2/19/2009 1:03:04 AM
Feeding Frenzy
I can't recall being this involved or even in tune with free agency in a long time. Not even the last time I was a free agent myself did I exert this kind of effort. Then again, it's very rare that you see such a talent pool of impact players that actually reach the free agent deadline. Not to mention, I haven't been on a team that was as close to being dominant as we were last year in quite some time…if ever. I think that most people who really took the time to watch us last year could tell that we were only a couple of pieces away, and I certainly feel like we're a couple of pieces closer.
Of the guys that I reached out to, we only brought in 3 out of 5, which isn't a great percentage, but it's not bad either! Of course I don't in any way think that I actually had any impact on Scott, Mo, or Jesse's decision but I definitely wanted to make myself available in case they had any questions about the organization, team, locker room etc. not to mention make them feel wanted. I could tell that the blend of people that we already have on the team was appealing to most guys who may have taken the time to consider a western move, and the addition of Coach Hall certainly didn't hurt us any I'm sure. Being that it's late and I have to work in the morning, I'll briefly give my take on the Eskimo free agent haul thus far;
Kyle Koch – Everything that I've seen and heard points up for this guard. With the loss of Tim Bakker as well as Joe McGrath, Koch adds depth and stability to our offensive line. Paired with Fiacconi, our interior will be able to sustain any losses that we should occur from either of the brothers Comiskey, or Kabongo.
Scott Gordon – As far as free safeties in this league go right now I have him sitting pretty in my top 2 or three. Easily the biggest hitter at the position in the league, Scott is a veteran leader that brings a lunch pail every day. His familiarity with our new defensive system, as well as the quarterbacking nature of his position will quicken the learning curve for our entire secondary.
Graeme Bell – I've admired his play since his rookie year, when he showed with very limited touches that he has some skill with the ball, as well as plenty of toughness. He is a force on special teams, can fill in as a ball carrier in a pinch as a non-import and will strengthen our Canadian content. The fact that he came back and played pro-football again after having his skull cracked by a bat only 2 years ago, was really all I needed to know about him.
Maurice Lloyd – Mo and I have met over the middle on simply too many occasions as of late for my liking. Needless to say it'll be nice to not have to worry about him on crossing routes anymore. As anyone knows, Maurice has been the class of his position for the last couple of years. He was a 2007 and 2008 CFL All-star, he's obviously a welcome addition and like Scott, has experience in our new defence, which will go a long way with speeding the learning curve for everyone. In addition with Mo, you get a vocal leader that talks it and walks it.
Jesse Lumsden – I must agree with those that have said that when you have a chance to add one of the most talented players in the league to your roster…and he happens to be Canadian – take it. The icing on the cake with Jesse is that he fits very much into the mold of what and Eskimo is. He's been steeped in EE lore for his whole life, and it will be awesome to see him have success out here and compare notes and rings with his dad years down the road. In talking to him, he wants nothing more than to help the team any way that he can and is genuine in his "team first" sentiment, which is refreshing. The presence of so many already established All-stars on our current roster will benefit him as well, in that he won't have the weight of a city bearing on him with every carry. Of all the guys that I spoke to during this process Jesse seemed the most informed as he made it his business to know exactly what situation was he would be getting into, from top to bottom, from the locker room to the housing market. Kudos to both Jesse and Calvin McCarty, for putting any ego aside in the interest of winning. For them to understand that in sharing this load we are strengthened as a team is quite impressive. For such young players, the fact that they can recognize that opportunity now and seize it bodes well for both of their futures.
Jason Nugent – Much like the man that he was traded for, Nugent has tremendous upside. I think that he'll provide Gordon with all the competition that he'll need at the free safety position, while teaming up with Bell, Ciezki, Yao, Bertrand, Baird, Clutts and McCarty for some of the best special teams play that you're likely to see in this league in 2009. Naturally, his addition is bitter-sweet for me as we lose one of our own in Brock Ralph. From a football standpoint I couldn't be happier for Brock as he'll be back in at the slotback position that he so desires. Between his broken ribs in the first pre-season game, and his family situation last year I don't think the word "difficult" quite does his case justice. A fresh start and a new position will be just what the doctor ordered for him I hope. I do very much hope however, that his daughter can still receive the care that she needs through this change of circumstances.
Kai Ellis – I was with Kai when he first came into the league in Calgary. He was a beast then, and he's a beast now. Jim Daley was his coach then, and he's his coach now. Kai is a young man that stands 6'5" 255lbs at around 5-6% body fat that can run down tailbacks, qb's and receivers but still bury lineman with a bull rush. He's agile enough that he started for quite some time in Montreal and Ottawa as a middle linebacker, but is probably a more natural defensive end. Much like the man that he was traded for, Ellis possesses tremendous versatility. But his value is in the box which is where our need is greater currently. I look forward to working with him again, and I believe he'll help us a great deal. On the flip side, we had to give up Siddeeq Shabazz to get Kai Ellis. Anyone who saw Siddeeq play once would love him, but those of us who played with him know that we're going to have to replace that leadership and fire. Siddeeq will go in to Winnipeg with that same fire, and it will serve him well because at 5'10" and 193lbs I can't for the life of me imagine dealing with lineman on an every down basis like he does . Even more proof that he's a unique ball player.
For me, he'll remain a friend as will Brock and Stefan, and Mike Kelly as they make their way into Bomber country.
