D-Line
Looking GREAT. Fred Perry, Gavin Walls and Riall Johnson on the ends, Doug Brown, Tyrone Williams, and Aaron Mconnel in the middle! Some Questions would be Tyrone Williams with his age. Though he doesn't have the wear and tear a 37 year DT should have, 37 is still 37, and he suffered a few injuries last season. But also has a huge chip on his shoulder and said he will be training harder then ever before. Aaron McConnell broke the AFL record for sacks with 9 in 9 games, and is extremely athletic even for guys half his size(how many people can do a backflip?) which is an extremely huge accomplishment for a DT. But, how will he fair out in the CFL? I think he'll beat out T. Williams and be quite good.
Fred Perry suffered a huge injury last season. But came back a month or two early and played like a monster in the playoffs. Also has a chip on his shoulder. Looks like this unit will be a dominant force in the CFL this season.
Linebackers
Very good. Ike Charlton healthy is a very good SAM LB in this league... top three with Sean Lucas and Willie Pile IMO. MLB we will have Joe LOBO fighting it our with Big Blue Barrin. Both are very good LB's but I give the nod to Lobendahn in this one. He looked like an all star caliber MLB to me last year, actually driving guys back when he tackles, Very fast, good pass coverage(this is why he gets the nod over Barrin). And Siddeeq Shabazz will give us some monstrous athleticism and quality talent on the WILL. Very pleased with this unit over all.
Secondary
Lots of Questions. Though we have signed a lot of guys with very good resumes
eg:Derrick Strait - Projected as one of the best CB in NFL draft, 5-1, 189lbs more info Derrick Strait - Wikipedia
John Eubanks also looks impressive...
and traded for Lenny Walls who is huge, Impressive and Hufnagle was quoted(though I am to lazy to look) saying Walls was someone he could build his defence around. Also traded for James Johnson, and have incumbants Jovon Johnson and Willie Amos.
So it looks like it COULD be a huge improvement(certainly looks better then the past few years to me), but you never know with all these new players... I would feel a lot better if we still had Kelly Malveaux and Stanford Samuals under contract, that much is for sure.
Quarterbacks
Stefan Lefors, Ryan Dinwiddie and Bryan Randall really don't jump out and scream at you... No one will be scared of our QB's this season. Though they are athletic. They arn't proven by any meanes to even be addiquit. This could be and improvement, though thats a long shot. However, we shouldn't be any worse off then last season, with KG having a carreer worst year(still wish we renegotiated his contract) with Ryan here... But its a huge question mark and, logically thinking will be our biggest weakness heading into game 1.
Offensive Line
lost 2 really good tackles and an above average center. Some Question marks here but I am not overly worried. Obby Kahn looks as healthy as ever(have him on facebook, seen him on the tube sparring with Doug Brown at MMA training center) and will more than likely be a big upgrade over Picard. Labbate and Bates on either side of him will make for a very good interior offensive line. Tackles are the area of concern... January has a lot of potential and is still young.Played very well in Toronto, Not so good in Sask. Im hopefull he will return to Form. Luke Fritz has been a VERY good OT in the past. But suffered an injury and Montreal hasnt had him as a starter since. Its good we have a lot of competition here.
Runningbacks.
Joe Smith and Fred Reid to me look like the best duo in the league. I can see Freddy finishing in the top three for rushing yards despite splitting carries. Joe Smith will be especially dangerous inside with out Interior offensive Line... Hopefully he can use his size to his advantage and be a good pass blocker. We also have some good rookies coming in. Yvenson Bernard catches my eye. Looks like he was the reason Kinlaw never got a chance.
Recievers
Will be the strength of our offense along with the RB's. Even with their QB having a carreer worts season, they managed to have 3 1000 yard guys and impressed even though they had nagging injuries all season. Derrick Armstrong will be the go to guy.. solid possession reciever and can also beat guys deep with his size and vertical. Terrence is pretty good at getting behind coverage and making the big play, also very good at making rediculous Milt like catches. Romby last season was dominating in Milt's spot, and could very well be a top three reciever in yardage. Crazy speed and play making ability. Arjei Franklin I think is capable of being a Very solid NI reciever. at 26 he's getting better and better every year. 600 yards is quite the accomplishment considering the Quarterbacking and the fact that he is burried undernieth so many good recievers. Brock Ralph is really fast and has good size, but is inconsistant with his hands... He better not start ahead of Arjei is all I can say lol