First the deal:

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have completed a five-player trade with the Edmonton Eskimos, acquiring non-import offensive lineman Greg Wojt, import linebacker Simoni Lawrence and import quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in exchange for non-import linebacker Nathan Kanya and the rights to non-import offensive lineman Carson Rockhill.

Now the analysis:

Wojt is a former all-star who has played mostly guard but has played some tackle: he's a bona-fide starter. The Ticats have a number of young Canadian OL already, making Rockhill expendable. Lawrence filled in for J.C. Sherritt when he was hurt so he'll be in the mix at middle linebacker, though he can play the weak side as well. It will be interesting to see if Rey Williams is still with the club in training camp (my heart and my tape recorder hope so – great guy, great quote – but my head says no.)

Kanya is an above average special teamers but was never going to be a starter in Hamilton. He's a local kid and by all accounts a good guy so that's a loss but that's the price you pay for getting Wojt.

Masoli looks like a quarterback that can run with some potential, though I still think the Ticats will need a veteran back up before it's all said and done. His hilights are below.

I guess I would say this: the Ticats got one sure Canadian starter (Wojt), one potential American starter (Lawrence) and QB with an upside (Masoli) for a guy that may be starter in the future (Rockhill) and a solid Canadian special teamer (Kanya). I wouldn't be unhappy if I was a Ticat fan.

More later.