Checking Down: Fuel to the fire for Argos, Ticats

TORONTO — The Eskimos wrap up mini-camp while the Grey Cup lands in South Pittsburg, Tenn. to visit Grey Cup-winning coach Chris Jones. Meanwhile, the animosity continues to build two months out from the Argos vs. Ticats season-opener at BMO Field.

All that and much, much more as we see what’s happening around the league in Checking Down.

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

– After a year in Riderville, Dan Dorazio is back at the helm of the Lions’ O-line for his 44th season coaching football. The Lions believe the veteran coach will bring toughness and competitiveness up front.

– The Lions continue to add to their roster ahead of their April 28-29 mini-camp, signing linebacker Dyshawn Davis and defensive backs Kevin Cooper and Davarus Shores. Davis spent 2015 training camp with the NFL’s Washington Redskins while Cooper and Shores arrive out of school.

– Count the BC Lions among teams talking about running an up-tempo off-season next season, as Emmanuel Arceneaux told TSN’s Gary Lawless that unit is well-equipped to go faster.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

– It took five CFL seasons for JC Sherritt to win his first Grey Cup. Now after opting to return to Edmonton, the next thing on his mind is ‘repeat’.

– Grant Shaw describes himself not as a kicker with athleticism, but as an athlete that can kick. Drafted by the Argos in 2010 with the 11th overall pick, Shaw recalls his career in junior football and his maturation as a professional.

– The Eskimos have wrapped up their annual three-day mini-camp in Vero Beach, Fla., but many decisions are on tap for General Manager Ed Hervey, after 54 American players were evaluated at historic Dodgertown.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

– Not long after being ranked eighth among running backs in Jamie Nye’s early fantasy projections, Jerome Messam responded in a Skype interview with Alanna Nolan of Stampeders.com. Will Messam eclipse the 750 rushing yards Nye projected?

– Former Stamps punter Burke Dales’ path to the CFL was never so cut and dried. Before becoming a four-time West All-Star and two-time CFL All-Star, his professional football career almost never even started.

– Stamps special teams coordinator Mark Kilam recently went on NewsTalk 770, where he spoke with Mark Stephen and Jock Wilson about finding a kick returner; the difficult for internationals on special teams; and the emerging Skye Dawson.

– While CalgaryNext reaches the next phase of consideration, NewsTalk 770‘s Mark Stephen writes that rebuilding, not re-configuring McMahon Stadium should be a priority.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

– Two Riders (one former Rider) made news with retirement announcements this week, as receiver Maurice Price caught many off guard with his sudden retirement, while former safety Tyron Brackenridge also called an end to his career months after being released by the team this off-season.

– Among the reasons Graig Newman decided to return to the Riders this off-season? The opportunity to win a starting job, writes Scott Larson of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.

– Plenty of activities will surround the final year at Mosaic Stadium, not just limited to football as the City of Regina says it’s planned more than 280 hours of community events over the next few months, including a free barbecue during a four-hour ‘kickoff celebration’ on May 21.

– Will the Riders trade the first overall pick in May’s CFL Draft? The chances are high, writes CFL.ca’s Jamie Nye.

– Chris Jones is getting his turn with the Grey Cup this week, which has arrived in South Pittsburg, Tenn. just in time for the National Cornbread Festival.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

– Drew Willy says he’s 100 per cent back to health and excited to work with Paul LaPolice on a new-look Bomber offence, as he returned to Winnipeg to talk to the media this week.

– Expectations might be high in Winnipeg, but that’s exactly the way quarterback Willy says he likes it. More from the Winnipeg Sun‘s Paul Friesen, who writes that the Bombers head into 2016 like they’re ‘backed up to their own goal line with the game on the line’.

– The Bombers have officially finalized their coaching staff for 2016, announcing the additions of Marty Costello to coach the O-line and Paul Boudreau to assist Head Coach Mike O’Shea in coaching the special teams.

– After announcing some major victories off the field in 2015 last week, Bombers Director of Communications and Media Relations Darren Cameron wrote in his blog that the team could have done even better. He recalls his conversation with President and CEO Wade Miller.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

– Kent Austin continues stockpiling international talent ahead of next week’s mini-camp, as the Ticats recently announced six additions on offence and eight defensive backs — all internationals. The Ticats kick off their mini-camp next Tuesday, from April 26 to April 28.

– Among the signings is former Cincinnati Bearcats receiver Anthony McClung, who reunites with another former Bearcat in quarterback Zach Collaros. McClung got a shot with the Argos but was released this off-season.

– Ticats receiver/returner Brandon Banks focused his off-season on becoming more durable, as he told TSN 1150 his hopes of playing more on the offensive side of the ball.

– The Argos/Ticats rivalry continues to ramp up ahead of their June 23 opener at BMO Field, sparked in part by Ticats turned Argos and vice-versa, writes the Winnipeg Sun‘s Kirk Penton.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

– Chad Owens was not offered the opportunity to stay in Toronto this off-season, sources told the Winnipeg Sun‘s Kirk Penton, eventually leading to his departure from the Argos to the rival Ticats.

– The Argos have added another former NFL player to their roster, announcing the signing of international receiver Devon Wylie, a 5-foot-9 Sacramento, Calif. native who was drafted in the fourth round in 2012 by the Kansas City Chiefs.

– One of the busier teams of the off-season, the Argos may have been close to making even bigger waves. They were one of two other teams outside of the Bombers in pursuit of Bombers running back Andrew Harris.

– While the opening of newly-renovated BMO Field draws closer, one major priority for the Argos will be tailgating, something Argos president Michael Copeland told TSN 1290 he believes can be done the right way.

– Bryan Hall told TSN 1290 he’s hoping to bring a winning mentality to Toronto, as he joins former Ticat teammates Justin Hickman and Brian Bulcke as new members of the Argos’ D-line.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

– Tim Baines of the Ottawa Citizen says the kicking and punting roles should be pretty well defined in 2016, as the team expects Chris Milo to kick and Ronnie Pfeffer to punt.

– OttawaREDBLACKS.com capped off a growing list of 16 new things for ’16 this week, adding new loge seating, a new cider and expanded seating in the west end zone to the things REDBLACKS fans should look forward to this coming season. The full list along with a video can be viewed on the team’s official website.

– The REDBLACKS have put on sale an all-inclusive trip to Montreal for the team’s June 30 game against the Alouettes. For $98, fans receive a ticket to the game, transportation on a REDBLACKS chartered bus and a t-shirt.

– Despite the departure of Offensive Coordinator Jason Maas, now the head coach in Edmonton, Greg Ellingson doesn’t think much will change for what was last year a prolific REDBLACKS offence.

– Expect linebacker Alex Singleton to be highly coveted in May’s CFL Draft, as he was recently granted national status and draft eligibility. According to the Ottawa Citizen‘s Tim Baines, the REDBLACKS had Singleton on their negotiation list as an international.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

– Could a bounceback season be in store for big Als receiver Nik Lewis? Fully healthy for the first time in three years, Lewis tells CFL.ca’s Jim Morris he’s got his explosiveness back.

– Key off-season signing Jovon Johnson talks about his decision to join the Als back in February, and why he’ll be a leader for the younger players on Noel Thorpe’s defence.

– Heading into his first full season as a Montreal Alouette, Kevin Glenn is excited to work with Anthony Calvillo and a new-look Als offence.