TI-CATS PUT HOLMES ON TRADING BLOCK
Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 12:00PM
Riders, Eskimos and Stampeders may be interested
By Sean Fitz-Gerald,
National Post
HAMILTON - Months of difficult contract negotiations and a looming date with free agency have prompted the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to place running back Corey Holmes on the trade market, opening the possibility of a second move in six months for a man who finished second in voting for the Canadian Football League's outstanding player award last fall.
Several teams have expressed interest heading down the stretch of the regular-season schedule, but any move would be complicated by the fact the 29-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury, as well as his lack of a contract beyond this year.
The CFL's trade deadline is Tuesday.
"Teams are interested," Hamilton general manager Marcel Desjardins said yesterday. "At this stage, the fact that he's hurt doesn't help the situation. But it's also nothing long-term -- he will definitely give somebody a boost for the rest of this year and the post-season."
Saskatchewan, the team that traded Holmes to Hamilton in April, could be in the market for his services because it still hasn't filled the void left by his departure. Edmonton and Calgary might also be interested.
It is believed the Ticats opened contract talks with Holmes shortly after his arrival in May, but the gap between the player's financial demands and the team's budget has been wide. Holmes, through his agent, is believed to be seeking significant money up front.
"We don't want to lose him for nothing," Desjardins said. "My first choice is, obviously, to try to re-sign him. But right now, the likelihood of that isn't real great."
Holmes was not available for comment yesterday as the Ticats prepared to host the Edmonton Eskimos tonight at Ivor Wynne Stadium. He has been placed on the injured list with a knee injury suffered earlier this month against Toronto, and could miss at least another week.
"I don't know what the details to the injury are," Eskimos coach Danny Maciocia said. "I don't know if we're looking at a one-game, two-game or if we're looking at a month [for the injury to heal]. But if it's an extended period of time, it's hard for us to say that we're going to mortgage what we've got for maybe three or four games, not knowing what he's going to do next year because he's going to be able to test the free agent market."
Injuries and a bizarre offensive scheme at the start of the season have limited Holmes to 369 yards on just 64 carries this season, far below the expectations that greeted his arrival in the spring. He has also caught 33 passes for 263 yards.
His resume was sparkling before he landed in Hamilton. He led the league for the second straight year with 3,455 all-purpose yards with the Roughriders last season, and was named the league's outstanding special teams player.
Holmes was the West Division's nominee for outstanding player, but ultimately lost out to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Damon Allen.
"I owe it to myself and to this organization to do my due diligence on both sides," Desjardins said. "So I've got to explore all avenues as it relates to moving him. Because if I can't agree with him now on a contract, then I'm not going to be able to do it in the off-season."
The Ticats have lost five straight games, taking up permanent residence in the East Division basement with a 2-11 record. Desjardins has identified a core group of players he would like to retain for next year, and has a long list of those who probably won't return.
He counted quarterback Jason Maas among those who will be at the centre of next year's team, along with recently signed running back Jesse Lumsden. Receivers Brock Ralph and D.J. Flick will be welcome to return, as will defensive back Tay Cody and defensive lineman Clinton Wayne.
Slotback Mike Morreale, now in his 12th CFL season, might also remain in the picture.
"You never know what's going to happen," Ticats offensive lineman George Hudson said. "You saw the off-season acquisitions we had, and you think we're going to be a great team, and it just didn't work out for us. So I'm not going to look into that any more. I'm just going to come back and see how we perform during training camp."
Riders, Eskimos and Stampeders may be interested
By Sean Fitz-Gerald,
National Post
HAMILTON - Months of difficult contract negotiations and a looming date with free agency have prompted the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to place running back Corey Holmes on the trade market, opening the possibility of a second move in six months for a man who finished second in voting for the Canadian Football League's outstanding player award last fall.
Several teams have expressed interest heading down the stretch of the regular-season schedule, but any move would be complicated by the fact the 29-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury, as well as his lack of a contract beyond this year.
The CFL's trade deadline is Tuesday.
"Teams are interested," Hamilton general manager Marcel Desjardins said yesterday. "At this stage, the fact that he's hurt doesn't help the situation. But it's also nothing long-term -- he will definitely give somebody a boost for the rest of this year and the post-season."
Saskatchewan, the team that traded Holmes to Hamilton in April, could be in the market for his services because it still hasn't filled the void left by his departure. Edmonton and Calgary might also be interested.
It is believed the Ticats opened contract talks with Holmes shortly after his arrival in May, but the gap between the player's financial demands and the team's budget has been wide. Holmes, through his agent, is believed to be seeking significant money up front.
"We don't want to lose him for nothing," Desjardins said. "My first choice is, obviously, to try to re-sign him. But right now, the likelihood of that isn't real great."
Holmes was not available for comment yesterday as the Ticats prepared to host the Edmonton Eskimos tonight at Ivor Wynne Stadium. He has been placed on the injured list with a knee injury suffered earlier this month against Toronto, and could miss at least another week.
"I don't know what the details to the injury are," Eskimos coach Danny Maciocia said. "I don't know if we're looking at a one-game, two-game or if we're looking at a month [for the injury to heal]. But if it's an extended period of time, it's hard for us to say that we're going to mortgage what we've got for maybe three or four games, not knowing what he's going to do next year because he's going to be able to test the free agent market."
Injuries and a bizarre offensive scheme at the start of the season have limited Holmes to 369 yards on just 64 carries this season, far below the expectations that greeted his arrival in the spring. He has also caught 33 passes for 263 yards.
His resume was sparkling before he landed in Hamilton. He led the league for the second straight year with 3,455 all-purpose yards with the Roughriders last season, and was named the league's outstanding special teams player.
Holmes was the West Division's nominee for outstanding player, but ultimately lost out to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Damon Allen.
"I owe it to myself and to this organization to do my due diligence on both sides," Desjardins said. "So I've got to explore all avenues as it relates to moving him. Because if I can't agree with him now on a contract, then I'm not going to be able to do it in the off-season."
The Ticats have lost five straight games, taking up permanent residence in the East Division basement with a 2-11 record. Desjardins has identified a core group of players he would like to retain for next year, and has a long list of those who probably won't return.
He counted quarterback Jason Maas among those who will be at the centre of next year's team, along with recently signed running back Jesse Lumsden. Receivers Brock Ralph and D.J. Flick will be welcome to return, as will defensive back Tay Cody and defensive lineman Clinton Wayne.
Slotback Mike Morreale, now in his 12th CFL season, might also remain in the picture.
"You never know what's going to happen," Ticats offensive lineman George Hudson said. "You saw the off-season acquisitions we had, and you think we're going to be a great team, and it just didn't work out for us. So I'm not going to look into that any more. I'm just going to come back and see how we perform during training camp."
COLOR=DarkGreen]Eskimo fan in Newfoundland, Missing my season seat![/COLOR]
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