Bombers sign 4th overall draft pick of 2022, Enock Makonzo.

[VictorRomano]

John Hodge reporting that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed former 2022 first-round CFL draft pick Enock Makonzo, DB.

[BLUEBOMBER]

Hence Ford was expendable... let other teams overpay DBs like Houston and Ford who just had one good rookie season...

[TecnoGenius]

Is this good?  What has he been doing?  His name doesn't really ring any bells.

A NAT DB who was 4th overall, meaning very athletic usually, should be useful for our usually NAT-heavy D & team.  Wouldn't 4th overall put his DP above that of Ford?

[Blue In BC]

Potentially a very good player. Missed the 2024 season with an achilles injury. He could be the depth behind Kramdi at SAM.

IIRC he has played safety at times and / or has that ability. At worst a good rotational piece.

Excited to see if he can regain his form and be a valuable piece on defence.

[markf]

Looks very good. 2022 Elks. Great tackler.

https://youtu.be/FLnntNC357U?si=YuZgzoN6sQXBXQ6u

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Is this good?  What has he been doing?  His name doesn't really ring any bells.

A NAT DB who was 4th overall, meaning very athletic usually, should be useful for our usually NAT-heavy D & team.  Wouldn't 4th overall put his DP above that of Ford?

It looks like we're getting to the time of year Walters fills in the roster with 3-4 players every week, most of them no-names from who-knows-where.  Won't pay much attention to any of them until they start to make names for themselves in camp, from the many stars in the sky only a few will standout.  Wish them all the best.

[Blueforlife]

I sure hope he can recover from the injury and sticks around

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Looks very good. 2022 Elks. Great tackler.

https://youtu.be/FLnntNC357U?si=YuZgzoN6sQXBXQ6u

He looks pretty good, strong aggressive tackler with good speed, might not be great in coverage but should be a good backup for Kramdi and help on ST's.

[CrazyCanuck89]

Hence Ford was expendable... let other teams overpay DBs like Houston and Ford who just had one good rookie season...

Is this good?  What has he been doing?  His name doesn't really ring any bells.

A NAT DB who was 4th overall, meaning very athletic usually, should be useful for our usually NAT-heavy D & team.  Wouldn't 4th overall put his DP above that of Ford?

He was good his rookie season.

[Pigskin]

If he's healthy, he will make some plays.  But, we seem to have a fair number of players coming into camp who have had significant injures last season. Lawson, Parker, Schoen, Wilson, Strev. Gowanlock, and now Makonzo. 

[Blueforlife]

If he's healthy, he will make some plays.  But, we seem to have a fair number of players coming into camp who have had significant injures last season. Lawson, Parker, Schoen, Wilson, Strev. Gowanlock, and now Makonzo. 

That's a good point let's just hope they don't have a setback.  Lots on the line as they are important pieces.

[markf]

His Wikipedia page says

" In his second game with Coastal Carolina, against Kansas, Makonzo suffered a torn ACL that made him miss the rest of the 2019 season.[2][5] He appeared in 12 games during the 2020 season, all but one as a starter, and was named third-team all-conference by Phil Steele after posting 76 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, two sacks and two forced fumbles."

Wiki Does not mention an acl injury after that one. 

[Jesse]

If he's healthy, he will make some plays.  But, we seem to have a fair number of players coming into camp who have had significant injures last season. Lawson, Parker, Schoen, Wilson, Strev. Gowanlock, and now Makonzo. 

This is football, afterall. I'm sure every team has a significant part of their roster that has had significant injuries in the past.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

His Wikipedia page says

" In his second game with Coastal Carolina, against Kansas, Makonzo suffered a torn ACL that made him miss the rest of the 2019 season.[2][5] He appeared in 12 games during the 2020 season, all but one as a starter, and was named third-team all-conference by Phil Steele after posting 76 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, two sacks and two forced fumbles."

Wiki Does not mention an acl injury after that one. 

"The five-foot-eleven, 195-pound native of Lachine, Que., signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats shortly before training camp got underway in 2024 but suffered a torn Achilles before the start of the regular season, causing him to miss the entire year."

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/sources-winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-enock-makonzo/

Two ACL's within 5 years, all that time in recovery the second time, I'd seriously be contemplating a career change.

