Matt Smith/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Darian Durant looks primed to return under centre for the Riders, but he’s not the only one on the brink as Week 7 kicks off.
That and much, much more in the latest Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Jonathon Jennings will look to keep the Lions’ offence rolling in Week 7 (CFL.ca)
– Short of calling his own plays, Jonathon Jennings is getting his say in the Lions’ offence with Coach Khari Jones (Cam Tucker, Vancouver Province).
– Anthony Gaitor and Bryant Turner Jr. are players being asked to step in on the Lions’ banged up defence, but Head Coach and General Manager Wally Buono says he isn’t worried (Mike Beamish, Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
From Mike Reilly to Odell Willis, it’s up to the Eskimos vets to take leadership (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– While the Eskimos have a lot of new faces in 2016, it’s up to the veterans to pull them out of their mini two-game slump (Dan Barnes, Edmonton Journal).
– The Esks’ passing game is operating at a record-breaking pace, but so far is hasn’t helped win games. Could the run game provide some much-needed balance? (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
The Stampeders will need to avoid a mental letdown after a spirited win over BC (CFL.ca)
– The Stamps haven’t lost since Week 1, but if they’re going to continue winning they’ll have to improve on second down on both sides of the ball (Scott Mitchell, Calgary Herald).
– The first priority for the Stampeders in preparation for their Week 7 game is avoiding an emotional letdown following a spirited win over BC (Scott Mitchell, Calgary Herald).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Darian Durant appears primed to return to the Riders’ lineup in Week 7 (The Canadian Press)
– After taking the majority of snaps for the second straight day Tuesday, it appears Darian Durant will start in Week 7 for the Riders (Darrell Romuld, CTV Regina).
– The groans towards Chris Jones are growing after a 41-3 loss to Montreal in Week 6, Rod Pedersen writes, but Riders fans have no reason to panic yet (Rod Pedersen).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Can Matt Nichols guide the Bombers to a rare second straight victory? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– In their win over Edmonton, the Bombers found not only a new starting quarterback but a new identity (Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun).
– Needing to get on the board with a home win, Bombers running back Andrew Harris says Wednesday night is a must-win game for Winnipeg (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Jeremiah Masoli completed a record-breaking 23 straight passes in a win over Edmonton (The Canadian Press)
– The Ticats’ No. 1-ranked defence will be without Johnny Sears Jr., who’s been placed on the team’s six-game injured list (Jamie Thomas, TSN 1150).
– After running scout team the last couple of weeks in practice, Ticats pivot Zach Collaros is nearing a return (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Logan Kilgore has helped the Argos head to the bye with the lead in the East Division (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
– The Argos and the CFL are mourning the loss of former Argo tackle Danny Nykoluk, who passed away Friday at age 83. Nykoluk played 16 seasons in Double Blue and 204 games (Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun).
– Logan Kilgore became the first Argo passer to eclipse 300 yards this season in a game, but more importantly showed poise and confidence in a win over Ottawa (CFL.ca).
– Is it time for the Argos to move on from veteran quarterback Ricky Ray? (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
The REDBLACKS will look to break out of a mini-slump in Week 7 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– It’s been confirmed that Ottawa will host the 105th Grey Cup Championship in 2017, but that’s only part of the plan. The rest is for the REDBLACKS to play in the game — and win it (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– The REDBLACKS announced Tuesday they’ve released four players, including former Riders quarterback Brett Smith and veteran linebacker Malik Jackson.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The Alouette offence, led by Kevin Glenn, broke out in a big way in Week 6 (The Canadian Press)
– Former Alouettes coach Tom Higgins sounded off this week on his time in Montreal as well as an interview he had for the Riders’ head coach and GM position currently occupied by Chris Jones (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– Will Duron Carter lead the CFL in receiving yards? That’s the prediction from Kirk Penton, who adds that Carter is the best in the league (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).
– The Alouettes and defensive lineman Vaughn Martin have agreed on a re-structured deal (Didier Orméjuste, RDS).
