Yikes! Lions 2024 potential free agents

[don corleone]

Looks like a possible re-negotiation for David Menard seeing him listed in CFL transactions. Seems like a character guy.

[SammyGreene]

Taylor Cornelius released today by the Elks. Could he be of interest to the Lions to back-up VA with the opportunity to develop his passing game further working under OC Jordan Maksymic? Could also be our short yardage specialist which he did until the end of the season in Edmonton.

Elks also released former Lion Adam Konar who was also due a signing bonus. Elks radio color guy Dave Campbell thinks they will make a ratio change at WIL LB

[Hambone]

Looks like a possible re-negotiation for David Menard seeing him listed in CFL transactions. Seems like a character guy.

I could see that coming. He's excellent but I thought a bit pricey for his rotational role. Not ridiculously so but at $147K he was the 10th highest paid DE and highest paid non-starting DE. Knock $15K-$20K off that and I think you have fair market value.

[Toppy Vann]

Random thoughts:

1. Given the NLF late season problems at QB injuries and the 3 QB rule as it is now, isn't that just another one of the dumb rules associated with 4 down NFL football.

Wouldn't it be better for the NFL if there was no exposure to losing their 3rd QB in the Jags Rourke scenario? CFL messed its 3 QB rule up but now it's fine if you want to use one position for 3rd down and unlike BC one position for developing the future QB!

2. Rourke is likely feeling in limbo in NE as it's unknown if Belichick is moving on and it's likely they'll use their no. 3 or 4 draft position to bring in a QB who they will invest in as a starter and we know that is always going to put all others in the back seat for reps.

3. It's interesting how tight the Bombers team seemed to be yet Canadian Oliiviera wants out to the NFL.

4. Of the list of CFLers trying out in that NFL list of CFLers Javon Leake looks like a certain loss but kick returners there seem a dime a dozen so who knows.

edited for spelling Belichick wrong .. Sounds like he's moving out of NE. Consensus on talk shows is that his bad hires for offensive coaches is the reason he's been failing recently. Knew an exec like that. He hired the people who always got him into trouble with his exec VP. Did similar bad hires as a senior manager that nearly cost him his job earlier on. Now he's a multi-millionaire though like several others who got fired and made it big other ways.

[Hambone]

All the NFL QB3 rule did and was intended to achieve was to ensure teams had a 3rd QB available they could activate on an emergency basis. Prior to this many teams only dressed 2 QBs with a 3rd being on the PS. I looked at that 3 or so years ago and if I recall it might have been close to a 50/50 split between those who dressed 3 and those who only dressed 2. A small number didn't even carry a 3rd on the PS. Teams who dressed only 2 potentially would be faced with the same issues as the new rule makes. If they had need to move the 3rd from the PS to 53 and/or game roster they could. But then when they wanted to put him back to the PS they had to waive him and hope he cleared waivers.

[SammyGreene]

CP's Dan Ralph reporting a contract extension for Stamps' Reggie Begelton (29) that will see a nice bump in pay on his 2023 salary ($181,000). The new deal ranks him 3rd in the league behind Geno Lewis and Kenny Lawlor.

Hearing Calgary Stampeders and WR Reggie Begelton have agreed to new deal that keeps him in Alberta through ‘25 and guarantees him over $420k. CFL all-star had 86 catches, 1,119 yards and five TDs last year and 329 catches-4,445 yards- 24 TDs in five-plus seasons with Stamps.

So where do pending FAs Hatcher, Cottoy and Hollins slot into the mix with Rhymes already hovering around $200,000?

[don corleone]

CP's Dan Ralph reporting a contract extension for Stamps' Reggie Begelton (29) that will see a nice bump in pay on his 2023 salary ($181,000). The new deal ranks him 3rd in the league behind Geno Lewis and Kenny Lawlor.

Hearing Calgary Stampeders and WR Reggie Begelton have agreed to new deal that keeps him in Alberta through ‘25 and guarantees him over $420k. CFL all-star had 86 catches, 1,119 yards and five TDs last year and 329 catches-4,445 yards- 24 TDs in five-plus seasons with Stamps.

So where do pending FAs Hatcher, Cottoy and Hollins slot into the mix with Rhymes already hovering around $200,000?

