Jovan leaves the Den. Confirmation on Page 8.

[WestCoastJoe]

Wasted first and second round picks?

If we do not draft 3 linemen with our first three picks, this fan will be wondering, ready to pounce and criticize. LOL

Do we need linemen more or a receiver? A linebacker? A DB? A RB? It seems clear to this fan that we need OL and DL. And this is a bumper crop year for OL and DL.

We will see. Roll the dice? Draft board look shocking or surprising? A deep finesse on the draft board? Gawd forbid. Hoping for solid picks.

Just IMO. It is that time of the year. It is always interesting. Some of us tend to complain a bit with our judgment and criticism. Others tend to defend the status quo with their loyalty and support. It is all good.

[SammyGreene]

Some interesting details today from 3 Down Nation's Justin Dunk on Foucault's contract with the Leos HERE.

"Recently-acquired Canadian offensive lineman David Foucault signed a three-year contract with the BC Lions last Tuesday.

The 28-year-old received a $25,000 signing bonus as part of his 2017 deal that totals $97,000 with $18,000 in possible playtime bonuses. 2018 includes a raise to $117,000 in “hard” money and again $18,000 in available playtime bonuses while 2019 is structured that exact same way.

Lions general manager Wally Buono landed the Canuck blocker by trading six-time CFL all-star American tackle Jovan Olafioye to Montreal.

Foucault was drafted in the first round, fifth overall by the Alouettes during the 2014 CFL draft. He spent 2014 and 2015 with the Carolina Panthers, seeing action in five games and starting one, before he was waived in August 2016."

Obviously a significant cost saving for the club over Olafioye's deal, but what this essentially comes down to is this: Is the pain of losing an all-CFL left tackle offset by saving roughly $100K on a tackle who gives us National depth, roster flexibility, and cap space (i.e. allowed us to sign Williams at WR). I guess we're about to find out!



DH

Turning 31 when his "rookie" deal is done. Wow, let's hope he can contribute immediately as the clock is ticking and that's what his accelerated deal indicates compared to the majority of entry level nationals. If Foucault is the real deal than that was an astute move by Wally to get him to agree to a third year. Realistically, he is only looking at one more significant contract in his career.

[Hambone]

Wally has said that he only wants to start two Internationals on defense this season (as in the past). He has also said that he would like to start a National at field corner. If that scenario happens this season, Kenyan Parker will start at field corner. Buono signed free agent Matt Bucknor to bolster National talent at field corner.

Should we start a National field corner, that would mean we only need to have one other National on the field on defense. The big question would be what other position would we utilize for that National.

If we go with Edem at safety, we don't need to be starting a National on the defensive line. Instead we could use a second International tackle. But we could also go with an International safety instead and have a National starter on the defensive line at all times. That could be rotating National, such as Forde, Menard, Ainsworth, a National defensive lineman chosen in this year's draft.

But my guess, even though his play last year was anything but stellar, we will go with Edem again at free safety. Calgary uses an International at safety (Bell) whereas the Bombers use a National at the position now (Loffler). It would be interesting to look at the other CFL teams and see who is using an International at the position and which teams are using a National free safety.

Last year, the Lions often took Edem off the field in certain situations, which is rare for a safety. I can see more of a rotational role for him this year if Parker or Bucknor play field corner and any of Menard, Forde or Ainsworth get regular reps on the D-line.

The days of a defence being a 12 unit with a handful of backups are long over. With the various rotations and packages a defence really has 17 or 18 starters from which 12 names wind up on the starting roster the coach turns in to officials. Given the defence knows the first play from scrimmage will be a 1st and 10 situation the coach knows who will be on the field for the initial play and put together the lineup card accordingly. Rotations can start literally on the second play from scrimmage depending on what happened on 1st down.

[Qman]

very interesting to go through this thread again and see the analysis and projections of Foucault

After 1/3rd of a season, Foucault seems to be a bust. Looks more and more like the player that couldn't even handle Dylan Ainsworth at the CFL combine. Chris burns said live on 1040 he believes Foucault can't even play in the CFL right now, he is that bad.

some people in here thought Foucault was going to come in here and dominate. Just shows the level of play between the NFL and CFL is very similar.

Also shows we shouldn't get too excited about Boyko. If he can't get playing time down there, likely not going to be a starter here.

Don't see any choice but play Vallaincourt and let Foucault practice more. Its not the end of the line, just look at Justin Sorensen now starting for Edmonton, albeit at C.

[DanoT]

very interesting to go through this thread again and see the analysis and projections of Foucault

After 1/3rd of a season, Foucault seems to be a bust. Looks more and more like the player that couldn't even handle Dylan Ainsworth at the CFL combine. Chris burns said live on 1040 he believes Foucault can't even play in the CFL right now, he is that bad.

some people in here thought Foucault was going to come in here and dominate. Just shows the level of play between the NFL and CFL is very similar.

Also shows we shouldn't get too excited about Boyko. If he can't get playing time down there, likely not going to be a starter here.

Don't see any choice but play Vallaincourt and let Foucault practice more. Its not the end of the line, just look at Justin Sorensen now starting for Edmonton, albeit at C.

I am not going to say that the problem is O line coaching because i don't really know. I do know that the Lions have a long history of loosing QBs to injury due in large part to a leaky O line.