TBieber

Not surprised, his contract was never registered with the league, so I had always wondered why. Turns out this would be why.

He's at the point where - yes, he is coming off a good season, but he is also 35 coming off an injury that forced him to miss the playoffs. His asking price may be too high as well. The Alouettes were talking to him when free agency opened, but they wound up signing Diamond Ferri the next day. I think if he signs anywhere it will be after the draft, closer to camp and maybe not even until an injury occurs during the season.

Brian Simmons in Hamilton is in the mix for #4 as well. Joel Figueroa - their RT - is a fine player as well. Not top tier yet, but could be in the next year or two.

Looking to play closer to home? I'm wondering if SSK left him unprotected knowing his contract situation could allow them to re-acquire him after one season. Also, they had to keep that offensive line intact. Would he really be in such a hurry to go back to Sask? Leaving him unprotected would have to sting a bit. That was actually my other thought. I know he mentioned he was shocked he was left unprotected. Could even move back to the West and pending what happens with Laurent, etc. Westerman is a free agent too. Lots of opportunity for a Canadian DT to find a home.

Seems to be all quiet. The longer it goes the more you have to think he is back in the CFL. Only work out I know about was Minnesota and that was months ago now.

Looking to play closer to home? I'm wondering if SSK left him unprotected knowing his contract situation could allow them to re-acquire him after one season. Also, they had to keep that offensive line intact. So in sense, most of the players they acquire in the expansion draft are rentals. For some that may be the case - Kohlert is an example, though there are different circumstances that revolved around that. If they have a successful first year, that can help sway a decision. Dollars and playing time factor in as well.

I would say Deane is more likely to play tackle with Eppele on the inside. They got James Lee from the Riders in the draft, I think he starts. They also just signed Nate Menkin, and I think they look to go two import tackles. Gives them a much better situation on the offensive line for depth. Albright can play centre as well, so you would look at: G - Deane, Eppele, Dunn, Barrette C - Krausnick, Albright Add a couple more OL via the draft for assurance if someone has to kick out to tackle due to injury, and you are in a good spot.

Looking to play closer to home? I'm wondering if SSK left him unprotected knowing his contract situation could allow them to re-acquire him after one season. Also, they had to keep that offensive line intact.

The other thing - thinking about it now, is I believe Keith Shologan is a free agent after this season, and I'm not so sure he would be looking to re-sign.

Indeed. The formula that a majority of teams in the league use.

Minnesota's all-time leading passer... threw passes to Eric Decker for his first three seasons. Essentially your prototypical college passer who can't cut it at the next level.

Redblacks have Eric Fraser as their safety, I don't see them looking to acquire a back-up in Couch. With how well Ottawa is for Canadians right now, they could literally do almost anything. They are in a fantastic spot. I wouldn't put it past them to trade out to #4 or #5, select Bailey, and then select Bastien at #10, and take a second tier lineman with the second pick that they add from the trade. You may even have a shot at David Menard - who while he is not as good as Smith or Gill, will be a fine DT, I believe. I think they would be better served selecting an end type if they go DL though. Only have two. Redblacks have Sholo, Evans, and Andrew Marshall as Canadian DT's. Unless they're starting two, which I can't imagine with Hopkins and Jon Williams there, drafting Smith means he is being converted, I would have to believe. That might be a little over-speculative, but it would be an interesting option.

Kicking questions will be solved in just over two weeks. Mark it down.

Punters are people too.

If you want to use a comparison on Quinn Smith to get an idea of what you can expect, I would compare him to Jabar Westerman on the BC Lions. Westerman started five games in his rookie season, contributed 14 tackles, 4 sacks. Was also selected second overall. I think you start with Anderson and Turner, and then Smith works his way in, and starts about 8-12 games. I was a big fan of Westerman in 2012, and I like Smith slightly more, just for the sheer fact that he can move that well for a guy over 300 pounds.

