NFL Option tryouts

[Blue In BC]

Just a running list of players that have had workouts for NFL teams. Contract offers can be made starting Jan 5. I may have missed a couple of others.

 I can imagine at least a few will get some offers although who jumps for a TC chance with no guaranteed money is TBD.  Not sure if any on this list gets some guaranteed money. There are some talented players here though.

1. Vaval
2. Julien
3. Meyers
4. Veresuk
5. Slywka
6. Carter
7. Casey
8. Wooden
9. Braxton
10. Talbert
11. Charfield

[gobombersgo]

NFL workout tracker: The latest on CFL players down south
By Coty Wiles

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/article/nfl-workout-tracker-the-latest-on-cfl-players-down-south/

[theaardvark]

Lots more tryouts than I expected. 

Looks like Trey got the most workouts with 6...

[DM83]

Who do these guys played for?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Just a running list of players that have had workouts for NFL teams. Contract offers can be made starting Jan 5. I may have missed a couple of others.

 I can imagine at least a few will get some offers although who jumps for a TC chance with no guaranteed money is TBD.  Not sure if any on this list gets some guaranteed money. There are some talented players here though.

1. Vaval
2. Julien
3. Meyers
4. Veresuk
5. Slywka
6. Carter
7. Casey
8. Wooden
9. Braxton
10. Talbert
11. Charfield

Out of 11 maybe 2 hang around the NFL outskirts for a season, and for this small number the CFL bends over backwards to accomodate the NFL option for all players.

[Blue In BC]

Out of 11 maybe 2 hang around the NFL outskirts for a season, and for this small number the CFL bends over backwards to accomodate the NFL option for all players.

I'm not a fan of the option year clause but it's part of the deal with the players association. IMO it does nothing to attract more player to the CFL and just causing roster instability.

Regardless, will watch to see who lands a TC tryout and the trickle down effect.

[gobombersgo]

I'm not a fan of the option year clause but it's part of the deal with the players association. IMO it does nothing to attract more player to the CFL and just causing roster instability.

Regardless, will watch to see who lands a TC tryout and the trickle down effect.

Technically it's no longer an option year clause because players can try out for NFL teams regardless of how many years they have left on their contracts.

Also, I think allowing players to try out for the NFL after 1 year in the CFL may attract guys that may have otherwise signed in the UFL.

[bwiser]

If you want to get a tryout in the NFL win the CFL rookie of the year award and some teams will want to take a look.It sees to happen every year although they don't always get to go to the main camp.

[Blue In BC]

Technically it's no longer an option year clause because players can try out for NFL teams regardless of how many years they have left on their contracts.

Also, I think allowing players to try out for the NFL after 1 year in the CFL may attract guys that may have otherwise signed in the UFL.

The players from the UFL have largely been looked at by NFL teams. Many have played NFL games etc etc. The fact they choose to sign in the CFL suggests they weren't being looked at again by the NFL.

So I stand by my statement I don't think it does much to attract players for that reason. Since contracts aren't guaranteed it's a two way street but overall doesn't change my opinion.

Teams add many UFL players to TC rosters. A few stick.

[Jesse]

The players from the UFL have largely been looked at by NFL teams. Many have played NFL games etc etc. The fact they choose to sign in the CFL suggests they weren't being looked at again by the NFL.

So I stand by my statement I don't think it does much to attract players for that reason. Since contracts aren't guaranteed it's a two way street but overall doesn't change my opinion.

Teams add many UFL players to TC rosters. A few stick.

I remember it causing a lot of bad press when players were getting contacted by NFL teams but weren't allowed to go try out.

It's important to the players.

[DM83]

No help oh boy?

[theaardvark]

The option year can be a very potent recruiting tool to get players to sign multi year rookie deals, because there is that opt out.  But we retain them long enough to develop their CFL talent and give them a home to put down roots.

Knowing that if they light it up in the CFL (most recruits think they are going to), they can parlay that into NFL tryouts they are not presently seeing can be the difference in signing a Dee Alford, or any player that thinks he's the next Dee Alford.

It doesn't happen often, its not a statistically significant number of players affected, so it can't cause significant roster instability.  And for every player that does break an NFL AR through this is another endorsement for the league, both from a recruitment standpoint for players, and for fans.

[Blue In BC]

The option year can be a very potent recruiting tool to get players to sign multi year rookie deals, because there is that opt out.  But we retain them long enough to develop their CFL talent and give them a home to put down roots.

Knowing that if they light it up in the CFL (most recruits think they are going to), they can parlay that into NFL tryouts they are not presently seeing can be the difference in signing a Dee Alford, or any player that thinks he's the next Dee Alford.

It doesn't happen often, its not a statistically significant number of players affected, so it can't cause significant roster instability.  And for every player that does break an NFL AR through this is another endorsement for the league, both from a recruitment standpoint for players, and for fans.

I strongly disagree. Every import thinks he'll end up in the NFL. Reality is that isn't true.

The instability is caused by NFL teams just signing players for TC fodder and CFL teams losing that player for half a season.

Having Wilson for game 1 would have been much better. It would have changed the choices made to add other depth during free agency. That's what I mean about instability.  We lost him for 12 games due to the NFL option.

Other teams had the same issue. Sure it's a benefit to those that get that new chance at the NFL but bad for the player released when they return. At some point there is a net reduction upon the return.  How many receivers did we bring to TC to win that spot? How many actually played a few games before Wilson returned?

The NFL option hasn't always existed. There was no shortage of talent available prior to that existence. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I strongly disagree. Every import thinks he'll end up in the NFL. Reality is that isn't true.

The instability is caused by NFL teams just signing players for TC fodder and CFL teams losing that player for half a season.

Having Wilson for game 1 would have been much better. It would have changed the choices made to add other depth during free agency. That's what I mean about instability.  We lost him for 12 games due to the NFL option.

Other teams had the same issue. Sure it's a benefit to those that get that new chance at the NFL but bad for the player released when they return. At some point there is a net reduction upon the return.  How many receivers did we bring to TC to win that spot? How many actually played a few games before Wilson returned?

The NFL option hasn't always existed. There was no shortage of talent available prior to that existence. 

Agree, CFL scouts and agents need to change their recruitment narrative and stop promoting false or highly unlikley scenarios to naive young players, the promise is more or less a lie and it causes the CFL much inconvenience for little payoff. 

Stick to recruiting players that want to continue playing football below the NFL level and tell them to take the CFL for what it is and leave it at that. NFL options could still be doled out individually if a player succeeds wildly after 2 seasons in the CFL, but that has only happened a handful of times in recent decades.

[Jesse]

Agree, CFL scouts and agents need to change their recruitment narrative and stop promoting false or highly unlikley scenarios to naive young players, the promise is more or less a lie and it causes the CFL much inconvenience for little payoff. 

Stick to recruiting players that want to continue playing football below the NFL level and tell them to take the CFL for what it is and leave it at that. NFL options could still be doled out individually if a player succeeds wildly after 2 seasons in the CFL, but that has only happened a handful of times in recent decades.

They can promise the NFL or not. Players are still going to want the ability to leave if the NFL comes calling.

Prior to the option, teams would release players to  pursue the NFL - and lose the rights to the player. The option allows teams to keep the player when/if they do return.