Yikes! Lions 2024 potential free agents

[Toppy Vann]

Surprises me how the line gets drawn and some get paid and some don't.

It would be a shame if A.C. Leonard retires because he can't find a team willing to pay him if in fact that is the issue. I can see Edmonton having cap concerns and also feeling as if they can recruit well enough to fill the hole. Jones could find two for the price of A.C. Seems every other Western team has a hole to fill and would benefit from his presence.

A desperate team with a weak pass rush may come calling yet. He's been a good player.

Leonard could be this year's Shawn Lemon, a proven performer who sits on the sidelines until a team with a sudden need and available cap space comes calling during the regular season. Lemon had 9 sacks last year in Montreal despite just being picked up in Week 8.

That certainly is an option if there isn't a strong view regarding retiring on Leonard's part. He definitely can still play.

Two things with Lemon's success other than fitting the Als' need for a pass rush were his strong desire to play AND what Noel Thorpe said - he was game ready. He also told someone at TSN that players will say they're in game shape and arrive and it's not true. Lemon arrived and the result was immediate.

After being released by B.C. at training camp in May, the 6-foot-2, 242-pound Lemon signed with the Als in late July,

The addition of Lemon along with the September signing of middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey significantly improved Montreal’s defence. The team went on an eight-game winning streak, culminating in a Grey Cup victory against Winnipeg

https://montrealgazette.com/sports/foot ... -year-deal

[Toppy Vann]

I was surprised to read Geroy Simon's comments on Cdn QB Tre Ford that while they might be true sure seemed harsh.

Maybe it was the headline more than the quotes that seemed too harsh and on second reading the headline doesn't accurately set the tone for the rest of the comments which were generally quite positive.

The Elks have been an on field organizational sh/t show under Chris Jones who always starts as HC that way in his HC CFL outings. Only this time he's done more harm at the gate than good and their hope is on McLeod Bethel Thompson to lead them out of the wildnerness fast.

Canadian QB Tre Ford not ready to be ‘leader of an organization’: Elks’ assistant GM Geroy Simon
By 3Down Staff -March 17, 2024

“He can do a lot of very good things with our roster and on our roster, but he’s not quite there to be a leader of an organization. He’s not quite there to be the face of the franchise.

“Tre is the long-term answer and McLeod is the answer right now and for the next few years, in our minds,” Simon noted.

https://3downnation.com/2024/03/17/cana ... roy-simon/

[SammyGreene]

3 Down Nation provide some insight from McElvoy and Campbell on their big free agent offer to Brady Oliveira and how the consolation prize was at least driving up the price for the Bombers.

Would have been interesting to see what their roster would look like had he signed here for that price given it took cutting Woody Baron to get where they are right now.

https://3downnation.com/2024/03/20/b-c- ... r-bombers/

[DanoT]

3 Down Nation provide some insight from McElvoy and Campbell on their big free agent offer to Brady Oliveira and how the consolation prize was at least driving up the price for the Bombers.

Would have been interesting to see what their roster would look like had he signed here for that price given it took cutting Woody Baron to get where they are right now.

https://3downnation.com/2024/03/20/b-c- ... r-bombers/

I think the Lions signing Stanback for a much lower salary represents a better value vs Oliveria. The other problem with a Cdn RB like Oliveria is the need for a Cdn backup RB that doesn't represent too much of a talent drop off when on the field.

[don corleone]

3 Down Nation provide some insight from McElvoy and Campbell on their big free agent offer to Brady Oliveira and how the consolation prize was at least driving up the price for the Bombers.

What goes around comes around.

Bombers did the same thing when the Lions signed Sukh Chung. What is good is that they have to register that contract with the league rather than a team friendly number and a shoe box in the trunk of the rental car. Not that there won't be some twist that works in their favour.

As far as the marketing and having guys available to sign jerseys it pays for itself quickly at $200 a pop for the jersey. Make a small donation in lieu of the beans and carry on. Wouldn't surprise me if between two players they could sell 50 - 60 jerseys over 4 hours with a little promotion regarding the event be it a food drive or what ever else you got.

Also believe players should get a cut of sales of their jersey's

[don corleone]

At least with everyone at the combine we are getting a little bit of media coverage.

Interesting story in 3DN about Hamilton making a 2 year $275,000 per year offer to Oliviera that was turned down. $80,000 more than he agreed to with the Bombers. Significant gesture by the player imo.

