There is officially only 2 weeks remaining until free agency.  As we all know, there is still plenty of time to re-sign potential free agents but many who have waited this long will increasingly be tempted to test free agency.  So without further Apu, I present my authoritative list of the top 5 Canadian Free Agents (from a Blue Bomber perspective).  Here we go!

 

TOP 5 CANADIAN FREE AGENTS

 

1.  BEN HEENAN - This one is too easy.  Everyone knows he is going to be the number one target in free agency, and he may even get some NFL looks.  But with the right offer, maybe the Canadian Big Ben ends up in Winnipeg and moves our OL further towards respectability.  Heenan's value comes from his outstanding play but also his versatility.  Many believe that he would be best-suited as a guard, but his value as a proven starting tackle can't be ignored.  Even if the Bombers only made this one signing, the free agency period would have to be deemed a success.  A ratio changer, and likely even better than any of the American tackle options currently on the roster.  To borrow a term from soccer, this signing is a slam dunk home run.

 

2.  TYLER HOLMES - It should be no surprise that another offensive lineman heads up this list.  Holmes may not be as much of a big-name as Heenan, but he has the potential to make just as great an impact (and probably at a lower cap hit).  After being drafted 7th overall in 2011 (3 spots behind the immortal Jade Etienne), Holmes spent the 2012 season with the Minnesota Vikings, suiting up at Guard in 4 pre-season games.  He played another 2 pre-season games for the Vikes before being cut during camp in 2013.  Shortly afterwards, Holmes signed with the Argos where he spent the last two seasons starting at left guard.  Although Holmes would appear to have settled in as a CFL guard, he was an OT in college and may still have the potential to play tackle.  He is only 26 years old.  The Redblacks are rumoured to have interest in his services, and I imagine many other teams will as well.  Holmes is the son of former CFL RB Richard Holmes, who played 3 seasons in Ottawa and one in Winnipeg.

 

3.  SPENCER WATT - My first non-OL pick in free agency goes to fifth year Argonaut Spencer Watt.  This pick is all about depth and versatility.  While Watt is certainly not a household star, he has been a consistent performer for the Argos at the wide-side receiver spot.  The Bombers only have three Canadian receivers under contract right now, and with the unreliable health of Cory Watson, depth is still needed here.  Adding Watt will give the Bombers a reliable player that coach O'Shea is already familiar with, and one who has five years under his belt while being the same age as Cory Watson was when he was first drafted.  Adding Watt would give the Bombers flexibility in the passing game, perhaps allowing Rory Kohlert to move inside and get more passes thrown his way, or to even have 3 Canadian receivers starting at times.

 

4.  GREG WOJT - We quickly shift our focus back to the offensive line.  If the Bombers whiff on their first two OL targets, Greg Wojt could at least be a decent consolation prize.  Wojt has started many games in the CFL for both Edmonton and Hamilton, mostly at guard but occasionally filling in at tackle.  Wojt could be valuable depth and present stiff competition to both Chris Greaves and Patrick Neufeld for their starting spots, which should not be guaranteed at this point.  Wojt was named a Western Division all star in 2011 but hasn't been able to attain that level of play since then.  However he is still just 29 and could be entering the prime of his career.  A date with Bob Wylie could be just what Wojt needs to rejuvenate his career.  Hell, we'd all love a date with Bob Wylie... did you know he's a magician?

 

5.  DON ORAMASIONWU - Could 2015 see the return of DONNY O to the Blue Bombers lineup?  The Bombers were already thin along the defensive line when DT Ryan Lucas announced his retirement, and they desperately need some help here.  Jake Thomas is a wonderful player but he could use some Canadian help in the middle.  The Bombers also have Louie Richardson and Ameet Pall on the defensive line, but both could be considered "tweeners" and might not fit into Richie Hall's schemes as well as they did for Gary Etcheverry.  Don missed most of last season but if healthy could be a great asset to the Bombers' DL, taking some rotational reps and possibly even starting if necessary.  I would still like to see the Bombers draft a strong DT but Donny O would be good insurance in case that is not possible.  And it's always nice to have a local guy on the roster.