[markf]

"The five-foot-eleven, 195-pound native of Lachine, Que., signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats shortly before training camp got underway in 2024 but suffered a torn Achilles before the start of the regular season, causing him to miss the entire year."

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/sources-winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-enock-makonzo/

Two ACL's within 5 years, all that time in recovery the second time, I'd seriously be contemplating a career change.

Thanks.

Not encouraging.

[theaardvark]

"The five-foot-eleven, 195-pound native of Lachine, Que., signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats shortly before training camp got underway in 2024 but suffered a torn Achilles before the start of the regular season, causing him to miss the entire year."

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/13/sources-winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-enock-makonzo/

Two ACL's within 5 years, all that time in recovery the second time, I'd seriously be contemplating a career change.

The achilles is not the ACL...

[Blue In BC]

If he's healthy, he will make some plays.  But, we seem to have a fair number of players coming into camp who have had significant injures last season. Lawson, Parker, Schoen, Wilson, Strev. Gowanlock, and now Makonzo. 

It's worth noting but previous injuries can be an issue. There isn't really a way to predict how things will work out.

Optimistically most of those injuries happened nearly a year ago by the time TC starts. Wilson did play in the play offs last year.

There is no doubt we'll cringe every time one of theses players goes down in practice or in a game.

Injuries are part of the game and we always wish the best for every player. Fingers will be crossed.

[DM83]

Achilles don't necessarily heal as an aC does the AC can be replaced.  The Achilles not so much.  I would not trust it. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The achilles is not the ACL...

You got me, I'm no medical expert, to me they're both leg related problems that require assistance.

[theaardvark]

You got me, I'm no medical expert, to me they're both leg related problems that require assistance.

Repeated injury to the same set of ligaments has concerns, there can be underlying issues that allow for the damage, either physiological or procedural, that causes the repeat damage. 

Some surgically repaired tendon can actually be stronger after surgery, correcting weakness or damage.  If you damage the ACL, get it repaired, then damage the achilles, and get it repaired, you could end up having less chance of re-damaging them.  Both because the repair makes them stronger, and the rehab makes them more aware of how to properly tone them.

[Blue In BC]

Unfortunately we've seen players return from achilles injuries and suffer another one before the end of TC. So it's a concern. Some players are never the same.

That said, some continue with a successful career.

We'll see how each of these players do.

[Horseman]

Unfortunately I have both ACL's replaced in my knees. The procedure involves taking a piece of the person's hamstring muscle and making a new AC Ligament out of it and replacing the torn one. It helps to have strong muscle build up around the knee including the Quads and Hamstrings which these professional athletes will have compared to the average person. The re-hab includes strengthening these muscles to be able to keep the knee secure. Hope this helps people to understand an ACL injury better. 

[TecnoGenius]

If he's healthy, he will make some plays.  But, we seem to have a fair number of players coming into camp who have had significant injures last season. Lawson, Parker, Schoen, Wilson, Strev. Gowanlock, and now Makonzo.

Exactly what I was just thinking.  Add to that list Vaughters (arm) and Reggie White (knee).  And maybe more.

It may be why we're getting many players so cheaply.  But it carries big risks that some of our desired starters have injury setbacks.  It would be like starting Masoli at QB week 1... sure it could go well, but you better have a superb backup right beside him!!

Part of why we let Biggie & Woli walk is their injury problems... and we replace them with ... more injury-riddled players?

Let's hope it works out, or we have so many extra guys as depth that it won't matter when half the team is in the tub?

[Blue In BC]

The severity and history of injuries is part of the equation. Age, SMS and diminishing role of some players dictates the cost / benefit of choices.

Yes there is a risk for some of the newbies for more injury issues. OTOH, they are younger, less expensive and will fill different roles than some players not returning.

Some players are injured every TC. Those include some with no injury history as well as some with previous issues.

The greatest concern is with Wilson, Strev and Parker with a larger history of issues combined with related age.

If Makonzo stays healthy he might end up starting at safety and back up at SAM.

[theaardvark]

Exactly what I was just thinking.  Add to that list Vaughters (arm) and Reggie White (knee).  And maybe more.

It may be why we're getting many players so cheaply.  But it carries big risks that some of our desired starters have injury setbacks.  It would be like starting Masoli at QB week 1... sure it could go well, but you better have a superb backup right beside him!!

Part of why we let Biggie & Woli walk is their injury problems... and we replace them with ... more injury-riddled players?

