The Major

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

He's a DB. Even if he added 5 lbs, does it make a difference?

At that time maybe not but the SAM position has gone through multiple transitions, from being a full blown LB role in the times of James Wild West and Delbert Fowler to becoming a hybrid role filled by DB's with good cover skills able to help out with pass coverage and a nose for traffic. In recent years with more powerful RB's becoming the norm SAM is trending back towards heavier bodies that can match the RB's weight since the age of scat backs seems to have passed.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Speaking of Moe Leggett, anyone remember this?

[Jesse]

At that time maybe not but the SAM position has gone through multiple transitions, from being a full blown LB role in the times of James Wild West and Delbert Fowler to becoming a hybrid role filled by DB's with good cover skills able to help out with pass coverage and a nose for traffic. In recent years with more powerful RB's becoming the norm SAM is trending back towards heavier bodies that can match the RB's weight since the age of scat backs seems to have passed.

I didn't really notice the trend back to heavier guys that you mentioned, so I checked out the depth charts. A pretty wide assortment of body types, but they're all listed as DBs. I think 230 is as heavy as a CFL linebacker exists these days and Griffin is the only SAM in that area code. The rest sit pretty close to 200.

BC - Williams - 6', 205
EDM - Logan - 6', 210
CGY - Moncrief - 6'1, 217
SSK - Brooks - 5'11, 215
WPG - Griffin - 6', 231
HAM - Stubblefield - 5'11, 192
TOR - Pickett - 5'11, 195
OTT - Reavis - 6', 209
MTL - Murray - 5'9, 187

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I didn't really notice the trend back to heavier guys that you mentioned, so I checked out the depth charts. A pretty wide assortment of body types, but they're all listed as DBs. I think 230 is as heavy as a CFL linebacker exists these days and Griffin is the only SAM in that area code. The rest sit pretty close to 200.

BC - Williams - 6', 205
EDM - Logan - 6', 210
CGY - Moncrief - 6'1, 217
SSK - Brooks - 5'11, 215
WPG - Griffin - 6', 231
HAM - Stubblefield - 5'11, 192
TOR - Pickett - 5'11, 195
OTT - Reavis - 6', 209
MTL - Murray - 5'9, 187

Typical DB's are 180-190, so 210-220 is a fairly significant jump in muscle power. Bombers may be setting a new trend with all the 225+ lb. LB types they are stocking up on now.

James West wasn't as big as I remembered, 6'-2" 232 lbs.

[Tecno]

James West wasn't as big as I remembered, 6'-2" 132 lbs.

Uh, pretty sure he wasn't like me in high school!         

[BomberFan73]

You sure?  He was pretty skinny when he first arrived playing Safety, but by the time he was done I thought he was pretty jacked playing SAM.  Speaking of Moe, anyone know if he still lives in Wpg?

I had seen him a few times in Stonewall when my son practiced out there - but that was about 5 years ago.
Leggett was also listed at 195 at the time, and later was playing HB.
I agree with everyone missing him - that fake return was a thing of beauty.

[J5V]

That's about all I know, haven't watched a game since Barry Sanders retired.

Ahh ... Sweetness! No wait ... that was Walter Payton. I guess Barry was just ... Barry.