CFL Draft Thread for May 6, 2013 ... Picks & Comments

[WestCoastJoe]

Defensive Line

Cream of the Crop: Defensive end Tyrone Crawford (Boise State) is NFL-bound, while tackle Christo Bilukidi (Georgia State) is generating serious interest down south as well. End Ameet Pall (Wofford) is also pursuing his NFL options after a stellar NCAA (FCS) career and, assuming that his non-import status will eventually be granted, Bo Adebayo (Western Kentucky) belongs on this list, too.

Best of the Rest: Hasan Hazime (Akron) has good film and a strong résumé but his immediate future is cloudy. He redshirted in 2011 following an early season ACL tear but has since graduated and reportedly left the Zips football program. His rehab is ahead of schedule so, assuming he makes a complete recovery, his draft status will ultimately depend on whether he decides to turn pro this year or play out his eligibility at another school. Defensive end Justin Capicciotti (Simon Fraser) followed up his productive college career by turning in a great E-Camp performance.

Burning Questions: How many of the top prospects will wind up in NFL camps? Simply put, as the top prospects' odds of sticking in the NFL increase, their CFL Draft stock decreases…which opens the door for the next tier of prospects to move up on Draft Day.

Potential Sleepers: The depth at this position is the only reason that tackles Jake Thomas (Acadia), Jabar Westerman (Eastern Michigan), and redshirt junior Michael Atkinson (Boise State), as well as end Arnaud Gascon-Nadon (Laval) aren't listed in one of the previous categories. Thomas, Westerman, and Atkinson all possess uncommon athleticism for players their size. As for Gascon-Nadon, the two-time Metras Trophy winner as the top CIS lineman, his stock may have taken a hit when his hamstring injury and subsequent refusal to participate in testing led to a premature departure from E-Camp. Nonetheless, he remains a very worthy prospect.

In a year in which it seems to me the Lions should draft a couple of D Linemen, it is disappointing to me that 4 of the top ones have NFL ambitions.

Tyrone Crawford (Boise State)

Christo Bilukidi (Georgia State)

Ameet Pall (Wofford)

Bo Adebayo (Western Kentucky)
.............

Many variables, but I hope we get some D Line help.

Great depth in the draft, though.

Jake Thomas (Acadia),

Jabar Westerman (Eastern Michigan),

and redshirt junior Michael Atkinson (Boise State),

as well as end Arnaud Gascon-Nadon (Laval)

Thomas, Westerman, and Atkinson all possess uncommon athleticism for players their size. As for Gascon-Nadon, the two-time Metras Trophy winner as the top CIS lineman, his stock may have taken a hit when his hamstring injury and subsequent refusal to participate in testing led to a premature departure from E-Camp. Nonetheless, he remains a very worthy prospect.

[joe kapp22]

Well WCJ, to me the fact CIS players are prospects down south is fine, it is the fact they do not then transfer any credit onto Canadian and CFL athletes.

Those fellas are as good of athletes as those playing in the other league, yet media would have people believe that the CFL is populated by unathletic midgets.

[TheLionKing]

Brett Cameron. Related to Bob cameron ?

[Blue In BC]

Brett Cameron. Related to Bob cameron ?

Yes he is.

[Robbie]

Brett Cameron. Related to Bob cameron ?

Yes he is.

Yeah, his son.

It would be great if Lui's son Chris Passaglia could enter the CFL, although unlikely.

[leosrock]

Are we taking hometown boy, Keynan Parker? It was a treat to watch him in high school.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://cfl.ca/cfl-scouting-bureau-april-2012

1 (2)
#40 - Tyrone Crawford (DE)
Boise State
6'4", 273 lbs.

2 (1)
#48 - Ben Heenan (OL)
Saskatchewan
6'4", 310 lbs.

3 (4)
#17 - Shamawd Chambers (REC)
Wilfrid Laurier
6'3", 219 lbs.

4 (3)
#63 - Austin Pasztor (OL)
Virginia
6'7", 305 lbs.

5 (6)
#3 - Frédéric Plesius (LB)
Laval
6'1", 245 lbs.

6 (12)
#53 - Christo Bilukidi (DE)
Georgia State
6'5", 290 lbs.

