1969 Free Agency Part 1

1969 Free Agency Part 1

DILLARD, BLUNT MAKE QUICK SIGNINGS WITH EXPECTED TEAMS
The first few days of free agency ended up being quiet, as teams waited on DB Neville Falkner’s decision. However, there was a pair of expected signings that broke in the first couple of days. LB Dallas Dillard had made it clear that he desired to complete his childhood goal of playing for the Buffalo Blue Wings, leaving his long-time team, and Buffalo rival, the London Tigers, in order to make the move. Dillard would ink a 2-year deal worth $23,500 a year to play in Buffalo. While London did lose Dillard, they regained another fan favourite in DL Richard Blunt. Blunt had been traded to the Steelheads at the deadline last season in order to help the Steelheads down the stretch, but Blunt seemed to know that he would be back in his hometown by the next season. He would sign a 1-year deal worth $25,000.

NEVILLE SWEEPSTAKES TAKES THE DB WEST
Some may say that Neville is currently the best player in the NAAF, at the very least, the best defensive player. To no surprise, the DB ended up holding up the rest of the signings due to the amount of interest he had. Almost every team made at least a call into the Falkner camp to field an offer. Over the few days, the number of deals would dwindle from both teams who were in no position to contend and contenders who didn’t have the cap space to spare on the deal. In the end, there would be 3 teams vying for Falkner’s services: The Indiana Victors, Pittsburgh Blacksmiths, and Providence Gold Stars. Throughout the process, Providence was offering the highest salary in a desperate attempt to change the DB’s mind about changing teams, but it was no use as the other offers were more intriguing to Neville. Indiana made the case for being the most competitive team that was in the running after their run to the McCallister Cup last season, while Pittsburgh had shown they have a young team that is on the brink of breaking into the playoffs. Both were considered heavily by Falkner, especially with Pittsburgh as it was an opportunity to return to his hometown, however, he would shock quite a few people by selecting the Indiana Victors. Neville will be heading to Indy on a 3-year deal worth $40,000 a season, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the history of the NAAF. The move is huge for the Victors who will most certainly be looked at as one of the top contenders for the cup next season. When interviewed after the signing, Falkner noted how he loved the experience the group had and that he had a lot of confidence in Head Coach, Urick Wilkins. Falkner also is reunited with former teammate DB Cameron Taylor, who had left Providence to get out of Falkner’s shadow. Taylor, however, said that he is excited to have Falkner on the team and that he has had enough time out of the shadow and is ready to win some football games. A final note, LB Buddy Harwick has given up his #46 so Neville can have it for next season.

LANGSTROM BECOMES SECOND OPTION FOR SOME TEAMS, BUT ELECTS TO RETURN HOME
After the Falkner signing occurred, DB Oliver Langstrom was flooded with offers from several of the teams that missed out on the star. Pittsburgh had especially made a strong push, considering they needed a 3rd starting DB. However, Langstrom certainly felt a little hurt about being some teams’ second option. So he turned to the offers that were there from the start. After lengthy discussions, Langstrom would make the decision to return to his hometown of Toronto and sign with the Steelheads. It was a move that not as many saw coming, as Toronto wasn’t looked at as a top contender like other teams considering they fell apart after RB Max Tracy was knocked out of the season. Langstrom, however, feels the team is underestimated as they have been since joining the NAAF and believes he can bring the championship to Toronto. Langstrom’s contract would come out to 2-years at $38,500 a year. It was also announced Langstrom would wear his usual #17 despite the recently retired, and fan-favourite, DB Orville Blake having had the number for a long time. 

RUNNING BACK CAROUSELL SEES MANY TEAMS WITH NEW FEATURE BACKS
The selection of RB Ronald O’Sullivan from Halifax in the expansion draft seems to have started a flurry of running backs changing teams this offseason. RB Rashed Smith decided to leave Providence with the younger RB Ronnie Byers looking to take his place, RB Hugo Hughes left Montreal in search of more money, and RB Carter Roy lost his job to Tresean Jones in Pittsburgh. Several others joined the group looking for better opportunities to see the field. Halifax, Montreal, and Providence all were looking for a replacement for their missing RBs. Halifax would be the first to get one as RB Rashed Smith would jump on over to the defending champs. Smith shouldn’t have to worry about job security in Halifax considering they don’t have any real 2nd options, and hopefully he can bring a different element to the Mariners’ offence. Montreal is in talks with Hugo Hughes still, but Minnesota has also made a pitch to the back as Ronald O’Sullivan is not fully signed due to being on the expansion tag. Hughes would try to use the competition to raise his price, but eventually the Rouge would end up signing RB Carter Roy to a much cheaper contract. Providence seemed like the only other team that could fight with Minnesota for Hughes, but in the end they would sign RB George Seahorse. Seahorse did a solid job in relief for RB Théodore Lemieux with the Thunder last season. They hope that Seahorse and the younger Ronnie Byers can fill in the hole left by Rashed Smith. Suddenly, Hughes was seemingly left without a place. Minnesota is still an option for the 28-year-old, but he could see the amount he is offered dwindle, especially if Minnesota ends up keeping Ronald O’Sullivan. 

