Breaking down what all eight CFL teams are looking to do in the upcoming free agency period.
The Canadian Football League free agency period begins at precisely 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 16 and there are several key players in play and others who may be looking for more money and/or extensions on their current contracts.
It didn't take long for the Edmonton Eskimos to reach into free agency by snagging Canadian receiver Chris Bauman, the first overall pick in the 2007 draft, whom the Hamilton Tiger-Cats tried to but couldn't re-sign. It's a two-year deal with an option for a third. He was asking for between $120,000-$130,000 and is believed to have received a signing bonus of $30,000.
It's not a shock that the Eskimos signed Bauman, who finally came into his own last year with the Ticats. He had only 298 yards on 17 receptions and three touchdowns in 18 games because Hamilton just didn't know how to use him, but in the East semi-final, which the Ticats lost to Toronto, he had five receptions for 108 yards. He was particularly effective at slotback, after the Hamilton used him previously at wideout.
Hamilton decided to let Bauman go before his contract expired because they couldn't re-sign him, so he cleared waivers at 4 p.m. Five teams had been interested in Bauman - Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.
The Eskimos recently cleared some cap space by chopping quarterback Ricky Ray's salary by a reported $100,000, along with some other moves that have been quietly done.
It is expected that Edmonton will attempt to use two Canadian receivers, Bauman and veteran Kamau Peterson and employ a Canadian - Donovan Alexander - at one of the cornerback spots, which he did in Saskatchewan.
Here's a team-by-team look:
EDMONTON: Expect general manager Eric Tillman to make some other key moves following up on the signing of Bauman, taking advantage of some more Canadian talent, possibly on the offensive line. He may have an interest in offensive tackle Alexandre Gauthier, whom he chose first overall with the Ottawa Renegades in 2002. Gauthier has bounced around since from Calgary to Winnipeg to the Cats. He was making at least $150,000, with a $50,000 signing bonus. He's a key ratio player at a position often employed by an import. Winnipeg centre Obby Khan and Hamilton centre/guard George Hudson are both former Renegade players, so either one may be in Edmonton's plans. You just know Tillman will address the offensive line to protect Ray.
Tillman may raid his former Roughriders team, going after middle linebacker Rey Williams and/or linebacker Sean Lucas. That makes current linebacker Maurice Lloyd, who left the Riders for Edmonton, vulnerable. In fact, he may be cut between now and the start of free agency.Roughriders' rush end Kitwana Jones, who is a great special teams player, might be another player Tillman covets.All are familiar to Eskimos' new head coach Kavis Read.
Tillman is rumored be interested in Hamilton wideout/returner Marquay McDaniel, who is in the option year of his contract and may not stick around with the Ticats after this season. Some are speculating that Edmonton and Hamilton could make a deal that would send wideout/returner Tristan Jackson to the Ticats and McDaniel going west. B.C. apparently also has an interest in McDaniel.
HAMILTON: There's talk the Ticats may take a run at Calgary cornerback Dwight Anderson if the Stamps can't re-sign him. The Stamps have already lost defensive back/cornerback Brandon Browner to the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Geoff Tisdale, who can play cornerback and halfback, may be one of the more attractive free agents because of his versatility. B.C. may have an interest along with Winnipeg.
The Ticats may have an interest in non-import guard/tackle Wayne Smith, who has had some injury problems the last two years with Saskatchewan. He began his career in Hamilton. The team is trying hard to re-sign non-import defensive lineman Jermaine Reid, who will be in demand because his position is one of several manned by Canadians.
There's also talk Hamilton may trade or cut quarterback Quinton Porter, who is likely third on the team's depth chart.
TORONTO: If defensive tackle Adriano Belli decides to retire - and he's contemplated it - Toronto has cap room. But the Argos may have to deal with re-doing the contracts of all-purpose player Chad Owens and running back Cory Boyd. While Owens has an offer from the New York Jets, it is believed there is little or no signing bonus. He earned $80,000 last year, but word has it that he may be looking at a deal of close to $125,000 a season, with a signing bonus that could be as much as $50,000.
MONTREAL: The Als are looking to replace kicker/punter Damon Duval. They have inquired about kicker/punter Nick Setta, once with Hamilton, but may opt to draft one instead. The team may be willing to deal Adrian McPherson because the Als are loaded at the quarterback position. The Als still have to re-sign running back Avon Cobourne, who is among the best at his position in the league. With the retirement of Ben Cahoon, the Als may look to free agency or elevate one of his backups.
WINNIPEG: Keeping Khan is paramount, as is re-signing defensive back Jonathan Hefney, who is apparently looking for more than $100,000. The team would also like to re-sign defensive end Phillip Hunt, who has offers from several National Football League teams that are include a $20,000-$30,000 signing bonus. Combined with veteran Canadian Doug Brown and rush end Odell Willis, who was quietly given a salary increase to pay him at least $100,000, the Bombers have to decide if they want to bid against the NFL and also putting as much as $400,000 in three defensive linemen.
Linebacker Joe Lobendahn may also be on the move.
SASKATCHEWAN: If Tillman raids the Roughriders' roster, they will make it up in other ways. They have cap room now that Andy Fantuz, voted the top receiver in the league last year, has signed with the Chicago Bears.
B.C.: Wally Buono is expected to look at Gauthier and possibly Hefney, too. Rumours are abound about the Lions cutting some veterans, which is something Buono routinely does. Defensive back Dante Marsh may be dropped, especially if the Lions want to create cap space for Hefney. There's also speculation they are open to trading Canadian receiver Paris Jackson, whose play tailed off last season, and Canadian rush end Brent Johnson, who became a rotation player last season after years of being a dominant starter.
CALGARY: Signing Anderson before free agency is first and foremost on the Stamps' agenda. Stamps have already lost Browner and defensive lineman Tom Johnson to the NFL. The team has cap room following the retirements of veteran centre Rob Lazeo and receiver Ryan Thelwell.
There's also the issue of what will happen with defensive lineman Mike Labinjo, who was traded to Montreal but returned because of health issues. The team also addressed some of their issues at the wide receiver position, including re-doing the contract of Romby Bryant.