7 (7)
#94 - Ameet Pall (DE)
Wofford
6'0", 245 lbs.

8 (-)
#94 - Jabar Westerman (DL)
Eastern Michigan
6'2", 285 lbs.

9 (9)
#81 - Simon Charbonneau-Campeau (REC)
Sherbrooke
6'4", 195 lbs.

10 (15)
#59 - Matt Norman (OL)
Western
6'4", 329 lbs.

11 (11)
#1 - Ismaël Bamba (REC)
Sherbrooke
6'1", 195 lbs.

12 (14)
#11 - Johnny Aprile (REC)
Queen's
6'2", 208 lbs.

13 (-)
#39 - Juston Capicciotti (DL)
Simon Fraser
6'3", 245 lbs.

14 (-)
#10 - Keenan MacDougall (DB)
Saskatchewan
6'2", 208 lbs.

15 (5)
#50 - Kirby Fabien (OL)
Calgary
6'6", 295lbs.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://cfl.ca/cfl-scouting-bureau-april-2012

1 (2)
#40 - Tyrone Crawford (DE)
Boise State
6'4", 273 lbs.

If available as 2nd round pick, he might be worth the gamble. NFL bound.

6 (12)
#53 - Christo Bilukidi (DE)
Georgia State
6'5", 290 lbs.

Also has NFL interest. Maybe a second round CFL pick also. Or a gamble as a 1st.

7 (7)
#94 - Ameet Pall (DE)
Wofford
6'0", 245 lbs.

Another top D Lineman with some NFL considerations. Makes the draft very tricky.

8 (-)
#94 - Jabar Westerman (DL)
Eastern Michigan
6'2", 285 lbs.

This is the one I hope the Lions get. He has really moved up the rankings.

13 (-)
#39 - Juston Capicciotti (DL)
Simon Fraser
6'3", 245 lbs.

It would be nice if the Lions could score this guy too.

.............

Also some top receivers picks available. Can always use more depth here.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.cfl.ca/article/morris-two-he ... -bcs-draft

Morris: Two heads better than one for BC's draft

Posted: April 25, 2012 05:00 PM

Jim Morris CFL.ca

For the first time in years the general manager of the B.C. Lions isn't sure who the coach believes the defending Grey Cup champions should select in the upcoming CFL Canadian college draft.

It's a rare situation for Wally Buono, who for nine years carried the title as both coach and GM. Buono passed the coaching duties onto Mike Benevides in December but retained his job as general manager plus vice-president of football operations.

"I don't know the thoughts of the coach,'' Buono said in a recent interview. "I have to get his thoughts.

"Sometimes having two minds working is better than one mind. Now if two people agree on the same thing then it validates that too.''

When he was the head coach Buono would sit in on meetings with the assistant coaches who would rank the top college prospects.

"Now I don't have to be in those coach's meetings,'' said Buono."I am going to listen to what Mike says and he's going to listen to what I tell him.

"Unfortunately or fortunately, the GM has a higher ranking than the head coach. We discuss it. When we come out of it we have an agreement on which is the pecking order. We usually don't deviate from that so we don't get into a confrontation when it's the least productive.''

The Lions have the fourth (obtained from Montreal in the Sean Whyte trade), seventh, 14th, 37th and 38th pick in the May 3 draft. Like any general manager Buono is guarded about who he likes or what his team's needs are.

"You try to take the best player available that also fits your needs,'' he said. “Are we going to be able to satisfy three of our four needs? It's relative to what is our greatest need, what's our next greatest need.''

The Lions will return this year with all the offensive starters from the team that beat Winnipeg in November's Grey Cup game. One familiar face missing is backup quarterback Jarious Jackson who was released in February.

The offensive line remains intact but looking down the road the Lions must find a replacement for centre Angus Reid. The 35-year-old from Richmond, B.C., has battled elbow, foot, neck and knee injuries in recent years but is returning for another season.

"Angus has given us two bonus years we probably never expected and I'm not sure he expected,'' said Buono.

On defence, Brent Johnson retired leaving Sean Ortiz as B.C.'s only Canadian defensive lineman. Hard-hitting linebacker Solomon Elimimian agreed to a contract with the NFL Minnesota Vikings while defensive tackle Aaron Hunt signed as a free agent with Montreal.

