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B.C.FAN wrote:I don’t think any non-QB will get paid $200,000 this year but the Lions have Lemar Durant under contract for $175,000, and I don’t know where he fits in the 2022 lineup.

When Lemar is "on," he's a ratio breaker. A big, solid Canadian target who catches passes in traffic and possesses decent speed to boot. The problem is he is often injured and had some games in 2021 in which he dropped catchable passes. I love seeing homegrown players in the lineup but that contract is obviously prohibitive.


DH

Last year we had 5 national receivers on the roster, if I am not mistaken: Cottoy, Durant, Johnson, Scarfone, and Marcus Davis.

At this point, Scarfone and Davis are probably not starter level. If we want to start 2 Canadians at receiver, we would at least need to sign 2 out of Cottoy/Durant/Johnson (or look to free agency).

Cottoy and Durant would be a formidable pair, but having both would limit the $ available to fix other areas, especially the O and D lines.

I would prioritize Cottoy over Durant. He is more durable and has at least as much potential. I can only Durant here if he really wants to be here and will take a considerable shave off his salary.

The future of Cottoy and Durant will probably depend to some degree on Bryan Burnham. If Burnham leaves and Whitehead re-signs, the Lions could have a starting 5 of Whitehead, Rhymes, Cottoy, Durant and Johnson. That's 3 nationals as in 2019, backed up by Scarfone and Davis or another receiver, leaving room to add a third American starter on the O-line or an American returner/WR.

A little underwhelming start to the new year with no new signings or even re-structured deals this week unlike the Stamps with Mitchell. Meanwhile Bombers lock up 3 key starters on the d-line including Jefferson ($225,000) & Jeffcoat ($175,000). Throw in all-star tackle Hardwick too.

Even Farhan doesn’t understand how Whitehead isn’t done yet. After a couple of tough seasons they owe it to the fans to get him locked up.

SammyGreene wrote: Fri Jan 07, 2022 3:06 pm A little underwhelming start to the new year with no new signings or even re-structured deals this week unlike the Stamps with Mitchell. Meanwhile Bombers lock up 3 key starters on the d-line including Jefferson ($225,000) & Jeffcoat ($175,000). Throw in all-star tackle Hardwick too.

Even Farhan doesn’t understand how Whitehead isn’t done yet. After a couple of tough seasons they owe it to the fans to get him locked up.

There was an article on The Province a couple days ago that might shed some light on such things. McEvoy talked about some factors:
1) need to talk to Doman and LeLacheur to get a number they are allowed to work with. Expected to happen any day.
2) They want to spend above the cap floor but not go crazy. They don't want make deals then find out they have to cut salary once the new CBA SMS number is finalized.
3) tax year ends and timing have an impact on bonuses.
4) they want to nail down the guys they really want to keep well before free agency kicks in.
5) beyond cordial best holiday wishes calls to Reilly they haven't talked to him but will be very soon after they discuss as an organization. Item 1) above will likely be a key factor in how those discussions proceed.

Overall I think we just need to be a bit more patient. Sounds like the dominos will start to fall within the next 10 days.

I was counting the numbers earlier today. BC still has 19 pending FAs to deal with. Process of elimination I think Figs and Rainey can be scratched from that. There's at least 3 more mostly PR guys who can be dropped. Defensively TJ and Peters are the only vets they have to deal with depending on what their thoughts are on Tavai, Cioffi and Bazzie. The heavy lifting is on the other side of the ball at receiver and OL.

Overall they have a lot less to deal with than say Calgary and Saskatchewan who still have over 40 pending FAs.

Thanks for the update Hambone. Nice to see JJ Adams providing soem Lions coverage too at this time of year given they are down to 4 reporters in the sports department for the 2 papers.

Log jam, or maybe ice jam is more appropriate right now, is starting to free up.

TJ Lee has reportedly agreed to a new deal.

https://3downnation.com/2022/01/09/not- ... extension/

Great news for our secondary. TJ is the anchor.

It's worth noting that his play in 2021 was likely compromised by injury. For most of the year, TJ was listed as "Limited" on the league's weekly Injury Reports, at least in the early part of the week (e.g. Monday, Tuesday if they played on a Friday).


DH

All is well in 2022. Lucky Whitehead has signed a two-year extension.

https://www.bclions.com/2022/01/10/luck ... Vn8a4ICLag

Farhan Lalji says the deal will make Whitehead the CFL’s highest-paid receiver at $200,000 in 2022 and $205,000 in 2023.

Another encouraging sign for all CFL fans is that the two big names announced today, Whitehead and AC Leonard, both inked 2 year deals.

B.C.FAN wrote: Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:51 am All is well in 2022. Lucky Whitehead has signed a two-year extension.

https://www.bclions.com/2022/01/10/luck ... Vn8a4ICLag

Farhan Lalji says the deal will make Whitehead the CFL’s highest-paid receiver at $200,000 in 2022 and $205,000 in 2023.

Fantastic news. A must signing of a game breaking receiver/ kick returner. Even better it’s for 2 years. Was concerned seeing the Bombers continuing the 1 year deal contracts

Signing Whitehead is huge, and getting a 2 year deal is well worth making him the highest paid receiver in the CFL. Lions marketing people should be very happy.

Number 1 priority, Check

It's $33K more than Reggie Begelton, another elite receiver, which is a lot...BUT Lucky can also return kicks and punts if need be and is more electrifying (ergo: more marketable), so there's that.

DH

Now let's get Burnham and Cottoy done.