 

So there's the list.  And if you're not down with that, I got two words for you....... WHY NOT???

 

 prediction: Winnipeg will be a busy team in free agency.

I wouldn't oppose on that four but Taylor Reed will definitely be a strong target for Walters.

 

EDIT... unless he signed already

 

Drew Edwards has said it's pretty much a done deal.

Re-signed with Hamilton.

 

 

Drew Edwards @scratchingpost  ·  15h 15 hours ago

#Ticats LB @Tank_Reed1911 just favourited my Tweet about his re-signing. It's what passes for confirmation these days.

 

Re-signed with Hamilton.

 

 

Drew Edwards @scratchingpost  ·  15h 15 hours ago

#Ticats LB @Tank_Reed1911 just favourited my Tweet about his re-signing. It's what passes for confirmation these days.

 

 

I don't really think it passes for confirmation at all, seen as how he favorited my tweet about coming back to Winnipeg as well yesterday.

 

But that being said, he's clearly resigned there.

@sixbeamers: #BCLions GM Wally Buono not hopeful about re-signing pending FA Ernest Jackson. Winnipeg a fit, with Drew Willy, ex U. of Buffalo teammate?

Damnit reed! Where is the love! =p

VANCOUVER — If Wally Buono was looking for a bargain, he'd line up for the Target Canada liquidation sale. He knows he won't find one in the Canadian Football League free agency pool.

"It's never been a strong suit of mine," admitted the general manager of the B.C. Lions, looking toward the free-agent signing free-for-all that begins Tuesday at 9 a.m. PT.

"We have brought in guys who've been productive," he said. "Ben Archibald (from Calgary). Eric Taylor, Byron Parker, Lin-J Shell (all from Toronto). But when you look at the success we've had over the years, we've always believed in finding our own or signing the (pending) free agents we already have, showing respect for the guys in our locker room."

One of those players, however, is wide receiver Ernest Jackson, who will hit the open market Tuesday and seems destined to land elsewhere. Buono doesn't seem too concerned about it either.

"Right now, we have Manny Arceneaux, Courtney Taylor, Bryan Burnham and Lavasier Tuinei," he said. "I don't want to sound negative, but he (Jackson) is the big, physical receiver that Burnham is, that Tuinei is. You've gotta be careful you don't have too many of the same guy. Again, do we need to blow our brains out? If it costs you a ton of money against your (salary) cap, is that going to make your team better?"

Buono would suggest the Lions already have made a splash in free agency by signing Austin Collie, the former Indianapolis Colts' receiver who has the added bonus of being classified as a "non-import." (Buono still prefers that term over the CFL's chichi designation of "national.”)

"He's an accomplished professional receiver who has the right passport," Buono said. "He gives us options. According to our reports, he's in good shape physically. He's as strong as he's ever been."

Among the pending free agents, the most attractive (from a Lions' perspective) might be Calgary centre Brett Jones, the league's most outstanding lineman in 2014, one year after being named rookie of the year. Jones, though, is expected to re-sign in Calgary or with the Roughriders, in his home province of Saskatchewan. The Weyburn native played at the University of Regina.

After releasing punter Ricky Schmitt in the offseason (he signed with B.C. last year in the free agency period), the Lions are looking for a replacement. The Roughriders' Josh Bartel, a pending free agent, fits that criteria. But the Lions want a player who can handle all three kicking chores, not a single speciality.

B.C. believed Richie Leone, a member of their expanded practice roster in 2014, could be the man. But the 22-year-old import punter-kicker was signed last month by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"We were excited about him," Buono said of Leone, who played at the University of Houston. "He showed very good promise. We have a number of kicking camp to go to, to try and find another like him."

Sounds like what Walters had been saying,too. Build thru the draft, don't overpay in FA.

Sounds like what Walters had been saying,too. Build thru the draft, don't overpay in FA.

Funny I recall him also stating that the Bombers were going to be "agressive" during free agency.

Sounds like what Walters had been saying,too. Build thru the draft, don't overpay in FA.

Funny I recall him also stating that the Bombers were going to be "agressive" during free agency.