TOP PASS CATCHERS FIND NEW QUARTERBACKS TO PLAY WITH
There were several wideouts that have found a new team to call home. 27-year-old, Nathan Murray-Lawrence was the top available being the best mix of talent and youth. The Halifax native would end up deciding to head back to his hometown signing a 2-year deal worth $19,000 a season. Murray-Lawrence returns to the Mariners after the team had drafted him back in 1964, but had been taken in the Blacksmiths’ expansion draft the next season. Next to sign would be WR Carter Henderson who took a 2-year deal to be a top target with the London Tigers. Henderson wanted a bit more of the spotlight, and London’s offence seems to give that opportunity despite looking like one of the weaker squads in the West Division. Former 1st overall pick, Alexei Dubois, would head back out west and land with the Thunder after 4 and a half seasons in Boston. Dubois should find a lot of free space in the offence with many teams focused on the stars of WR Lloyd Lane and WR Casey Coleman in Louisville. Finally, Providence would add WR Troy York to round out their WR core. 

DUMONT LOOKS FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY AFTER BEING BENCHED SINCE EARLY 1967
QB Leonidas Dumount has had a rough go since he took the Thunder to the McCallister Cup in 1962. The former 1st overall pick has suffered through several injuries and an overall decline in the time since. He did get the team back to the Cup in 1965, but had another injury riddled season in 1966. The Thunder acquired QB Buck Murphy in the offseason, and the younger QB took over the reins and left Dumont stuck. The Thunder tried to trade Dumont, but no team wanted him for his salary of almost $40,000. Dumont is finally free to find a new place. He would get a couple of offers, most notably from Minnesota and Providence. While Providence was enticing since they were looking to replace the retired QB Connor O’Rourke, he would end up heading to Minnesota, reuniting with the GM that drafted him in 1957, Calvin Carpenter. Dumont isn’t guaranteed a starting spot with Minnesota, but they do like that he brings a lot of experience and should still get some chances to play if the opportunity arises. 

Top 25 Free Agents
1 - DB Neville Falkner - PRO -> IND - 3Y, $40,000
2 - LB Dallas Dillard - LDN -> BUF - 2Y, $23,500
3 - DB Oliver Langstrom - BOS -> TOR - 2Y, $38,500
4 - S Randall Green - OTT -> LDN - 1Y, $19,000
5 - WR Nathan Murray-Lawrence - PIT -> HFX - 2Y, $19,000
6 - RB Rashed Smith - PRO -> HFX - 2Y, $27,500
7 - RB Hugo Hughes - MTL - Unsigned
8 - WR Alexei Dubois - BOS -> LOU - 1Y, $19,000
9 - WR Carter Henderson - LOU -> LDN - 2Y, $25,000
10 - DL Richard Blunt - TOR -> LDN - 1Y, $25,000
11 - OL Xavier Villeneuve - MIN (OTT) -> MTL - 2Y, $19,500
12 - QB Landon Ross - LI -> LI - 1Y, $18,000
13 - RB Carter Roy - PIT -> MTL - 2Y, $19,500
14 - DL Dean Leanman - OTT -> LI - 1Y, $17,500
15 - WR Troy York - HFX -> PRO - 1Y, $18,500
16 - QB Leonidas Dumont - LOU -> MIN - 1Y, $19,500
17 - RB Rodney Clark - BOS -> TOR - 1Y, $18,000
18 - WR Jack Duncan - LDN - Unsigned
19 - S Peter Sellers - HFX -> PIT - 1Y, $18,000
20 - S Clarence Sale - IND -> OTT - 1Y, $18,000
21 - QB Michael Benedict - OTT -> TOR - 2Y, $15,250
22 - OL Calvin Foreman - PIT -> TOR - 1Y, $14,000
23 - QB Michael Miranda - LDN - Unsigned
24 - RB Robert Jack - OTT -> OTT - 2Y, $15,500
25 - RB George Seahorse - LOU -> PRO - 2Y, $15,000