The draft features several defensive linemen including Tryone Crawford, a six-foot-four, 273-pound native of Windsor, Ont., who is attending Boise State, and Christo Bilukidi, a six-foot-five, 290-pound Ottawa native who is at Georgia State. Both are projected to go in the NFL draft which may cause Canadian teams to hesitate in selecting them.

Justin Capicciotti, a six-foot-three, 245-pound defensive lineman from Toronto, who attends Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., showed very well at the CFL evaluation camp.

B.C. plans to use five American defensive linemen this year, meaning the Lions can be patient. Buono could draft a player heading to the NFL then wait to see if they return to the CFL.

As for centre, the Lions plan to groom from within. In the past Dean Valli has played centre while Canadian Adam Baboulas could be trained for the role.

The Lions have enjoyed success in the Canadian draft. Last year B.C. selected receiver Marco Iannuzzi from Harvard with the sixth pick overall. Other selections included kicker Hugh O'Neill and defensive back Michael Carter.

In 2010 Buono used the fourth overall pick to take offensive tackle Danny Watkins. The Philadelphia Eagles picked Watkins in the first round of the 2011 draft. In 2010 Buono also selected slotback Shawn Gore and wide receiver Akeem Foster, who both played roles in B.C.'s championship season.

Buono believes patience is the key to the draft. Rarely does a Canadian step into a starting role with a CFL team.

"Anybody we are drafting this year . . . I don't expect to come in and be a starter,'' he said. "I do expect them to be part of our 42 or 46-man roster.

"There is usually a period of time they have to be acclimated, grown, and then you throw them into the fire. Hopefully within a year you give them the opportunity to be a player.''

Players with NFL potential are a calculated gamble.

"You can't be afraid to take some of these quality guys,'' said Buono."If a guy gets taken in the (NFL's) first round and you draft him, then you are pretty dumb because you're not going to get them.

"A guy that signs as a free agent, you're saying it's worth taking a risk. If you get him, you usually get him for a very long time.''

B.C. picks that have returned to the CFL after a stint in the NFL include Gore and offensive tackle John Hameister-Ries.

Overall Buono thinks there is plenty of talent in this year's draft.

"There should be good football players (even) after the second round,'' he said."In some drafts (after the second) you are really stretching it.''

[WestCoastJoe]

"I don't know the thoughts of the coach,'' Buono said in a recent interview. "I have to get his thoughts.

"Sometimes having two minds working is better than one mind. Now if two people agree on the same thing then it validates that too.''

When he was the head coach Buono would sit in on meetings with the assistant coaches who would rank the top college prospects.

"Now I don't have to be in those coach's meetings,'' said Buono."I am going to listen to what Mike says and he's going to listen to what I tell him.

"Unfortunately or fortunately, the GM has a higher ranking than the head coach. We discuss it. When we come out of it we have an agreement on which is the pecking order. We usually don't deviate from that so we don't get into a confrontation when it's the least productive.''

Wally has his ways. Good communication with his coaches would seem to be one of his strengths.

The Lions have the fourth (obtained from Montreal in the Sean Whyte trade), seventh, 14th, 37th and 38th pick in the May 3 draft. Like any general manager Buono is guarded about who he likes or what his team's needs are.

"You try to take the best player available that also fits your needs,'' he said. “Are we going to be able to satisfy three of our four needs? It's relative to what is our greatest need, what's our next greatest need.''

Yes, the GMs are guarded about their intentions.

The Lions will return this year with all the offensive starters from the team that beat Winnipeg in November's Grey Cup game. One familiar face missing is backup quarterback Jarious Jackson who was released in February.

The offensive line remains intact but looking down the road the Lions must find a replacement for centre Angus Reid. The 35-year-old from Richmond, B.C., has battled elbow, foot, neck and knee injuries in recent years but is returning for another season.

"Angus has given us two bonus years we probably never expected and I'm not sure he expected,'' said Buono.

On defence, Brent Johnson retired leaving Sean Ortiz as B.C.'s only Canadian defensive lineman. Hard-hitting linebacker Solomon Elimimian agreed to a contract with the NFL Minnesota Vikings while defensive tackle Aaron Hunt signed as a free agent with Montreal.

