While there are still 7 weeks before training camp begins and exactly 2 months before the first pre-season game-in Toronto against the Argos- I nevertheless include names of veteran players that could be replaced before the regular season begins; in fact, some may be released before the end of this month or the beginning of training camp. The main factors that will most definitely be taken into consideration, before releasing a veteran, will/should be:
-Potential of the rookie replacing a veteran.
-Age and play of the veteran.
-Salary of the veteran.
The veterans in danger, according to me, are, in alphabetical order:
Jean-Samuel Blanc. -Nat. FB The play of Wayne Moore will definitely have an impact on him. Will A RB be drafted?
John Bowman.-Int. DE Will be 35 years old in July. His play has deteriorated in the last season. Not an impact player. Depth at his position will dictate his fate. Ivan McLennan is a rookie DE/LB that could surprised . He ran the 40 yd in 4.59 in his pro day in 2016.
Luc Brodeur-Jourdain. Nat. C 34 years old. Still good at his position. Based on today's Nat. depth at his position, I doubt that he will be replaced.
Chip Cox. Int. LB Will be 34 on June 34th. High salaried veteran. No longer the player he was a few years back. Often take stupid penalties. He will face fierce competition, from some players presently listed as DB's.
B.J. Cunningham. Int. WR Makes good catches but drop many easy ones. I don't see him as a future all-star. Very good rookies, at least at College levels, have been signed. B.J. will need an exceptional camp.
Reuben Frank. Int. DE Played 7 games with Edmonton in 2016. More of a training camp "body". unless he is released before.
S.J. Green. Won't be replaced, but will most probably begin the season on the 6 game injured list.
Tyree Hollins. INt. DB/LB Never a confirmation that he was re-signed. Depending on depth, could be released before end of April or beginning of training camp.
Jovon Johnson. Int. DB 33 years old. Will face tough competition.
Stefan Logan. Int. KR/RB Will be 36 in early June. High salaried veterans. Still good, but lacks breakaway speed. I doubt that he will be retained if there are very good potential rookies. I think that his main competition will be from TJ Graham and,to a lesser degree, Martese Jackson.
Ryan Phillips. Int. DB/S 34 years old. High salaried veteran. I do think that he has not played much as S, in BC. Fierce competition from Branden Dozier, C.J. Moore and Desmond Cooper.
Brandon Rutley. Int. RB Presently, not much competition. Lacks speed. I can't imagine that a better Int. RB cannot be signed.
Brian Simmons. Int. OT Not impressed by him. High salaried veteran. I am still not convinced that they will play 2 Int. OT's; if so, I say that his main competition will come from Int. Patrick Colbert and Cory Tucker; yes, Tucker was tried as a G in the NFL, but he played mostly as a T in College.
Tiquan Underwood. Int. WR Tough competition. Don't see him as a starter. A rookie with potential will be signed to the practice roster, before him.
AS I wrote at the beginning, I don't expect that all these veterans will be released/replaced, but I will be extremely surprised if none are; if so, the crop of rookies was not great.
Richard