The CFL will soon announce plans for their 2013 expansion draft as they welcome Ottawa back into the league…again. But this time around the new Ottawa team won’t be nearly as handcuffed as their predecessor the Renegades. Back in 2002 all 8 CFL clubs were allowed to protect 2 QB’s. This time around the format will allow teams to protect only 1 QB, along with 10 Imports and 6 Non-Imports. Some quick math…24 starters minus 17 protected players and suddenly 7 starters on each team are exposed. Not to mention the place kickers or punters. So there will be some talented guys up for grabs.
The CFL had no choice but to loosen the restrictions on protected players or face another failing Ottawa franchise. The new method will defintely allow Ottawa to become competitive instantly which is much needed to draw fans back to Ottawa. They don’t need to win a lot of games right away but they at least have to be competitive to keep cheeks in the seats.
So here’s the cononundrum for the other 8 teams. Do you protect your #1 quarterback who might have only a couple good years left or do you gamble and protect your QB of the future. Yes its still 2 years off but no question teams like Calgary, Montreal and Edmonton will all have to think it thru carefully. For instance…by then the leagues MOP Henry Burris will be 37 years old. By then he might have only one good year left so would it be more wise to protect his backup Drew Tate ? Same goes for aging veterans Anthony Calvillo and Ricky Ray. One would expect GM’s won’t want to lose a guy like Ray for nothing so there’ll probably be plenty of movement/trades leading up to the draft.
And that brings us to the Bombers who have 3 quarterbacks to choose from. A lot can happen between now and 2013 but you would imagine the Bombers protecting Jyles over Pierce simply because of Buck’s past injury issues. But an MVP type season by Pierce in 2011 or the year after could change that. And what if Joey Elliott emerges to be the next big thing. Then its quite conceivable that both Pierce and Jyles could be available to Ottawa.
With injuries and retirement its impossible to predict 2 years in the future so just for fun we thought what if the expansion draft was held tomorrow ? Who would they protect and who would they leave unprotected ? Here’s a mock protected list to see who would be available from the Blue Bombers. And in football its not always how good you are but how good you are at what position. For instance import defensive ends are a dime a dozen and despite being one of the teams top defenders they could be more easily replaced then say a top player in the secondary.
Bombers Protected List (If Draft was Tomorrow)
QB – Steven Jyles (As mentioned with Pierce’s injury problems Jyles has to get the one protected spot)
Imports – SB Terrence Edwards, RB Fred Reid, DE Philip Hunt, DB Jovon Johnson, DB Deon Beasley, DB Jonathan Hefney, LB Marcellus Bowman, WR Terence Jeffers-Harris, DB Alex Suber and WR Greg Carr.
Non-Imports – S Ian Logan, WR Cory Watson, OL Brendon Labatte, OL Steve Morley, K Justin Palardy, DT Doug Brown (But Bombers shouldn’t have to worry about Brown in 2013 as he should be long since retired)
Key Players Left Available…
QB – Buck Pierce
QB – Joey Elliott
DB – Brandon Stewart
CB – Lavar Glover
MLB – Joe Lobendahn
LB – Clint Kent
DE – O’Dell Willis
DT – Dorion Smith
OL – Kelly Butler
OL – Andre Douglas
OL – Obby Khan
OL – Luke Fritz
OL – Glenn January
WR – Aaron Hargreaves
P – Mike Renaud
RB – Yvenson Bernard
RB – Chris Garrett
S- Brady Browne
RB – Daryl Stephenson
As you can see Ottawa will have lots to choose from when the expansion draft rolls around.
Agree or diasgree with the mock draft leave your comments below.
Russ Hobson
Global-TV
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