Let's hope it works out, or we have so many extra guys as depth that it won't matter when half the team is in the tub?

Biggie and Woli were replaced by sturdy players.  Guys we brought in to compete for spots may be ? health wise, but in every case, there are options.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Biggie and Woli were replaced by sturdy players.  Guys we brought in to compete for spots may be ? health wise, but in every case, there are options.

I wouldn't categorize Woli with Bighill as far as injuries go, he had a few injuries over 7 seasons but rarely serious season enders like Bighill experienced a few times. In his time with the Bombers they received good value for their investment and if it wasn't for young Kevin Clercius, he'd likely be healthy and ready to go for season 8. If BLM connects with him as a reliable target he could do really well in Hamilton.

[TecnoGenius]

Biggie and Woli were replaced by sturdy players.  Guys we brought in to compete for spots may be ? health wise, but in every case, there are options.

There are options if we maintain this surplus of players (RECs especially) into the actual regular season.  If we cut most of the middling FA guys before week 1 then we really haven't done anything to insure against a '24 repeat.

The '24 problem was nearly every REC got injured and we had zero non-rookie talent to replace them.  And for some reason we were unable to sign any at that late time.  So now we're signing them all early... but how to keep them on the team but not the AR... that is the question.

[theaardvark]

The ubiquitos "turf toe" or any number of "mysterious illnesses" can keep a guy on the AR/IR.  The "middlin" backup REC are not costing us a huge amount, so they can sit on the 1 game IR if they want to keep a paycheck.  They can refuse the IR and get released if someone else wants them... but i think we will have some rookies that impress in camp on the PR, and one or two FA Recs stashed on the IR.

We don't often use the IR trick, but we can...

[TecnoGenius]

We don't often use the IR trick, but we can...

We really don't.  Every year I can maybe spot 1-2 1GIR "trick" stashes in WFC.  Other teams make heavy use of it, stashing up to dozen not-really-injured players each.

As such, I don't expect us to "cheat the roster" this year either.

So does that mean the surplus FA RECs get their 60-100k contract sitting on the PR?  (Assuming we want to keep them.)  I thought PR players were forced to get some sort minimum wage as the maximum?

As an example, say Stearns or White don't make the AR week 1 and are stuffed on the PR.  Do they get the $ they were promised?  Can other teams still poach them?

[DM83]

Bombers have rarely kept guys on the PR. Bombers management had graciously allowed guys to leave when a player has a better opportunity else where, it's called class. Respect and just knowledge that players work hard to make a team roster and get a roster spot and contract.

I think those archaic views that players go on a PR spot to hang around are gone. The PR contract basically works if four guys rent a cheaper house and all chip in for rent money. (Hefney housing from a few years ago)

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We really don't.  Every year I can maybe spot 1-2 1GIR "trick" stashes in WFC.  Other teams make heavy use of it, stashing up to dozen not-really-injured players each.

As such, I don't expect us to "cheat the roster" this year either.

So does that mean the surplus FA RECs get their 60-100k contract sitting on the PR?  (Assuming we want to keep them.)  I thought PR players were forced to get some sort minimum wage as the maximum?

As an example, say Stearns or White don't make the AR week 1 and are stuffed on the PR.  Do they get the $ they were promised?  Can other teams still poach them?

Sometimes you'll see them shuffle the deck late in the season to get a PR player a game check and quite often that player will not play a single snap.

[theaardvark]

We really don't.  Every year I can maybe spot 1-2 1GIR "trick" stashes in WFC.  Other teams make heavy use of it, stashing up to dozen not-really-injured players each.

As such, I don't expect us to "cheat the roster" this year either.

So does that mean the surplus FA RECs get their 60-100k contract sitting on the PR?  (Assuming we want to keep them.)  I thought PR players were forced to get some sort minimum wage as the maximum?

As an example, say Stearns or White don't make the AR week 1 and are stuffed on the PR.  Do they get the $ they were promised?  Can other teams still poach them?

PR players:

Can be paid any amount over $750/week
All pay and housing allowance goes against the $SMS cap
Can be offered contracts by any other team without permission.
Can choose to leave the PR without notice or permission.

AR players on the 1 game IR

Have to accept the move to the IR
Get paid their contract game cheques
Pay and housing goes against the $SMS cap
Cannot be approached by other teams without permission
Cannot choose to leave the team, other than to retire, and can be put on the suspended list and cannot sign with another team until their contract expires, even if they are not playing, unless released.

