Never said Campbell is a replacement for Parker. Just said that Campbell is all but officially signed according to Hufnagel. I’m not a big fan of Parker. Would rather see Finch signed instead.

Campbell is not a replacement for Parker. Two different positions, and Campbell is not a national. Parker also isn’t the kind of light-up-the-league player that will get much of a better offer in free-agency, so I’d be really surprised to see him hit the FA market next week.

Whoever says “Never” is an idiot, regardless of whatever jersey they wear. Every team hires free agents – there aren’t enough talented athletes in the world for a team to strictly hire and develop from within. However it has been the case that the Stampeders have been quieter on the free agency front than most other teams for at least the past three seasons, probably even longer.

As someone else pointed out – Messam wasn’t a free agent and we needed a quick fix to deal with the pending retirement of our other National running back. We traded an up-and-coming National kicker for him. I’d say the Riders made out pretty good on that deal. I do also recall that the Riders picked up Messam’s former Calgary backup the following season.

Campbell will sign back with Calgary. Rather than Parker, I would say our most important FA is Finch. Calgary wants him back but he is still holding out for NFL offers. We also need one or both of Eric Rogers and/or Daniels to resign.

Every team has to negotiate and try to secure their pending FA’s prior to the deadline-as there should not be (with tongue in cheek) any other teams in contact with them (tampering- if you are not cheating you aren’t winning right Hervey?). This gives the team an opportunity to present a competitive offer and get the player signed prior to FA.

So far the Stamps have tied up- Pierre-Luc Caron, LS, Laval, Lemar Durant, WR, Simon Fraser, Brad Erdos, OL, Simon Fraser, William Langlais, RB, Sherbrooke, Derek Wigan, DL, Queens all Nationals- priority December signings and Kamar Jordan, WR, Bowling Green, Randy Richards, OL, Missouri, Brandon Smith, DB, Sacramento State, and Ciante Evans, DB, Nebraska for importer- that we know of- all teams negotiating now to try to tie up priorities.

Anthony Parker, WR, Calgary would have to be the biggest priority right now as this is a ratio position for the stamps and they have already got strong depth- home town and he’ll, he’s really frickin good player.

Looks like Messam (target of SSK and TOR), Joe Burnett (target of WPG MTL) and Campbell (target of BC WPG MTL) will step into FA on Tuesday at midnight.

Many that come in on a rookie contract for 53K plus a few incentives after they have played their one plus an option if they have been starters/all stars will be looking for market value for the position. For example Tommie Campbell, DB, California U of PA who could easily double his salary.

FA is great, can really change the dynamics of a team if you can secure a guy like Burnett who is a smart, strong leader.

Somebody must have peed in your cornflakes. Messam was part of a trade and not a FA signing. You can’t deny that Calgary does not tend to participate in high profile FA signing but prefers to go after second tier bargain players that fill a role. But of course you would deny the obvious. You’re a phoney bologna Rider fan (worst in the league)…