Johany Jutras/CFL
Whether you were the busy Bombers or quiet Calgary, free agency probably helped you in some way. On the other hand, it also may have hurt. It’s bad news first for CFL.ca’s Don Landry, who looks at the good and bad for every team this month in one of the busiest free agent periods ever.
Montreal Alouettes
Having to say goodbye to offensive tackle Josh Bourke. An impeccable resume, including twice being named the East’s outstanding lineman. For a decade, Montreal quarterbacks didn’t have to worry about the back door and that was a great luxury to have. The question: Is big Jacob Ruby ready to step up in his second year?
Welcome back, Duron Carter. In re-signing Carter – who spent last season in the NFL – the Als bring back one of the most dominant receivers of the 2014 CFL season. Big and physical, Carter should pick up right where he left off, terrorizing defensive backs on a regular basis. Bonus: Kenny Stafford’s back in the receiving fold too. This means S.J. Green gets even more room to operate. Yikes.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
So long, Keith Shologan and Justin Capicciotti. A big, big reason why Ottawa’s defence became one of the league’s best was because of the depth and rotation of their defensive linemen. Two key pieces are gone and the REDBLACKS will need to account for that.
Pretty obvious. Quarterback Henry Burris might still have three or four seasons left in him. Remember, Damon Allen played until he was 44. But if Burris doesn’t have that longevity, Trevor Harris is good to go. Besides, can’t you see head coach Rick Campbell having fun with a ‘change of pace’ rotation?
Toronto Argonauts
Linebacker Greg Jones and his 98 tackles (2015 season) have gone to Saskatchewan. The Argos have a hole to fill in the middle of their defence. Do they believe third year Canadian Thomas Miles is ready for prime time or do they have an unknown International ready to step in?
A big beef upgrade on the offensive line with the signings of veterans Josh Bourke and Cory Watman. Re-signing running back Brandon Whitaker is a key in protection schemes as well as he remains one of the best in the CFL at blitz pick up. The Argos are all in on quarterback Ricky Ray in 2016 and much of their offensive success will ride on keeping him healthy and unbothered.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Like the Argos, the Ticats took a huge hit in free agency, losing a dozen notable players to either other CFL teams or NFL deals. With kicker Justin Medlock gone to Winnipeg, the ‘Cats will need to find a leg that can handle the gales that so regularly blow through Tim Hortons Field.
The Ticats retained defensive lineman Ted Laurent in the face of stiff competition for his services. He’s the catalyst that makes defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer’s defence go as the tumblers click around his formidable presence. There is enough familiarity left over on defence to keep the unit humming. And doesn’t linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis seem a perfect Ticat?
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Tough to quarrel with the Bombers’ FA season, but ain’t nobody perfect. Defensive back Demond Washington has been a playmaker over four seasons, with a career high three interceptions in 2014. Now he’s in Hamilton.
Where do you start? The Bombers spent like a newly-minted Lotto Max winner on a celebratory weekend bender. Improvements on offence, defence, special teams. Andrew Harris, Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith are in? Somewhere, offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice rubs his hands together and laughs maniacally.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Labour Day Weekend, Banjo Bowl, playoffs… somewhere along the line, Weston Dressler’s gonna come back to haunt them.
Like the Bombers, the Roughriders went on a Rodeo Drive shopping spree. So many new faces, all of them with experience and high levels of skill. It will be tough for them to come out of the gate on fire because of all the new parts. This gang might really start to gel by the time the fall rolls around and if they’re knocking on the door of a playoff position, look out. Crushers Shawn Lemon and Justin Capicciotti at the end positions should be fun.
Calgary Stampeders
The receiving corps takes a hit. Eric Rogers and Jeff Fuller head south and that leaves big cleats to fill. Rogers led the league in receiving yards in 2015 (1448) and Fuller’s big body always seemed to emerge out of traffic for the unlikely catch.
Bringing in receiver Bakari Grant should help bridge the receiving yards gap, if he can stay healthy. Keeping running back Jerome Messam from going to free agency means the Stamps can opt for barging through teams if they find their options for throwing over them more limited.
Edmonton Eskimos
The Eskimos’ linebacking unit got stung. The team’s outstanding defensive player in 2015, Dexter McCoil, left for the NFL. Strong side linebacker Otha Foster signed in Saskatchewan. Edmonton has big holes to fill there.
It could have been worse. Middle linebacker JC Sherritt did make it to free agency but after looking around a little bit, he re-signed with the Eskimos and that is no small consideration. Henoc Muamba, where are you?
BC Lions
The Lions had to say goodbye to stalwart running back Andrew Harris, the fuse in their offence for the past five seasons. 6,900 yards from scrimmage in that time, 1,500 of them last season. Gulp.
The Lions adjust their ratio expectations as Harris leaves and land a dandy in Jeremiah Johnson, who did nothing wrong in Ottawa other than get injured at the wrong time. Then they added Anthony Allen for depth. Got return wizard Chris Rainey in the mix, too. As well: Good Lord, your BACK-UP quarterback is Travis Lulay?