Players on the AR and 6 game IR

Have to accept the move to the IR
Get paid their contract game cheques
Housing goes against the $SMS cap
Cannot be approached by other teams without permission
Cannot choose to leave the team, other than to retire, and can be put on the suspended list and cannot sign with another team until their contract expires, even if they are not playing, unless released.


Walters has that extra $SMS uncommitted as of yet, so we could explore the expanded use of the 1game IR this year.. or keeping players on the PR at a high than min rate.  But I think anyone worth paying above min on the PR would get scooped.

[theaardvark]

Bombers have rarely kept guys on the PR. Bombers management had graciously allowed guys to leave when a player has a better opportunity else where, it's called class. Respect and just knowledge that players work hard to make a team roster and get a roster spot and contract.

I think those archaic views that players go on a PR spot to hang around are gone. The PR contract basically works if four guys rent a cheaper house and all chip in for rent money. (Hefney housing from a few years ago)

What the heck are you talking about?

You can't "keep" players on the PR, they are able to talk to other teams and leave without permission.

That's why it is the practice roster, they have no contracts, just a week to week agreed upon cheque.

Each year, there are players that go in on housing, and the Bombers usually give them an allowance for that, and can help them find a spot.  $750/wk is better than many people get, above minimum wage for a working stiff, and there is housing money on top.  The idea of a PR is working your way onto the AR with a team, and getting a contract.  Even if that isn't the team you are currently on.

[Pete]

I thought if a team wanted to take a player off the pr the originating team had the option to promote them to the ar but I guess thats wrong.
Having said that its very uncommon for players to get picked off another teams pr.

[TecnoGenius]

Having said that its very uncommon for players to get picked off another teams pr.

That's what I was going to say.  It's rare.  Yet we always worry about it?

Unless some of it is hidden by the players telling their GM another team is interested and the team releases them.  Sometimes to us it can appear as team A PR -> free agent -> sign with team B, when really it's a case of PR poaching.  The player is just being "nice" by asking for release, even though they don't have to.

So if we wanted to PR one of the $90-$140k signings, we could, and they'd still be highly paid.  And unless a team wanted to pay them more, why would they leave?

Does the NFL allow PR players to be poached in the same way?  Seems like a strange setup.  Maybe there needs to be a 5-man (or whatever) "non-snipeable PR" (or PPR=Protected Practice Roster?) in the CFL?  How are you supposed to have depth if any decent PR player you have can be stolen?  Or maybe have the sniping team pay the holding team a fee ($25k?) that counts against the SMS (and subtracts from the snipee team?).

[theaardvark]

The PR has a specific purpose:  to develop new talent.

Its not a place to hide established players.  Even though some may use it that way.

A PR spot is not an ideal place for a guy that wants to play.  If someone on any PR was good enough to be on another teams AR, its not fair to the player to hold him back, hence the poachability of PR players.

Teams with good scouting can stock their PR's with quality new talent, ready to step up when needed.  And that's what it is for.

[dd]

I have no problem with people sniping PR players and they get a shot at making someone's AR and playing. Heck, players just want to play and we as fans want to see the best talent on the field not rotting on someone's PR because they re loaded at a certain position

[TecnoGenius]

Ya, but then teams in the 2024 WFC situation with like 4 of 5 starting RECs injured at the same time, are basically screwed.

It really would be nice if you could have a little cupboard where you've stashed a middling player in each important (injury-prone) unit.

We lucked out with Pokey in '24, but we very well could have come up bare once the injuries hit, and then we would have really been doomed.

[DM83]

Was pokey on the PR?.  I thought he made the active roster directly?

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Was pokey on the PR?.  I thought he made the active roster directly?

Ontaria Wilson won a job out of camp and was a week one starter. His first five games were a bit of a struggle fest and some people suggested he needed to put on the PR. It wasn't until start six he broke out for 201 yards receiving. Prior to the breakout game, his best stat line was 2 catches for 30 yards.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ontaria Wilson won a job out of camp and was a week one starter. His first five games were a bit of a struggle fest and some people suggested he needed to put on the PR. It wasn't until start six he broke out for 201 yards receiving. Prior to the breakout game, his best stat line was 2 catches for 30 yards.

