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http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444314

Eskimos released Donovan Alexander. Would he make a good fit for the Lions at safety.......?

The Lions made fresh claims Monday that they're in the mix for Eskimo DT Ted Laurent, who first wants to pursue NFL opportunities. Meanwhile, Keron Williams seems headed elsewhere.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports ·5 hrs
The #BCLions talked with free agent DL Ted Laurent's agent and have been told he will make decision after the NFL draft.

Lions have been told they are still in the mix despite the fact he lives in Montreal.

Lions have zero interest in Alex Hall and talked with Laurent's agent over the weekend.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports ·5 hrs
Just talked with Keron Williams agent - he could have a new team soon on either side of the border.

The Lions have made previous claims this offseason about pursuing high-profile free agents, only to have those players sign elsewhere. Still, Laurent would be a ratio-changer for the Lions, allowing them to go with a rotation of three non-imports (Laurent, Jabar Westerman and Jermaine Reid or Steven Doege) and three imports (Eric Taylor, Chris Wilson and Khreem Smith or a new pass-rush specialist).

Yea, saw this earlier today on Twitter (along with the news Wally has no interest in Alex Hall).

Can't understand why the two parties can't come to an agreement when he's a year-round resident who's been training at the Surrey facilities and shedding weight to play the rush end position. Then there was that whole awkward introduction by the Grey Cup Committee as he's designed the 2014 GC logo (and will be put in touch with post-football graphic design opportunities from Jamie Pitblado's vast network of contacts. Does this change if he flies the coop?)

Does this also mean that if his new agent (Keron fired his previous agent last month) finds him NFL work, he'll have to bulk up again? I really don't know where he would fit in down there. He's neither big enough nor young enough to be an NFL rush end IMO.

I really think Keron needs to take stock. Does he really want to leave his wife and newborn to play in say, Ottawa (and have to pay for accommodation 6 months of the year and forego playoff money in all likelihood?).


DH

B.C.FAN wrote:The Lions made fresh claims Monday that they're in the mix for Eskimo DT Ted Laurent, who first wants to pursue NFL opportunities. Meanwhile, Keron Williams seems headed elsewhere.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports ·5 hrs
The #BCLions talked with free agent DL Ted Laurent's agent and have been told he will make decision after the NFL draft.

Lions have been told they are still in the mix despite the fact he lives in Montreal.

Lions have zero interest in Alex Hall and talked with Laurent's agent over the weekend.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports ·5 hrs
Just talked with Keron Williams agent - he could have a new team soon on either side of the border.

The Lions have made previous claims this offseason about pursuing high-profile free agents, only to have those players sign elsewhere. Still, Laurent would be a ratio-changer for the Lions, allowing them to go with a rotation of three non-imports (Laurent, Jabar Westerman and Jermaine Reid or Steven Doege) and three imports (Eric Taylor, Chris Wilson and Khreem Smith or a new pass-rush specialist).

Puzzling to say the least, I sure do hope Laurent lands a Lion....

notahomer wrote:Eskimos released Donovan Alexander. Would he make a good fit for the Lions at safety.......?

Winnipeg has reportedly just signed Alexander. He could be an upgrade on Cauchy Muamba.

notahomer wrote:

B.C.FAN wrote:The Lions made fresh claims Monday that they're in the mix for Eskimo DT Ted Laurent, who first wants to pursue NFL opportunities. Meanwhile, Keron Williams seems headed elsewhere.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports ·5 hrs
The #BCLions talked with free agent DL Ted Laurent's agent and have been told he will make decision after the NFL draft.

Lions have been told they are still in the mix despite the fact he lives in Montreal.

Lions have zero interest in Alex Hall and talked with Laurent's agent over the weekend.

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports ·5 hrs
Just talked with Keron Williams agent - he could have a new team soon on either side of the border.

The Lions have made previous claims this offseason about pursuing high-profile free agents, only to have those players sign elsewhere. Still, Laurent would be a ratio-changer for the Lions, allowing them to go with a rotation of three non-imports (Laurent, Jabar Westerman and Jermaine Reid or Steven Doege) and three imports (Eric Taylor, Chris Wilson and Khreem Smith or a new pass-rush specialist).

Puzzling to say the least, I sure do hope Laurent lands a Lion....

The way things seem to have gone so far this off season, that would be a very, very pleasant surprise. In that vein, it would seem to take the best dollar contract to sign him. No discount price for playing in B.C. Do we really have a chance to sign him, assuming he does not stick in the NFL? Players and coaches are not beating down our door to sign here, under this present regime. [Keeping my hopes in check.]

B.C.FAN wrote:

notahomer wrote:Eskimos released Donovan Alexander. Would he make a good fit for the Lions at safety.......?

Winnipeg has reportedly just signed Alexander. He could be an upgrade on Cauchy Muamba.

Could we have used Donovan Alexander? Dunno about that. We are underpar already in that position. Add another mediocre player?

WestCoastJoe wrote:

B.C.FAN wrote:

notahomer wrote:Eskimos released Donovan Alexander. Would he make a good fit for the Lions at safety.......?

Winnipeg has reportedly just signed Alexander. He could be an upgrade on Cauchy Muamba.

Could we have used Donovan Alexander? Dunno about that. We are underpar already in that position. Add another mediocre player?

Count me as disappointed we didn't make a bid for Alexander. The chances of landing a really good NI safety are close to nil, and LaRose has been worse than mediocre IMO. If Winnipeg thinks Alexander is an upgrade over Muamba, and we thought Muamba was an upgrade over LaRose, it seems to me that we might have progressed at the safety position from terrible to average at least with Alexander. It may be hard to put an import there as we've wasted (IMO) an import spot on a punter.

I'm starting to think that Wally/Bene's priorities are very different from those I've seen expressed on this forum. So far, nothing positive has happened on the D-line, where IMO we desperately need help, nor on the O-line, where we also need help. Logan's being back was pretty much a foregone conclusion. Hope he isn't about to lose a step....

Interesting that the Lions are so open as to who they are targeting in free agency. In the past, they were so tight lipped who they were after.

I hope nobody's holding their breath on Ted Laurent......if he doesn't get an NFL offer, he plans to wait until AFTER the NFL draft in May before looking at offers from the CFL

Shi Zi Mi wrote:I hope nobody's holding their breath on Ted Laurent......if he doesn't get an NFL offer, he plans to wait until AFTER the NFL draft in May before looking at offers from the CFL

There will be a number of players who will have to make quick decisions between the NFL drafts and the start of CFL training camps a few weeks later. I hope any American players who opt for the CFL at the last minute have passports because they won't have much time to apply for one.

TheLionKing wrote:Interesting that the Lions are so open as to who they are targeting in free agency. In the past, they were so tight lipped who they were after.

Seems like the Lions maybe backpedalling on the 'being open' part too. IMO, the only benefit to announcing who you are targetting would be IF you were able to sign the guy.