The draft features several defensive linemen including Tryone Crawford, a six-foot-four, 273-pound native of Windsor, Ont., who is attending Boise State, and Christo Bilukidi, a six-foot-five, 290-pound Ottawa native who is at Georgia State. Both are projected to go in the NFL draft which may cause Canadian teams to hesitate in selecting them.

Justin Capicciotti, a six-foot-three, 245-pound defensive lineman from Toronto, who attends Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., showed very well at the CFL evaluation camp.

D Line: Hope we score a couple of good ones there.

B.C. plans to use five American defensive linemen this year, meaning the Lions can be patient. Buono could draft a player heading to the NFL then wait to see if they return to the CFL.

A six man rotation would suit me. Just like the playoff run last year. But we would need at least one top quality CFL draft to enable that (No Brent Johnson).

As for centre, the Lions plan to groom from within. In the past Dean Valli has played centre while Canadian Adam Baboulas could be trained for the role.

The Lions have enjoyed success in the Canadian draft. Last year B.C. selected receiver Marco Iannuzzi from Harvard with the sixth pick overall. Other selections included kicker Hugh O'Neill and defensive back Michael Carter.

In 2010 Buono used the fourth overall pick to take offensive tackle Danny Watkins. The Philadelphia Eagles picked Watkins in the first round of the 2011 draft. In 2010 Buono also selected slotback Shawn Gore and wide receiver Akeem Foster, who both played roles in B.C.'s championship season.

Buono believes patience is the key to the draft. Rarely does a Canadian step into a starting role with a CFL team.

"Anybody we are drafting this year . . . I don't expect to come in and be a starter,'' he said. "I do expect them to be part of our 42 or 46-man roster.

"There is usually a period of time they have to be acclimated, grown, and then you throw them into the fire. Hopefully within a year you give them the opportunity to be a player.''

Players with NFL potential are a calculated gamble.

"You can't be afraid to take some of these quality guys,'' said Buono."If a guy gets taken in the (NFL's) first round and you draft him, then you are pretty dumb because you're not going to get them.

"A guy that signs as a free agent, you're saying it's worth taking a risk. If you get him, you usually get him for a very long time.''

B.C. picks that have returned to the CFL after a stint in the NFL include Gore and offensive tackle John Hameister-Ries.

It is a gamble deciding when and if to take a guy who has NFL interest.

Overall Buono thinks there is plenty of talent in this year's draft.

"There should be good football players (even) after the second round,'' he said."In some drafts (after the second) you are really stretching it.''

It does look like a deep draft year. And deeper every year it seems.

[TheLionKing]

http://tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=394458

[WestCoastJoe]

http://tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=394458

Tyrone Crawford and Akiem Hicks are getting their NFL shots.

Crawford, a six-foot-four, 275-pound defensive tackle from Windsor, Ont., was the first Canadian selected in the 2012 NFL draft. Crawford, who played his college football at Boise State, went in the third round, 81st overall to the Dallas Cowboys on Friday night.

Hicks, a six-foot-five, 318-pound American-born defensive lineman who played at the University of Regina, went 89th overall to the New Orleans Saints. Hicks becomes the first Canadian university player selected in the NFL draft since defensive lineman Vaughn Martin of the Western Mustangs went in the fourth round to the San Diego Chargers in 2009.

"He's raw, we love his work ethic," interim Saints coach Joe Vitt said of Hicks. "Excited about him. Big body player."

Hicks was the first player selected by the Saints in the draft. New Olreans didn't have a first-round pick after trading it to New England last year to take Alabama tailback mark Ingram at No. 28. And the club forfeited its 2012 second-round selection as punishment from the NFL's bounty investigation, which also included a year-long suspension of head coach Sean Payton.

The first round of the draft was held Thursday night.

Crawford had been projected at a mid-round selection. A mock draft posted on the NFL's website before the draft had Crawford going in the fourth round, 97th overall, to the Indianapolis Colts.

Crawford had 13 1/2 tackles for a loss last season with the Broncos.

"This is a good pick," said Mike Mayock, The NFL Network's draft guru. "He's the prototypical five-technique in the 3-4 defence.

