Lefko on CFL: Who’s in play?
Posted February 14, 2011 4:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With Canadian Football League free agency set to begin after the clock strikes midnight tomorrow, here are compelling players and storylines in play:
Jermaine Reid: The young, Canadian defensive tackle from Hamilton is entering his fifth year and continues to improve. He will have interest from several teams, likely B.C., Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Saskatchewan, because he’s a non-import playing a position that is almost always used for non-imports. Don’t be surprised if Saskatchewan or Edmonton emerge because the Riders’ new head coach, Greg Marshall, coached Reid in Hamilton. Marshall wants a big, beefy team compared to the lean and fast one employed by Gary Etcheverry, who is with the team in a defensive capacity but without the influence he had.
The Riders already have a good non-import defensive tackle in Keith Shologan, but adding another one won’t hurt. Remember, Hamilton did in the late ’90s with Mike Philbrick and Mike Campbell and it resulted in a Grey Cup. Edmonton wants to beef up its overall Canadian content, and he fits the profile. With Adam Braidwood’s future uncertain because of legal issues, Reid would fill the non-import spot on the line. With Adriano Belli still uncertain whether he’s coming back to play again, Reid could be a replacement for the Kissing Bandit in Toronto.
Joe Lobendahn: Winnipeg’s import linebacker can play in the middle or outside, and he’s also another possibility to become part of the revamped Riders’ defence. He’d be reunited with linebacker Barrin Simpson, whom he played behind and alongside in Winnipeg.
Ben Archibald: Relatively young offensive lineman with Calgary should be heading towards B.C. He’s a western-based guy and has outside interests there. The Lions still haven’t recovered from losing Rob Murphy to Toronto. Archibald isn’t nearly as nasty – is anybody? – but he’ll bring a key component that the Lions desperately need.
Kevin Huntley: Stud defensive end with the Argos battled through injuries last season, but when healthy he’s among the most dominant at his position in the league. Winnipeg could be a perfect fit after losing Phillip Hunt to the National Football League. B.C., Hamilton need help along the D-line, too.
Avon Cobourne: Premier running back with the Montreal Alouettes will try free agency and see what the market bears. Surely the Als will give him the opportunity to re-sign. If I was Hamilton, I’d make a serious run at him. The Cats need more production out of the running back position because DeAndre’ Cobb runs hot and cold. I hear the Ticats want a big, tall back similar to Joe Smith, who played in B.C. and Winnipeg, and current Argo Cory Boyd. Cobourne is under 6-feet but plays like a big man. Hamilton has not done well with its marquee free-agency signings in recent years – Jason Maas, Casey Printers and Kenton Keith, to name a few.
Dwight Anderson: The trash-talking cornerback with Calgary is looking to make a score for the first time as a free agent with some stats. Word is he’s almost certainly going to Hamilton, where he’s played before and was wildly immature, but would be reunited with new Ticats’ defensive co-ordinator Corey Chamblin. Anderson is wayyyyyy out there but the Ticats need all kinds of work in the back end, and he’d at least rev up the fans.
Yvenson Bernard: Somewhat underrated playing behind Fred Reid in Winnipeg, he might star given the opportunity as a feature back. Hamilton could use him, but he’s on the small side.
Jarious Jackson: Tall, strapping quarterback with B.C. has rejected an offer to re-sign and will test the free-agent market. He’s had some shoulder issues, so any team that is considering making an offer would want to test him physically first. Should he be healthy, expect Toronto and Winnipeg to make offers. In fact, if he’s healthy, I expect him to wind up in Toronto, where general manager/head coach Jim Barker would give Jackson a legitimate shot to compete for the starting job.
Jonathan Hefney: Good, young defensive back who can also return punts, Hefney is looking for more than $100,000 according to insiders, so it might be too expensive for Winnipeg to retain him. Possibility he’ll receive interest from B.C., but strictly as a defensive back. Edmonton may have an interest because Hefney played for former Bombers’ defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed, who’s now the Eskimos’ head coach.
Geoff Tisdale: Somewhat underrated in Hamilton, he might end up back with the Ticats but is another possibility to sign in Saskatchewan to be with Marshall.
Chris Leak: Backup quarterback in Montreal might be of interest to the Lions if they lose Jackson. Leak is somewhat of an unknown so far in the CFL because of limited playing time, but he has shown flashes of talent. He may have supplanted Adrian McPherson as Anthony Calvillo’s backup. If the Lions don’t make a move on a quarterback soon, expect them to trade for one. Hamilton is trying to desperately trade either Quinton Porter or Adam Tafralis to reduce their quarterback costs. Porter is more likely to be dealt.
Kelly Campbell: Edmonton receiver is talented when healthy and when his head’s in the game. Any team looking to stretch the field would be interested in him. Possible suitors could be B.C., which lost Emmanuel Arcenaux to the NFL, or Saskatchewan.
Lin-J Shell: Young defensive back with Toronto should get a few offers. Hamilton could use him, but there’s an outside shot Edmonton may have an interest because he’s played for new defensive co-ordinator, Rich Stubler, and knows his match defence.
Other players of note: Hamilton non-import offensive lineman George Hudson and Brian Ramsey. Expect one of them to end up in Winnipeg…Saskatchewan linebackers Rey Williams and Sean Lucas. Everyone thinks they’re headed to Edmonton to be
