By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
As the Tabbies’ brain trust meticulously fills out their draft board prior to April 30, fans on CFL forums are doing their best GM impersonations, trying to guess how the first round will look.
For the second year in a row Hamilton holds the first overall pick (technically the third, but they traded it to Edmonton in 2006), but with so much attention paid to the top of the draft, it’s almost more interesting to take a look a bit further down the first round.
In 2005, the Ticats drafted a homegrown running back by the name of Jesse Lumsden with the sixth overall pick. As it turns out, Jesse isn’t the only talent that’s been discovered with that late opening round selection.
In the last five years, on top of the aforementioned Lumsden pick, the sixth spot has turned out potential stars like WR Jabari Arthur (Calgary, 2007), who had 86 catches for 1171 yards and 10 TDs at the University Akron last season, and offensive lineman Dean Valli (B.C., 2006), who has shown promise entering his second year with the Lions. The Leos also drafted wide receiver Paris Jackson in the sixth position in 2003, and he has blossomed into a solid player hauling in 116 catches, 1596 yards, and 9 touchdowns in the last two seasons.
In the five drafts before that (1998-2002), Lucky Number 6 wielded Ben Cahoun (Montreal, 1998), DB David Sanchez (Montreal, 1999), DT Adriano Belli (B.C., 2000), and WR Kamau Peterson (Calagary, 2001).
If you delve even further into the early 1990’s you’ll find the names of RB Duane Forde (Calgary, 1991), K/P Sean Fleming (Edmonton, 1992), and Steve Charbonneau (Montreal 1997), who played a combined 39 years in the CFL.
So for all of you armchair GMs, who are suggesting the Ticats should trade out of the first pick, you might just be right. Maybe Obie should call his old pal Wally Buono in B.C. and make a play for that sixth overall selection.
Is there a more productive position in the CFL draft over the last 20 years? What do you think the Ticats should do with the number one overall pick? Send your e-mails, comments, or Ticats questions to jboone@ticats.ca
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“The big thing with me the last couple of years is, I don’t want to go through the motions. I just feel that as long as I have the passion and energy and will… and I don’t see myself doing anything else, I just feel it’s worth while to continue this for a couple more years.”
B.C. Lions head coach and GM Wally Buono discussing how much he still loves his job and the Canadian game. With one year left on his contract, Buono signed a two-year extension, which will keep him with the team until his 61st birthday.
In Case You Blinked
(News from the Week)
On Wednesday the Canadian Football Hall of Fame is expected to announce the induction of quarterback Doug Flutie, lifetime Argonaut Michael (Pinball) Clemons, career rushing leader Mike Pringle, offensive lineman John Bonk, and Tom Shepherd as a builder, in what is certainly one of the most deserving groups to ever enter the Hall together.
