Trade Alert: Lions Ship Pottinger to Argos

[Lions Communications]

Click here for details: http://www.bclions.com/article/lions-sh ... to-boatmen

[Rammer]

Wow, that must mean that Arakgi as we all saw last season is taking on a larger role this season. Loading up on first rounders now, with the 4th, 5th and 6th picks, may allow a further move to happen in moving up in the draft order as well.

[MacNews]

Disappointed to see Potts go but getting 4th overall pick is not bad. Hope we have enough ST depth, because at times last season the opposition made big gains on returns.

[Rammer]

Disappointed to see Potts go but getting 4th overall pick is not bad. Hope we have enough ST depth, because at times last season the opposition made big gains on returns.

Pottinger served us well, best of luck to him heading back towards his home province, even if it is with the Argo's. Lion's were going to be log jammed with the emergence of Arakgi and having Bean in the mix as well. I would be surprised if the Lions don't make a package out of two of those picks for a higher selection though.

[Hambone]

Wow, that must mean that Arakgi as we all saw last season is taking on a larger role this season. Loading up on first rounders now, with the 4th, 5th and 6th picks, may allow a further move to happen in moving up in the draft order as well.

I just heard about the trade a few minutes ago on Fan590. It sorta caught me by unexpectedly; not the acquisition of the higher pick as much as Pottinger being the other side of the deal. I don't think it's any revelation that the Leos are very high on Arakgi. He's quickly developed into a ST demon and has been worked at safety some. Perhaps at 6'2" 220# the better fit is at OLB. Pottinger also has been outstanding on ST and has taken more and more reps on defence in some packages. I expected he'd get a more prominent role too but in some ways I didn't feel like there was a real good fit positionally. He didn't come across to me as being a good fit at OLB and apparently hasn't shown enough to push 2008 Fan Whipping Boy Award winner Javy Glatt aside in the middle. Perhaps this is simply a case of the club feeling Aragki has edged ahead of Pottinger on the depth chart. Of course it's easy to over analyze why a trade happens. Could be the Argos approached Wally about Pottinger and this was the price. Could be Wally approaching the Argos about moving up in the draft and Pottinger was their asking price. Now holding #4, #5 & #6 perhaps this opens up possibilities for a further move up the board.

[David]

Maybe this will pave the way for hometown boy, Jamall Lee, to become our next running back?

This was a bit of a surprise given that Jason was just drafted in 2006 and was just starting to develop into a feature linebacker. I really like Jason but I don't know that he quite has the foot speed we're looking for at OLB. To get #4 overall and future considerations is a good thing.

I used to think Jason Aragki was going to challenge at safety, but they may now be looking to develop him at linebacker. Either way, I predict really big things for our team from Mr. Aragki (and look forward to seeing what Josh Bean can do with a full training camp under his belt this time!).

DH

[WestCoastJoe]

Lions trade LB Pottinger for picks

By Lowell Ullrich, The ProvinceMarch 23, 2009 10:02 AM

Linebacker Jason Pottinger won't be competing for a starting spot with the Lions this season after all. He's been traded to Toronto.

The offseason makeover of the B.C. Lions continued Monday when the CFL team made a change for the future, trading fourth-year linebacker Jason Pottinger to the Toronto Argonauts.

B.C. will receive a pair of draft picks in return, and the fact they acquired a first-rounder in this year’s college lottery suggests the club intends to actively rebuild with youth.

The Lions obtained a first-rounder from Saskatchewan last year and now will have three of the first six picks. By dealing the 25-year-old Pottinger, the Lions will also receive a conditional selection in the 2010 draft as well.

Coach Wally Buono only weeks ago talked about getting Pottinger to compete for a starting job this season, after the club lost Jamall Johnson to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and cut veteran Otis Floyd. But the first-rounder was too much to ignore.

B.C. acquired Anton McKenzie in free agency to replace Floyd and still have 2008 draft selection Josh Bean on the roster. Bean missed all of last season due to a serious knee injury but the club feels he is ready to take a shot at a backup job. The Lions are also hopeful that import Terna Nande, who joined the team late last season and had a role in the playoffs last year, will make an impact.

Pottinger played 18 games in each of his three seasons with the Lions on special teams, and as a second overall selection in 2006 he fetched a like pick in return.

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Lions ... story.html

Interesting move. IMO Pottinger, although very effective on ST (2nd on the team and overall in the CFL), didn't show enough speed and agility to be a top of the line CFL linebacker. He tackles hard. Pass coverage so-so. Great character guy. For a top pick such as he was (2nd overall in 2006), I would say his progress has been disappointing with the Lions.

I like the trade.

