redblacks, but suffered a torn bicep injury which ended his season.[7] After rehabbing the injury, he returned to play in week 19 of the 2022 season, where he played and started in the final three games of the regular season.[7][8] He also played and started in both of the team's playoff games that year.[9]

In 2023, Broxton became a regular starter where he played and started in 17 regular season games at left tackle.

[Toppy Vann]

Found the JC Abbott story OV40 was trying to find.
3 Down Nation doesn't seem to have a way to find all authored stories by Abbott but I saw a link to all his stories on X which is here:

https://3downnation.com/author/jcabbott/page/3/

Rip up your ballots: seven CFL award nominees voters got wrong
By JC Abbott -October 26, 2023

DE Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions — Most Outstanding Defensive Player

How in the world was Betts not the unanimous choice for the Lions’ MODP nomination? It is I who cast the dissenting ballot and the stones you throw as a result only make me stronger.

I love Betts as a player and happily placed him at the top of my list for Most Outstanding Canadian. However, just like low sack totals can misrepresent a player’s effectiveness, a few lucky takedowns can overinflate their dominance. In the case of Betts, this inflation was not nearly as egregious as someone like Lorenzo Mauldin last year and the Laval University product remains one of the best down-in, down-out rushers in the league. Still, it obscures the fact that he is a suspect run defender, had stretches of ineffectiveness after a historically hot start, and has taken some costly penalties this year.

That wouldn’t be enough to deny him my nomination on any other team, but B.C.’s secondary boasts the best shutdown cornerback in the league. Despite being targeted at a relatively high rate, Garry Peters had held opponents to a 47.5 quarterback rating entering last week — a number I doubt jumped much against Jake Maier — and did not allow a single touchdown against all year. If pitching a clean sheet doesn’t get you love from the voters, we should just remove defensive backs from the ballot entirely.

https://3downnation.com/2023/10/26/rip- ... got-wrong/

[Hambone]

Found the JC Abbott story OV40 was trying to find.
3 Down Nation doesn't seem to have a way to find all authored stories by Abbott but I saw a link to all his stories on X which is here:

https://3downnation.com/author/jcabbott/page/3/

Rip up your ballots: seven CFL award nominees voters got wrong
By JC Abbott -October 26, 2023

DE Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions — Most Outstanding Defensive Player

How in the world was Betts not the unanimous choice for the Lions’ MODP nomination? It is I who cast the dissenting ballot and the stones you throw as a result only make me stronger.

I love Betts as a player and happily placed him at the top of my list for Most Outstanding Canadian. However, just like low sack totals can misrepresent a player’s effectiveness, a few lucky takedowns can overinflate their dominance. In the case of Betts, this inflation was not nearly as egregious as someone like Lorenzo Mauldin last year and the Laval University product remains one of the best down-in, down-out rushers in the league. Still, it obscures the fact that he is a suspect run defender, had stretches of ineffectiveness after a historically hot start, and has taken some costly penalties this year.

That wouldn’t be enough to deny him my nomination on any other team, but B.C.’s secondary boasts the best shutdown cornerback in the league. Despite being targeted at a relatively high rate, Garry Peters had held opponents to a 47.5 quarterback rating entering last week — a number I doubt jumped much against Jake Maier — and did not allow a single touchdown against all year. If pitching a clean sheet doesn’t get you love from the voters, we should just remove defensive backs from the ballot entirely.

https://3downnation.com/2023/10/26/rip- ... got-wrong/

Bottom line Abbott simply thought Peters had the better year between the two. As he said if not for Peters performance he absolutely would have voted for Betts.

That he thinks Betts is suspect defending the run is certainly debatable. That Abbott has the QBR of QBs targeting Peters has me thinking he also has the analytics numbers on Betts and all the rest of the BC DL vs the run. Those numbers do exist and give a far more accurate picture than CFL.ca's basic stats. Certainly it's not uncommon for edge rushers to be accused of that. See Shawn Lemon, Odell Willis and many more.

Other things he said that were true were the period of ineffectiveness after the hot start and costly penalties. After 18 tackles (3/game) and 10 sacks (1.67/game) in the first 6 games he cooled off for a stretch with 13 tackles (1.87/game) and only 2 sacks (0.29/game) over the next 7 games before heating it up again with 11 tackles and 6 sacks over the final 5 games. For sure I remember him taking more than a couple big and I thought dumb penalties that hurt the Lions at key times in games.