I see NY Jets TC doesn't even open until July 20th, it would probably be mid Aug. at earliest before Pokey could return which would mean missing the first 10 games at least. Good point is it could limit his salary demands going into his 3rd season.

It looks like he is a very low priority for them, they have no photo, interviews or updated biography for him and he's listed as a Reserve player, which might work out to a PR spot if all goes well, I guess.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/players-roster/ontaria-wilson/

[Blue In BC]

I see NY Jets TC doesn't even open until July 20th, it would probably be mid Aug. at earliest before Pokey could return which would mean missing the first 10 games at least. Good point is it could limit his salary demands going into his 3rd season.

It looks like he is a very low priority for them, they have no photo, interviews or updated biography for him and he's listed as a Reserve player, which might work out to a PR spot if all goes well, I guess.

https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/players-roster/ontaria-wilson/

Hard to say what will happen. Some players signed get released early just like happens in the CFL. He might make it to TC and be an early cut or survive and make their PR.

Austin Mack didn't return to the Als until August 20th for example.

Coming back late is not the worst problem but it doesn't help either. Getting up to speed with a new OC, game plan and some new players is an adjustment. We might find the next hot rookie that bumps him to a DI spot.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I thought if a team wanted to take a player off the pr the originating team had the option to promote them to the ar but I guess thats wrong.
Having said that its very uncommon for players to get picked off another teams pr.

I believe that's still the case, but I think it comes down to the players choice to accept which offer he wants.  I believe the raiding team has to put the player on the AR and can't just PR them. 

There may have been a few players picked off last year but for the previous 2-3 seasons there wasn't much PR poaching going on, everyone behaved.

[Pigskin]

Interesting stats on Wilson. Only 3 games over 100 yards, 11 games under 50 yards. 1026 yards, 300 of those are YAC. He also made a few sick catches. I can't see him making the NFL, but he might want to go on the NFL PR world tour for a season.

[dd]

Interesting stats on Wilson. Only 3 games over 100 yards, 11 games under 50 yards. 1026 yards, 300 of those are YAC. He also made a few sick catches. I can't see him making the NFL, but he might want to go on the NFL PR world tour for a season.

He hasn't got a prayer to make the NFL, he'll be lucky to make it to TC and extremely lucky to make it to the PR, will never see game action.

[markf]

I watched some NFL games last season.

Saw quite a few receivers dropping balls that were right to them.

Happened in a playoff game. Would have been a touchdown. Dropped.

Dontaria is certainly good enough to make the NFL.

Not sure why CFL fans are so down on our players. Their linemen and Their top skill guys are much better... but the rest... not so sure.

[Blue In BC]

I watched some NFL games last season.

Saw quite a few receivers dropping balls that were right to them.

Happened in a playoff game. Would have been a touchdown. Dropped.

Dontaria is certainly good enough to make the NFL.

Not sure why CFL fans are so down on our players. Their linemen and Their top skill guys are much better... but the rest... not so sure.

It's not us. It's the NFL's view on most CFL players. They get to look at 500+ new players each year in the draft that they might have been following for several seasons in college. The CFL players that go down may have visited other NFL camps in the past. They are slightly older than the new choices that seem to have higher possible upside.

Austin Mack should have made an NFL team but he didn't. That's just one recent example.

Each year about 10 CFL players get futures deals in the NFL. Nearly all will be back before the end of 2025.

[TecnoGenius]

Interesting stats on Wilson. Only 3 games over 100 yards, 11 games under 50 yards. 1026 yards, 300 of those are YAC. He also made a few sick catches. I can't see him making the NFL, but he might want to go on the NFL PR world tour for a season.

His hot/cold stats could be a direct function of how Buck/Zach operate.  There will often be a focus REC in the plan, and often a hot-hand is id'd and then targeted in-game.

In other words, WPG RECs are very hard to pick in fantasy because we are not consistent with who we prioritize.  This is why the stats look the way you describe.

If Kenny & Schoen & Mack can't make it in the NFL, then no way Pokey can.  They're just wasting everyone's time to the detriment of the CFL.  I don't even think Pokey gets much money for all his efforts down there right now?

But I guess you gotta take your shot.  Strev lasted long enough in the NFL to actually see reg season real-game AR snaps and get his pension!  If that is possible, I suppose Pokey's dream is possible.  However, QBs != RECs...

