November 16, 2016

Checking Down: The latest on Manny Arceneaux and more

CFL.ca

TORONTO — Could the BC Lions have Emmanuel Arceneaux back for the Western Final?

Plus, with two more teams eliminated, we start to hear about some of the names that could hit free agency come February.

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

Jump to team:

BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal

BC LIONS

 

Shawn Gore took first-team reps on Wednesday while Emmanuel Arceneaux is hoping to return to practice on Friday (Farhan Lalji, TSN).

Wally Buono fully expects to return as both the Lions’ head coach and general manager in 2017 (Farhan Lalji, TSN).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

 

–  Injured Eskimo Mike Reilly says he could have gone back into the Eastern Semi-Final if needed and that is certain to play in the Eastern Final (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun).

– The Eskimos, on the other hand, have not provided any update while the team has signed quarterback Thomas DeMarco (Dave Campbell, CHED).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps come off a long layoff to play the Western Final (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– Former Stampeders and Lions coach Larry Kuharich has passed away at the age of 70 (The Canadian Press).

– It’s not a question of ability, rather how the Stampeders will come out of a long layoff in the Western Final against the BC Lions (Gary Lawless, TSN).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Matt Smith/CFL.ca

Despite missing the playoffs, the Riders’ season wasn’t necessarily a lost cause (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)

– Despite some missteps in his first year at the helm of the Riders, Chris Jones may have assembled the core of a future contender (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).

– #CFLWeek is coming to Saskatchewan, putting many of the off-season’s events on a media and fan friendly stage in Regina this winter.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

 

– Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea says he expects all of his assistant coaches back next season (Bob Irving, CJOB).

– After leading the Bombers to their first playoff appearance since 2011, Matt Nichols’ future with the team is up in the air (Scott Billeck, Winnipeg Free Press).

– Other key free agents for the Bombers include Euclid Cummings, Darvin Adams and Khalil Bass, among others (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).

– Also a free agent: Mike O’Shea, who won’t talk contract or commit to returning in 2017 (Kirk Penton, Winnipeg Sun).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

 

– The Ticats’ 7-11 finish was their worst in four years under Kent Austin but the head coach isn’t going anywhere (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).

– Orlondo Steinauer’s contract is up but the Ticats’ defensive coordinator says he’s definitely open to returning to Hamilton (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).

– Kent Austin says Steinauer is ‘100 per cent welcome back’ if he wants to remain in Hamilton (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Argos GM Jim Barker looks on during the 2016 CFL Combine (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– If an Argos off-season shakeup occurs, are Orlondo Steinauer and Tommy Condell possibilities to land in Toronto? (3 Down Nation).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Henry Burris has had Edmonton on his mind for a while and finally gets his shot (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– The REDBLACKS have gotten over their loss to the Esks in the 103rd Grey Cup, but you can bet they haven’t forgotten about it (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

– It’s not your classic all-East matchup but Ottawa’s Eastern Final matchup with Edmonton is a marketing dream (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

MontrealAlouettes.com

Will Jacques Chapdelaine have the interim tag removed from his duties? (MontrealAlouettes.com)

– It’s all quiet in Montreal so far but speculation is that Danny Maciocia remains a likely GM candidate to replace recently-departed Jim Popp (3 Down Nation).