[Hambone]

Still wonder why Broxton isn't a free agent by now unless his extended time on the injury list bought the Lions another season.

He made his CFL debut on August 28, 2021, against the Ottawa Redblacks, but suffered a torn bicep injury which ended his season.[7] After rehabbing the injury, he returned to play in week 19 of the 2022 season, where he played and started in the final three games of the regular season.[7][8] He also played and started in both of the team's playoff games that year.[9]

In 2023, Broxton became a regular starter where he played and started in 17 regular season games at left tackle.

Hard to guess with Broxton. With that injury shelving him after one game in 2021 and whatever subsequent processes maybe he had to sign a new deal for 2022.

[OV:54-40]

Found the JC Abbott story OV40 was trying to find.
3 Down Nation doesn't seem to have a way to find all authored stories by Abbott but I saw a link to all his stories on X which is here:

https://3downnation.com/author/jcabbott/page/3/

Rip up your ballots: seven CFL award nominees voters got wrong
By JC Abbott -October 26, 2023

DE Mathieu Betts, B.C. Lions — Most Outstanding Defensive Player

How in the world was Betts not the unanimous choice for the Lions’ MODP nomination? It is I who cast the dissenting ballot and the stones you throw as a result only make me stronger.

I love Betts as a player and happily placed him at the top of my list for Most Outstanding Canadian. However, just like low sack totals can misrepresent a player’s effectiveness, a few lucky takedowns can overinflate their dominance. In the case of Betts, this inflation was not nearly as egregious as someone like Lorenzo Mauldin last year and the Laval University product remains one of the best down-in, down-out rushers in the league. Still, it obscures the fact that he is a suspect run defender, had stretches of ineffectiveness after a historically hot start, and has taken some costly penalties this year.

That wouldn’t be enough to deny him my nomination on any other team, but B.C.’s secondary boasts the best shutdown cornerback in the league. Despite being targeted at a relatively high rate, Garry Peters had held opponents to a 47.5 quarterback rating entering last week — a number I doubt jumped much against Jake Maier — and did not allow a single touchdown against all year. If pitching a clean sheet doesn’t get you love from the voters, we should just remove defensive backs from the ballot entirely.

https://3downnation.com/2023/10/26/rip- ... got-wrong/

Bottom line Abbott simply thought Peters had the better year between the two. As he said if not for Peters performance he absolutely would have voted for Betts.

That he thinks Betts is suspect defending the run is certainly debatable. That Abbott has the QBR of QBs targeting Peters has me thinking he also has the analytics numbers on Betts and all the rest of the BC DL vs the run. Those numbers do exist and give a far more accurate picture than CFL.ca's basic stats. Certainly it's not uncommon for edge rushers to be accused of that. See Shawn Lemon, Odell Willis and many more.

Other things he said that were true were the period of ineffectiveness after the hot start and costly penalties. After 18 tackles (3/game) and 10 sacks (1.67/game) in the first 6 games he cooled off for a stretch with 13 tackles (1.87/game) and only 2 sacks (0.29/game) over the next 7 games before heating it up again with 11 tackles and 6 sacks over the final 5 games. For sure I remember him taking more than a couple big and I thought dumb penalties that hurt the Lions at key times in games.

Betts had 44 defensive tackles last season = amongst D-line leaders in the league; over in the Peg, Willie Jefferson had 21 defensive tackles on the season (i.e. less than half of Betts' totals); and Willie plays a huge percentage of the Bombers D reps; whereas Betts plays in a D-line system that does quite a bit of platooning (though he came off the field less, seemed to me, as the season wore on).

I wonder when we are going to see JC write an article saying how woefully weak Willie J is against the run?

[don corleone]

I thought one of the Lions strengths early in the season last year was the play of the secondary. With the injury to TJ Lee I expect Marcus Sayles to be a priority signing. Likewise Edwards-Cooper. Lawrence Woods does have some versatility to his game and may come in handy but not sure I see him as a boundary halfback. Safety is also a question.

I also don't expect a quick signing for Dane Evans even though he would be good to have imo. My impression is he will be looking for more playing time and when they played V.A, with a bum knee ahead of him in the playoff the writing was on the wall. We'll see how it shakes out with new MBT talk and multiple teams kicking tires story. One of which must be Ottawa which was also earlier linked to Evans rumours.

Could be the Lions will be looking at two new faces in the QB room this year assuming Dom Davis does not return.

