New Colours: Which FA could benefit from a change?

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — In football and in life, continuity and success are often seen hand in hand. Once in a while, though, a little change goes a long way.

We always fixate on free agency’s biggest names yet as we look back, sometimes the diamonds in the rough are the ones that surprise you. Sometimes all anyone needs is a change of scenery.

Mike Edem, Ed Gainey and Lirim Hajrullahu were presented with new opportunities in 2016 and thrived as a result, enjoying varying degrees of success in their new uniforms.

Who could be this year’s success story? We check in on which players could benefit most from a fresh start in new colours:

Boris Bede
K/P | MTL

After a stellar rookie season, Boris Bede struggled as a sophomore in 2016 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

While the Als struggled early in 2016, many blamed it on their woeful kicking situation as Bede lost all confidence throughout a 7-for-18 slump — this for a kicker that went 36-of-40 (90 per cent) in his rookie season the year before.

Much like Hajrullahu this season, the strong-legged Bede could benefit from a new situation and a fresh perspective.

Keep in mind, the 27-year-old kicker from France did return in Week 17 after a 10-week hiatus, making four of five field goals and seven of eight extra point attempts over his final few games.

Devon Bailey
REC | EDM

Devon Bailey struggled to get on the field for the Esks last season (The Canadian Press)

A super-talented athlete and former sixth overall pick, Devon Bailey couldn’t get on the field for the Esks’ offence until Week 19. Other than a 72-yard touchdown in a meaningless season finale, Bailey’s impact in 2016 was minimal.

If all the 6-foot-5 St. FX graduate needs is an opportunity, that could come some time on or after Feb. 14.

In short, there’s still plenty of time for the 25-year-old, who will enter his third season in 2017, to get his career on track.

Jabar Westerman
DT | BC

Jabar Westerman (left) racked up a career-high five sacks for the Lions last season (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

While Jamaal became an instant CFL star at age 30, his younger brother, Jabar, took a different path. Jabar has been a regular contributor in five seasons with the Lions but just hasn’t found the same level of stardom.

Wally Buono likely wants him back but if things don’t work out, a new look for Westerman could pay dividends.

Westerman has 75 tackles and 17 sacks in 85 games for the Lions, including a career-high five sacks in 2016.

Brandon Rutley
RB | MTL

Injuries gave Als back Brandon Rutley a chance to start in 2016 (Peter McCabe/CFL.ca)

A talented running back in his prime, Rutley disappointed to a 4.4-yard average while filling in for Tyrell Sutton throughout 2016. His 4.9-yard career average isn’t a lot better.

On the other hand, numbers don’t always tell the entire story and we’ve all seen flashes of talent.

With a few teams in need of a running back, can Rutley find a new home and become a regular starter?

Aston Whiteside
DE | OTT

Coming off season-ending knee surgery, Aston Whiteside played in 11 games in 2016 (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)

While he still played 11 games in 2016, Whiteside just wasn’t himself while recovering from the knee injury that ended his 2015 season.

The 27-year-old was a beast that year with seven sacks in five games and will aim to rediscover that form in 2017.

It may have to be with a different team.

Kevin Elliott
REC | HAM

Did Kevin Elliott leave a strong impression on the Ticats late last season? (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

Elliott kind of already got his fresh start and made good on it too, racking up 220 receiving yards and 15 catches in three games as a Hamilton Tiger-Cat.

Still, with no contract in hand, he may have to look elsewhere as he reestablishes himself following his shocking release by the Argos last fall.

Can the 28-year-old Florida A&M star re-establish himself as a go-to receiver?

Kendial Lawrence
REC/RB | HAM

Kendial Lawrence can fill a number of needs for any prospective buyer (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

This might not be the first time you’d find Lawrence on a list like this. Yet despite his inconsistencies, the 25-year-old is still very much relevant in free agency.

Lawrence signed as a big-name free agent last season with Chris Jones and the Riders, only to be released after contributing 279 combined rushing and receiving yards in 11 games.

After two late-season games with the Ticats, the CFL’s Swiss army knife will look to find a permanent home in 2017.

Jeff Fuller
REC | SSK

Jeff Fuller (right) played all of one game after his CFL return in 2016 (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

Fuller’s return to the CFL had a fast and disappointing ending when, in his first game back from the NFL, he suffered a season-ending injury.

It’s fair to say that Fuller might not be part of the Riders’ long-term plans, at least not after the team added star signing Duron Carter to its roster last month. But the 26-year-old should still get an opportunity elsewhere.

Fuller has dealt with injuries throughout his entire CFL career but has the size and explosiveness to be a number one receiver if given the opportunity.

Andrew Lue
DB | SSK

Former second round pick Andrew Lue looks on during the 2015 season (The Canadian Press)

A former second round pick, Lue faded after a strong rookie season, playing in only eight games in 2016 while getting traded to the Riders.

His arrival in Regina was a fresh start, in one sense, but what Lue really needs is the opportunity for consistent playing time, whether on defence or special teams.

We thought that might have come in Regina but Lue may need to look elsewhere.

Simon Charbonneau-Campeau
REC | CGY

Simon Charbonneau-Campeau is a pending free agent after three seasons in Calgary (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

While he’s shown flashes of brilliance, Charbonneau-Campeau has never exceeded 249 yards in a season — his career-high total set in 2016.

The 28-year-old has the size (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) and speed to make an impact but may have trouble climbing the depth chart in Calgary, especially with two rising stars in Lemar Durant and Juwan Brescacin.

If he can find a permanent starting role and a greater share of the offensive load, look out for Charbonneau-Campeau in 2017.

Ronnie Yell
CB | BC

Ronnie Yell looks to return to his role as a starting corner in 2017 (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

Once on track to become a star, Yell dealt with injuries in 2016 on the way to just 10 starts.

A proven corner in the prime of his career, can the 25-year-old get back to his shutdown form in 2017?

There are plenty of teams that could use a player of his ilk but Yell will have some competition from other free agents, too.

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