I've learned that Ticats linebacker Simoni Lawrence is expected to sign with an NFL club sometime in the next few days. He's due to become a free agent on Tuesday.

As I reported in today's story, Lawrence has worked out for several NFL teams since the season ended. He's 25 and athletic, though he may need to add some bulk to become a defensive starter in the NFL (he's listed at six-foot-one, 228 pounds.) He could certainly be an effective special teams player immediately.

With Lawrence departing, the Ticats will be in the market for a new starting weakside linebacker. The in-house option in likely Canadian Fredo Plesius, though I could see Jamall Johnson returning to his old spot if he re-signs. If Marcellus Bowman is back to 100 per cent - and he just passed the one-year anniversary of his microfracture knee surgery - I would expect him to be the odds on favourite to start in the middle.