Checking Down: Familiar faces hit the field

TORONTO — With six mini-camps off the ground this week, it’s safe to say CFL football is officially back.

A Kory Sheets sighting; a search for a kicker in Hamilton; and a new look on the way for the BC Lions– all that and much, much more as we see what’s happening around the league in Checking Down.

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

– Lions director of football ops and player personnel Neil McEvoy says mini-camp is about getting a first-hand look at recently signed players and getting them introduced to the playbook. The Lions kicked off their two-day camp Thursday in Surrey, B.C. and finish on Friday.

– Among those in participation at Lions’ mini-camp are Keith Price and Greg McGhee, as the team looks to build its depth chart behind Jonathon Jennings and Travis Lulay.

– The BC Lions are among teams that will be sporting a new look in 2016, and the team this week teased the new uniforms to be unveiled on May 12.

– Lions fullback and special teams player Rolly Lumbala is now tied for the longest-serving Lion, but his path to football wasn’t always so clearly defined.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

– Simeon Rottier’s journey to becoming a CFL All-Star and Grey Cup Champion was far from conventional — especially considering he didn’t play a down of football until age 18.

– Taking over as the head coach of a Grey Cup-winning team sounds like a scary proposition, but Jason Maas only embraces it, writes CFL.ca’s Jim Morris.

– It won’t be championship or bust for the Eskimos in 2016, as Ed Hervey tempers expectations ahead of the new season.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

– After an injury-filled first pro season, is Karl Lavoie ready to become an impact player on the Stamps’ O-line next season?

– Stamps defensive back Jamar Wall said in a Skype interview with Alanna Nolan of Stampeders.com that last year’s season-ending loss to the Eskimos left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

– The Stampeders are not among the teams that held mini-camps this off-season, although more than 60 players did participate in a free agent camp at Bradenton, Fla.’s IMG Academy, including running back Paris Cotton.

– A familiar face has joined the Stampeders’ receiving corps, as the team has signed Carlton Mitchell to compete for a roster spot this spring. The Stamps announced three more signings on Thursday, including 2015 fourth round pick Matthew Norzil.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

– A week after announcing his retirement, what’s next for former Riders all-star defensive back Tyron Brackenridge? More from Rod Pedersen on Brackenridge’s unsuccessful pursuit of a contract and life after football.

– The seats that have served Riders fans for so long will live on past the 2016 Mosaic Stadium farewell season, as they’ll be dismantled and donated to communities and organizations across the province.

– If there are question marks for the Riders going into a new era in 2016, they aren’t at the defensive end position. Justin Capicciotti and Shawn Lemon give the Green and White a dynamic pass rush, writes Justin Dunk.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

– It was back to the basics for many veteran players at the Bombers’ offensive mini-camp this week, as Ryan Smith, Weston Dressler and Andrew Harris put on blue and gold for the first time at Investors Group Field.

– In his blog, the Blue Bombers’ Darren Cameron wrote that Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith were the two players that stood out the most at this week’s mini-camp.

– TSN 1290‘s Darren Bauming went on air to talk about the Bombers’ mini-camp this week, adding that he expects success in 2016 based on the team’s busy off-season.

– After allowing 59 sacks last year (second-last in the league), the Bombers hope continuity up front leads to improvement on the O-line.

– Following mini-camp, the Bombers announced Thursday they’ve signed international defensive end Adrian Hubbard and defensive back Arthur Williams. They also announced they’re released DB/returner Troy Stoudermire; WRs Jhomo Gordon and Spencer Davis; and DL Chase Vaughn and Leon Mackey.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

– While the Ticats kicked off their three-day mini-camp this week, TSN 1150’s Marshall Ferguson says the team’s depth won’t make for a lot of roster spots.

– One focus of the Ticats’ mini-camp is the quarterbacks, particularly as the status of star slinger Zach Collaros remains in the air for the start of 2016. The Hamilton Spectator‘s Drew Edwards has more on who’s next in line behind Collaros.

– The Ticats’ search for a kicker continues. Four kickers participated in this week’s mini-camp including former REDBLACKS kicker Delbert Alvarado and rookie American kicker Cody Mandell, writes Drew Edwards of 3 Down Nation.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

– Ricky Ray updated his status on Wednesday with the media, confirming that he feels 100 per cent and just like his old self. He also talked about the decision to extend his contract and moving into BMO Field, in an interview available on Argonauts.ca.

– The Argos completed their annual three-day mini-camp this week in Bradenton, Fla., and among the key themes was the focus on Logan Kilgore battling for a No. 2 quarterback spot as well as the impression left by former NFL draft pick Devon Wylie.

– Da’Rick Rogers was another player who turned heads at Argos mini-camp this week, the 24-year-old coming in with a reputation for his fast, physical athleticism, writes the Toronto Sun‘s Frank Zicarelli. After a prolific college career and dominant showing at the NFL Combine, Rogers was once a highly-touted NFL prospect.

– While mini-camps are typically for international players to come in and try to earn a roster spot, Malcolm Williams is an exception. The former Langley Ram of the Canadian Junior Football League has a chance to stick with the Argos as a national.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

– Rick Campbell said the REDBLACKS’ mini-camp in Ottawa this week had a ‘training camp feel’ to it, as competition was high among players competing for a roster spot heading into May. Quarterback Trevor Harris told TSN 1200 it was his most competitive mini-camp in five years as a pro.

– The REDBLACKS may have gone undetected on some teams’ radars heading into 2015, something that GM Marcel Desjardins says won’t be the case this year. Will the team have a target on its back in year three?

– Ernest Jackson is ready to follow in the footsteps of a career year for the REDBLACKS, and could 2015 draft pick Jake Harty be ready to play a role too? More from the Ottawa Citizen‘s Tim Baines.

– The REDBLACKS resembled a CFL powerhouse last year after ranking first in the league both offensively and defensively, but the missing link? Special teams. In two years, Ottawa has not yet scored on a punt or kickoff return touchdown. Will it change in 2016?

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

– Alouettes star receiver says his return to Montreal was about returning to his roots, and that he ‘wouldn’t change a thing’ about his path to the CFL.

– The Kory Sheets comeback trail continues, this time in Florida as he takes part in the Alouettes’ mini-camp from April 27-29. Sheets has worked out for CFL teams in the past, reportedly including the Ottawa REDBLACKS earlier in the off-season.

– Jerry Rice Jr. continues to impress at Als’ mini-camp, reportedly showing up in great shape while electrifying with his big-play ability. Can he track down a roster spot with the team?