Begelton was very good last year. Stamps flat out do not make the playoffs without him and factor in he was less than 100% healthy for much of the second half. Deserving of a raise and hope he does not have to renegotiate a year from now.

As for the Lions; Hatchers situation is very concerning and I wish him the best. Yet to be seen how it plays out. Cottoy would be a priority signing imo possibly behind Rhymes on the pay scale. Justin McInnis warrants bringing back. Hollins likely comes back on another one year incentive laden deal. I'm not seeing too many better options than what he has now. Rhymes needs to be the guy and with luck he will stay healthy. I'll also toss in a plug for Lucky and say that he would be a good addition for $150,000. Doesn't appear he is a Campbell favorite though.

Given the Vernon Adams / William Stanback tweet of a few weeks ago I expect the Lions will be in on the running back bidding that will affect what they can do at other positions. FTR I don't think Oliviera gets $200,000. Kadeem Carey is one I like but nothing wrong with Stanback or Ouellette either.

[don corleone]

Growing % of players with two year deals being asked to re-negotiate makes me wonder if they will honour any.

Add Jake Maier to the list which makes it seem like the Stamps have another plan in mind. I'll be surprised if it is Taylor Cornelius as a #1.

[Toppy Vann]

All the NFL QB3 rule did and was intended to achieve was to ensure teams had a 3rd QB available they could activate on an emergency basis. Prior to this many teams only dressed 2 QBs with a 3rd being on the PS. I looked at that 3 or so years ago and if I recall it might have been close to a 50/50 split between those who dressed 3 and those who only dressed 2. A small number didn't even carry a 3rd on the PS. Teams who dressed only 2 potentially would be faced with the same issues as the new rule makes. If they had need to move the 3rd from the PS to 53 and/or game roster they could. But then when they wanted to put him back to the PS they had to waive him and hope he cleared waivers.

My point is that the NFL has the money to simply allow 3 QBs to dress each game unlike in the CFL where changes to roster sizes are significantly more impactful than in the NFL.

If the Jags after losing Nathan Rourke to NE had both starter and back up injured they would have not had a QB who knew their offence. To me that's an easily fixable rule for expanding game day rosters to allow 3 QBs and still have your other positions covered.

Look at how long they had silly OT rule where the the team that won the coin toss only had to get to FG range to end the game without the opponent not given a shot. No other game in the world is quite like that. Even golden goals in soccer that no longer exist in most leagues gave both teams a chance to win. Now it's more fair as a goal in OT doesn't end play making OT in that game even more exciting.

[CrazyCanuck89]

Taylor Cornelius released today by the Elks. Could he be of interest to the Lions to back-up VA with the opportunity to develop his passing game further working under OC Jordan Maksymic? Could also be our short yardage specialist which he did until the end of the season in Edmonton.

Elks also released former Lion Adam Konar who was also due a signing bonus. Elks radio color guy Dave Campbell thinks they will make a ratio change at WIL LB

Just too many young guys behind him. Brodrique, Shackel and the Appolon twins could Duke it out for WLB.

[Toppy Vann]

Growing % of players with two year deals being asked to re-negotiate makes me wonder if they will honour any.

Add Jake Maier to the list which makes it seem like the Stamps have another plan in mind. I'll be surprised if it is Taylor Cornelius as a #1.

QBs and high cost players being asked to restructure contracts is not a bad thing other than no player wants to lose money.

The off season money where players get chopped before those payments as explained by Hambone as an advance on the next season is something I've been less comfortable with as when Wally ran BC as GM and HC fan favourites got let go seemingly to avoid those payments. One of the last I recall was Jason Clermont who'd I have liked to have seen retire as a BC Lion instead of going to the prairies.

If Hambone is correct that off season is a jump on the next season and the team doesn't want you given that and your performance the prior season, I get it.
My prior take was different. I felt it was team's contracting in bad faith with no intention of ever making those off season payments but putting them in contracts to get a player to not sign with another team.

[Toppy Vann]

I posted this article quoting Chris Streveler in the NE Nathan Rourke thread but it really speaks to NFL try outs for undrafted players and guys from the CFL. It's a good read actually.

