The last football game for the season was played on Sunday, and kudos to the Colts and Saints for putting on a great show in the Super Bowl. Canadian fans now count the days, as the next meaningful game for fans of professional football will be played North of the 49th when the CFL gets going in July 1st.
Bye Bye Foley
Of course there is free agency fast approaching, and one player the Lions won’t have worry about signing is Ricky Foley. In a recent Vancouver Sun article, Mike Beamish reports that Foley is on the verge of signing a deal in the NFL.
VANCOUVER — Ricky Foley flew in Monday from San Diego — and, boy, are his arms tired.
The joke may be lame, but apparently Foley’s chances of signing with a National Football League team are not.
Paul Sheehy, the representative for the B.C. Lions rush end, is confident that Foley will be offered an NFL contract by the end of this week.
“There are three situations which are ideal,” Sheehy says. “It comes down to meshing opportunity for playing time and an opportunity to make an impact weighed against the contract opportunity. It’s a matter of doing what we think is right and not just going for the maximum dollars.”
Foley is scheduled to work out with the Seattle Seahawks Tuesday following a session with the San Diego Chargers today.
The CFL’s most outstanding Canadian in 2009 was at the training facilities of the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles last week.
“He’ll be in the NFL this year,” Sheehy says. “We’re closing in on a couple of things … and we should have it wrapped up by the end of the week.”
This is a big blow for the Lions, who for the second straight season lose their top pass rusher, and a Canadian starter. CFL free agency season is getting less and less exciting. By the time free agency opens most of top talent has signed an NFL deal. Recruiting and free agent camps are going to become more and more important as more players are taking a chance to try their luck down south.
Braley/Argos Deal All But Done
Several news sources are reporting that Davis Braley’s purchase of the Argos is all but done and I’m not really sure how I feel about this. I am a big David Braley supporter, and I am not sure the Lions would be around today if it wasn’t for him. I know there is no league bylaw against it, but I’m still not sure it’s “right’. That said, David Braley loves this league, and has put his money on the line several times to help keep it alive. With this purchase, it’s pretty likely the Lions will come up for sale sooner rather than later. Braley has indicated he’ll only sell the team to local owners who have a passion for the game and the CFL. I hope that proves to be the case when the time comes, and that while he owns both he keeps them separate. Are any other Lions fans a little nervous that Wally Buono hasn’t signed an extension? Just sayin…
Orange Helmet Awards
The BC Lions are once again pleased to present the Orange Helmet Awards Dinner. It will be the seventh annual event, and will feature Darren Flutie who will emcee the event and his brother Doug who will be the keynote speaker. The awards were the brainchild of the late Bob Ackles, who’s commitment to minor league football was strong. The event goes Friday, April 9th at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
[tweetmeme]
