Free Agents

[David]

The gems I see in this group would include the following, and not necessarily in this order:
Ricky Foley of course.
Grice-Mullen - as much as some Lion fans like to dump on him he just turned 23 and does show the potential to develop into something special.
Pete Dyakoswki - Hamilton OL is only 25 and a 2 year starter.
Keron Williams - Montreal DT is also only 25 and has 18 sacks in the last 2 years. I don't think the Larks let him get away though.
Stevie Baggs - although he's bounced around enough already to wonder if this year was the norm or an anomole.

I think Williams may be the pick of the litter.

Actually Dale, you can add Jovon Johnson to the list. Due to his versatility as a DB and kick returner, the Bombers are going to have to pony up to re-sign.

The name that intrigues me though is Sandy Beveridge of the Ti-Cats. If we platooned him with Tad Crawford at safety, it would allow us to play an import elsewhere. While we will definitely miss Miles's interceptions, moxie, and leadership, we'd have a great tackler and physical player (6'2" 214lbs) who can lower the boom on unsuspecting receivers coming across the middle.

DH

[Rammer]

The problem with luring Keron Williams this side of the CFL, is that the Lions would have out bid Montreal all the potential playoff money that he is all but assured with the Als, plus his salary. Can't see this happening unless he is a West Coast homesick type of guy.

[korey&dante4ever]

The best wide-side corner in the league is also a FA... Byron Parker..

[Hambone]

Actually Dale, you can add Jovon Johnson to the list. Due to his versatility as a DB and kick returner, the Bombers are going to have to pony up to re-sign.DH

That's another good example of a the type of player I'd accept as a FA signing. If BC is to dip into the FA market I want to see them use the coin on players who are just entering their prime like Johnson and the other examples I offered. I don't want to see them waste a nickle on guys like Brown and Davis who are best case scenario at the tail end of their prime and likely to only offer downside.

[Hambone]

Yep, if Byron Parker is available, he could definitely help us at corner or nickle...and if we're going to waste an import position on a safety, how 'bout Parker in the middle? Opposing QB's would have to think twice before launching a long floater...

Parker is very much a high risk, high reward DB. He's been known to make a lot of big plays and put up big INT numbers. He's also been known for getting roasted by gambling for picks at times when he should be making the smart play. Part of the reason Toronto deemed him expendable was because that. Edmonton also found out probably more often than they'd like about Parker's penchant for gambling.

[David]

You can take Dean Valli off the board as he just agreed on a 2 year extension with the club, according to NEWS1130 this morning. You can never have enough young, versatile Canadians on your roster. "It's what cha want."

DH

[Spud387]

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=302680

Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - The British Columbia Lions and offensive lineman Dean Valli agreed to terms on Thursday.

A first-round pick of the Lions in the 2006 draft, Valli became a starter at left guard in 2008 and started all 18 games this past season after spending his first three years as a backup.

"Dean demonstrated last season that he was ready to take the next step in his football career and I am pleased to have him back," said Lions general manager and head coach Wally Buono.

In his career, Valli has appeared in 68 regular-season games and five playoff games.

[SammyGreene]

Homeboy Valli happy to stay here; North Van guard likely could have got more elsewhere, but who wants to leave?
The Province
Lowell Ullrich
The Province
The free agent to-do worksheet this season for the Lions is shorter than the wish list of the average family household at Christmas, and even before the CFL team breaks for the holidays it is already nudging towards completion.

Left guard Dean Valli of North Vancouver, whose third season with the Lions was by far his best after having been given a regular workload, has agreed to terms on a minimum two-year contract that will be announced by the club later this week.

The 26-year-old admitted there likely would have been a higher financial reward if he had waited for the start of the annual free agent signing period on Feb. 16, given the general market for non-imports at his position and the fact that he was forced to quickly pick up for centre Angus Reid due to injury late last season.

"But what's it worth to uproot to find a new place to live?" Valli said Wednesday. "This is my hometown. This is the system I know. These are guys I like playing with. It's just not worth any extra money."

At the very least, the signing will give the Lions added latitude in the event the club elects to alter its ratio by playing a fourth non-import along the offensive front next season.

The club expects fellow non-import Jon Hameister-Ries will return fully recovered from rotator cuff surgery which followed after a training camp injury and made Valli the uncontested starter.

