FA Stage 4-8 (Atlantic City was VERY active)
QB Burt McGinnis –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=29167 – signed for 2 yrs, $13.47 mil.
- After Atlantic City decided against resigning last year’s starter Tyrus Wheeler (signed by Iowa City) and lost out in the bidding for Thurman Crane (good signing Omaha), they were in serious need of a quarterback. McGinnis (47/47) did not start any games for Shreveport the last two seasons after Brantley Gilmore was acquired from Los Angeles. However, from 2040 to 2042 he averaged 28 TD passes and 11 interceptions and a qb rating of 92. Time will tell if he has anything left in his tank.
FB Deion Bishop –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=30096 – signed for 2 yrs, $9.94 mil.
- Speaking of Shreveport, ACI beat them out for the services of Bishop (60/60). With Price and young Loupe (43/70) on the roster, this seems to be a curious signing. Is there a reason to have three fullbacks? That will be up to the coaching staff to figure out.
TE Glen Schroeder –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=36796 – signed for 2 yrs, $3.29 mil.
- Schroeder (16/40) adds some depth at tight end for a low cap number. The Phantoms were intrigued by his receiving skills, mainly the high potentials at route running.
SE Jose Robinson –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=31011 – resigned for 3 yrs, $33.55 mil.
- After testing free agency, Robinson (45/45) returned to ACI after they made a late push. He had 51 receptions last year and provides quality opposite flanker McLaurin.
G Richard Keith –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=30353 – signed for 3 yrs, $27.23 mil.
- Keith (48/48) replaces Shovel Barton, who signed with San Antonio. He is younger and is a much better pass blocker but is rated a bit lower and is not the run blocking menace that Barton is. Overall, it is a good swap that saves close to $5 million in cap space.
CB Ron Gonzalez –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=32339 – signed for 3 yrs, $30.09 mil.
- The Phantoms had offers out to all three of the top cornerbacks on the market and Gonzalez (48/48) signed despite a higher offer from Santa Cruz. I guess he saw how much he was needed in Atlantic City. He immediately becomes the #1 corner on the roster.
SE Jerald Francis –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=30215 – resigned for 2 yrs, $13.06 mil.
- Like Robinson, Francis (40/40) tested free agency before deciding to return to ACI. He also had a higher offer from another CFL team (Iowa City) but in the end is a Phantom once again.
G Bart Zepeda –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=31157 – resigned for 3 yrs, $13.66 mil.
- After not starting any games in 2044, the thought was that Zepeda (41/41) would sign with another team in the offseason. As it turns out, no other team made an offer so he returns as a strong backup at both guard spots.
WR Winfred Pearson –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=31798 – signed for 3 yrs, $19.16 mil.
- Pearson (36/36) provides sure hands and special teams ability and is a good depth signing although at probably a higher cost then they should have paid.
T Otis Wolf –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=33725 – resigned for 2 yrs, $4.96 mil.
- Yet another unrestricted free agent who returned to ACI, Wolf (28/37) signed a cap friendly deal. A 6 year veteran who is still showing signs of improvement, this deal was worth the chance.
G Dakota Carr –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=34499 – signed for 3 yrs, $19.40 mil.
- This might be one of the best signings of the period as Carr (43/43) is a very good lineman who loses a bit in his total rating due to low endurance. He could surprise as a spot starter and a rotational player.
T Devan Low –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=34548 – signed for 2 yrs, $3.96 mil.
- Another depth signing, if Low (40/40) holds at his current rating then he could be another piece of the puzzle on the offensive line. He is a strong blocker at a reasonable cap number.
WLB Brit Madison –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=34809 – signed for 3 yrs, $17.44 mil.
- Atlantic City entered free agency with only 3 linebackers on the roster. Madison (42/42) is still young and has missed only one game in the past three seasons. He is an excellent backup who might push for some starting time.
FS Ryan Wheeler –
http://www.thecfl.us/v3player.php?player=34955 – signed for 2 yrs, $14.37 mil.
- Atlantic City beat out 3 other teams to sign Wheeler (43/43). He fills a big need at free safety and will battle Gonzalez for the starting spot.