Free Agents we need to sign badly

[MookieFan]

1) Maurice Loyd
2) Anton MacKenzie
3) Mr. Canada
4) Two great db's who can cover, I would sign Fletcher as one.
5) A 1000 yard reciever, I don't think anyone is available in FA market. Maybe need to trade for.

Anyone else?

[dealerd]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

I Agree Totally With Maybe The Exception A Reciever But Im Hoping Preying That Lloyd Mackenzie Dont Resign With Riders I Want Lloyd

[stamphater]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

1) Yup, he should be our big catch.
2) It would be nice but I'm not holding my breath.
3) I'd take a pass.
4) Fletcher is a LB. I'm not worried about our secondary. A strong front 7 will make them look a hell of a lot better.
5) Between Fred Stamps and Mo Mann we already have potential 1000 yard receivers to go with KP8. Again, we are set here.

[EsksTMac]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

Maurice Lloyd is target number 1. We have to get him.

[PDO]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

Esks' will sign Lloyd and Lumsden as their big two signings....

[Oiler]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

I Agree Totally With Maybe The Exception A Reciever But Im Hoping Preying That Lloyd Mackenzie Dont Resign With Riders I Want Lloyd

I'm praying too.

[cmbuk]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

Lloyd would be nice,

Can see lumsden coming however I don't think he is needed
3 more days and aj remains an Eskimo for 09!
Would rather keep him!

Def a no to Canada for me! Don't want any more cast offs

Like the recievers we have and I'm sure just like the db's there will be a few head turners wind up at camp!

Curious about pile? Wonder what kinda role he could play here?

No doubt lb is our priority this off season! Anyone else is a bonus!

[Numberz]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

Lloyd? Yes
McKenzie? Probably No, would come at a price we probably can't afford
Canada? Definitely No
Don't really need DBs...Buhl, Robinson, Lenny, and Goss are good, we could use a safety
Our receivers are fine. Mo can step up, KP and Stamps are here. Prator is in waiting.


Willie Pile is a FA, between him, McKenzie, and Charlton, I'd take a look and see if one will come here for a reasonable price.

[Esks4ever]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

LBs and a DE are the big target(s) first

[Swivel Hips]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

Esks' will sign Lloyd and Lumsden as their big two signings....

I agree completely about Lloyd and Lumsden. They should be the two FAs that we target. We could also really use a Canadian starting safety and a monster defensive lineman - but not Canada. Rather than McKenzie, I'd like to go after Cam Hall from Winnipeg. The guy has always impressed me as a linebacker - if we're planning on keeping Shabazz at safety. Receivers should be fine.

If the front seven improves significantly, it will make the secondary look much better than it actually is - even Buhl. So will Richie Hall's system. Hopefully, Braidwood can also start and make an impact at DT.

[Beerfish]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

1) Maurice Loyd
2) Anton MacKenzie
3) Mr. Canada
4) Two great db's who can cover, I would sign Fletcher as one.
5) A 1000 yard reciever, I don't think anyone is available in FA market. Maybe need to trade for.

Anyone else?

1) Yes
2) yes
3 no
4) Paul jones can find new DB's signing other teams guys has been an epic FAIL for the Esks.
5) Ed Hervey has to find us one.

[Tucker83]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

For those who know...Is Willie Pile from Toronto, a SAM or WIL linebacker?

[Opus]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

Don't really need DBs...Buhl, Robinson, Lenny, and Goss are good, we could use a safety

One of these is NOT like the others......

Willie Pile is a FA, between him, McKenzie, and Charlton, I'd take a look and see if one will come here for a reasonable price.

Pile and Charlton play the SAM spot, McKenzie is a WIL backer......

Despite the talk about Lucas, I think Pile is likely the best SAM backer on the market.

[Tucker83]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

Not sure if this has been posted on the site, but again a great article by JHunt.

Target practice
With nine days to go until CFL free agency is upon us, we list the top 15 guys available

When the gates swing open and CFL general managers charge into the free-agent market Feb. 15 (10 p.m. MT), there should be several enticing options on the table.

These fair market-value figures are estimates from a CFL insider source.

1. Rob Murphy, B.C. Lions OL

Fair market value (entering free agency): $120,000

The Skinny: A West Division all-star last year, Murphy is the entire package on the offensive line: talented and nasty. There are suggestions Murphy wants to move east and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats could show interest.

Edmonton Eskimos angle: Should be a top priority. While there has been bad blood between Murphy and current Eskimos players in the past, Murphy's off-field personality should mean he can fit into the Edmonton locker-room.

2. Jason Jimenez, B.C. Lions OT

Fair market value: $120,000

The Skinny: Hard to believe Wally Buono will watch both offensive linemen walk away. Jimenez was a 2008 all-star.

Esks angle: Like every other GM, Danny Maciocia should be calling if Jimenez reaches the open market.

