Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — A couple of new starting quarterbacks this week and a head coach making a statement highlight the latest heading into Week 18.
Plus, could the Stampeders be without defensive captain Deron Mayo for the rest of the 2016 season?
That and much, much more in the latest Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Mike Edem hauls in one of his two interceptions vs. Winnipeg (The Canadian Press)
– As good as the Lions’ defence had been, oddly enough that unit has struggled to generate turnovers this season (Mike Beamish, The Vancouver Province).
– Lately, the biggest issue for the Lions in late-game losses has been giveaways. They turned the ball over six times against Winnipeg (Mike Beamish, The Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Vidal Hazelton has signed with the Eskimos and is eligible to play in Week 18 (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
– The Eskimos have officially signed receiver Vidal Hazelton, who will be eligible to play as he was released by the Argos before the trade deadline.
– While the Esks have clinched a playoff spot, they aren’t merely content to settle into a crossover position (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
– Hazelton will be the first player to wear No. 15 for the Eskimos since Ricky Ray (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
The Stampeders will be without defensive captain Deron Mayo moving forward (The Canadian Press)
– Stamps linebacker and defensive captain Deron Mayo will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury in Week 17 (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Darian Durant hands the ball off to Joe McKnight during Week 17 (The Canadian Press)
– It took some trial and error, but the Riders’ plan is all coming together after four straight victories (Mike Abou-Mechrek, Regina Leader-Post).
– Still without a contract for 2017, Darian Durant is focused first and foremost on finishing up 2016 — not moving into a new stadium next spring (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Taylor Loffler is coming off a career game vs. the BC Lions (The Canadian Press)
– Tori Gurley got off to a slow start in his Bomber debut but believes the chemistry with quarterback Matt Nichols will come (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).
– Taylor Loffler may have had a little extra motivation going into what turned out to be a career outing vs. BC last week (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
The Ticats will continue to lean on Jeremiah Masoli in Week 18 (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
– Zach Collaros has been ruled out for Week 18, meaning Jeremiah Masoli will make his eighth start of 2016 (CFL.ca).
– Ticats head coach Kent Austin says the new additions have made an immediate impact (Ticats.ca)
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos will have a familiar face back in the lineup in Ricky Ray (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
– Ricky Ray is expected to return to the Argos’ lineup in Week 18 while Drew Willy will not be available due to a shoulder injury (CFL.ca).
– Argos head coach Scott Milanovich says Willy was ‘probably put in too soon’ to be comfortable with the offence (The Canadian Press).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Rick Campbell hopes to get a boost from his special teams unit, which has struggled in 2016 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Ray Early has been brought in to add some competition to the REDBLACKS’ punting game, which ranks second-worst in the CFL (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).
– Former Ottawa Rough Riders star Tony Golab has passed away at the age of 97 (Gord Holder, Ottawa Sun).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Vernon Adams Jr. will make his first career start this week vs. Saskatchewan (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– With the decision to drop two star receivers and name Vernon Adams Jr. the starter, Jacques Chapdelaine is showing his resolve as the Alouettes’ head coach (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Will Marc Trestman be the head coach in Montreal next season? Some CFL coaches and managers believe that’ll be the case (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).
