Sportsnet's Arash Madani says so. Read on!
BY ARASH MADANI
sportsnet.ca
Queen’s Golden Gaels linebacker Shomari Williams, in most CFL circles regarded as the best player on the board going into the 2010 Canadian college draft, will be the first pick taken on Sunday afternoon.
But it will not be by the Toronto Argonauts.
Sportsnet has learned that a series of trades involving three teams are ahead leading into Sunday’s draft. The Argonauts have agreed to trade its first overall pick, as well as the top selection in the second round (No. 8), to Saskatchewan. The Roughriders will give up both of its first round picks (No. 2 and No. 4) as well as a veteran Canadian player in return, to take the versatile Williams, 25, who anchored the Gaels defence in their run to the 2009 Vanier Cup title last fall.
Williams’s agent, Darren Gill, declined comment Saturday, but a source aware of the negotiations indicated that the University of Houston transfer has already come to terms on a three-year contract (including an option) with the Roughriders.
Toronto plans on taking Washington State offensive tackle Joe Eppele second, addressing an immediate need. The Argonauts also have an agreement in principle with B.C. to acquire the Lions’ No. 3 selection, swapping third and fourth picks. The Argos will then draft Concordia’s Cory Greenwood third overall, less than a week after the linebacker received faint NFL interest from the Kansas City Chiefs.
It is believed the Lions will make that move so long as they can still select wide receiver Shawn Gore, which would make the 23-year-old Toronto native the third Bishop’s Gaiters player drafted by the Lions over the past two drafts. Gore received a mini-camp invite from the Green Bay Packers last Saturday, but has yet to ink a contract with the NFL club.
A spokesperson for the Argonauts said head coach Jim Barker was unavailable for comment Saturday.
No trades have been registered formally with the CFL, sources said, which means no deal is official. It is believed the Argonauts will wait until they are on the clock Sunday to pull the trigger on the move with Saskatchewan. The Lions are set on taking Gore, so B.C. will likely sit until the top two picks move before agreeing to flip No. 3 and No. 4 with Toronto.
The Argos had been fielding calls from teams across the league regarding the top pick, but it was last week when discussions began to heat up with clubs who were legitimately interested after initial inquiries were over.
By Friday, a deal was in place between Toronto and Saskatchewan, two sources confirmed, and the Argonauts were already negotiating with Eppele’s new agent, former CFL defensive lineman Tim Fleiszer, yesterday.
Williams is expected to arrive in Regina Saturday, accompanied with his wife, to be unveiled as the newest Roughrider on Sunday afternoon.
13 comments:
If this is true, who is the veteran that the Riders give up? Baggs? This would be a steep price if the player is Fantuz.
My guess is Wayne Smith. Toronto needs to shore up that o-line. If they get Smith and take Eppele at 2, they have done that. Not sure if I like losing 2 and 4 in this scenario. I guess we will see what they do with 9.
Darren
I realize its a mock draft, but if the scenario in the previous post holds true, why make a trade. Eppele was going to go number 1 so we would still get Williams at 2 and have another good player at 4. I don't understand this move.
Trevor
There was no guarantee the Argos would not take Williams at number 1. That's the gamble I guess. With such a deep draft, the Riders will still get a really good player at number 8. Good move unless it's Fantuz. My guess is it's Getzlar or Clermont.
I can't see T.O, wanting Clermont or Getzlaf. Both Baggs and Fantuz are Ontario boys, so that would be good for marketing. Wayne Smith would be a good choice too.
Getzlaf or Clermont? Not a chance. Clermont would just retire and the Riders aren't going to give away Getzlaf like that. It will be one of the follow players: Best, Smith, Parenteau, Rempel or Wagner. I wouldn't call McKoy a vet but I'm hoping its him.
This trade makes me question Taman right, left and center. Tillman made this team deep in Canadian talent, depth at the skilled positions and Taman is going out of his way to ruin that. Taman is a terrible GM who is doing the wrong things again.
I am also assuming that the veteran Canadian is someone like a David McKoy, Chris Best or Mark Parenteau. A starter last year, who has a large upside. I also see that the player could be someone like a Mike McCulloch, or Leron Mitchell. a defensive starter. This trade is a questionable one and one that is making me question our team this year.
Fantuz? What the hell have you clowns been smoking, and where can I get some?
I agree with Darren. I can see the player going back being Wayne Smith. I also agree with Trevor in asking why the Riders would do this if Toronto was going to take Eppel.
Randy
I hear that it is Jamie Boreham...
If so, might not be that bad of a deal. Sakoda I think has a better leg than Boreham.
Cory
HAHA, seems like Jamie Boreham's girlfriend said it is Jamie going to TO. With Sakoda around, Jamie was likely gone anyways. So we get the player we absolutely wanted in Shomari Williams (don't kid yourself, other teams wanted him too) plus we are going to get a GREAT player at #8 still. I'm sure at least 2 of Watkins, Bender, and Bulcke will be at 8 and those guys are fantastic.
The sky isn't falling people.
Could it be Cates?
From what I'm hearing, its Boreham.
Post a Comment