...Lawless says Riders looking at Ottawa Asst GM and John Murphy as potential new GM. Have asked for permission to speak to both. Fwiw.

If we want Harris, we'll have to pay him big time.

According to Wally "We did offer him (Harris) a new contract during the season. It was a lucrative proposal which would have made him the highest paid running back in the CFL and it was not accepted." http://www.bclions.com/2016/02/04/free-agency-where-sometimes-the-best-fish-are-in-your-own-pond/

Edited February 5, 201610 yr by TBURGESS

- The #calstampeders have re-signed d-lineman & special-teams standout Ben D'Aguilar → ow.ly/XXK8R #CFLFA

- #Argos closing in on deals with Jermain Gabriel & Cory Greenwood. Jim Barker optimistic both will get done before Feb 9th. #CFL

- Canadian offensive lineman Wayne Smith and the Argos have reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension, per CFL sources.

- The #Argos have signed free agent RB Michael Dyer. #CFL

- Riders have basically told RB Kory Sheets "thanks but no thanks" with regards to a comeback with Saskatchewan

- Logically, it only stands to reason that the Bombers are going to make yet another splash on the first day of free agency in 2016. Rumors have swirled all off-season about Walters’ interest in receivers Ryan Smith and Kenny Stafford, defensive tackle Ted Laurent, running back Andrew Harris, safety Mike Edem, and kicker/punter Justin Medlock, among others. - 3down nation.

Laurent is the only really big splash signing that's going to get me really excited.

Followed by a solid addition to the OL and WR. Bourke would be pretty cool. Fuller or Stafford are on my wish list.

10 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

If we want Harris, we'll have to pay him big time.

According to Wally "We did offer him (Harris) a new contract during the season. It was a lucrative proposal which would have made him the highest paid running back in the CFL and it was not accepted." http://www.bclions.com/2016/02/04/free-agency-where-sometimes-the-best-fish-are-in-your-own-pond/

I disagree. I think this shows more that Harris was set on leaving BC regardless of the money they tossed at him.

4 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

I disagree. I think this shows more that Harris was set on leaving BC regardless of the money they tossed at him.

Agreed, he was pissed at the way they used him last year...

^^Looks like Hamilton is stuck waiting on Laurent...^^

- CFL news Buono can get two Americans to carry the rock for the $200,000 it would take to keep Harris - @FifthQtr #CFL #BCLions 2/2

- Former #Calstampeders DB Brandon Browner indicates via his twitter and instagram he's no long a New Orleans Saint. #CFL #NFL

- in related NFL news..Johnny Manziel has been dropped by his agent. MORE: fw.to/YCFtTOi

 

*** late entry...

 

Edited February 5, 20169 yr by Mr Dee

Interesting considering all the implications that adding Harris was/is a sure thing.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear they want both.

Harris & Messam could be an interesting combo.... probably a very expensive one though.

3 minutes ago, Mike said:

I wouldn't be surprised to hear they want both.

If Harris was mad about being underused last season, why would he possibly sign on for this arrangement?

That would seem like a poor allocation of cap space.

Edited February 5, 20169 yr by sweep the leg

9 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

If Harris was mad about being underused last season, why would he possibly sign on for this arrangement?

That would seem like a poor allocation of cap space.

I'm guessing it's not about being "underused" as he had 42 more carries than any other back in the CFL. I'm guessing it's how he was used and the coach.

11 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

If Harris was mad about being underused last season, why would he possibly sign on for this arrangement?

That would seem like a poor allocation of cap space.

One or the other but not both, too many holes to fill in other positions.

How much is interest is Messam going to garner? He was unsigned during the season for how many weeks last year? If I remember correctly it wasn't until week 5 or 6 that he was picked up by Sask.

13 minutes ago, GCJenks said:

How much is interest is Messam going to garner? He was unsigned during the season for how many weeks last year? If I remember correctly it wasn't until week 5 or 6 that he was picked up by Sask.

I think you are mistaken. He was picked up by the Riders in 2014...and played very well for them and then Calgary afterwards. Definitely has to be considered one of the better signings by Taman. He will garner a lot of interest.

Lawless just tweeted he's been told Laurent could get over $250k.

40 minutes ago, gcn11 said:

I think you are mistaken. He was picked up by the Riders in 2014...and played very well for them and then Calgary afterwards. Definitely has to be considered one of the better signings by Taman. He will garner a lot of interest.

I thought it was quite strange for the Riders to trade Messam away last year after he had established his value.  They basically have no RB's left on their roster from previous years.  We'll find out just how many import RB's can be brought in for a dime.

I won't be too heart broken if we don't get Harris. If we could get Mess am for a lot cheaper and use a Paris Cotton type back as well for cheap we may actually be better off

2 hours ago, gcn11 said:

I think you are mistaken. He was picked up by the Riders in 2014...and played very well for them and then Calgary afterwards. Definitely has to be considered one of the better signings by Taman. He will garner a lot of interest.

We should never have let him go in the first place. He was clearly better than Allen, IMO. Honestly wouldn't be disappointed if we got him back.

There are approximately 131 FAs left, as of noon Frid. The Bombers are said to have an interest in about half of them, if all reports are taken into consideration. But it should be noted that Walters has been busy restructuring many contracts behind the scene to put them in good position for next Tuesday.

Here's some of the latest in the CFL: 

 

 

OK, I may be kidding about the Bombers and all their interests..

Another late entry...

gary lawless– Verified account ‏@garylawless

looks more and more like Ryan Smith won't sign with @sskroughriders and will hit the market. Told he's after in the range of $150 k per @cfl

Edited February 5, 20169 yr by Mr Dee

Lawless is now tweeting that Smith will most likely hit FA.  Looking for around 150k a season.

I just have such a hard time believing Josh Bourke gets to FA.....

8 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Lawless is now tweeting that Smith will most likely hit FA.  Looking for around 150k a season.

Smith might get a shot in T.O. now that they're done with Owens.

Cleyon Laing intrigues me...could worth a shot.

7 hours ago, Blueballz said:

Cleyon Laing intrigues me...could worth a shot.

He would be much cheaper than Laurent and he is pretty darn good.

Pick one....

Capicotti, Laurent, or Bourke