Checking Down: Owens heading to market?

TORONTO — While the free agency storm of Feb. 9 is on the horizon, the week leading up has provided little calm.

The Lions confirmed that one of the top-ranked free agents will indeed test the market, while Ticats linebacker Erik Harris could be on his way out of town to join an NFL team south of the border. Plus, what’s the latest on negotiations between Chad Owens and the Argos?

It’s a busy week and there’s lots on the radar as the next phase of the off-season approaches, and we check in on it all with the latest off-season edition of Checking Down:

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

– One of the CFL’s brightest stars is almost certain to hit free agency now, as the Lions and Andrew Harris revealed Wednesday that the national running back will not be offered a contract extension to stay in BC. Harris ranked second in the CFL in yards from scrimmage in 2015.

– Wally Buono isn’t shying away from the pressure, writes the Vancouver Province‘s Ed Willes, as the Lions are in urgent need of a bounceback 2016, led by a new-look offence with Khari Jones back in charge and without Andrew Harris.

– The Lions officially revealed their 2016 coaching staff this week, led by the return of Wally Buono to the sidelines and his assistants Mark Washington (defensive coordinator) and Khari Jones (offensive coordinator).

– After spending time on the Lions’ practice roster in 2015, international receiver Geraldo Boldewijn has extended his stay with the team through 2016. The 24-year-old Amsterdam native arrived last October as part of the CFL’s annual roster expansion period.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

– The Eskimos officially revealed their coaching staff on Monday, including new head coach Jason Maas and defensive coordinator Mike Benevides.

– Like other father/son coaching duos in CFL football’s past, new Eskimos defensive line coach Casey Creehan is following the footsteps of his father Dennis, who coached for the Esks in 1985-1986 and then again in 1991.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

– While the Stamps continue to rebuild their offensive line, the Calgary Sun‘s Scott Mitchell says Derek Dennis could be a huge part of that unit moving forward. Dennis, Mitchell writes, is the favourite to take over the left side of the Stamps’ O-line, where he’d protect Bo Levi Mitchell’s blindside.

– The Stamps have extended the contract of veteran national linebacker Corbin Sharun. The 27-year-old Edmonton native made three special teams tackles in the Western Final and played in two regular season games after joining the Stamps on July 28 last season.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

– Two-time Grey Cup Champion and CFL All-Star Shea Emry has announced his retirement. An eight-year CFL veteran, Emry will pursue men’s health advocacy and a new outdoor adventure club that aims to enrich the lives of men.

– In a recent interview with CFL.ca’s Rod Pedersen, Riders assistant VP of football ops John Murphy talked about the positive development of quarterback Brett Smith and where he stands heading into 2016. 

– Chris Jones and the Riders continue to fill out their roster with international talent, on Tuesday adding Alabama State University running back Malcolm Cyrus. Cyrus is 23 years old and joins the team after attending the Riders’ recent free agent camp in Montgomery, Ala.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

– Andrew Harris could be a step closer to returning to his hometown Winnipeg, as Wally Buono confirmed on Tuesday evening that Harris won’t be extended a contract offer. According to MyToba.ca‘s Scott Taylor, Harris and the Bombers would be a perfect fit as the need is there while Harris has expressed in the past his wish to play in his hometown.

– Bombers GM Kyle Walters has not been afraid to make big moves on day one of free agency in the past, and according to 3 Down Nation‘s John Hodge that’s highly possible again this season as the team is high on many of the top-ranked pending free agents.

– The Bombers have officially announced that former quarterback Buck Pierce will be their quarterbacks coach in 2016, working with newly-hired offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice and overseeing the development of Drew Willy and Matt Nichols. Pierce enters his third season as a coach after last year coaching the Bombers’ running backs.

– A week after landing star receiver Weston Dressler, the Bombers continue to get a head start on free agency after signing defensive back Macho Harris. A four-year CFL veteran, Harris played for the Riders from 2012 through 2015 and registered 149 defensive tackles, four interceptions, six sacks and three forced fumbles.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

– With an elite class of free agents set to hit the market on Feb. 9, 3 Down Nation‘s Drew Edwards says Ticats defensive tackle Ted Laurent could be the big domino every team is waiting for to fall. Laurent is a top-ranked free agent by all accounts, including CFL.ca’s Top 30 list where he sits third.

– Pending free agent linebacker Erik Harris is heading south to join former teammate Delvin Breaux, according to CFL.ca’s Justin Dunk, as the 25-year-old linebacker has netted a contract with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.

– According to Rick Zamperin of Hamilton’s 900 CHML, Andy Fantuz will have to take a paycut to return to the Ticats next season. The vet is a free agent on Feb. 9 and is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career. Zamperin also suggested the Ticats may be heading in another direction at kicker/punter when it comes to Justin Medlock.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

– Their first season at BMO Field on the horizon, the Argos have announced season ticket pricing and a seating chart heading into 2016. Prices include taxes and include tickets for 11 games, including one pre-season game and one playoff game.

– Chad Owens wants to remain an Argo while the Argos could surely use his services, but so far the two sides are far apart in contract negotiations, GM Jim Barker told TSN‘s Mike Hogan. Owens is due to become a free agent on Feb. 9.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

– REDBLACKS GM Marcel Desjardins conceded in an interview with TSN 1200 that the team will have some holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball with some of this off-season’s departures, some of which may be filled through signing new talent from south of the border. Justin Capicciotti, Jovon Johnson, Keith Shologan and Brandyn Thompson are all defensive starters set to hit the market on Feb. 9. Desjardins confirmed that Capicciotti will test free agency as there’s some distance between the two sides.

– In the same interview, Desjardins said the team will look at free agent quarterbacks this off-season as it searches for a contingency plan at pivot beyond the year 2016. Trevor Harris and Travis Lulay lead the list of free agent quarterbacks this season, while Mitchell Gale or Keith Price could be developmental options.

– The REDBLACKS announced three new signings on Wednesday, including the addition of former NFL receiver Armon Binns. Binns played five seasons south of the border, most recently as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad.

– Brad Sinopoli is one of eight finalists for the Syl Apps Ontario Athlete of the Year Award for 2015. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto and former NBA first overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins are among the candidates vying for the honour awarded by the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

– National receiver Eric Deslauriers announced his retirement on Thursday, ending a nine-year CFL career spent entirely with Montreal. He will remain in the organization after accepting a role as football operations assistant and scout.

– Much is quiet in Montreal a week ahead of free agency, but TSN‘s Gary Lawless says what happens with Josh Bourke and Ticats lineman Ted Laurent will set the table for what happens next.

– Anwar Stewart has been promoted to defensive line coach for the Alouettes in 2016 following the departure of Keith Willis, who has accepted a position with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Stewart, a three-time Grey Cup Champion as a player, joined the Als as a coach in 2014 and was recently promoted to defensive end coach.

CANADA HANDLES U.S. IN INTERNATIONAL BOWL

– Canada’s under-18 national team defeated the U.S. under-18 national team 24-0 on Wednesday February 3, propelling Canada to a two game to one lead over Team USA, at the 2016 International Bowl series at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.