2014 free agents

[South Pender]

That's where Butler finds himself. The London, Ontario native could certainly be tempted to play closer to home, much like a former receiver who left for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Butler, however, was adamant on the Green Zone earlier this season that he wanted to return to the Green and White. He stayed on that message this week.

"I want to be a Rider. I think they know that," said Butler. "I'm optimistic that we can make it work.

"SOURCE: TheGreenZone (11/28/13)


DH

Do you read that as more "show me the money" than I am green tattooed? I wonder if the right amount of money could lure Butler to another team, especially closer to home. At any rate, the Lions would be foolish not to up the ante no matter what, as the higher the contract the more of an SMS hit the Riders would take.

I now share your skepticism when I hear words like this from players. This natural skepticism got a huge boost with the Ricky Foley statement several years ago now that he wouldn't think of playing anywhere in the CFL other than BC, just days (maybe hours) before signing with the Argos. I also agree that the phrase "make it work" means "meeting my increased salary demands."

[SammyGreene]

It will be interesting to see if the Riders leave Butler exposed for the expansion draft, lock him up before next Monday or at least tip Ottawa management a deal is in place that will be announced in the new year (next salary cap season).

If he's exposed, Butler's ability and age might be worth risking one of your 16 Canadian picks on. It would give you negotiating rights until Feb. 15 to make him one of the marquee players of your franchise. And at least he's from back east.

[Lionsman]

Lions will never win with JR LaRose at safety. Would Hecht be an upgrade?

[David]

Matt McGarva was making excellent progress 'til he blew out his knee and was done for the year. I am sure he will get a good look again at training camp. Maybe you go with McGarva and an import backing him up....or McGarva and LaRose in a reduced role.

Does it make sense to spend big $$$ on a safety when we can develop one? (granted, our track record hasn't been very good since Barron Miles retired). I would spend the money shoring up Canadian talent on the O and D lines.


DH

[Rammer]

Matt McGarva was making excellent progress 'til he blew out his knee and was done for the year. I am sure he will get a good look again at training camp. Maybe you go with McGarva and an import backing him up....or McGarva and LaRose in a reduced role.

Does it make sense to spend big $$$ on a safety when we can develop one? (granted, our track record hasn't been very good since Barron Miles retired). I would spend the money shoring up Canadian talent on the O and D lines.


DH

Is Parker out of the loop for the safety position, considering he was getting some playing time there and has the speed to cover receivers?

[B.C.FAN]

News1130 reports that Nick Moore had a free-agent workout with the Minnesota Vikings. I wonder what Manny Arceneaux told him about the organization.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports 23m #BCLions receiver Nick Moore worked out for the Minnesota Vikings this morning.

[David]

News1130 reports that Nick Moore had a free-agent workout with the Minnesota Vikings. I wonder what Manny Arceneaux told him about the organization.

Hopefully they gave him easy 10 yard curl patterns to run, instead of go or wheel routes with a defender draped all over him.


DH

[DanoT]

I think that Moore and others are not acutally free agents until Feb. 15, so I asume Wally game Moore permission to try out early with the NFL.

[WestCoastJoe]

Nick has talent.

But he is not a real burner. Nor is he a powerful player. But he gets open. He is smooth. Hands are not his strongest suit either. Lapses in concentration.

I would guess that his chances of sticking in the NFL are not all that great. He didn't burn up the CFL this year, in his best year. Other years he was more of a promising project.

I expect he goes and tries, without re-upping with the Lions. I expect he eventually comes back to the CFL. And I expect he tries the open market up here. We might have seen the last of him as a Lion. Not the biggest loss. He can be replaced with any number of import receivers.

BTW, I like him as a receiver.

[South Pender]

News1130 reports that Nick Moore had a free-agent workout with the Minnesota Vikings. I wonder what Manny Arceneaux told him about the organization.

Hopefully they gave him easy 10 yard curl patterns to run, instead of go or wheel routes with a defender draped all over him.


DH

Actually, I hope he dropped everything they threw his way.

We need him back!

[TheLionKing]

I think that Moore and others are not acutally free agents until Feb. 15, so I asume Wally game Moore permission to try out early with the NFL.

Free agency doesn't kick in til Feb. Guess Buono gave his blessing for Moore to gage if there any NFL interest out there. Wonder if he would do the same for Keron Williams.

[Rammer]

I think that Moore and others are not acutally free agents until Feb. 15, so I asume Wally game Moore permission to try out early with the NFL.

Free agency doesn't kick in til Feb. Guess Buono gave his blessing for Moore to gage if there any NFL interest out there. Wonder if he would do the same for Keron Williams.

Standard to allow the players NFL tryouts at this time of year, in fact right up to FA time. The Lions wouldn't want to deny any player with NFL interest as that may jeopardize their return to the CFL and the Lions.

[Blitz]

I'm hoping that Nick Moore is back as a Leo next season. In his first year as a full time starter he finished third in the CFL in receiving, ahead of notable CFL recievers as McDaniel, Getzlaf, Dressler, and Owens. He made 73 catches in 2013 for 1105 yds and a 15.1 yards per catch average. He was the leading receiver on our Leos.

That's not easy to replace, even with all the import receivers our Leos will be able to sign.

I don't like Moore's chances in the NFL. He could turn our to be a practice player or a depth player. I hope he is listening to Manny and will sign a new contract with our Leos unless he really gets a decent NFL offer.

[TheLionKing]

If Moore gets a substantial signing bonus it will be indicative that the team is really interested in his services. If not, he's probably going to be training camp fodder.

[DanoT]

If Moore gets a substantial signing bonus it will be indicative that the team is really interested in his services. If not, he's probably going to be training camp fodder.

Doesn't the NFL have some sort of signing bonus limit these days?