Training camp 2025

[Hambone]

The biggest question for me heading into camp is how the Lions will deploy their talent in the secondary and linebacking corps. LB Josh Woods, who is recovering from knee surgery, answered part of that question in an interview with Vicki Hall published today at cfl.ca, saying he plans to report to camp in Kamloops next week but doesn’t expect to be ready to step on the field until sometime this summer. That leaves Americans Micah Awe and Mike Smith and nationals Ben Hladik and Adam Auclair as the top veteran contenders for starting roles.

https://www.cfl.ca/2025/05/01/josh-wood ... age-month/

That puts the signing of Awe more into perspective. Regardless I still don't quite get the release of Eley.

[David]

I was a little unclear myself. I thought Eley was very good last year, in his first season getting meaningful reps. That said, I believe the club is really high on Mike Smith Jr. By all accounts, staff was really impressed with the late-season signing and Awe provides more speed and athleticism (insurance for Woods?).

RP said that it's going to be a competitive camp, and that they will be going with the "12 best." If that means moving guys around (half-joking(?) about moving Peters to SAM), so be it.

JC Abbott was asked about the Leos drafting. (Paraphrasing here): Likes Findlay a lot but questions the need, as we already have an up-and-coming safety in Beaulieu. NOTE - I believe the club plans to have Findlay play special teams right away so it's not an urgent decision. Abbott said the club boasts National depth but that could change in a pinch, as evidenced by Ottawa a few years ago. Thought we could have drafted more O-linemen early (e.g. in place of Harris. Again, he didn't see the need there). Likes Klassen but isn't as high on Doiron and Berwick as others are.

I disagree. When a player of Findlay's stature and pedigree is sitting there (well, we actually traded up but he was still available MUCH later than expected) you have to go for it. Our current MO is to deploy Nationals in non-traditional places, so it's not as urgent for us to start 3 or 4 Nationals along the Oline. Just my opinion.


DH

[B.C.FAN]

According to the CFL transactions page, the Lions have released second year safety Charlie Ringland, who spent half of his rookie season on the practice roster. They must be expecting second-round draft pick Jackson Findlay to take his place.

[Hambone]

I disagree. When a player of Findlay's stature and pedigree is sitting there (well, we actually traded up but he was still available MUCH later than expected) you have to go for it. Our current MO is to deploy Nationals in non-traditional places, so it's not as urgent for us to start 3 or 4 Nationals along the Oline. Just my opinion.


DH

The deeper in the draft you get the thinner the hairs you're splitting over 8 or 10 player blocks of prospects. Dropping 8 spots in the 4th to gain 3 in the 2nd is a good value move, especially if you really like a particular prospect and believe he'll be gone before your slot.