For those that have left us for greener pastures, I say good luck, I wish you all the best and I'll see you across the white lines.
To the new and returning Eskimos that are starting to get an idea of what we are becoming, I say welcome. It's wonderful to have you with us, and if I may – suggest that you prepare yourself thoroughly.
Because this Eskimo experience is not made for just anyone.©
Kp8
2/8/2009 11:33:52 PM
Building Blocks
Just like that, we find ourselves in February, with only three and a half or 4 real months of training left before we pad up again and find out who we are. This is a great time of year for me because I'm always getting calls from guys in the league and on the team about various things. Many of them call for training advice, diet tips, or to schedule a few practice sessions somewhere warm – others are calling to talk contract or seek an opinion on their contract parameters, while many newcomers to the league call at this time of year to clarify what type of medical coverage they really have while their stateside. Either way, it's great to hear from everybody and to hear the excitement in their voices. Most of us are into our off-season programs full swing by now, and using visions of the previous year to spur us on to reaching new heights in our training, all in hopes that some of it will transfer onto the field itself this coming season.
Much attention is paid to our league this time of year normally, but even more this year it seems. We've been getting plenty of attention from down south as the CFL is being plucked of stars left and right. For those wondering why it may be such an inordinate amount of CFL players getting the call down south, keep in mind that NFL Europe has been defunct now for a couple of years, and normally at this time of year the NFL's other feeder the Arena Football League is in full swing. The faltering steps of the AFL this year leaves the drawing pool for non-draft eligible free agents with recent professional experience pretty shallow. Most people fail to realize that once you're out of college for a year, your collegiate film is pretty much useless. The longer you sit idle, the less chance you have of ever getting into the NFL. It is paramount that you continue to play, better yourself, and most importantly get film of yourself competing at the highest level available to you – and currently, that level is the Canadian Football League.
While Cam Wake going south was no surprise to anyone, the amount of zero's that made their way onto his signing bonus cheque may have surprised some. In light of all of the aforementioned, not to mention the man's potential to wreak-havoc in a 3-4 defence, I can't say that I'm surprised at all. Wake's decision to head south was definitely a no-brainer for any player – but some that have made that step recently may live to regret it. It's a tough thing to turn down the promise of a legitimate shot at the NFL because of the aura surrounding the league, and the money that follows. However, for those who have established themselves as building blocks in this league…that decision can be tremendously difficult and sometimes costly.
Stefan Logan for example had been clearly identified as the Lion's back of the present and immediate future. Wally's trade of Joe Smith and subsequent release of Charles Roberts, all but assured Logan of a few years of carrying the mail in Vancouver as long as his play level stays high. And rightly so, he was one of the most dynamic players that I've seen in this league in a long time. For him to head down to the Superbowl Champion Steelers in hopes of landing a returner/3rd down back position could certainly be argued hard for either side. While it's easy for young guys like Onatolu, Guillory, and P.K. Sam I've got to think that more thought had to go into the decisions of Byron Parker, Kelly Campbell, and Stefan Logan. Regardless of the time that it's taken them to do it, these guys have established themselves as cogs in their respective organizations. The teams that they are leaving had planned, and were willing to build around them. They are essentially foregoing a bird in the hand for two in the bush which may seem like a bad idea most times, but not when those two birds could potentially be 7 or 8.
You see, while Byron and Stefan may be rookies in the NFL earning just over $300k should they make the active roster this year – Kelly Campbell stands to be in for over $700k if he cracks the Bucs roster. Even if the Eskimos were to offer him QB money to stay which would probably cripple us cap wise, he'd be a fool not to go south and try his luck. To me, the math must be a vital part of the decision. For the young guys, low 6 figures is the CFL ceiling in these SMS days, unless you've got the stats to back up the potential that you've shown in this league – so why not take a shot for that $300k down south or at the least $95k on the practice roster. Worst case scenario is that you get cut, and come back here with a higher stock than when you left because you spent a camp competing amongst what is widely regarded as the highest level of competition, and sign for your 6 figures at that time. But for, Byron and Stefan, the difference between what they may command in the CFL and what they would earn as rookies in the NFL falls somewhere between $100k and $170k depending on what their respective CFL teams are willing to commit to.
Hmmm…decisions, decisions.
I'll be watching free agency with a keen eye, in hopes that some of my offseason wooing of the free agents that I'd love to see come win a ring with us here at the EE pays off. Sweet talker that I am, I know that ultimately each of those free agents is going to do whatever he feels is best for he and his family, so we shall just have to see. I've been very pleased so far with our re-signings as of late, much like I was with our early extensions a month or two ago. As I've mentioned, Stamps coming back will pay bigger dividends for us than I think people realize…this kid is a ball player. I'm also extremely pleased that I don't have to watch the best utility receiver in the game go and flaunt his unsung services elsewhere. There's really something to be said about the work that he does for us, so I'm glad that he's back on for more. I've gotta say though, after going in and seeing Tuck in the office drawing up plays…I got a good sense of what awaits me. I can't think of any other receiver coach who would have the juevos to push me like he will. Not just because we're friends, but because we've been pushing each other as players for two years, and that will only intensify because now I'm wearing both of our names on my back. My play is reflective of him, as is that of our entire corps – and I just can't see Tuck signing off on anything that isn't "Tucker approved."
Back to work, I've got a lot to do. ©
Kp8