[Hambone]

Is there any cap space to give Flintoff and Terry Williams a bump in pay? Williams also just finished his entry level contract.

It's shaping up to be an interesting January, leading up to FA.

I wonder if those 2 fit the must sign category. Other than a couple of big returns Williams didn't exactly light things up this year. I've said before I love the way he just puts his head down and goes straight ahead with the mentality of a RB but wow did he absorb some big hits. Recently signed Lawrence Woods is an excellent returner himself and will provide serious competition for Williams.

I'm OK with Flintoft although some of his efforts found me wanting. When I saw Richie Leone was a pending FA it had me pining for a return to the west coast although I fully expected him to extend in Ottawa. Flintoft as a pending FA does have me wondering ....... what's Ty Long up to these days? Save for a 1 week stint on the Jets' PS in Sept 2022 he's been unemployed since 2021.

[B.C.FAN]

Using a DA spot for a punter gives the Lions little roster flexibility. With Terry Williams filling one spot as a return specialist and Josh Woods filling another as a rotational linebacker, the Lions have had no flexibility to dress a rotational American running back. I’d rather look for a national or Global punter, and use Flintoft’s roster spot to bolster the running game.

[Hambone]

Using a DA spot for a punter gives the Lions little roster flexibility. With Terry Williams filling one spot as a return specialist and Josh Woods filling another as a rotational linebacker, the Lions have had no flexibility to dress a rotational American running back. I’d rather look for a national or Global punter, and use Flintoft’s roster spot to bolster the running game.

In more recent times BC used a KR who was a RB by trade thinking Logan, Davis, Smart, Brown and Rainey thus using the KR for RB depth. I think it was usually Siddiqi who drew in as the 4th DA this year.

[Hambone]

Betts had 44 defensive tackles last season = amongst D-line leaders in the league; over in the Peg, Willie Jefferson had 21 defensive tackles on the season (i.e. less than half of Betts' totals); and Willie playsa huge percentage of the Bombers D reps; whereas Betts plays in a D-line system that does quite a bit of platooning (though he came off the field less, seemed to me, as the season wore on).

I wonder when we are going to see JC write an article saying how woefully weak Willie J is against the run?

You really can't compare the two based on a few stats. They are very different players who disrupt offenses in very different ways. Betts has that motor that doesn't stop similar to Brent Johnson. He disrupts through pressuring the QB. Jefferson causes mayhem in a different way using his height and wing span. While Betts was sacking QBs 18 to Jefferson's 11 Jefferson was swatting passes out of the air with 13 knock downs to Betts' 1. Every one of those knockdowns is like a tackle for no gain


Just as QBs should roll away from Betts' side they should avoid passing lanes within Jefferson's reach. Different players, different physical attributes who leverage those attributes to maximum effectiveness. Can you imagine them as bookends? Yikes!

[SammyGreene]

I thought one of the Lions strengths early in the season last year was the play of the secondary. With the injury to TJ Lee I expect Marcus Sayles to be a priority signing. Likewise Edwards-Cooper. Lawrence Woods does have some versatility to his game and may come in handy but not sure I see him as a boundary halfback. Safety is also a question.

Lions certainly have invested big time in their secondary with Sayles being the highest paid American DB in the league last season and 3rd overall behind national safeties Tunde Adeleke and Royce Metchie. Teammates TJ Lee and Gary Peters ranked 4th and 8th respectively. https://3downnation.com/2023/04/23/the- ... 23-season/

Best case scenario for Sayles (29) is the Lions offering a very similar 2-year contract if they believe he is worth the value. Edwards-Cooper has done a nice job solidifying himself at field side corner and will be interesting to see what value the Lions see in him as he will due for a raise off his rookie contract.

It will also be interesting to see what the Lions do at linebacker with Ben Hladik and Josh Woods both being FAs and coming off their rookie deals too. Ironically, Woods looked great playing Hladik's position in the Western Semi. Both could be re-signed as starters and the Lions tweak their ratio as we saw Lokombo given a lesser role in the 2nd half of the season.
I know the Lions are very high on Ryder Varga who got more playing time as the season progressed, especially when Lokombo was hurt. Do they believe he is ready to start and the Lions take full advantage of his rookie salary for the next 2 seasons?

