THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Matt Walter is feeling at home in Riderville while the Bombers are set for a make or break season in Winnipeg. Meanwhile, CFL.ca goes behind closed doors for player interviews at the CFL Combine.
See what’s happening around the league as the off-season continues with Checking Down.
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
– The late Rob Ford made an impact on the Canadian Football League as well as Canadian grassroots football, and he also had some ties with the BC Lions. Lions receiver Marco Iannuzzi and former CFL quarterback and now Lions radio colour man Giulio Caravatta are among those impacted by Ford.
– The Lions were one of two CFL teams and two NFL teams to attend the pro day for UBC kicker Quinn van Gylswyk. The Victoria, B.C. native connected on 40 of 49 field goals this season and his known for his big leg as well as his strength as a punter.
– While offers have yet to be exchanged, both the Lions and Jonathon Jennings believe they can reach a new contract agreement before the start of the 2016 season, writes TSN‘s Farhan Lalji.
– Are the BC Lions a candidate to land free agent linebacker Henoc Muamba? According to NEWS 1130 Sports there’s a mutual interest, but not before Muamba finishes exploring NFL opportunities.
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
– The Eskimos have restored their powerful tradition and history after last year’s Grey Cup Championship, writes Gerry Moddejonge of the Edmonton Journal.
– Joe Anoa’i, also known as Roman Reigns, has become one of World Wrestling Entertainment’s biggest stars. Somewhere along the way, writes the Edmonton Sun‘s Jan Murphy, he was an Edmonton Eskimo.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
– Greg Wilson got his feet wet in the CFL in 2015 and could be ready for more in 2016. Stampeders.com gets to know the young up-and-coming receiver off the field.
– DeVone Claybrooks is comfortable in his new role as Calgary’s defensive coordinator, but he’s still getting used to the bigger office. The Calgary Sun‘s Scott Mitchell has more.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
– The Riders are on the clock but will they end up using the first overall pick? Riders VP of Football Operations John Murphy wouldn’t rule out a trade in an interview with CFL.ca’s Rod Pedersen.
– After being released by the Stamps and signing with the Riders, Matt Walter says Riderville is like a home away from home. The University of Calgary graduate also told CHQR News Talk 770‘s Mark Stephen that being released was an eye-opener.
– CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye interviewed Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall this week, who says he’s optimistic the Riders are on the right track in their rebuild. The interview can be downloaded in its entirety by clicking here.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
– After an off-season roster overhaul in Winnipeg, is 2016 a make or break season for Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea? Paul Wiecek of the Winnipeg Free Press says yes.
– Back to full health after a knee injury ended his 2015 season, Drew Willy is excited to hit the field with a new-look offence in Winnipeg, writes the Winnipeg Sun‘s Ted Wyman.
– It appears recently-released defensive lineman Bryant Turner might not be a free agent for long. The Winnipeg Sun‘s Kirk Penton reports Turner has been in talks with four CFL teams.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
– Football and Rob Ford may have saved Jonathan Langa’s life. Drew Edwards of 3 Down Nation has more on the other side of the late Toronto mayor, whose unwavering commitment to football changed some lives for the better.
– The Ticats have added linebacker Charles Clay, according to a report by AM900 CHML. Clay is expected to compete for a roster spot in training camp after spending time with the REDBLACKS in 2014 and before that the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
– When it comes to the CFL Draft, how important are local ties? The Argos grill Calgary Dinos running back and Burlington, Ont. native Mercer Timmis on his ties to the City of Hamilton.
– Injuries have sidelined Argos slotback Andre Durie two years in a row, but the veteran pass-catcher says his career is far from finished. How will the 34-year-old contribute for the Argos in 2016?
– Nothing’s official yet, but TSN’s Matthew Scianitti reports the Argos are in talks to hold 2016 training camp at the University of Guelph. The Boatmen held camp at York University previously.
– UBC kicker Quinn van Gylswyk worked out in front of two CFL teams at his pro day this week, one of them being the Toronto Argonauts. The Argos are without import Swayze Waters this season and could be a fit for van Gylswyk.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
– The REDBLACKS have locked up a key cog on their offensive line, signing Jon Gott to a contract extension through 2018. Gott, a 30-year-old Edmonton native, helped pave the way for the CFL’s number one offence in 2015.
– The Ottawa Citizen‘s Tim Baines writes the REDBLACKS are busy trying to get a head start on locking up more key players slated to hit free agency at the end of 2016.
– Aside from signing Gott on Tuesday, Ottawa also added some youth to its roster with the addition of 23-year-old international defensive back Imoan Claiborne. Claiborne attended Northwestern and last season spent time with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams.
– Did the REDBLACKS come away impressed by Buffalo offensive lineman Dillon Guy? The potential 2016 draft pick appeared to say all the right things in his interview at the CFL Combine.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
– CFL.ca takes you inside the interview room, where Jim Popp, Kavis Reed and the Alouettes’ staff got to know Eastern New Mexico defensive lineman Denzel Philip at the CFL Combine.
