Sunday, January 25, 2015

Musings on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Free Agents Lists

Thoughts on the Hamilton Tiger- Cats free agents (*denotes non-import)

Brandon Banks WR/KR
If Banks can't wangle another NFL tryout, Banks is the current best returner
in the league. However I don't think the dropoff the Cats would have in the
return game if the Cats didn't sign him would be as big as people think. Does have additional value as a receiver however, especially in six receiver sets.

Marcellus Bowman LB
I like his big hitting especially on special teams, but he seems to be injured a lot. The problem with import linebackers in the CFL if you are one, is that there's a vast number being produced every year in the US college system.

Delvin Breaux DB
Just signed with New Orleans.

Antonio Coleman DE
Depends on what happens with Justin Hickman.

Marc Dile OL
The Cats started three American offensive linemen consistently last year. Likely with Dyakowski returning to the guard position, the Cats will only
start two. That makes resigning Dile less of a priority. Plus American offensive linemen are a dime a dozen.

Greg Ellingson WR
If Tasker signs with some other team, expect the Ticats to make more effort with
Ellingson. Has had some excellent games with the Ticats in 2013, but 2014
wasn't impressive. If Tasker signs, the Ticats might not have the money another
team could offer.

*Marc- Antoine Fortin DL
The Cats have a lot of non-import defensive line talent. Almost too much. Not really a priority.

*Samuel Giguere WR
Giguere is valuable as a non-import receiver as a secondary target in a good receiving corps. Other teams might offer him more money than the Cats might.
The Cats have Coates as another non-import receiver behind Andy Fantuz, however
I can't think next year that Coates would have a better season that Giguere would.

Bakari Grant WR
Grant didn't have fantastic numbers last year, although his downfield blocking
is excellent. Grant does have a knack for making needed first down catches.

Nic Grigsby RB
This is one of the more interesting questions for the Cats. Obviously he played well down the stretch and importantly for the Ticat offense, he can catch the ball. Can the Cats afford both him and CJ Gable at the same time? Gable was injured a lot last year. Perhaps the Cats release him and stick with Grigsby.

Justin Hickman DE
Will Hickman get another NFL shot? Hickman wasn't particularly dominant in his
return last year, although combined with Eric Norwood at the other DE spot, that's a good tandem.

Dan LeFevour QB
I like the concept of LeFevour and if he's healthy, he's a great backup for
Collaros and can come in on sneaks and potentially even other plays. I'm not sure of the interest other teams have in LeFevour.

Stephen McGee QB
I have no idea what the Cats have in McGee. He seems to have moved past Masoli on the depth chart, but with the recent signing of Cornell product Jeff Mathews, perhaps resigning McGee isn't as important.

*Tim O'Neill OL
Already resigned. Older obviously, but talented.

Taylor Reed LB
Had a lot of sacks last year in relatively few games for the Ticats last year from the linebacker position. The Cats should try and resign him. Better than the usual fungible import CFL linebacker.
I would ignore the Grey Cup stuff.

Luke Tasker WR
Rumours of having already resigned, obviously his chemistry with Collaros is excellent and makes signing other receivers less important.

*Greg Wojt OL
Seemed to be injured a lot this year. With Peter Dyakoski returning and hopefully one of the Ticats younger offensive linemen emerging, Wojt doesn't seem to be a priority.

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