The CFL Draft for dummies manual
Courtesy TSN.ca:
All that casual fans really need to know about the 2008 Canadian Football League Draft is that it takes place on Wednesday, April 30th and you can see it live on TSN.ca. For those who want to sound like real draft junkies to impress the opposite sex at parties, keep reading.
Getting Territorial
Up until 1984, the annual Canadian Draft began with each team naming its two “territorial exemptions”. That was the term for players who were selected to automatically become property of their hometown teams rather than going through the regular draft process. If they were to bring that system back into play in 2008, the four West Division clubs likely wouldn’t complain a bit. The Eskimos would be the big winners considering that most teams rate a pair of Edmontonians, defensive tackle Keith Shologan (Central Florida) and offensive guard Dmitri Tsoumpas (Weber State), among the top five prospects in the Class of ‘08. The Lions could counter with Vancouver native Shea Emry (UBC), the best available linebacker, and three-time All-Sun Belt Conference offensive lineman Jesse Newman (Louisiana-Lafayette), who hails from Powell River B.C.. Free safety Dylan Barker (Saskatchewan), the pride of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and fullback Rolly Lumbala (Idaho), a Calgary high school product, are two more likely first rounders who could help their local CFL teams, both on the field and at the ticket window.
Edmonton’s Consolation Prize
With the Eskimos missing the playoffs each of the last two seasons, and the Oilers joining them as postseason spectators this spring, Edmonton’s title as the City of Champions could be in jeopardy. However, the Alberta capital may not need to look far for a new nickname. With aforementioned local boys Keith Shologan and Dmitri Tsoumpas virtual locks to go in the first round, and fellow Edmontonians Tristan Jones (RB, Edmonton Wildcats) and Dan Bass (LB, Alberta) also possessing a decent shot of being drafted, Edmonton suddenly appears to be The City of Prospects. It doesn’t hurt that several former Eskimos happened to raise their families in Edmonton after their playing days were done. Jones and Bass are the sons of Esks alumni Milson Jones and Dan Bass respectively. Receiver Damon Fraietta (Alberta), whose father Emilio earned a couple of Grey Cup rings during his days in Green and Gold, is also eligible for this year’s draft.
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