By Allen Cameron,
Calgary Herald
Some may call it a depth chart. Jim Barker, though, obviously knows he’s in the oilpatch, so the Calgary Stampeders general manager isn’t trying to fill out a depth chart in today’s Canadian Football League draft.
He’s trying to fill a pipeline.
He’ll get that chance today with three picks in the first round, four in the first 14 and eight overall in the annual talent-grab of Canadian players, which will be shown for the first time on an Internet webcast beginning at 11 a.m. MDT on cfl.ca.
“We feel like we’ve got a great pipeline now of offensive lineman and you want to continue to fill that pipeline,” said Barker on Tuesday as he put the final touches on the Stamps’ shopping list.
“We want to develop a better pipeline at every (position).”
While Barker’s not tipping his hand, it seems clear the offensive line would be the least of his concerns with an abundance of homegrown Grade A beef to protect quarterback Henry Burris.
But there’s room in Barker’s pipeline at both receiver and defensive secondary, and it’s safe to assume those positions will be prioritized today, although with no guarantees that anyone will step directly into the lineup.
“We’re in a unique situation,” said Barker. “With the signing of (Canadian running back) Jon Cornish and three picks (in the first round), we have the luxury of looking at guys for the future and looking at guys for the present. There are a couple of need areas that we’ll look to attack, but to say we’re going to draft the best player on the board every time, I don’t think that’s accurate. But I also don’t think it’s accurate to say we won’t do that. We’re in a great situation in that we have total flexibility in terms of who we go after.”
With four selections in the first 14 (the Stamps pick third, fifth, sixth and 14th) to go along with a third-round choice, two in the fifth and one more in the sixth, Barker can only hope today’s selections result in the same success ratio as his 2003 jackpot when, as coach during the Michael Feterik regime, Barker’s Stamps grabbed, among others, Steven Morley, Joe McGrath, Taylor Robertson and Mike Labinjo, all of whom are still active pros (Morley and Labinjo are in the NFL).
That might be a lot to expect in a draft-eligible crop that many observers are thumbing their noses at.
“There are players in this draft that we think are going to help us,” insisted Barker. “People can say it’s a bad year for the draft, but we don’t look at it that way. We’re not going to give these picks away. If somebody comes to us with something that’s comparable, then we’ll consider it.
“We need to get that depth in all areas of our club. When you have a good Canadian talent base, we’re getting close to that point where we don’t have to draft a guy who’s going to play on our team right away. We have the third overall pick, so you can really address a need. But with the later picks, you can really fill your pipeline. You’re going to find the occasional low guy, but you have to hit on those top picks.”
The Prospects
Here are five players, in alphabetical order, expected to be taken high in today’s CFL college draft, with Stamps GM Jim Barker’s comments:
WR Jabari Arthur (6-4, 224), University of Akron
“He’s a definite first-round guy. He may be the best player in the draft, but there’s a good chance he’ll be an NFL guy next year (Arthur isn’t eligible for the NFL draft until after his 2007 senior season at Akron).”
WR Chris Bauman (6-4, 212), University of Regina
“He could go as high as No. 1. He’s probably the best receiver right now, projected as a slot in our league. I would be stunned if he fell out of the first round.”
DL J.P. Bekesiak (6-6, 296), University of Toledo
“Everybody’s just waiting to see if he signs in the NFL. If he doesn’t, he could very well be the first pick. He tested the best at the combine. He’s six-six, 300 pounds, he’s athletic and he does a lot of great things.”
OL Mike Gyetvai (6-7, 307) Michigan State University
“He’s like Jabari Arthur — he might be too good. He’s probably overall the best player in the draft, but he has another year at Michigan State and he could very easily be a first-day (NFL) draft pick (in 2008).”
DL Corey Mace (6-3, 285) University of Wyoming
“He’s a guy who’s been talked about a lot because he has a lot of upside. He’s a strong guy, but with him signing with Buffalo (as a free agent earlier this week), he may drop out of the first round.”
With four selections in the first 14 (the Stamps pick third, fifth, sixth and 14th) to go along with a third-round choice, two in the fifth and one more in the sixth, Barker can only hope today’s selections result in the same success ratio as his 2003 jackpot when, as coach during the Michael Feterik regime, Barker’s Stamps grabbed, among others, Steven Morley, Joe McGrath, Taylor Robertson and Mike Labinjo, all of whom are still active pros (Morley and Labinjo are in the NFL).
That might be a lot to expect in a draft-eligible crop that many observers are thumbing their noses at.
“There are players in this draft that we think are going to help us,” insisted Barker. “People can say it’s a bad year for the draft, but we don’t look at it that way. We’re not going to give these picks away. If somebody comes to us with something that’s comparable, then we’ll consider it.
“We need to get that depth in all areas of our club. When you have a good Canadian talent base, we’re getting close to that point where we don’t have to draft a guy who’s going to play on our team right away. We have the third overall pick, so you can really address a need. But with the later picks, you can really fill your pipeline. You’re going to find the occasional low guy, but you have to hit on those top picks.”
The Prospects
Here are five players, in alphabetical order, expected to be taken high in today’s CFL college draft, with Stamps GM Jim Barker’s comments:
– WR Jabari Arthur (6-4, 224), University of Akron: “He’s a definite first-round guy. He may be the best player in the draft, but there’s a good chance he’ll be an NFL guy next year (Arthur isn’t eligible for the NFL draft until after his 2007 senior season at Akron).”
– WR Chris Bauman (6-4, 212), University of Regina: “He could go as high as No. 1. He’s probably the best receiver right now, projected as a slot in our league. I would be stunned if he fell out of the first round.”
– DL J.P. Bekesiak (6-6, 296), University of Toledo: “Everybody’s just waiting to see if he signs in the NFL. If he doesn’t, he could very well be the first pick. He tested the best at the combine. He’s six-six, 300 pounds, he’s athletic and he does a lot of great things.”
– OL Mike Gyetvai (6-7, 307) Michigan State University: “He’s like Jabari Arthur — he might be too good. He’s probably overall the best player in the draft, but he has another year at Michigan State and he could very easily be a first-day (NFL) draft pick (in 2008).”
– DL Corey Mace (6-3, 285) University of Wyoming: “He’s a guy who’s been talked about a lot because he has a lot of upside. He’s a strong guy, but with him signing with Buffalo (as a free agent earlier this week), he may drop out of the first round.”
