Last week I previewed the CFL Free Agency period, and made some predictions as to who could end up where. Now, almost a week into Free Agency, let’s take a look at what each team has done so far, grading each team’s splash, keeping in mind that I will only really be evaluating the moves made since free agency opened on February 15.
BC Lions
Key Additions: Byron Parker (DB), Stu Foord (RB)
Key Re-signings: Ryan Phillips (DB), Khalif Mitchell (DL)
Subtractions: Aaron Hunt (DL)
Evaluation: In keeping Phillips and Mitchell, the Lions are helping to maintain a solid defensive squad which helped win them the championship in 2011. Adding Parker means the Lions now (on paper) boast arguably one of the greatest secondaries ever; with Phillips, Lin-J Shell, Dante Marsh and Korey Banks, along with veterans Davis Sanchez and JR Larose and Canadian college standouts Cauchy Muamba and Hamid Mahmoudi, BC has some incredible depth in the secondary as well. Losing Hunt will hurt on the line, especially if Brent Johnson decides to retire before training camp opens in June. All in all, it seems the Lions are happy with their winning roster, and why shouldn’t they be?
Free Agency grade: B+
Calgary Stampeders
Key Additions: None
Key Re-signings: None
Subtractions: Burke Dales (P), Tim O’Neill (OL)
Evaluation: Upon first glance, it seems like the Stamps have been big losers in free agency. However, John Hufnagel seems to be willing to give it a shot with the current roster in 2012. The only concern for fans in Calgary might be that they haven’t yet picked up a veteran defensive lineman; as it stands the most seniority in that position group is five years of experience. Jermaine McElveen, a two-time Grey Cup winner, is still on the market, and would greatly improve a pass rush which struggled last season.
Free Agency grade: C
Free Agency grade: C
Edmonton Eskimos
Key Additions: Burke Dales (P), Cary Koch (WR), Donald Oramasionwu (DL), Greg Carr (WR)
Key Re-Signings: None
Subtractions: Greg Peach (DL), Rod Davis (LB), Mark Restelli (LB)
Evaluation: Their defence was hit the hardest in terms of subtractions, losing three perennial starters, but their line and receiving corps has improved through the additions of Oramasionwu and Carr. Koch will play a complementary role to a group which now includes Carr, Fred Stamps, and Adarius Bowman. Dales might be the best at punting in the CFL, and will improve Edmonton’s special teams game. The biggest question mark remains at backer, where they have a lot of youth and not a lot of proven experience. With no linebackers on the market, it looks like it will stay that way, so watch for the Esks to build there through the draft.
Free Agency grade: B
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Key Additions: Brendon Labatte (OL), Dominic Picard (OL), Paul Woldu (DB)
Key Re-Signings: Tristan Jackson (DB/Ret)
Subtractions: Andy Fantuz (WR), Stu Foord (RB), Cary Koch (WR)
Evaluation: Losing Fantuz hurts, we all know that. But they have strengthened their offensive line significantly, nabbing two of the most prized at the position off the market. Still, the Roughriders haven’t made huge strides through free agency to improve their roster, which could be a problem. Improvements at running back and linebacker still need to be made, while Woldu will try and help the secondary.
Free Agency grade: B-
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Key Additions: None
Key Re-Signings: Glenn January (OL)
Subtractions: Greg Carr (WR), Donald Oramasionwu (DL), Brendon Labatte (OL)
Evaluation: Most of their re-signing work was done prior to free agency opening, re-signing all three quarterbacks as well as lineman Steve Morley among others. The loss of Oramasionwu will be even more difficult if Doug Brown retires, leaving the Bombers without their starting defensive tackles from a year ago, and they are suddenly very thin at receiver. Arjei Franklin and Matt Carter are non-import receivers still available, and should be looked at by Bomber GM Joe Mack, who has had to deal with criticism from his players over Twitter for his lack of activity.
Free Agency grade: C-
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Key Additions: Andy Fantuz (WR), Kevin Eiben (LB), Greg Peach (DL), Tim O’Neill (OL)
Key Re-Signings: Isaac Brown (LB)
Subtractions: None
Evaluation: They got the biggest name out who was available (Fantuz). They added some veteran, Cup-winning leadership to their linebacking corps (Eiben). They strengthened their defensive line after losing Justin Hickman to the NFL (Peach). They added a veteran presence to an offensive line that is already pretty good (O’Neill). Not much to hate on here at all. However, they could still use some more depth in the defensive backfield, and Marc Estelle is still a free agent.
Free Agency grade: A
Toronto Argonauts
Key Additions: None
Key Re-Signings: Willie Pile (LB), Jason Pottinger (LB)
Subtractions: Kevin Eiben (LB), Byron Parker (DB), Dominic Picard (OL)
Evaluation: Like Calgary, glancing above makes it look like the Argos are free agent losers. Like Winnipeg, however, they did most of their movement before free agency, trading for Ricky Ray and signing the released Jason Barnes. I think most people are also overlooking how important the re-signings of Pile and Pottinger are. That being said, they’ve lost a lot of irreplaceable players to other teams, and still have some players who are free agents. They need to bulk up their O-Line, and fast, otherwise their prized acquisition Ray won’t last too long.
Free Agency grade: C+
Montreal Alouettes
Key Additions: Rod Davis (LB), Mark Restelli (LB), Aaron Hunt (DL)
Key Re-Signings: Scott Flory (OL)
Subtractions: Paul Woldu (DB)
Evaluation: No changes made to their offensive unit, but then again there doesn’t need to be any change there. Defensively, the Als have signed players who are going to fit in beautifully with new defensive coordinator Jeff Reinebold’s 3-4 scheme. After releasing a bunch of veteran defensive linemen, notably Anwar Stewart and Eric Wilson, Hunt will take the middle lineman spot in the 3-4, with Davis and Restelli adding to an already impressive linebacking corps featuring Shea Emry, Chip Cox and Ramon Guzman. There’s just one problem: the Alouettes’ secondary was the weak spot last year, and no upgrades have been made, although that could be because GM Jim Popp is banking on the secondary being healthy this year.
Free agency grade: A-
Looking at last week’s most prized Free Agents and where they are now:
1. Andy Fantuz (WR) – I said: Hamilton. He’s in: Hamilton.
2. Rob Murphy (OL) – I said: Winnipeg. He’s in: Still on the market
3. Scott Flory (OL) – I said: Montreal. He’s in: Montreal.
4. Avon Cobourne (RB) – I said: Edmonton or Saskatchewan. He’s in: Still on the market.
5. Brendon Labatte (OL) – I said: Toronto. He’s in: Saskatchewan.
6. Aaron Hunt (DL) – I said: BC. He’s in: Montreal.
7. Byron Parker (DB) – I said: Hamilton. He’s in: BC.
8. Greg Carr (WR) – I said: Toronto. He’s in: Edmonton.
9. Philip Hunt (DL) – I said: Winnipeg. He’s in: Still on the market.
10. Rod Davis (LB) – I said: Winnipeg. He’s in: Montreal
Best Free Agents still available:
1. Rob Murphy (OL)
2. Avon Cobourne (RB)
3. Philip Hunt (DL)
4. Wes Cates (RB)
5. Arjei Franklin (WR)
6. Marc Estelle (DB)
7. Jason Shivers (DB)
8. Joffrey Reynolds (RB)
9. Jason Jimenez (OL)
10. Eddie Johnson (P/K)
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