Aggressive doesn't necessarily mean over-paying.

Walters is going to fly around the country punching other GMs in the nose.

 

Aggressive.

Walters has specifically said he is okay with overpaying in free agency... but only for Canadians.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/maxwell-smart-99-top-agents-available-291141241.html?cx_navSource=d-top-story

 

Maxwell Smart, 99, top agents available Bombers won't get much stronger through free agency

By: Ed Tait

 

Kyle Walters looks at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers depth chart and -- alongside a few spots brimming with Grade-A talent -- sees some ginormous holes and areas in need of serious upgrade.

But the Bomber GM is hardly going to open the club's wallet and fill up a shopping cart when CFL free agency opens on Tuesday. Free agency seldom works that way in the salary-cap era, even with the pressures of building a contender in a year the organization is playing host to the Grey Cup.

 

This year's free-agent crop is hardly considered bumper by Bombers brass and other league executives, especially now that Saskatchewan Roughriders non-import offensive tackle Ben Heenan -- who was headed for free agency -- has landed with the Indianapolis Colts while others, such Hamilton Tiger-Cats dynamic receiver/returner Brandon Banks, have re-signed in recent weeks.

But there are some intriguing pieces out there that might pique the interest of Walters & Co.

"We're looking at offensive-line help and will still look in free agency to upgrade that position," said Walters on Friday. "You always look at Canadians in general and at any position along the offensive line.

"Still, you've got all these plans and you spend all this time watching film on free agents, punching in numbers and doing all this stuff and, in the end, you just don't know. You have no idea, no clue how things are going to shake down in these days before free agency.

"What I caution people is, be very careful thinking that free agency is going to be the plan to solve your roster deficiencies. You can't count on it, you just don't know what it's going to cost and it's a hard salary cap. There's a domino effect. You just can't go out and spend blindly across the board. There's a give and take."

Walters would not offer any specific hints as to who the club would target -- that would constitute tampering, after all -- but he did say the club has made offers to quarterback Brian Brohm and linebacker/defensive back Johnny Sears, Jr. (who is close to returning) -- two of the team's 11 prospective free agents.

The others, including offensive linemen Glenn January, Dan Knapp and Gord Hinse, receivers Romby Bryant, Aaron Kelly and Brett Carter, running back Carl Volny, defensive back Desia Dunn and linebacker Mike Cornell -- all seem destined to hit the open market next week.

The Bombers will likely start five Canadians on offence and two on defence, filling those spots with three interior offensive linemen and two receivers along with cornerback Matt Bucknor, defensive tackle Jake Thomas and -- depending on the package -- a couple ofother homegrown options on defence.

The departure of Ian Wild to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the fact Sears has yet to re-sign leaves big question marks in the linebacking corps.

Now, while the Bomber neg list is said to be loaded with American offensive tackles, the Bombers may have their interest piqued by some of the talent soon to be available and the team could use a consistent threat in the receiving corps to go alongside Clarence Denmark, Nick Moore and Canadians Rory Kohlert and Julian Feoli-Gudino.

Walters also raved about what will be available to all nine CFL teams in the upcoming draft.

"It's dynamite. Best it's been in a long time," said Walters. "It's loaded. A good, good, good draft."

Here's what the Bombers roster currently looks like and whether the team might chase free agents at certain positions:

 

WHAT THE BOMBERS HAVE

 

QUARTERBACK

Returning starter: Drew Willy

Reserves: Robert Marve, Josh Portis

Free agent: Brian Brohm

Synopsis: Brohm is still in the Bomber picture as the two sides are talking, but there is no need to chase anyone in free agency. Willy is the clear-cut No. 1 and the club likes the upside of Marve and Portis.

 

RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK

Returning starter: Paris Cotton

Reserves: Michel-Pierre Pontbriand*, Carl Fitzgerald*, Cameron Marshall, Sam McGuffie

New face: Tim Cronk*

Free agent: Carl Volny*

Synopsis: Finding rare talents such as Charles Roberts might be difficult, but unearthing challengers to Cotton from any free-agent camp or scouting trip down south isn't. Don't expect the Bombers to be in any sort of potential bidding war for Curtis Steele of Toronto or Edmonton's Kendial Lawrence.