3. Maurice Lloyd, Saskatchewan LB

Fair market value: $150,000

The Skinny: One source says the middle linebacker will get $150,000 from some team. There have been rumblings for weeks that the B.C. Lions will be going after the league's top MLB. Sixth in the CFL in defensive tackles (74) last year, Lloyd also had five sacks and three forced fumbles.

Esks angle: Will new head coach Richie Hall be able to attract a former pupil? The club needs a new starting middle linebacker and can easily put an import like Lloyd in that spot if non-import Adam Braidwood returns to a starting position on the D-line. That would balance the ratio issue with MLB Agustin Barrenechea gone.

4. Anton McKenzie, Saskatchewan LB

Fair market value: $75,000

The Skinny: A CFL all-star in 2008, McKenzie had six fewer tackles than Lloyd but the same number of forced fumbles.

Esks angle: The departure of Kenny Onatolu means McKenzie could slide right into the weak-side linebacker role.

5. Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan OL

Fair market value: $125,000

The Skinny: It would be shocking to see Makowsky leave the Riders after 14 years. A product of the University of Saskatchewan, Makowsky is involved in the Rider community.

Esks angle: While Makowsky was a CFL all-star in 2008, it seems there's no shot he's moving here.

6. Jesse Lumsden, Hamilton Tiger-Cats RB

Fair market value: $90,000

The Skinny: One source indicates Lumsden wants $160,000. It's hard to imagine he will have many takers at that price considering his injury issues (2008: torn labrum, right ankle, knee ligaments; 2007: shoulder, clavicle).

Esks angle: Talk of Lumsden coming to Edmonton has been happening for months. And there is no denying Edmonton needs a better run game. But a bonus-laden deal with little guaranteed money is the only way to go.

7. Anthony Calvillo, Montreal Alouettes QB

Fair market value: $350,000

The Skinny: Can only see two possible scenarios for Calvillo: returns to Montreal or retires.

8. Willie Pile, Toronto Argonauts LB

Fair market value: $90,000-$110,000

The Skinny: Toronto's leading tackler last year (72), Pile is ultra-talented.

Esks angle: After ending Ricky Ray's season in 2007, it would be interesting to see Pile surface here. The 28-year-old could be the club's answer at strong-side linebacker.

9. Joe McGrath, Edmonton Eskimos OL

Fair market value: $115,000

The Skinny: There is always going to be a market for a five-year non-import starting offensive lineman.

Esks angle: This will come down to money. Period. But from the outside it doesn't appear McGrath wants to leave the club as he is part of the off-season Eskimos hoops team.

10. Sean Lucas, Saskatchewan LB

Fair market value: $90,000

The Skinny: At 25, Lucas is an emerging strong-side linebacker.

Esks angle: At some point, Shannon Garrett's motor is going to run out. At 37, he wants to return for a 15th CFL season. But inking Lucas to a long-term deal with Garrett as a strong-side LB teacher would be wise.

11. Walter Spencer, Montreal Alouettes ST

Fair market value: $60,000

The Skinny: A pain in the butt to play against on special teams. He was in the face of the Eskimos in the East Final.

Esks angle: The club could use at least another veteran leader on special teams. It would be money well spent.

12. Mark Estelle, Montreal Alouettes CB

Fair market value: $125,000

The Skinny: A 2008 CFL East Division all-star, Estelle is clearly a lock-down player.

Esks angle: Edmonton has searched for two years for a lock-down corner (Omarr Morgan and Jordan Younger) and hasn't been successful.

13. Brandon Guillory, Edmonton Eskimos DE

Fair market value: $80,000

The Skinny: If he doesn't ink an NFL deal before Feb. 15, CFL offers will start arriving. While the Esks were critical of his run defence, there's no denying his quarterback pressure (nine sacks in 14 games).

Esks angle: Can't see him returning after being benched so many times last year.

14. Ike Charlton, Winnipeg LB

Fair market value: $85,000

The Skinny: Age is not on his side at 31.

Esks angle: There seems to be respect for Charlton. But there are better options at outside linebacker.

15. Michael Fletcher, Toronto Argos LB

Fair market value: $80,000

The Skinny: Didn't play a single game after injuring his foot last year around Labour Day.

Esks angle: The Argos aren't going to re-sign him, but would the Esks take a risk on a player from a 3-4 defensive scheme?

[Opus]

Re: Free Agents we need to sign badly

To answer the original question:

1) Yes
2) Not necessary, I think KO will be back by LD.
3) No
4) Paul Jones is likely the best DB bird dog in the league.
5) You're assuming that KC's 1.1mil price tag and age (28) will keep him on an NFL roster....failing that we are just fine at the receiver position, and without exception this year will bring a new crop of talented imports to camp. You want a 1000 yard receiver.....I give you Fred Stamps 2009.