CFL.ca
By: Justin Boone
jboone@ticats.ca
It’s almost time for the names to be announced and the equipment managers to get busy stitching rookies’ jerseys.
The early locks for the top few selections found themselves potential work south of the border, and now a shroud of uncertainty has been cast over the first round. How far does a prospect fall if you might not see him until September, if ever?
With the picks still up in the air, let’s take a look at some of the players who would look good donning the Black and Gold.
Samuel Giguere / WR / Sherbrooke
He looks the part of a talented receiver and backs it up on the field. Giguere has the confidence and ability to become a recognizable name in the CFL, assuming he doesn’t catch on for good in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts who signed him as a free-agent.
2007: 45 receptions, 871 yards, 7 TDs
Keith Shologan / DL / Central Florida
There are no sure things on draft day, and while the 6-foot-2, 282-pound D-lineman looked like a lock for CFL success, the San Diego Chargers had to go and steal him before he made his way back to Canadian soil. His stock will drop now, but if he does make his way north, you can bet he’ll make an impact.
2007: Had 24 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 1 FR
Dimitri Tsoumpas /OL / Weber State
At 6-foot-4, 3-5 pounds, he has the size to succeed in the CFL trenches and with his hometown Edmonton Eskimos picking second he may not have to wait long to hear his name called.
2007: Named to the second-team all-conference team
Dylan Barker / S / Saskatchewan
While he may not help the tabbies right away on defence, he will certainly be a special teams threat as he becomes acclimated to the pro game. Barker is chalked full of potential and will certainly be off the board in the top half of the first round.
2007: 53 tackles, 3 interceptions, 4 passes defenced
Shea Emry / LB / UBC
A fiery personality lies under the armor of Emry, the top-ranked linebacker on most teams’ draft boards. Expect one of the clubs with a late first round pick to jump at the opportunity to add someone with his intensity to the middle of their defence.
2007: 52 Solo tackles in seven games. Finished seventh in the CIS in tackles
Rolly Lumbala / FB / Idaho
The recently signed Miami Dolphin is a skilled blocker who has the size to match up with anyone and can level oncoming tacklers. Although he was rarely used as an offensive weapon in college, he is an option as a receiver out of the backfield and even as a part-time rusher.
2007: Used primarily as a blocking back. Had eight catches for 67 yards
Tim St. Pierre / LB-LS / St. Mary’s
A Hamilton native who embodies the town that gave birth to him, St. Pierre is a relentless workhorse that will do whatever is asked of him. He could become a fan favourite if he ends up in Black and Gold.
2007: 45 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF, and 1 FR
Justin Shaw / DL / Manitoba
A true playoff performer, Shaw stepped up big time during his teams Vanier Cup run last year. He is light on his feet and has the ability to play on the line or stand up as a linebacker. In the right situation he will have a chance to thrive.
2007: Regular Season – 16 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FR. Playoffs – 12 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 FF
Mike Giffin / RB / Queen’s
To see him at the evaluation camp you would have assumed he was a fullback prospect by the way he neutralized pass rushers. You wouldn’t guess he was the leading rusher in the OUA last season, but he is quickly rising up the draft and will have a chance to prove his worth on a roster when training camps open.
2007: 186 carries, 1,157 rushing yards, 16 TDs
Brendon LaBatte / OL / Regina
Weighing in at 330 pounds makes him one of the biggest lineman in this year’s crop, but LaBatte has proved he has more than just size on his side. Some see him going as high as second round.
2007: Pivotal part of the Regina offensive line which averaged a Canada West-leading 32.1 points per game
Aaron Hargreaves / WR / Simon Fraser
He used his height to set himself apart at the combine, towering over defenders to pull down the ball. Hargreaves is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds and will outmuscle most DBs. The question remains as to whether he will be able to continue that at the CFL level.
2007: 45 receptions, 556 yards, 1 TD
Terry Firr / WR / Manitoba
Much like Giguere, Firr plays with a confidence that demands respect. He looked solid at the E-Camp and even though some are worried about character issues, I believe Firr will overcome that to be a contributor on whatever team he lands on.
2007: 30 catches, 427 yards, 1 TD
Daryl Stephenson / RB / Windsor
Stephenson didn’t have a phenomenal year last season, and his E-Camp left something to be desired, but when the ball is in his hands he gets yards. He tries very hard in the passing game and needs to add a little toughness to his blocks, but expect teams to chase him once their on the clock.
2007: 125 carries, 764 yards, 4 TDs, despite missing two games.
Who would you like to see the Ticats pick up in this year’s draft class? Send your e-mails, comments, or questions to jboone@ticats.ca
Easier Said Than Done
(Quote of the Week)
“The cap is real, it’s being enforced and it’s working… It’s working to ensure our league has a level playing field and a sustainable business model. And it’s working in the long term interests of our league, our players and, most importantly, our fans.”
CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon explaining the new Salary Management System that showed two teams, Montreal and Saskatchewan, over the league limit, resulting in fines and costing Montreal their first overall draft pick. Somehow in all of this the Ticats picked up an extra first round draft choice. The Als were forced to forfeit their 4th overall selection, which then allowed picks five through eight in the first round to move up one spot and the now vacant eighth pick became a waiver wire selection going to Hamilton, giving the Tabbies three of the top ten choices (1st, 8th, 9th).
In Case You Blinked
(News from the Week)
Jabari Arthur, the sixth overall pick from last year’s draft won’t be joining the Stampeders anytime soon as he signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. The University of Akron receiver had 86 catches for 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior year this season.
