Blue Bombers agree to terms with offensive tackle Eric Lofton
WINNIPEG, MB., February 16, 2024 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American offensive tackle Eric Lofton to a one-year contract.
Lofton (6-4, 293, Temple,; born: March 6, 1993 in Lumberton, NJ) returns to Winnipeg after spending the 2022 season with the club. Last season, he started 14 games for the Riders at tackle.
Lofton has also spent two seasons (2019-20) with the Edmonton Elks, suiting up for two games. He started his CFL career with the Ottawa Redblacks, dressing in four games during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The New Jersey native played five collegiate seasons (2011-2015) at Temple University. He appeared in 37 games, making starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard.
Any stats on how many penalties and sacks he gave up?
Well, not impressed.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 16, 2024, 03:32:06 PMAny stats on how many penalties and sacks he gave up?
3 penalties for 10 yards
2 x Illegal Procedure (5 yards each)
1 x Illegal Block - Hands to the Face (declined - 0 yards)
We Look
desperate
Walters said there would be players on min contracts they will be kicking the tires on.
As TC fodder, this is a guy with CFL experience. Is that enough for him to win a spot in camp? We shall see.
With 3 Americans competing for RT, and potentially more from recruiting or draft, competition should be strong.
SIgning a recycled ot from the worst oline in the league last year , yeah this signing looks desperate
Are we ever gonna sign a free agent that isn't an exblue bomber?
This was always going to be a bit of a transition year for us. We could easily still win it all but don't expect a 16-2 team. We got to enjoy that core of players more or less dominate the league since the middle of 2019. I'm thinking we're something like 11-7 with an eye to next year's in Winnipeg Grey Cup. Just look at who we've lost. It happens -- especially in an SMS world.
Eric has been around the CFL since 2017.
2017/2018: Ottawa played 4 games.
2019: BC was in TC.
2019: Edmonton Played in 2 games.
2021: Edmonton cut in TC.
2022: Winnipeg played in 1 game.
2023: Sask. Played in 14 games.
2024: Winnipeg, to be determined.
Quote from: Stats Junkie on February 16, 2024, 03:48:55 PM3 penalties for 10 yards
2 x Illegal Procedure (5 yards each)
1 x Illegal Block - Hands to the Face (declined - 0 yards)
Not to bad, any stats on Hardrick. Penalties, number of sacks he gave up?
Quote from: Pete on February 16, 2024, 04:33:48 PMSIgning a recycled ot from the worst oline in the league last year , yeah this signing looks desperate
Are we ever gonna sign a free agent that isn't an exblue bomber?
I guess you can't please everyone...
They just signed the OL of the year so they were probably going to find a rookie to back him up rather than Lofton.
The offensive line is only as good as its weakest link right? If one of their interior guys was the problem, it makes the whole team look bad.
If he didn't have a single holding penalty on that team, I would say he's probably pretty solid when given the chance.
I really just want to see the competition for that RT spot
Quote from: Pigskin on February 16, 2024, 05:14:38 PMNot to bad, any stats on Hardrick. Penalties, number of sacks he gave up?
Hardrick penalties
5 for 15 yards
1 x Illegal Procedure (5 yards)
2 x Holding (declined - 0 yards)
1 x IB - Hands to Face (declined - 0 yards)
1 x OC (10 yards) pushed a player off the pile
Also (in Grey Cup)
1 x Holding (10 yards - negated a 12 yard run)
Quote from: theaardvark on February 16, 2024, 03:56:05 PMWalters said there would be players on min contracts they will be kicking the tires on.
As TC fodder, this is a guy with CFL experience. Is that enough for him to win a spot in camp? We shall see.
With 3 Americans competing for RT, and potentially more from recruiting or draft, competition should be strong.
Based on experience I would pencil Lofton in as the starting RT game #1, they already know his ability and his personality probably fits in well with the team. Rookie O-linemen have to go through Marty Costello's school first, if one progresses well, he may get a look or take over mid-late season from Lofton.
OK, I didn't see that Lofton had played 15 games last year at LT for SSK... that's not an amazing stat, we know how good SSK's Oline was last year, and one of the reasons for paying Hardrick.
