By Jack Bedell,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Hammond, LA – At the stroke of midnight this Monday, the first real event of the 2010 season kicks off – free agency.
So far this off-season, there have been a few hot-stove tidbits to keep fans involved, like Bryan Chiu, Diamond Ferri, John Bowman, and Paul Lambert re-upping, but the real action starts now.
Just like last season, the Alouettes have the majority of their roster sealed and safe heading into free agency, and with Anthony Calvillo already committed to returning this season, the roster looks locked and loaded for 2010 and beyond.
As solid as the Als’ roster is, however, free agency offers a great opportunity to make the team even stronger in a hurry. And while there’s no guarantee that the free agents currently available would make that much of an impact on the Als’ success, or that they could even fit in with the team’s chemistry and schemes, it gives us fans the chance to dream.
Heading into the free agent frenzy, my shopping list of the top 10 available players would look something like this (2009 Alouettes excluded):
Five can’t miss players
1) Wes Cates, RB – a real factor back capable of carrying a team almost single-handedly;
2) Steven Jyles, QB – high ceiling pivot with serious physical tools, probably won’t make it to the open market;
3) Dominique Dorsey, KR – game-breaker on special teams who can carry the rock at RB if needed;
4) Tad Kornegay, LB – versatile, speedy defender with a nose for the ball;
5) Sandro DeAngelis, K – clutch, consistent CFL kicker; NFL dreams might be a risk.
Five worth a look
1) Ryan Donnelly, OL – very solid player for the Blue Bombers the past two seasons;
2) James Johnson, DB – aggressive player in the secondary with plenty of quickness to cover ground in zone;
3) Marcus Adams, DL – space-eater on the interior defensive line;
4) Obed Cétoute, WR – slowed by injury last season, but definitely a quality Canadian receiver capable of big production;
5) Jason Shivers, DB – this guy brings the wood when he tackles.
The question heading into mid-February, though, is: What’s it going to take to make a championship team even better?
