Contract Status

[NiteHawk]

What is the contract status of Cameron Wake? I was lurking at RF.com earlier tonight, and read where a couple of posters were absolutely giddy at the thought he would bail on the Lions at season's end. IMO, they were wishing he would sign with the Riders after a failed NFL tryout.

It's quite obvious every free agent worth anything wants to play in that cosmopolitan city of Regina.

[Rammer]

What is the contract status of Cameron Wake? I was lurking at RF.com earlier tonight, and read where a couple of posters were absolutely giddy at the thought he would bail on the Lions at season's end. IMO, they were wishing he would sign with the Riders after a failed NFL tryout.

It's quite obvious every free agent worth anything wants to play in that cosmopolitan city of Regina.

He will tryout with the NFL, make it and that will be all.

Now if he didn't make the team, he would be under contract to the Lions for 09 as the Lions hold his CFL option contract. He has a window from end of Dec to mid Feb to sign on with an NFL team, after that once he conceivably passes waivers, his CFL rights for 09 will be ours.

However if he pulls a CP, he could return after the 09 season and be a CFL UFA, able to sign on with any CFL team.

[TheLionKing]

What is the contract status of Cameron Wake? I was lurking at RF.com earlier tonight, and read where a couple of posters were absolutely giddy at the thought he would bail on the Lions at season's end. IMO, they were wishing he would sign with the Riders after a failed NFL tryout.

It's quite obvious every free agent worth anything wants to play in that cosmopolitan city of Regina.

Wishful thinking by Rider fans.

[Solar Max]

What is the contract status of Cameron Wake? I was lurking at RF.com earlier tonight, and read where a couple of posters were absolutely giddy at the thought he would bail on the Lions at season's end. IMO, they were wishing he would sign with the Riders after a failed NFL tryout.

It's quite obvious every free agent worth anything wants to play in that cosmopolitan city of Regina.

So...have you ever actually SEEN the "Leaving Regina" sign on the Trans Canada? Rest assured that millions of your countrymen have. 8)

Just curious...you guys know that you're supposed to Troll after you WIN, right? Just checkin'.

[NiteHawk]

What is the contract status of Cameron Wake? I was lurking at RF.com earlier tonight, and read where a couple of posters were absolutely giddy at the thought he would bail on the Lions at season's end. IMO, they were wishing he would sign with the Riders after a failed NFL tryout.

It's quite obvious every free agent worth anything wants to play in that cosmopolitan city of Regina.

So...have you ever actually SEEN the "Leaving Regina" sign on the Trans Canada? Rest assured that millions of your countrymen have. 8)

Just curious...you guys know that you're supposed to Troll after you WIN, right? Just checkin'.

If you're insinuating I'm a &*^%$ Rider fan, nothing could be further from the truth. Do you not know sarcasm when you see it?

[WestCoastJoe]

A few years back there was a story told about a hot prospect who flew into Regina, took a look around, never left the airport, and got a ticket on the next plane out.

Aside from the cultural limitations of a small town like Regina (and the weather), Cam Wake loves his Lions teammates, the organization and the city. If he returned to the CFL after a stay in the NFL, it would be very difficult for a CFL team other than the Lions to sign him.

[hwgill]

I also heard him say that he might consider staying here, but didn't specify under what circumstances.

[Canuck_4_Life]

I also heard him say that he might consider staying here, but didn't specify under what circumstances.

Probably having to do with how much money up front he's getting from whichever team is trying to sign him.

[firstdown45]

If the Lions end up in the Grey Cup game (unlikely), his market value goes up into the stratosphere.

"Played in a Grey Cup game" looks good on any resume

[mightybuck]

If the Lions end up in the Grey Cup game (unlikely),

Lions will be in the Grey Cup

[Wakesbetterthanyou]

I also heard him say that he might consider staying here, but didn't specify under what circumstances.

Cam has talked about staying because its just more fun playing in the CFL than it is in the NFL. The no fun league has its name for a reason. Players are not people, they are commodities. That being said, i think cam will wind up with a large contract to play for the denver broncos. They seem to be the most interested and need the most help on D. I think if the lions won the gc, cam would give staying here a longer look as he loves vancouver, his teammates and the game he plays in BC.

[Lions4ever]

If the Lions end up in the Grey Cup game (unlikely), his market value goes up into the stratosphere.

"Played in a Grey Cup game" looks good on any resume

I doubt CW's value will go "up into the stratosphere" even with a Grey Cup on the resume, although 2 Defensive MOPs might turn a head or two - might, not will. NFL GMs are in love with draft picks and that's where they spend their money. George Selvie of South Florida, Tyson Jackson from LSU, Lawrence Wilson from Ohio State, Ole Miss' Greg Hardy, Brian Orapko at Texas, Oklahoma's Auston English (he's Canadian too...Canadian, Texas, that is), Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech, Greg Middleton from Indiana ...need I go on? These are the kinds of guys who will get the love and the coin. These guys are the competition. I'm not saying CW won't get an offer, but I would be surprised if it's stratospheric, even with a GC championship under the ol' belt.

[Solar Max]

What is the contract status of Cameron Wake? I was lurking at RF.com earlier tonight, and read where a couple of posters were absolutely giddy at the thought he would bail on the Lions at season's end. IMO, they were wishing he would sign with the Riders after a failed NFL tryout.

It's quite obvious every free agent worth anything wants to play in that cosmopolitan city of Regina.

So...have you ever actually SEEN the "Leaving Regina" sign on the Trans Canada? Rest assured that millions of your countrymen have. 8)

Just curious...you guys know that you're supposed to Troll after you WIN, right? Just checkin'.

If you're insinuating I'm a &*^%$ Rider fan, nothing could be further from the truth. Do you not know sarcasm when you see it?

Actually, I do, and when you provide some, I'll give you kudos for your keen mind.

[Lion Guy]

If the Lions end up in the Grey Cup game (unlikely), his market value goes up into the stratosphere.

"Played in a Grey Cup game" looks good on any resume

Perhaps his value goes up when you post something intelligent (unlikely)

[David]

IMO, the things that will motivate NFL GMs to make him a contract offer:

1) Game tape and/or first hand reports from scouts

2) Player awards (a distant #2 I might add)

3) Grey Cup Championship (a distant #3 I might add)

But I'm with Lions4ever. Offers will definitely be made, but I hardly think they will be 'stratospheric.' Generous to be sure, but not outrageously enticing. As for his chances of sticking, he can definitely play this game at any level. But it's not always about talent. The reality is that he slipped through the cracks on draft day which only serves to shine a spotlight on their own initial over sight. Politics are huge in the NFL. Also, don't rule out the Herm Edwards "he's just a guy from Canada" discrimination against CFL ball players (see Ricky Ray and CP).

I wouldn't discount age discrimination either. It will be interesting to see how many teams will want to seriously invest in a 27 year-old when you can be sure that teams needing defensive help (i.e. clubs likely to be interested in Cam) are sure to spending high draft picks and signing bonuses on draft day to address this area of weakness. To Lions4ever's point, NFL teams place a huge priority on their draft picks and invest heavily in their development.

DH 8)