CFL's Alouettes believe they have 50-50 chance of signing Michael Sam

The general manager of the Montreal Alouettes believes there is a 50-50 chance that the team will sign linebacker Michael Sam.

"The CFL is cut out perfectly for his style," Jim Popp told Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette. "It would give him the opportunity to do what he does best."

"His agent knows. They're ready." Popp continued. "They know this (CFL) may be what it is. It's Michael who has to make the decision - and he might never come."

Sam, the first openly gay player to be drafted in the NFL, recently went to the NFL's inaugural veterans combine where he ran a slow 40-yard dash (4.99). Sam is considered too small to be a defensive end in the NFL and too slow to play outside linebacker.

That's why the CFL could be a perfect fit for Sam, and he told reporters at the combine, "If that’s the opportunity, I’ll take it."

Still, Sam's made no commitments to the Alouettes and although NFL interest appears to have dried up - after stints with the Rams and Cowboys - Sam will exhaust all options before accepting a CFL offer.

"The indications were he was ready to come last fall," Popp said. "And he's still not with us. So I really don't know. Seriously, I'd say our chances are 50-50."