Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Free Agency begins

Gentlemen, open your chequebooks. Now don't get excited, this is the CFL after all, the idea of monstrous salaries is just not going to sit in your head for long. But as we pass the midway part of February, the free agent market has opened up and there are a few names out there for the taking.

Ricky Ray is officially a free agent now, so the Eskies may lose him anyways. But the suspicion is that Ricky will end up on some NFL team very shortly, clipboard holder or third or second string qb, he's looking at a pretty solid paycheque coming his way, it's doubtful he'll be back.

The Eskies may lose another player as well now that free agency is on and the players available, Jason Tucker is available for teams requiring some help in the receiving corps. The Grey Cup MVP, is testing those NFL waters as well, but isn't against the idea of returning to Canada should things not work out.

Pat Woodcock is one player being chased, the team showing the most interest is the Ottawa Renegades, the Gades hoping to lure him to Ottawa to play slotback, for his hometown team. GM Eric Tliman says he's only really interested in one player, that is Woodcock, and he's prepared to offer him up to 100,000 to come change unis to Red, White and Black, dropping that Alouette blue.

Bashier Levingston will test the water, as will Shont'e Peoples, Daved Bennefield, Brian Clark, Bobby Singh and Scott Flory. All would be a solid addition to any CFL team, expect Singh to end up in the Lions den re-united with Wally Buono and playing in front of the hometown crowd.

One other interesting name to show up on the free agency list is that of Darren Flutie, the retired receiver of the Hamilton Tiger Cats. With his free agent status, he now can join any team in the CFL, stoke up those Flutie and Flutie rumours. Depending on the situation in San Diego, Doug may be inclined to return to the CFL to finish of his career tossing the ball to his brother, a long time dream of the Fluties. Something to watch for before the teams head to camp in May.

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