Lionbackers.com

Hambone wrote: 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.

David wrote: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

JohnHenry wrote: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...

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.

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.

David wrote: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."

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

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

korey&dante4ever wrote:

WestCoastJoe wrote: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.