Valli was one of only three veterans eligible to test the open market, but the rest of the Lions' free agent work will not be done as easily, and definitely will not be completed in time for the holidays.

A confirmed contract offer has been made to defensive end Ricky Foley, whose departure would cause the biggest ripple effect on the ratio, but the fourth-year Canadian has made it clear he intends to go to free agency.

Returner/receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen isn't in a hurry to sign either, especially after learning he is one of two veterans on the Lions who have drawn preliminary interest from the NFL's Miami Dolphins.

The team which took Cam Wake off the Lions' hands last season recently inquired about Grice-Mullen, though a workout date has not been finalized.

"It's just talk going around right now," said Grice-Mullen, who isn't discounting his contract offer from the Lions.

Also drawing Miami interest is sophomore non-import running back Rolly Lumbala, who worked out for the Dolphins two years ago upon being drafted and subsequently signed by the Lions. Lumbala is one of at least 20 players heading into their option year who become eligible to explore NFL opportunities at the start of the signing period Jan. 4.

4 non-imports on the o-line? Like the idea but who shifts to tackle? Sorensen's college position but needs better footwork. Sherko played quite a bit there earlier in his career.
Foley being content to test FA doesn't bode well for the Lions. Not surprised about NFL teams sniffing Grice-Mullen given his speed, same goes for Lambala who has NFL size and athleticism as a true FB.

[WestCoastJoe]

You can take Dean Valli off the board as he just agreed on a 2 year extension with the club, according to NEWS1130 this morning. You can never have enough young, versatile Canadians on your roster. "It's what cha want."

Ha ha.

"It's what cha want."

"He's got good girth."

All said with a Dorazio growl.

As long as Don Taylor does sports broadcasting, that quote will never go away.
.............

Great signing. The only problem I see with Valli is that he tries too hard. Uptight about messing up. But I think he will be very, very good when he gets his confidence. Both at guard and centre.

Hameister-Ries is going to be a good one too. IMO he had Valli beaten out for left guard prior to his injury.
...............

OK now, Dolphins. Enough is enough. Ya got Cam Wake. Now stop. But, seriously ... Ryan Grice-Mullen? Rolly Lumbala? That'll be the day, when those guys stick with the NFL. Lumbala might have an outside chance on STs. He seems to get down the field very quickly for a big guy.

[korey&dante4ever]

But, seriously ... Ryan Grice-Mullen? Rolly Lumbala? That'll be the day, when those guys stick with the NFL.

Haha, WCJ.. can you imagine that.. Your two whipping boys finding work down South.

Perhaps RGM's got his Hawaii teamate Davone Bess putting in a good word for him.

[Hambone]

Lumbala might have an outside chance on STs. He seems to get down the field very quickly for a big guy.

ST could be exactly what they are looking at in him. Former Eskimo Kenny Onatolu is making a name for himself on special teams this year. I heard somebody in the past week talk of him as being the "next Brendan Ayanbadejo" as a former CFLer who could be enroute to the Pro Bowl for special teams.

[WestCoastJoe]

But, seriously ... Ryan Grice-Mullen? Rolly Lumbala? That'll be the day, when those guys stick with the NFL.

Haha, WCJ.. can you imagine that.. Your two whipping boys finding work down South.

Perhaps RGM's got his Hawaii teamate Davone Bess putting in a good word for him.

LOL Ha ha, kd4e.

Yeah. I would have to send them a post card of congratulations if they made it.

As I have said any number of times, although RGM has slippery elusiveness, he has not shown CFL or NFL calibre hands that I can see.

Lumbala is very good on STs here. Great hustle and speed downfield for a guy his size. As a running back, not so much.

It's the specialization that makes the difference. Here, IMO we are trying to make RGM a receiver, which I haven't seen the potential for yet (Bad hands). And with Lumbala, I like his work on STs. But I would rather see Mallett or Lyle Green carry the ball on short yardage or on RB passes. IMO Rolly is not a running back, but a blocking back and an ST guy.

RGM gets interest because of his elusiveness. Is that enough? We'll see.

Lumbala gets interest because of his size, good speed, and now ST work.

I would wish them well.

[Rammer]

Frankly, I don't see the elusiveness of RGM that you see on top of his questionable hands, he is taken down by one arm tackles.