Checking Down: News and notes as playoffs approach

TORONTO — The 104th Grey Cup Playoffs are here.

A pair of wounded Lions appear to be on the mend while the REDBLACKS use a bye week to heal their injured O-line.

Plus, what’s the latest on contract talks between Darian Durant and the Riders?

That and much, much more in the latest Checking Down:

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

Shawn Gore’s status for the Western Semi-Final remains up in the air (The Canadian Press)

– The Lions will look to reverse their playoff fortunes, heading into the post-season with the worst record among current playoff teams at 20-31 all-time.

– Anthony Gaitor and Jeremiah Johnson have returned to practice but still no sign of Shawn Gore at Lions walk-through (Lowell Ullrich, TSN 1040).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

–  Eskimos 2016 first round pick Tevaun Smith has been waived by the Indianapolis Colts but could end up on the team’s practice roster (Dave Campbell, CHED).

– In light of recent speculation following a strong showing by James Franklin, reports indicate the Esks have Franklin under contract through 2017 (Dave Campbell, CHED).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

– Bo Levi Mitchell has won the Herm Harrison Memorial Award for outstanding community service for the second year in a row (Stampeders.com).

– The Stamps aren’t worried about what a long layoff will do for their Western Final preparation (Jamie Thomas, TSN 1150).

– The Stampeders check in with the best playoff odds at 5/7 according to Bodog (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

– After failing to get on the field this season, Chris Best is hoping to return to the Riders in 2017 (Ian Hamilton, Regina Leader-Post).

– Whether Darian Durant returns next year or not, Chris Jones says the Riders need more help at the quarterback position (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).

– While the posturing continues, the likely outcome for Durant and the Riders in contract negotiations is a return to Riderville (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

– Andrew Harris has been honoured by his teammates for his sportsmanship and dedication to the community (CBC News).

– How key will turnovers be on Sunday? The Bombers were 11-1 when winning the turnover battle and 0-6 when losing it (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).

– The Bombers, in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, had plenty of energy as they returned to the practice field (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

– 20 weeks later, it feels like the Ticats’ season is only just beginning — but is it only one game from ending? (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).

– Can the Ticats stop Derel Walker and Adarius Bowman? Maybe not, but they’ll need to at least contain the Esks’ receiving duo (CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Diontae Spencer is among an Argos receiving trio slated for free agency (The Canadian Press)

– While six CFL teams prepare for the post-season, a lot of talk around the league surrounds the Argos as a key off-season approaches for them (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).

Among the many questions heading into the Argos’ off-season, many will also surround the team’s extensive list of pending free agents (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

The REDBLACKS’ banged up O-line continues to face questions (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

– Add Nolan MacMillan to the growing list of injured REDBLACKS O-linemen. Both he and SirVincent Rogers are questionable for the Eastern Final (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

– Originally ruled out for the season, a potential return by Rogers would be massive for the REDBLACKS’ hobbled O-line (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

– While Jim Popp’s strength is in player personnel, his inability to find a successor to Anthony Calvillo may have been his downfall (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).

– The Als’ GM search is on and Danny Maciocia could be the odds-on favourite to take the job (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).

– The changing of the guard in Montreal doesn’t necessarily end with a change at GM (Arash Madani, 3 Down Nation).