As has been mentioned Jason Arakgi has shown great potential. Very fast. Good size. Adaptable and versatile. Has been trained as a safety with the Lions, and has the size and speed for linebacker.

3 picks in the 1st round. Should be interesting.

Receiver? Will Matt Carter still be on the board? Could Jamall Lee slip to 4th? Would be hard to pass him up at that point. Another linebacker? Defensive end?

All of this, of course, is IMHO.

[OV - 54:40]

Hate to bring this up again, but - Pottinger was the 2nd overall pick in 06 and Wally passed on Fantuz to take him. Jason has played well on special teams and also filled in at all LB positions on the defence, but, with an opening now at MLB (if Glatt is to be moved to OLB) - it's pretty apparent the team doesn't view Pottinger as a candidate to compete for the MLB spot - have to think this was a top draft pick that didn't pan out - IMO you have to do way better than just back-up / special teamers with first round draft picks - unless, that is what you think of the draft and aim for. Maybe the Lions can do better with now holding picks 4, 5 & 6, or maybe Wally is quite happy thinking back-ups with his first round picks.

[Tighthead]

Hate to bring this up again, but - Pottinger was the 2nd overall pick in 06 and Wally passed on Fantuz to take him. Jason has played well on special teams and also filled in at all LB positions on the defence, but, with an opening now at MLB (if Glatt is to be moved to OLB) - it's pretty apparent the team doesn't view Pottinger as a candidate to compete for the MLB spot - have to think this was a top draft pick that didn't pan out - IMO you have to do way better than just back-up / special teamers with first round draft picks - unless, that is what you think of the draft and aim for. Maybe the Lions can do better with now holding picks 4, 5 & 6, or maybe Wally is quite happy thinking back-ups with his first round picks.

Disappointing for a second overall pick, but if you can still get the fourth overall pick for him 3 years later, that is a good job of cutting losses.

I doubt Wally thinks of backups with his first round picks, but very few of them are going to be able to start as rookies on a decent team.

[Hambone]

Sounds like this deal was more about money and less about Pottinger's future role with BC. Doesn't sound like Buono planned on dealing him, but was pushed that way. According to Dhaliwal on NW Noon Sports a few minutes ago Buono was having trouble negotiating a contract extension with Pottinger. Pottinger subsequently asked to be traded. Good trade for all involved if that's the case. A #4 overall pick and a conditional pick in 2010 if Pottinger inks an extension in Hogtown is a pretty good return for an asset that has expressed a desire to be moved. Pottinger gets his wish to be moved and returns home to boot.

[Rammer]

According to Dhaliwal on NW Noon Sports a few minutes ago Buono was having trouble negotiating a contract extension with Pottinger. Pottinger subsequently asked to be traded. I'm guessing Pottinger is entering his option year. Good trade for all involved if that's the case. A #4 overall pick and a conditional pick in 2010 if Pottinger inks an extension in Hogtown. Pottinger gets his wish to be moved and returns home to boot.

Yep, heard the same reasoning by Squire Barnes on Global News. I wonder which side the problem originated on. From his side Wally may not have offered up starting money, a clear indication that he was better off to wait out for FA next season. Wanting more than high ST money, may have prompted Wally to get the ball rolling on the FA potential that he possessed after this season, better to acquire something on a potential starting NI LB.

[Blue In BC]

Can you trade all the 1st round picks to the Bombers. We only have picks like that in our dreams.

We could give you Buzz & Boomer or a trailer load of Labatt Blue?

I would have even been happy to get Pottinger.

[TheLionKing]

I like this trade.

[WestCoastJoe]

Can you trade all the 1st round picks to the Bombers. We only have picks like that in our dreams.

We could give you Buzz & Boomer or a trailer load of Labatt Blue?

I would have even been happy to get Pottinger.

We have gotten used to having Wally deal from strength. His cupboard is usually full of talented players. He has the patience, judgment and timing to accumulate draft picks. And with all the picks he has had, he has had success building depth. Not all of his picks pan out, but enough do to keep the Lions roster in good shape.

I would have been happy to keep Pottinger too, and perhaps Wally would have as well, but this trade could work out well, for both teams.

[OV - 54:40]

Pottinger was easily expendable with the emergence of Arakgi as a great special teams cover guy last year, plus Josh Bean will be around too to fill cover teams / back-up LB role; anybody heard any word on the possible signing of last year's 3rd rounder Mike McEachern? - can play at OLB or S in the CFL maybe; or even 07 last rounder Nick Edgson (Idaho State) - another LB?
Could also use a draft pick to take another LB prospect this year?

Wally got good value in this deal IMO - trading a spare part for maybe more of an impact player if they can make a smart pick with this gift from the Argos.