Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

[pete]

Based on the Draft Tracker thread, I'm interested to hear what you guys think the most valuable position is to have a Canadian starter at. As the calibre of Canadian amateur football gets better I think we've seen a shift towards where value lies.

For example, I would argue a starting Canadian DT is more valuable than starting Canadian WR

I've grouped positions together but if you wanted to differentiate DE vs DT when you vote DL post away.

I've excluded the QB position for obvious reasons.

[Hugoagogo]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I say kicker. Not that I would make that a priority for draft, but I would want my kicker to be Canadian and acquired by whatever means.
I believe in "take the best player available" regardless of position. I think it has evolved into, "take the best player available that wants to play in Canada"

[pete]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I say kicker. Not that I would make that a priority for draft, but I would want my kicker to be Canadian and acquired by whatever means.
I believe in "take the best player available" regardless of position. I think it has evolved into, "take the best player available that wants to play in Canada"

What If that kicker only kicks, doesn't punt? Still place a high value on him?

[pizmo]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

Where is the 'slot' for the missionary position?

[Hugoagogo]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

What If that kicker only kicks, doesn't punt? Still place a high value on him?

If a kid isn't raised to do both, he's probably not Canadian
Seriously though, yeah, ideally you want a guy that does both. I'm personally not a fan of tying up two roster positions for two kickers (unless each of them is elite in their own area, but that rarely happens). I think your priority is to get a guy whose strength is field goals, and you build your punt and kickoff formations around his ability to hoof the ball. Always good to have a second kicker on the PR though.
To answer your question, no. Unless the guy is guaranteed money in his one kicking style (like say a Justin Medlock), I don't put as much value into him. Sean Whyte to me is an elite field goal kicker. It will be interesting to see if adding the punting/kickoff duties this year distract from his place kicking success.

[cmbuk]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

Oline... still the lifeblood of every cfl offence is a strong ni oline .. I'd have 4/5 every year if we had the development in place

[Diesel]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I voted OL, cos in theory that has been the most valuable position, especially at LT. That being said, the salary costs at those positions have been inflated to the point where the value starts diminishing, when you have an unproven NI OL demanding north of $100k without ever taking a snap, and likely won't start for a while.

The position that is increasing in value when you add costs vs performance over versatility, is LB. Cheaper on the entry level contract, able to play ST's and can rotate into the D on different packages allowing a DC to mix up personel in coverage situations

[pete]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I voted OL, cos in theory that has been the most valuable position, especially at LT. That being said, the salary costs at those positions have been inflated to the point where the value starts diminishing, when you have an unproven NI OL demanding north of $100k without ever taking a snap, and likely won't start for a while.

The position that is increasing in value when you add costs vs performance over versatility, is LB. Cheaper on the entry level contract, able to play ST's and can rotate into the D on different packages allowing a DC to mix up personel in coverage situations

I voted RB because that allows you to play another import upfront. I'm picturing the stamps a couple years ago. However, I agree in the next couple of years I think LB will become an increasingly Canadian position.

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If a kid isn't raised to do both, he's probably not Canadian
Seriously though, yeah, ideally you want a guy that does both. I'm personally not a fan of tying up two roster positions for two kickers (unless each of them is elite in their own area, but that rarely happens). I think your priority is to get a guy whose strength is field goals, and you build your punt and kickoff formations around his ability to hoof the ball. Always good to have a second kicker on the PR though.
To answer your question, no. Unless the guy is guaranteed money in his one kicking style (like say a Justin Medlock), I don't put as much value into him. Sean Whyte to me is an elite field goal kicker. It will be interesting to see if adding the punting/kickoff duties this year distract from his place kicking success.

Good points. Do you value the field position a good punter provides more or less than a reliable FG kicker?

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Oline... still the lifeblood of every cfl offence is a strong ni oline .. I'd have 4/5 every year if we had the development in place

Is that because the play of Canadians on the OL is greater than the play of Canadians at skill positions? Or is that because you think the OL is easiest to "hide" Canadians?

[Hugoagogo]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

Good points. Do you value the field position a good punter provides more or less than a reliable FG kicker?

I value a better place kicker over punter. I think that although it still takes 12 guys to make a successful field goal, there is more on a place kicker versus a punter. I believe a lot can be done by the cover team to help situations on punts and kickoffs. I've seen a number of punters over the years that didn't have great distance, but because of the way their cover teams were coached, their net kicks were equal to many of the big leg punters. In short, a very good cover team can make a lot of punters look good.

[stamphater]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I still think having a quality ratio-breaker comes at two positions. Linebacker and RB with an honourable mention to the defensive halfback and cornerback. Those are positions typically relegated to internationals so it always allows for flexibility.

[eskfan152]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

Good poll and thread Pete! I'm all for a Canadian oline!

[pete]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I still think having a quality ratio-breaker comes at two positions. Linebacker and RB with an honourable mention to the defensive halfback and cornerback. Those are positions typically relegated to internationals so it always allows for flexibility.

I heard Chris Jones speak at coaches clinic and he was adamant that we won't produce starting DB's as a country until they outlaw hockey. The motion of pushing off to skate is fundamentally different to the motion of sprinting, he explained, that Canadians develop "tight hips". That doesn't translate well into DB play. So ya finding a quality Canadian HB or CB is tough. Likely the reason Canadians play safety instead of the others spots as well.

[cmbuk]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I voted RB because that allows you to play another import upfront. I'm picturing the stamps a couple years ago. However, I agree in the next couple of years I think LB will become an increasingly Canadian position.

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Go points. Do you value the field position a good punter provides more or less than a reliable FG kicker?

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Is that because the play of Canadians on the OL is greater than the play of Canadians at skill positions? Or is that because you think the OL is easiest to "hide" Canadians?

I'm in the mind set that Canadians have an advantage on oline play as it's different to down south.. so spending your whole life in Canadian football imho gives you the upper hand over their American counterparts.. I don't see how u can hide a lineman... u can hide a safety.. as we have saw here MANY times.. but if your line has a weak link and not a strong 5 you get found out..

And unis like laval have a history of solid linemen production level....

So I would def use my picks on linemen

[stamphater]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I heard Chris Jones speak at coaches clinic and he was adamant that we won't produce starting DB's as a country until they outlaw hockey. The motion of pushing off to skate is fundamentally different to the motion of sprinting, he explained, that Canadians develop "tight hips". That doesn't translate well into DB play. So ya finding a quality Canadian HB or CB is tough. Likely the reason Canadians play safety instead of the others spots as well.

Yeah, Davis Sanchez is the only guy I can really think of recently who was a quality starting DB. Interesting concept as to why as well...

[GungaDin]

Re: Whats the most valuable Canadian position?

I heard Chris Jones speak at coaches clinic and he was adamant that we won't produce starting DB's as a country until they outlaw hockey. The motion of pushing off to skate is fundamentally different to the motion of sprinting, he explained, that Canadians develop "tight hips". That doesn't translate well into DB play. So ya finding a quality Canadian HB or CB is tough. Likely the reason Canadians play safety instead of the others spots as well.

And all top Canadian athletes grow up playing hockey? Riiiight. Does he know how much it costs to play hockey and how many Canadian kids play soccer, basketball or other sport because of that? Sorry Chris, but you're talking through your non-existent hat. I suspect the reason there are few Canadian DBs is the same reason there are no Canadian QBs, lack of experience and coaching.