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[b507970a]Chicago (AP)[/b507970a] - It may not be the prettiest show in town, but it's something to do when you're not at the CFL Combine or owners meetings. That's right, sports fans, it's free agency time and I gotta say, the theme for this year's free agent market should be "Night of the Living Dead." The players that top the free agency list in 2010 are not veterans, unless maybe you're referring to the second World War.
Due to a mix up on deadlines, Tulsa's [b507970a]RB Butch Fulton[/b507970a] tops the list of this year's free agents. Apparently, Tulsa's GM forgot that FedEx is the CFL's carrier of choice and sent the franchise tag paperwork via UPS Ground. When the paperwork arrived in the CFL home office, three days later, it was already past the deadline. The administrative snafu aside, Butch Fulton - 2009 League MVP, 2-time Offensive Player of the Year, and 2-time 1st team All-Pro is now accepting offers. Yeah, his milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.
Next up is 8-year veteran safety [b507970a]FS Rocky Alleman[/b507970a] who lost out on the Franchise Tag race to his ball-hawking partner-in-crime, Sherman Lee in Hartford. Alleman has an impressive career, averaging 72 tackles, 3 INT's and 7 passes defensed in his 7 years in the CFL. Rocky is a must have for teams that are having trouble stopping the run. Most scouts seem to think of Alleman as an extra linebacker rather than a safety.
The top QB on the board is [b507970a]QB Josua Urrutia[/b507970a] who got his walking papers from Memphis 2 years ago and had a hard time generating interest in his talents during free agency. Klemu says: Get a new agent! Agents aside, Urrutia - The CFL's all-time leader in 4th quarter comebacks (22) - finds himself in free agency again. This year, however, there should be a little more interest. Klemu is willing to wager Urrutia lands in San Antonio where injuries to QB's derailed the Stingers' stretch run, getting them shutout in the first round of the playoffs.
[b507970a]DE Casey Bousquet[/b507970a] was recently released by the Charleston Monitors and is planning on bringing his dominating pass rush to another team this season. In his career, Bousquet has racked up 63.5 sacks (good enough for 3rd all-time), 3 1st All-Pro honors, and 1 Championship Ring. This is quite impressive, considering he spent the majority of his 2007 season out with an injury. Klemu says that Bousquet heads to El Paso or Oregon. Both teams have the money to spend and neither team is looking strong at the defensive end position.
Rounding out the top 5, oddly, is standout [b507970a]FB Chris Wisdom[/b507970a], who has served his time as Weldon Rayburn's personal escort in Shreveport (and we know what goes on in Shreveport!). Wisdom averages 4.66 yards per carry and has been one of the leading receivers out of the backfield in the CFL, averaging over 50 catches per season. But there's nothing Wisdom likes better than putting his helmet down and laying out a linebacker. Last year, Wisdom connected on 18 key run blocks.
The rest of the field, my friends, are all trying to cash that last paycheck before retirement. Here's a quick overview of the "also-rans" or the "living dead," if you will:
[b507970a]T Joel Cheeks[/b507970a] - Can still play the game, but for how long? His signing bonus requirements will scare off quite a few suitors.
[b507970a]C Robbie Sutton[/b507970a] - He's affordable and will end up playing somewhere this year, even though he's dreaming of his off-season home in Cabo.
[b507970a]P Earl Cabral[/b507970a] - Punters never die, they just continue to get cut.
[b507970a]K John Snell[/b507970a] - Kickers never die, they just wait, like vultures, until the cheaper kickers miss too many important field goals.
[b507970a]C Steve Odum[/b507970a] - Why buy Sutton when Odum is younger and cheaper. That's right, Odum can't long snap.
[b507970a]T Daniel Braddy[/b507970a] - Did he not get the memo? The CFL no longer gives out a gold watch as a service award at 20 years. Retire while you've still got two legs!
[b507970a]S Benjamin Montalvo[/b507970a] - At 35 years of age, he can still beat some of the rookies . . . but only to buffet line.
[b507970a]TE James Robertson[/b507970a] - Playing 6 years in Anchorage is like playing 12 years anywhere else. The days are twice as long in the summer, you know.
[b507970a]DE Seth Keller[/b507970a] - He may have the season record for sacks (17.5) but it's not 2003 anymore, friend. Time to hang them up.
[b507970a]QB Jesus Dennis[/b507970a] - This guy still plays in the CFL? Seriously?
[b507970a]K J.C. Adkins[/b507970a] - See John Snell above.
[b507970a]CB Craig Jiles[/b507970a] - Could give a contender a couple of good years.
[b507970a]G Rockey Gilkey[/b507970a] - Offensive line leader for hire. Inquire at The Old Country Buffet.
[b507970a]TE Edgar Johnson[/b507970a] - 70 catches last year? He couldn't do it again . . . could he?
[b507970a]G Eldon Wendling[/b507970a] - See Rockey Gilkey above.
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Klemu Hakkinen
-Starting RW for the Semi-Pro Mooseport Mousse Hockey Club
-Beat Writer for the CFL
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