1964 Free Agency Part 1

1964 Free Agency Part 1

BRADLEY LANDS IN LONG ISLAND AND COULD MAKE RAIDERS A SERIOUS THREAT
The Newark native decided to return closer to home this offseason, signing a 2-year deal with the Long Island Raiders. A team that has been struggling to find its footing in the last 3 seasons, will be very excited to add Bradley to their secondary. Bradley is likely going to take on the top DB spot with youngsters in DB Rutherford Winters and DB Lauri Hayha sitting right behind them. The rest of the Raiders are filled with younger players that could take the team to the next level if they develop this offseason. Bradley’s addition can only strengthen the team and potentially put the Raiders back into contention.

WIDE RECEIVER FRENZY...SO FAR
With all the WRs available, there are either two things happening. Either WRs are getting a lot of offers and taking them, or there are some waiting for teams to get desperate after failing to sign others. On the taking offers side, WR Chester Bennett decided to head down to Boston to pair up with WR Ellis Lindholm on a 1-year deal. There is also WR Sammy Moss who got quite the haul from his deal to Louisville. The Thunder were a little extra desperate to bring in a true difference-making weapon. WR Marshall Leonard also would sign for a surprising 4-year, $19,000 deal with the Royals. Ottawa, who is looking to start bringing in emerging talent, is very excited about the signing. On the waiting side, we have WR Ben Roland, who is hoping someone is willing to toss down a few extra bills, and WRs Darryl Duke and Benedict Spencer, who are just seeing if more options develop. It looks like those waiting will hope that more options become available following the draft. 

AUSTIN ANDREWS LANDS WITH TIGERS
The shocking release of the young RB by the Steelheads created some questions about Andrews. The 24-year-old certainly has lots of potential to be a great RB at the professional level, however, with the release some were wondering if there were some issues with him. That left a lot of teams hesitant to approach him. In the end, GM Joseph Johnson of the Tigers would meet with Andrews. Within the conversation, Johnson was on board with the RB stating Andrews was very excited and humble. A few days later, Andrews would sign with the team as the potential predecessor to RB Clifford Russell. 

Andrews did mention his decision to go to the Tigers was heavily affected by his time in Kitchener, the former home of the Tigers. The fans of the city were still fans of London, despite their move away, and he started to like the team as well and wasn’t going to miss the chance to play with them. 

FREE AGENT ROUNDUP
Among the rest of the signings, there were some interesting stories. LB Marco Price, who was looking to get out of the shadow of LBs Brent Harper and Konrad Aust would land on the shores of Halifax for this season. It is likely he takes on a #1 role with the young team. QB Stanislav Ovechkin did not see much available for himself in the market and ended up returning to Louisville, a team that may have him in consideration for some starts this season. LB Rusty McVee would end up heading close to home, being the first major NAAF free agent to sign with the Steelheads. The Royals would grab a couple more young players in Gatineau native DB Jacques Gaul and DB Wesley Nires. Halifax was interested in both players, but they would end up with former Steeler DB William Quincy on a 3-year deal instead. 

Top 25 Free Agents
1 - DB Alexander Bradley LOU -> LI 2Y, $28,000 - NTC
2 - WR Chester Bennett OTT -> BOS 1Y, $18,000
3 - WR Sammy Moss PRO -> LOU 2Y, $21,500
4 - WR Ben Roland LOU
5 - LB Harrison Bennett IND -> BUF 1Y, $18,000
6 - LB Marco Price BOS -> HFX 1Y, $20,500
7 - QB Stanislav Ovechkin LOU -> LOU 1Y, $15,000
8 - WR Darryl Duke MTL 
9 - WR Benedict Spencer PRO
10 - WR Marshall Leonard HAM* -> OTT 4Y, $19,000
11 - RB Eddie Thompson LDN
12 - RB Don Gregson IND
13 - LB Rusty McVee PRO -> TOR 1Y, $16,500
14 - OL Ulysses Fairgrove PRO -> BUF 1Y, $14,000
15 - QB Robert Humphrey HAM* -> LI 1Y, $15,000
16 - LB Terry Long HAM* -> OTT 1Y, $12,000
17 - QB Terry Bourbon LI
18 - OL Alen Williams HAM* -> BUF 1Y, $13,000
19 - LB Killian Reed OTT -> BOS 2Y, $14,000
20 - DB Jacques Gaul BUF -> OTT 3Y, $16,500
21 - S Cal Clemmons IND
22 - RB Austin Andrews KCH* -> LDN 3Y, $15,000
23 - DB William Quincy HAM* -> HFX 3Y, $13,000
24 - DB Elvin Waters HFX -> LOU 2Y, $16,000
25 - WR Moe Schafer BUF -> BUF 2Y, $10,000