[don corleone]

Lions certainly have invested big time in their secondary with Sayles being the highest paid American DB in the league last season and 3rd overall behind national safeties Tunde Adeleke and Royce Metchie. Teammates TJ Lee and Gary Peters ranked 4th and 8th respectively. https://3downnation.com/2023/04/23/the- ... 23-season/

Best case scenario for Sayles (29) is the Lions offering a very similar 2-year contract if they believe he is worth the value. Edwards-Cooper has done a nice job solidifying himself at field side corner and will be interesting to see what value the Lions see in him as he will due for a raise off his rookie contract.

It will also be interesting to see what the Lions do at linebacker with Ben Hladik and Josh Woods both being FAs and coming off their rookie deals too. Ironically, Woods looked great playing Hladik's position in the Western Semi. Both could be re-signed as starters and the Lions tweak their ratio as we saw Lokombo given a lesser role in the 2nd half of the season.
I know the Lions are very high on Ryder Varga who got more playing time as the season progressed, especially when Lokombo was hurt. Do they believe he is ready to start and the Lions take full advantage of his rookie salary for the next 2 seasons?

Appreciate the insight and did not realize Sayles was making as much as he was.

One question is whether Siriman Bagayogo might be ready to starts at corner although a bit hard to see them moving on from a good player like Edwards- Cooper unless it comes down to a lot of money. I could see Winnipeg making an offer.

It will be interesting to see if they chase a FA to fill the boundary halfback spot with the injury to T.J. Lee who may be in that Bear Woods situation to be used as a DB coach while he rehabs given that he is under contract for next year. Might be a good move for T.J. as well and he would be a good one to learn from. I can't see him being released.

Lastly I wish players would stop hauling out the babies for the awards ceremonies. Seems like a popular thing that is the last place a baby needs to be.

[Hambone]

I thought one of the Lions strengths early in the season last year was the play of the secondary. With the injury to TJ Lee I expect Marcus Sayles to be a priority signing. Likewise Edwards-Cooper. Lawrence Woods does have some versatility to his game and may come in handy but not sure I see him as a boundary halfback. Safety is also a question.

Lions certainly have invested big time in their secondary with Sayles being the highest paid American DB in the league last season and 3rd overall behind national safeties Tunde Adeleke and Royce Metchie. Teammates TJ Lee and Gary Peters ranked 4th and 8th respectively. https://3downnation.com/2023/04/23/the- ... 23-season/

Best case scenario for Sayles (29) is the Lions offering a very similar 2-year contract if they believe he is worth the value. Edwards-Cooper has done a nice job solidifying himself at field side corner and will be interesting to see what value the Lions see in him as he will due for a raise off his rookie contract.

It will also be interesting to see what the Lions do at linebacker with Ben Hladik and Josh Woods both being FAs and coming off their rookie deals too. Ironically, Woods looked great playing Hladik's position in the Western Semi. Both could be re-signed as starters and the Lions tweak their ratio as we saw Lokombo given a lesser role in the 2nd half of the season.
I know the Lions are very high on Ryder Varga who got more playing time as the season progressed, especially when Lokombo was hurt. Do they believe he is ready to start and the Lions take full advantage of his rookie salary for the next 2 seasons?

Lots of things for Neil and Rick to consider. Sayles is coming off that 3 year FA deal he signed after his NFL stint. When he was signed he was only 26 with no doubt several teams bidding for his services. His 2023 salary may reflect that situation more than anything else. I noticed last year he rotated out quite bit, perhaps more than any other starters in the secondary. ThT points to a somewhat diminished role from what he enjoyed on his first 2 years here. Wherever he plays in 2024 it will be for less money IMO. When I first saw BC's list of pending FAs his name struck me as a starter BC might move on from. However TJ's injury could change that. Hard to know what his status might be 6 weeks from now. He has 1 year left on his deal but will be 33 in the spring rehabbing a serious injury. He could be ready anywhere from start of the season to after Labour Day with retirement also a possibility.

No way Varga would be looked at to start, not in a Grey Cup hosting season. He may develop into a starter in time but for now he'll be a 2nd year player with his limited playing time being in a rotational player in 4 LB sets. Absolutely their plan will be to re-sign Hladik and Woods. They are probably 2 of their tp 6 priority re-signings. I have the utmost confidence Hladik will get done. Woods is another story. If his NFL workouts don't bear fruit he'll be looking for a starting CFL gig and who can blame him. Varga as a starter happens only if BC bombs out re-signing Hladik and Woods and fails to add other veteran presences to compensate.