Kevin Smith helped me win a fantasy title in his rookie season. That is my fact of the day on him. Love seeing these guys come - or in his case, potentially come - to the CFL. Heard about the Steve Slaton signing yesterday and was pretty excited to see he was making his way up.

Dylan Ainsworth and Anthony Coombs weren't ranked until after the CIS season either, and Ainsworth skipped have the list to #7 after the combine. The list means nothing at the end of the day. There are hundreds of players eligible and only 15 make it, and even less actually have consistency on the rankings. As mentioned above by Mike, he was on the radar long before the combine by CFL teams. Last year, Andy Mulumba and Brent Urban jumped onto the list after their seasons. Mulumba is obviously in the NFL, and Urban is expected to be selected in the mid rounds this year. 2012, Tyrone Crawford was unranked and jumped up after the season. He was selected 3rd round in the NFL. Jabar Westerman wasn't ranked until after the combine and he has been very good for the BC Lions while a guy like Tyson Pencer was ranked before the season, ended unranked, and still went 3rd overall. It's all about opinion from those in charge of selecting these kids.

To my knowledge there hasn't been anything regarding Lavertu and the NFL. He should be safe for Ottawa or Winnipeg.

The only issue I have with this exact idea would be the previous regimes that cost their successors (in Winnipeg's case a rookie) their first and/or second "warnings". Fair. Forgiveness clause could allow a team's history to be cleared after a certain number of years. Other ideas for penalties (A hard cap may have to be introduced on some): - Instead of a team fine, the team loses that amount (or a set amount) towards the next season's cap. This may be a bit more harsh for a league that had a cap of $4.4 million for the previous season however. - Penalty escalators are reduced to reflect player salaries. I think it can be argued that if a team is in excess of a standard contract, spending in excess then may become an advantage. As it stands now, a team doesn't lose a pick until you spend about a starter's worth of salary. $1 to $50,000 (dollar-for-dollar), $50,001 to $100,000 ($2 per dollar + first round pick), $100,001+ ($3 per dollar + first and second picks) - If a team spends in excess, they get dropped to the end of each round in the draft + fines. At the end of the day, this is the first conversation we have had about a team spending over the limit in three years, and it was fairly minimal, so I don't think anything may even have to be done unless it becomes a more prominent issue.

Who do you see the Bombers taking, assuming Ottawa takes Lavertu? I would be looking to trade out. If a trade is not attainable, I am selecting Quinn Smith. You may say that if you want to trade out and select Smith he may not be there. True, but I still like the option of getting two very good players, which I believe you can find in all picks up until about #16.

Only has happened six times and four of them have been the Riders. One for Montreal and one for Winnipeg. This was also the first time it has happened since 2010. Since one team is clearly the trending violator, perhaps the league should look in to doubling fines for the second violation and then removing draft picks for the third and subsequent violations. Of course you would have to start with a fresh slate for all teams and count this as the Riders first violation. Until or if penalties ever change, teams should look to spend whatever they want as long as they aren't forfeiting picks.

I wouldn't touch Winston with a ten foot pole if I were a NFL GM.

You set yourself up for failure if you select a position just because the need may be there. If you think the guy can play, then it becomes a different story. The Bombers have drafted too many players who are gone within two or three years.

I don't know what to do with Goossen. I don't like him, but the need for OL prospects has him going high in my mock draft. I wouldn't personally touch him in the first round, but I just can't see him getting by Edmonton or at worst, Hamilton. Agreed. If it was me, I am gauging where the 4th OL (exc potentially LDT) will go and try to perhaps package a top player with that offensive lineman. To me, while the second tier isn't as good, at worst, the first two or three years for that player will go how I anticipate it going for Goossen. With the exception that maybe the 4th OL goes back to school if it is a CIS guy.

Ah yes, the much awaited and anticipated drop of Matthias Goossen. I had him at #11. Good to see Antoine Pruneau and David Menard get in there as well.