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Ravi wrote:Is Brett Romberg B.C. Lions property? Romberg, a centre, was released by the Atlanta Falcons today: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/m ... le1696538/

Wow. A long time ago he was. How long do the rights get retained from the CFL draft?

Romberg would be an amazing bonus. Large, experienced, talented centre. Another Miami U guy too. Non-import.

What a makeover of the Lions O Line that would be.

College career

Romberg played college football at the University of Miami where he was distinguished as the best center in the nation in 2002 and was awarded the Dave Rimington Trophy.

With Romberg at center, the Hurricanes won 35 of 37 games, one National Championship, three BIG EAST Conference championships, a Sugar Bowl and a Rose Bowl.

Romberg never allowed a quarterback sack at center and was part of an offensive line that helped produce three 1,000-yard rushers (James Jackson, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee), a quarterback (Ken Dorsey) who set every major UM career passing record and an offense that averaged more than 465 yards per game for the balance of his three years as the starting center.

-- Wik

Yes I do believe he is! This could be good.

If you believe Foley's agent in Mike Beamish's story today, there is little to no hope of Foley returning north as practice roster spots are waiting for him:

However, Foley’s agent, Paul Sheehy, suggests that Lions fans shouldn’t get their hopes up too soon, if at all. Foley, a defensive end who led the CFL in sacks last season, is a free agent who can sell his services to any team in Canada. The Lions have no claim on his CFL playing rights.

But more than that, Sheehy believes that Foley is destined to spend the 2010 season in the NFL.

“Ricky may, in fact, be claimed off waivers and be active for Week 1 [in the NFL],” Sheehy told The Vancouver Sun. “If that does not happen, I have four teams which have reached out and extended a practice squad opportunity for him to sign on Sunday. Either way, he’s in the NFL in 2010 as planned.”

Sheehy says Foley talks to Lions players and coaches on a regular basis socially, “but do not, under any circumstances, misinterpret that as any indication that B.C. specifically, or the CFL in general, is in the plan for 2010,” Sheehy said. “It is not.”


Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/foot ... z0yc3Op2vD

Romberg was probably the best of the three Canadians on that national championship Miami line, and has bounced around the NFL for seven years. He has probably qualified for his pension and is ineligible for an NFL practice roster, so a reunion with his two old teammates in B.C. might at least have sentimental appeal.

That sheehy guy is really starting to annoy me.

WestCoastJoe wrote:

Ravi wrote:Is Brett Romberg B.C. Lions property? Romberg, a centre, was released by the Atlanta Falcons today: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/m ... le1696538/

Wow. A long time ago he was. How long do the rights get retained from the CFL draft?

Romberg would be an amazing bonus. Large, experienced, talented centre. Another Miami U guy too. Non-import.

What a makeover of the Lions O Line that would be.

College career

Romberg played college football at the University of Miami where he was distinguished as the best center in the nation in 2002 and was awarded the Dave Rimington Trophy.

With Romberg at center, the Hurricanes won 35 of 37 games, one National Championship, three BIG EAST Conference championships, a Sugar Bowl and a Rose Bowl.

Romberg never allowed a quarterback sack at center and was part of an offensive line that helped produce three 1,000-yard rushers (James Jackson, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee), a quarterback (Ken Dorsey) who set every major UM career passing record and an offense that averaged more than 465 yards per game for the balance of his three years as the starting center.

-- Wik

His CFL rights are held until he attempts a CFL career, so unless the Lions traded them ala Mace, he would have to tryout with the Lions. Yes that would be quite the reversal of fortune from the Linos OL perspective. McGrath looked good against an active Alouette defensive seven, which helps out ratio wise as well.

Lionheart wrote:That sheehy guy is really starting to annoy me.

Reminds me of Casey Printer's uncle.

I think I'm as likely to be claimed. Good on the agent, make the best of it!

JohnHenry wrote:Why would Foley want to stay on a NFL practice roster? He's like 28 yrs old...and he's looked totally hopeless as an NFL lineman. In a Seattle preseason game, an opposing OL'man gave him a little pop after the play, sending him into a complete backward somersault flip, landing on his feet. I've never seen an NFL lineman do that before. He's much better suited for LB, but he has no hope in the NFL. Foley could sign for way more in the CFL than the $85,000 he could earn if he stays all 16 games on the PS...and be a player, not a poser.

He has a chance as an OLB in the right system. I'm not sure why you would say "no hope" when one of the league's best defenses though he was at least worth a look. Seattle seemed like a bad fit

If you want to call someone attempting to achieve a goal a poser, that says more about you than him.

Logan canned in Pittsburgh.

I don't see Romberg coming up to take a similar pounding (maybe more with no grass fields) for a 90 per cent pay cut. He may get a look when the injury bug strikes.

JohnHenry wrote:
Speaking of Foley, this writer claims he received a $100,000 signing bonus by the Seahawks? That's a bit hard to believe, although there were several teams after him...many of whom missed out on the Wake-stakes last season.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-cflnfl083110

Foley, who received a $100,000 guarantee from the Seahawks, displayed some ability as a hybrid linebacker/end in Pete Carroll’s “Leo” concept, in which three-man fronts are augmented by a stand-up pass-rusher. The Jets needed to add depth after Calvin Pace(notes) suffered a broken foot. New York was one of the teams that Foley tried out for in April.

“He’ll play that hybrid position in New York,” Sheehy said.

Not sure why that would be difficult for you to fathom - - it's equivalent to the signing bonus for a 6th round pick.

JohnHenry wrote:
Foley could sign for way more in the CFL than the $85,000 he could earn if he stays all 16 games on the PS...and be a player, not a poser.

I really hope you're not anyone's financial advisor.

The CFL season's half over - - which means he'd only get half his salary. So how much more than $170K will he get in the CFL? Once he gets onto active roster it's $20K/week. Forget about factoring in the CFL signing bonus - - that'll be there after the season just as it is now.

Doesn't make any financial sense at all to come back to the CFL this year.

Lionheart wrote:That sheehy guy is really starting to annoy me.

He's no Gil Scott, is he?

Foley: May end up on a practice squad. Likely with the Jets. Nothing to lose by him sitting on one for the year.

Romberg: Never say never. He spent two years on Jacksonville's practice squad before he got fed up and went to St. Louis. I'm surprised he was cut by the Falcons. He should be eligible for the pension. Again, never say never, but if he comes up here it would be a "love of the game" type of deal where like a Rob Murphy or a Frank Ferrara he's doing it because he wants to, not because he has to.

Then again, it's entirely possible he's resigned after Week 1 so the Falcons don't have to guarantee a full season salary for him.

Baggs has been mentioned. John Chick was cut by the Colts.

Here's a name to add to your Neg list. WR Blair White, who was cut today by the Colts. Terrific possession guy at Michigan State. Really good route runner and the Colts most productive WR in pre-season. I'm surprised he was cut, and if I was an NFL GM in need of depth I'd snap him up in a heartbeat. But if, for some reason, he wants to wander up here, keep a Neg slot warm.

Also, QB Troy Smith was cut by the Ravens today. That guy could thrive up here. I think Montreal has his rights. But if I were Hamilton, I'd pick up the phone....