Have to wonder what kind of contract he signed, can't have been league min, could it?
It will be interesting to see whether he can earn a spot on the roster at that price out of camp, and how short a leash he will be on...
Nice to have a vet to go along with draft picks and American prospects, I don't know his play, I expect he will be an asset
Quote from: theaardvark on February 16, 2024, 06:53:00 PMOK, I didn't see that Lofton had played 15 games last year at LT for SSK... that's not an amazing stat, we know how good SSK's Oline was last year, and one of the reasons for paying Hardrick.
Have to wonder what kind of contract he signed, can't have been league min, could it?
It will be interesting to see whether he can earn a spot on the roster at that price out of camp, and how short a leash he will be on...
If Lofton signed for ELC, then
he's desperate. If we signed him for much more than ELC, then
we're desperate. If it's just a hair above ELC then we're both desperate. ;D
3down used the word "crisis" to describe our OL hole(s). They might be right.
I mentioned Lofton in the OL thread, but didn't think we'd ever sign him again. He visits every team and gets cut, including by ours. That's not what we need at RT. I'd rather go with the unknown, youngblood Ivy.
That said, if he's our new RT, then I welcome him as any Bomber and hope for the best. Maybe our coaches and scheme can turn a wanderer into an allstar.
I really like this "youngblood" Micah Vanterpool. He has the measureables and a lot of mice thing being said in scouting reports. Ivy is more familiar with our system having been here, Lofton has more CFL game experience, but I'm hopeful that Vanterpool comes in and takes the job.
WHat is interesting is that if that happens, and if Eli ends up as RG, then we have the Hawaiian connection protecting Collaros as he rolls right...
Quote from: TecnoGenius on February 17, 2024, 10:52:23 AMIf Lofton signed for ELC, then he's desperate. If we signed him for much more than ELC, then we're desperate. If it's just a hair above ELC then we're both desperate. ;D
3down used the word "crisis" to describe our OL hole(s). They might be right.
I mentioned Lofton in the OL thread, but didn't think we'd ever sign him again. He visits every team and gets cut, including by ours. That's not what we need at RT. I'd rather go with the unknown, youngblood Ivy.
That said, if he's our new RT, then I welcome him as any Bomber and hope for the best. Maybe our coaches and scheme can turn a wanderer into an allstar.
On further thought Lofton actually may work out, Sask hasn't shown themselves to be a great evaluator of oline talent.
If we find someone with more ability, Great, but hes a reasonable alternative.
Lets hope hes another Neufeld.
Quote from: Pete on February 17, 2024, 03:07:18 PMOn further thought Lofton actually may work out, Sask hasn't shown themselves to be a great evaluator of oline talent.
If we find someone with more ability, Great, but hes a reasonable alternative.
Lets hope hes another Neufeld.
It would be an absolute hoot if Lofton came here and did well, and Yoshi got there and found their Oline coach and OC are inept and has a terrible season.
It's a virtual certainty that Lofton will look better here than he did in Sask. He's surrounded by better talent at every position. Hardrick will undoubtedly struggle more than he did here as well. People were critical of Stanley Bryant when he first came here because the line around him was awful. Hardick won't be immune from that.
Quote from: theaardvark on February 16, 2024, 06:53:00 PMOK, I didn't see that Lofton had played 15 games last year at LT for SSK... that's not an amazing stat, we know how good SSK's Oline was last year, and one of the reasons for paying Hardrick.
Have to wonder what kind of contract he signed, can't have been league min, could it?
It will be interesting to see whether he can earn a spot on the roster at that price out of camp, and how short a leash he will be on...
Well signing Brady and Dalton didn't leave much more than crumbs to offer any FA....saw this coming with four straight GC appearances. Something had to give and this was the year it broke us to keep our two biggest offers weapons in Blue and Gold
Come on boys.
That's the reality of football.
We were actually lucky to have a four year run.
The Bombers O line , maybe the Dline and. The secondary will be the weak (links)
However, no one other team stands out. Everyone has lost at least a couple key pieces.
Like the playoffs, whoever picks up a couple. Good players at the end wins.
This year will be more of a crapshoot in the end.
Can the Bombers eye for talent reveal a couple of studs for the O line, like we were back in 19.