Former Blue Bombers QB Chris Streveler: 'Don't make the NFL bigger than it is':
Author of the article:Paul Friesen
Published Dec 21, 2023 •

The link to the headline that at first glance might seem kind of strange is this:

“The workouts are much shorter than you expect,” he said. “It may be a half hour. You do a warmup, they put you through a couple of drills. Just be you. Have fun with it. Don’t make it bigger than it is. It’s just a workout. You’ve done that a million times. “

“I’m keeping all of my options open right now,” he said. “I’m in really good shape. I ran 21 miles an hour at the 49ers workout. I threw the ball well. If your body feels good, your mind feels good, that’s where I want to be. That’s where I’m at. I feel very confident about what I can do, who I am as player.

I don't know how big the pension is but...

Streveler turns 29 early in the New Year (2024)

But get this: He’s already earned an NFL pension, a perk that comes with being in the league three years.

“Football years are like dog years,” he joked. “One year is like seven years. If you make it to 30, you’ve had a heck of a life, man.”

https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football ... than-it-is

[B.C.FAN]

According to J.J. Adams, co-GM Neil McEvoy is optimistic about retaining the team's priority free agents, including Ben Hladik and Josh Woods. He's less optimistic about Mathieu Betts, and admits Lucky Whitehead isn't among the Lions' top priorities. McEvoy also says that Keon Hatcher is a special case since he will likely miss most or all of this season recovering from Achilles surgery but remains one of the team's long-term priorities.

“We’re in conversation with all of them. We’re still talking,” he said from Nashville, Tenn., where he’s part of the league’s winter meetings with coaches and GMs.

“It’s still quite early in the process. I know it’s almost February … (but) we’re still in process of working with all those guys and talking to them. At the end of the day, I think we’ll get the guys that we want back, back.”

The B.C. Lions free agents will be anything but

[SammyGreene]

According to J.J. Adams, co-GM Neil McEvoy is optimistic about retaining the team's priority free agents, including Ben Hladik and Josh Woods. He's less optimistic about Mathieu Betts, and admits Lucky Whitehead isn't among the Lions' top priorities. McEvoy also says that Keon Hatcher is a special case since he will likely miss most or all of this season recovering from Achilles surgery but remains one of the team's long-term priorities.

“We’re in conversation with all of them. We’re still talking,” he said from Nashville, Tenn., where he’s part of the league’s winter meetings with coaches and GMs.

“It’s still quite early in the process. I know it’s almost February … (but) we’re still in process of working with all those guys and talking to them. At the end of the day, I think we’ll get the guys that we want back, back.”

The B.C. Lions free agents will be anything but

Thanks for the link BC FAN and nice to see JJ provide an update.
The sooner I see Cottoy signed the better. Offers so many intangibles entering the prime of his career. I’m sure the Stamps would love to lure him back to his hometown as an ideal starting compliment to a healthy Jalen Philpot. I did see an interview with Dickenson saying they plan to be more active than usual in free agency and they re-worked the final year of Meier’s current deal for more FA leverage.

“We’ve been in contact with Jake quite a bit this offseason, identifying some things that, as a staff and as an offensive unit, we need to be better at,” Dickenson said.

Not surprised to read McElvoy heaping praise on Hatcher. He is their best receiver and at 28 deserves a salary north of $200,000 but his rehab and eventual return makes it tricky.

[don corleone]

The sooner I see Cottoy signed the better. Offers so many intangibles entering the prime of his career. I’m sure the Stamps would love to lure him back to his hometown as an ideal starting compliment to a healthy Jalen Philpot. I did see an interview with Dickenson saying they plan to be more active than usual in free agency and they re-worked the final year of Meier’s current deal for more FA leverage.

As beleaguered as the Stamps receiving corps was last year they are a fairly deep group. Clark Barnes, Cole Tucker and Rysen John are all still on entry level contracts. Big question is who will be healthy with Malik Henry and Philpot also under contract after missing the entire year. Barnes ended the season on the six game as well.

As for free agents Hakunavanhu, Colton Hunchak and Tyson Middlemost are players that have been around and know the system. Add Tre Odoms-Duke, Marken Michel and Reggie and that makes eleven of their own to pick from. I think they spend their money elsewhere.

Edmonton is a bigger threat to go after Cottoy imo.

Still wondering what the Lions are thinking for the #2 QB spot with not much out there that fits. It won't totally surprise me to see Dom Davis back hoping for a better year. I thought Mason Fine showed some poise but he needs reps that he is unlikely to see. Nick Arbuckle could also use some love.