So few CFL RECs have actually stuck for any amount of time (3+ seasons) in the NFL in the last decade, and many were thrown away after 1-3 seasons and then pretty average (or blah) after returning.

Who are some who stuck?  Zylstra?  Is that it??

[dd]

My sentiments exactly. Heck Mr Milton stegal couldn't make it so ya total waste of time. He ll be lucky to make it to TC and doubt he survives that.but  I guess guys have got to try it or live a life of regret?? I m thinking they're just wasting valuable playing time which slips away so quick why waste it in training camps

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

My sentiments exactly. Heck Mr Milton steal couldn't make it so ya total waste of time. He ll be lucky to make it to TC and doubt he survives that.but  I guess guys have got to try it or live a life of regret?? I m thinking they're just wasting valuable playing time which slips away so quick why waste it in training camps

Worse yet when they skip an entire year like Ford did. Hopefully Pokey quickly realizes he can have a long rewarding football career in the CFL if he sticks with it.

[TecnoGenius]

My sentiments exactly. Heck Mr Milton steal couldn't make it so ya total waste of time. He ll be lucky to make it to TC and doubt he survives that.but  I guess guys have got to try it or live a life of regret??

It seems like RECs have it the worst in the NFL.  Other positions seem to fare a bit better?  It's like 95% of RECs that go try the NFL are back within 1-3 years.

[theaardvark]

The sad thing about Rec's in the NFL is they need a QB to make them look good.  And the rooks get backups throwing to them as the evaluation of their skills.  Rec's that can make a bad QB look good get the nod, whereas skilled guys that can convert well thrown passes into tight coverage might never get a chance to show that talent when getting thrown to by #3 or #4 QB on the DC...

With so many bodies vying for so many roster spots, as a group it is easier to get lost in the shuffle.

[DM83]

The guys that go back down to the NFL are a perfect example of "tweeners"
Most of the examples are players are not fast enuff. Or are too small. With DBs, they usually can't tackle.

I believe the guys are talented enough, but the lack of speed allows the DBs to close quicker.  Plus in Canada, with a larger field, some receivers look wide open, as DBs don't play aggressive enough.  Our Tre Ford is what an NFL player needs to make a roster. Or be a superstar in Canada. The guys that stay in Canada, are usually quicker than their opponents faced on a weekly basis.

Of course, bigger guys who can move will get a look.  So, our linemen are really rare men. Big and are quick enough to pass and run block.

Another reason the stars from Canada, don't stick in the NFL, is when you think about it, every year there are at least a thousand guys for each position at least, every year. So when our superstars go down and are beaten out of sticking on a roster, there are lots of guys who think they are all qualified to earn a roster spot.

The guys who come to Canada are usually oddly fast..

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Did Tyrell Ford get any NFL tryouts this off-season?  Strange he wouldn't get any looks after his performance last year, he looked better than Dee Alford to me.

[markf]

I watched a few Falcons games last season, their secondary was quite bad, and there is a highlight of Alford that does not look very good.

Can not see that team sticking with what they had for a secondary next season.

Watched the games cause I enjoyed seeing Kirk Cousins failing.

[TecnoGenius]

Did Tyrell Ford get any NFL tryouts this off-season?  Strange he wouldn't get any looks after his performance last year, he looked better than Dee Alford to me.

What makes you say that?

Wasn't Ford at CB whilst Alford was HB?  CB might make Ford look better than he was.

To me Ford was more of an opportunist.  Alford was more like Nichols in that he sat back there an did his job.

Alford was instantly a superstar like week 1.  Ford took a few games to get up to speed, and was picked on a bit before that.  (Just going from memory.)

Alford had MOS et al saying that he had the best hips they'd ever seen, and it was said while they were still in TC!  No such hyper-specific plaudits for Ford.

I think Alford could stay in a hip pocket better than Ford, but Ford was maybe quicker on a break to cheat up for an INT.  With Ford a QB would think a guy was open and then, boom, Ford would be on the spot.

Both were very good, but I can see why Alford stuck in the NFL and Ford barely gets a look.  (Plus, isn't Ford smaller?  NFL loves size.)

And when's the last time a NAT DB made it down south?  Never?

Lastly: Alford helped win us a cup.  Ford helped us lose.  It's not all on 1 player, but it is part of the puzzle (however small)!