Also mentions James Butler maxing out in the $115,000 area which is where I roughly guess Stanback is. Oliviera is going to hae to be significantly better to warrant the extra SMS hit which I don't think is possible.

[SammyGreene]

Great to see Shawn Lemon go out on his own terms albeit surprisingly after signing an extension with the Als back in December. It makes Montreal an even more logical landing spot for Betts if it doesn’t work out in Detroit, especially with their other starting DE from last season — impressive young national Lwal Uguak — also down south with Tampa.

[don corleone]

Great to see Shawn Lemon go out on his own terms albeit surprisingly after signing an extension with the Als back in December. It makes Montreal an even more logical landing spot for Betts if it doesn’t work out in Detroit, especially with their other starting DE from last season — impressive young national Lwal Uguak — also down south with Tampa.

Shawn Lemon impressed a lot of people last year. He could have added to his tweet "I told you so"

Better stats than some in the Hall of Fame with 3 Grey Cup rings to boot. We'll see how that goes.

[Hambone]

Great to see Shawn Lemon go out on his own terms albeit surprisingly after signing an extension with the Als back in December. It makes Montreal an even more logical landing spot for Betts if it doesn’t work out in Detroit, especially with their other starting DE from last season — impressive young national Lwal Uguak — also down south with Tampa.

I'm only mildly surprised at the retirement and only because he signed an extension earlier in the year. I find that when players get into the later stages of their careers their emotions and desire/drive to continue playing can take big swings. Sometimes they come out of a season thinking that's it. I've had enough only to see the desire return as they get closer to the new season. On the flip side others are all in for another season as the previous one ends only to lose that interest as training camp gets closer and they find they just don't have the appetite to go through the grind of training camp and another season.

And of course we also see guys retire due an off the field opportunity presenting itself be it in football or out in the real world.

[don corleone]

Still appears to be lots of love for Lucky with a nice rant and highlight reel of last season from Dr Phil on the Lions sub forum at CFL.ca. Some kind words from Alexander Hollins as well interviewed at the CFL content shoot in Hamilton. Says he still has the speed.

Hopefully he is working out and ready to go if / when he does get a call. Could be a difference maker and generally better to be playing with than against those types imo.

[Hambone]

I don't know if there's something going on with Riley Pickett but BC just signed long-time veteran NFL LS Kyle Nelson. Maybe it's just a favour for Kyle's old man Mark who was on Campbell's staff in Ottawa from 2014 thru 2019 and guest coached in Kamloops in 2022.

https://3downnation.com/2024/05/02/snap ... le-nelson/

[SammyGreene]

I don't know if there's something going on with Riley Pickett but BC just signed long-time veteran NFL LS Kyle Nelson. Maybe it's just a favour for Kyle's old man Mark who was on Campbell's staff in Ottawa from 2014 thru 2019 and guest coached in Kamloops in 2022.

https://3downnation.com/2024/05/02/snap ... le-nelson/

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this one. Nelson is 37 and hasn’t played in 3 years.. I know there were concerns about our long snapper situation going into last season but Pickett acquitted himself well and is still on an entry level salary. Given his age can’t see Nelson being a significant upgrade in downfield coverage either.

[B.C.FAN]

I don't know if there's something going on with Riley Pickett but BC just signed long-time veteran NFL LS Kyle Nelson. Maybe it's just a favour for Kyle's old man Mark who was on Campbell's staff in Ottawa from 2014 thru 2019 and guest coached in Kamloops in 2022.

https://3downnation.com/2024/05/02/snap ... le-nelson/

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this one. Nelson is 37 and hasn’t played in 3 years.. I know there were concerns about our long snapper situation going into last season but Pickett acquitted himself well and is still on an entry level salary. Given his age can’t see Nelson being a significant upgrade in downfield coverage either.

I was critical of the Lions for holding open tryouts for long snappers at training camp last year, with snaps sailing in every conceivable direction, but I thought Pickett had a solid season and solidified his position on the roster.

[DanoT]

Maybe the Nelson signing is about having some backup depth if Pickett falters. Not on the practice roster depth but "stay in shape and we will call you if needed" depth.

[don corleone]

Hard to knock the NFL experience for what appears to be another bargain price but maybe more of an opportunity for Nelson to transition into a coaching role which doesn't mean he won't be a contributor on the field this year. I doubt they sell many jerseys.

Reminds me again that the Lions are Rick Campbell's team and makes me curious how much rope does he get should results not pan out. Not saying anything less than a championship will be a disappointment but coaches are paid to win games.