This year’s CFL free agency officially opens February 9 at 12:00 pm ET. There are many influential players across the league that have captured attention, and with John Hufnagel leaving his head coaching position on the sidelines, he has more time to focus on the players he has left unsigned, in the front office. Here are three 2016 Calgary Stampeders free agents to watch.
2016 Calgary Stampeders Free Agents to Watch
The free agency deadline always creeps up, sometimes unnoticed, until you see your favourite team’s key players’ names show up on the list. Many CFL fans are creatures of habit, they don’t think “their team” will be successful without them. For fans in southern Alberta, come Tuesday, there are three Calgary Stampeders free agents that you need to watch.
Keon Raymond
What can you say about Keon Raymond? He’s critical to the Stampeder defence, especially now that Juwan Simpson is gone. According to the Calgary Stampeder official website, “in 2015, Raymond started all 18 games and had 41 tackles including two tackles for a loss of six yards, three special-teams tackles, a team-leading four interceptions for 160 yards and a touchdown, two quarterback sacks, a fumble recovery and four knockdowns. He also returned two punts for 17 yards”. And this was just the 2015 season. In 2014, he went into fourth place in Stampeder history with 553 career interception return yards. Raymond has been with the Stamps since 2008, and he has been an integral part of the Stampeder defence, one that is in need of him right now.
Jeff Fuller
When Eric Rogers was released from the Stampeders to pursue the NFL, the Stamps receiving corp suffered a huge loss. The attention went immediately to Jeff Fuller. Fuller made his CFL debut for the Stamps in 2013. In 2014, he dislocated his shoulder, which kept him on the sidelines for at least half the season but he still accomplished decent numbers. In 2015, he started 14 games and recorded 47 catches with over 600 yards. Now, this certainly doesn’t match the record breakers like Rogers, but Fuller always seems to be in the mix as the “go-to-guy” for Bo Levi Mitchell. At 6’4″, Fuller has that extra edge in a crowd of defenders going for the ball. Calgary still has great talent in their receiver line-up, such as the young emerging talent of Lemar Durant, but with Rogers’ departure, all eyes will be on Fuller.
Jerome Messam
The third pick was a tough choice, because the Stampeder defence has a few holes they need to fill; therefore, initials thoughts went to Freddie Bishop III or Joe Burnett. But of those who are the most sought after free agents, Messam is for sure in the top five list across the CFL. Messam showed his athleticism as running back for Saskatchewan until late last year when he was acquired by Calgary. Messam was quick to fill the position left by star Calgary running back Jon Cornish, who finished last season injured, and has since announced his retirement from the football field. And what an impact he made. This does not take away the talent of back-up running back Matt Walter, but Messam has that same explosiveness that Cornish had. Walter has speed, but he’s a complimentary addition to the running game in Calgary. However, Messam is the clear starter.
How This Affects Calgary
Now, it’s argued that Calgary could use a little bit of younger talent on the team, saying that many of their starters are perhaps reaching, or surpassed, their prime years – and have the salaries to go with them. With a new head coach under Dave Dickenson, now is the time to revamp the Calgary Stampeders. That might not be needed, not just yet. The Stamps are still under Hufnagel as new president and GM, and he will still have say in the line-up; and if we’ve learned anything from coach Huff, he’s cautious and relies on veterans to pave the way for the rookies. This has proven very fruitful for the Stamps in the Hufnagel years.
There are a lot of eyes of free agency this year, considering the talent across the league. Calgary needs to play it safe for another year, use their veteran talent to mentor the rookies. Out of the three players that are essential in making this happen is Raymond. He has a way of getting a game-changing interceptions right when the team needs it. The Calgary defence will be looking at strengthening it’s coverage, and Rayond is the glue in that Stampeder veteran defence.
Nonetheless, exciting changes on the field and on the sidelines for the CFL are ahead in the 2016 season. Let us know who your top free agents are in the comments section, and in our poll, and keep checking back for full coverage of the CFL off-season changes here at Last Word on Sports.
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