 

RECEIVER

Returning starters: Nick Moore, Rory Kohlert*, Clarence Denmark

Reserves: Julian Feoli-Gudino*, Justin Wilson, Jerrell Jackson, Kurt Goodrich

New faces: Toney Clemons, Kris Bastien*

Free agents: Romby Bryant, Brett Carter*, Aaron Kelly

Synopsis: It's natural to draw a connection between Ernest Jackson of B.C. and the Bombers -- he was a college teammate of Drew Willy at Buffalo -- but he might be expensive. There are Canadians Sam Giguere (Hamilton), Spencer Watt (Toronto) and Brad Sinopoli (Calgary) but they, too, will command high dollars. A couple of intriguing imports are Greg Ellingson (Hamilton) and Darvin Adams (Toronto).

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

Returning starters: Chris Greaves*, Steve Morley*, Matthias Goossen*, Devin Tyler, Jace Daniels

Free agent signing: Dominic Picard* (projected starting centre).

Reserves: Patrick Neufeld*, Quinn Everett*

New face: David Mims

Free agents: Glenn January, Gord Hinse*, Dan Knapp

Synopsis: Landing Picard was huge to the Bombers plan to start their three best Canadians inside. With all signs pointing to January leaving, the Bombers could be looking at proven imports on the market -- even though they like both Tyler and Daniels. That might put SirVincent Rogers (Toronto) and Stanley Bryant and Edwin Harrison (both of Calgary) in their crosshairs.

The Stamps' Brett Jones, a Canadian who was the league's best rookie in 2013 and top lineman last year, is either likely to sign down south or return to Calgary for a lot more $$.

 

DEFENSIVE LINE Returning starters: Bryant Turner, Jr., Greg Peach, Jake Thomas*, Jason Vega

Reserves: Zach Anderson, Louie Richardson*, Ameet Pall*, Thaddeus Gibson, Greg Hickman, Kashawn Fraser. Marvin Booker, Deantre Harlan.

Synopsis: There's actually a lot more talent here than the Bombers -- so maligned a year ago for their work against the run -- might get credit for league-wide. A new scheme under new defensive boss Richie Hall will help here; ditto for the potential upside of players like Gibson and Harlan.

 

LINEBACKER

Returning starter: Don Unamba

Reserves: Jesse Briggs*, Craig Newman*, Dan West*

New faces: Shamari Benton,

NFL departure: Ian Wild (Pittsburgh)

Free agents: Johnny Sears, Jr., Mike Cornell*

Synopsis: A new deal for Sears, Jr. could be completed as early as this weekend and that would help. Losing Wild stings but just as at RB, the Bombers believe their scouting staff can find replacements down south. What might help is more Canadian depth to give them flexibility in who starts on defence. Keenan MacDougall (Calgary) and Sam Hurl (Saskatchewan) could be on the radar.

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Returning starters: Bruce Johnson, Maurice Leggett, Chris Randle, Troy Stoudermire, Demond Washington, Matt Bucknor*

Reserves: Derek Jones*, Teague Sherman*, Shea Pierre*

New faces: Johnny Adams, Jarrid Bryant, Demetrius Wright

Free agent: Desia Dunn

Synopsis: Easily the most talented and deepest part of the Bomber roster. The additions of Johnson, Leggett, Randle, Bucknor and Stoudermire completely transformed the team's pass defence a year ago and has the team's secondary moving into the league's elite. Highly unlikely they'll spend on CFL free agents here, choosing instead to bolster depth from their neg list.

 

KICKER/SPECIALISTS

Plackekicker/punter: Lirim Hajrullahu

Long-snapper: Carl Fitzgerald, Tim Cronk

NFL departure: Wild

Retired: Mike Renaud

Synopsis: Hajrullahu was a revelation as a placekicker last year and his work as a punter will only improve. Wild was a solid long-snapper and that's why Cronk, who has had stints with B.C. and Saskatchewan, was brought in to challenge Fitzgerald and whoever might be lined up at that spot.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 7, 2015 C6