"He provides tremendous depth that the Cowboys want."

Crawford attended the NFL combine in February and posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.89 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds a total of 28 times. He also posted a 33-inch vertical jump.

The scouting report on Crawford is he's out of his stance quickly at the snap and can consistently disrupt plays in the backfield. He's listed as a solid tackler and strong player who can change direction well when in pursuit laterally.

Scouts also like that he's nasty, never gives up on a play and possesses a strong burst to get to a quarterback. He also is versatile enough to play special teams.

One knock against Crawford is he has trouble fighting off a double-team and scouts feel he will require extra coaching to adjust to the NFL.

Crawford was also the top-rated prospect for next week's CFL Canadian college draft. He'll certainly still be selected by a CFL squad, but it will now be as a future pick.

Hicks, a native of Elk Grove, Calif., had originally enrolled at LSU after the '08 season but never played for the Tigers after getting caught up in a recruiting scandal.

Another Canadian expected to be selected in the NFL draft is Toronto native Philip Blake, a six-foot-three, 320-pound centre at Baylor. Blake was projected to be the first Canadian taken in the mock draft, going in the third round, 82nd overall, to the Tennessee Titans.

Hicks was projected to go in the fourth round, also to Tennessee, at No. 115.

The final four rounds of the draft will be completed Saturday.

Hicks left LSU after the 2009 season and eventually transferred to Regina. The burly lineman had 42 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks last season and was named Canada West's outstanding lineman. And after a solid showing in the East-West Shrine game, Hicks was invited to the NFL combine.

Hicks posted a 40-yard dash time of 5.23 seconds at the combine, had 26 reps in the bench press and a vertical jump of 31.5 inches.

NFL scouts liked Hicks's physical makeup and versatility in that he could play tackle in a 4-3 alignment but also is athletic enough to be an end in a three-man front. But among their concerns was the level of competition he faced in Canada and the belief that Hicks can sometimes get overwhelmed at the point of attack by double teams and doesn't have many moves in his arsenal to counteract that.

If Blake is also drafted Saturday, it would mark the first time three Canadians were selected in one NFL draft and boost the number of Canucks taken to 21 since 1983 to 21.

Last year, offensive linemen Danny Watkins and Orlando Franklin made Canadian NFL draft history.

Watkins, a native of Kelowna, B.C., was selected in the first round, No. 23 overall, by the Philadelphia Eagles. Franklin, who grew up in Toronto, was taken in the second round, 46th overall, by the Denver Broncos. It marked the sixth time two Canadians went in the same draft but none had ever been selected as high as Watkins and Franklin.

The previous high was in 1986 when Queen's offensive lineman Mike Schad of Belleville, Ont., went in the first round, 23rd overall, to the Los Angeles Rams before Washington State tailback Rueben Mayes of North Battleford, Sask., was selected in the third round, 57th overall, by the New Orleans Saints.

[WestCoastJoe]

Crawford, a six-foot-four, 275-pound defensive tackle from Windsor, Ont., was the first Canadian selected in the 2012 NFL draft. Crawford, who played his college football at Boise State, went in the third round, 81st overall to the Dallas Cowboys on Friday night.

Taken higher than projected. More risky for CFL teams to waste a draft pick on him.

Akiem Hicks, a six-foot-five, 318-pound American-born defensive lineman who played at the University of Regina, went 89th overall to the New Orleans Saints. Hicks becomes the first Canadian university player selected in the NFL draft since defensive lineman Vaughn Martin of the Western Mustangs went in the fourth round to the San Diego Chargers in 2009.

"He's raw, we love his work ethic," interim Saints coach Joe Vitt said of Hicks. "Excited about him. Big body player."

Hicks was the first player selected by the Saints in the draft. New Olreans didn't have a first-round pick after trading it to New England last year to take Alabama tailback mark Ingram at No. 28. And the club forfeited its 2012 second-round selection as punishment from the NFL's bounty investigation, which also included a year-long suspension of head coach Sean Payton.

Didn't hear anything about Hicks, as eligible for NI status in the CFL draft.

Crawford had been projected at a mid-round selection. A mock draft posted on the NFL's website before the draft had Crawford going in the fourth round, 97th overall, to the Indianapolis Colts.

Crawford had 13 1/2 tackles for a loss last season with the Broncos.

"This is a good pick," said Mike Mayock, The NFL Network's draft guru. "He's the prototypical five-technique in the 3-4 defence.

"He provides tremendous depth that the Cowboys want."

Crawford attended the NFL combine in February and posted a 40-yard dash time of 4.89 seconds and bench-pressed 225 pounds a total of 28 times. He also posted a 33-inch vertical jump.

The scouting report on Crawford is he's out of his stance quickly at the snap and can consistently disrupt plays in the backfield. He's listed as a solid tackler and strong player who can change direction well when in pursuit laterally.

Scouts also like that he's nasty, never gives up on a play and possesses a strong burst to get to a quarterback. He also is versatile enough to play special teams.

One knock against Crawford is he has trouble fighting off a double-team and scouts feel he will require extra coaching to adjust to the NFL.

Sounds like a keeper in the NFL.

Crawford was also the top-rated prospect for next week's CFL Canadian college draft. He'll certainly still be selected by a CFL squad, but it will now be as a future pick.

Hicks, a native of Elk Grove, Calif., had originally enrolled at LSU after the '08 season but never played for the Tigers after getting caught up in a recruiting scandal.

Another Canadian expected to be selected in the NFL draft is Toronto native Philip Blake, a six-foot-three, 320-pound centre at Baylor. Blake was projected to be the first Canadian taken in the mock draft, going in the third round, 82nd overall, to the Tennessee Titans.

Hicks was projected to go in the fourth round, also to Tennessee, at No. 115.

Hicks left LSU after the 2009 season and eventually transferred to Regina. The burly lineman had 42 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks last season and was named Canada West's outstanding lineman. And after a solid showing in the East-West Shrine game, Hicks was invited to the NFL combine.

Hicks posted a 40-yard dash time of 5.23 seconds at the combine, had 26 reps in the bench press and a vertical jump of 31.5 inches.

NFL scouts liked Hicks's physical makeup and versatility in that he could play tackle in a 4-3 alignment but also is athletic enough to be an end in a three-man front. But among their concerns was the level of competition he faced in Canada and the belief that Hicks can sometimes get overwhelmed at the point of attack by double teams and doesn't have many moves in his arsenal to counteract that.

If Blake is also drafted Saturday, it would mark the first time three Canadians were selected in one NFL draft and boost the number of Canucks taken to 21 since 1983 to 21.

Last year, offensive linemen Danny Watkins and Orlando Franklin made Canadian NFL draft history.

Watkins, a native of Kelowna, B.C., was selected in the first round, No. 23 overall, by the Philadelphia Eagles. Franklin, who grew up in Toronto, was taken in the second round, 46th overall, by the Denver Broncos. It marked the sixth time two Canadians went in the same draft but none had ever been selected as high as Watkins and Franklin.

The previous high was in 1986 when Queen's offensive lineman Mike Schad of Belleville, Ont., went in the first round, 23rd overall, to the Los Angeles Rams before Washington State tailback Rueben Mayes of North Battleford, Sask., was selected in the third round, 57th overall, by the New Orleans Saints.

They forgot about Tony Mandarich, drafted second overall. He was big on steroids, and a bust as a pro.

[B.C.FAN]

Scratch another D-lineman from the list of potential Lions' draft choices. DE Christo Bilukidi of Georgia State, ranked the No. 6 overall CFL draft prospect, was taken in the sixth round of the NFL draft by Oakland.

[notahomer]

I've watched pieces of the NFL 2012 draft the past couple days. Interesting, IMO. Teams moving down because their player is available but another team is willing to give them picks to so they can move up and get another player. So many of the NFL first round picks changed hands. Perception is it was the change in CBA.

I'm guessing the same kinds of things happen too in the CFL but there is a HUGE factor taken out of the mix. The cost. CFL players don't make that much money. IIRC, our highest paid player makes less than the NFL minimum. I wonder if other CFL teams get the same kind of groupthink that seems to occur in the NFL. Obviously there maybe the Canadians can't start as QB's but I digress. I am going to enjoy hearing the results of this weeks CFL draft.