Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Could Lions pending free agents Bryan Burnham and Alex Bazzie be looking south?
Plus, what’s the latest on the Alouettes, Argos and the Darian Durant contract front? More in the latest Checking Down:
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| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Lions pass-catcher Bryan Burnham was among the CFL’s top receivers in 2016 (CFL.ca)
– Pending free agents Alex Bazzie and Bryan Burnham have reportedly worked out for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings while punter Richie Leone has also drawn interest south of the border (NEWS 1110 Sports).
– The Lions have extended the contract of Chris Rainey through 2018 (CFL.ca).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
James Franklin has his options set out for him heading into a contract year in ’17 (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
– The Eskimos have reportedly reached out to James Franklin on a potential contract extension but there’s no word on any progress. Frankin is believed to have one year left on his current deal (Gary Lawless, TSN).
– Derel Walker and Deon Lacey are also among those reportedly working out with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings (Farhan Lalji, TSN).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Charleston Hughes tied for the league lead in sacks but will he be back in Calgary? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Will Charleston Hughes and Dan Federkeil be back in Calgary in 2017? CFL.ca has them on the list of pending free agents likely not going anywhere (CFL.ca).
– The Stamps have reportedly re-signed pending free agent Rene Paredes (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
The Riders announced that Eric Norwood has retired after four CFL seasons (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– A Louisiana man has been arrested and jailed on a manslaughter charge in the death of Joe McKnight. The Riders RB was killed last Thursday in Terrytown, La. (The Associated Press).
– Riders defensive end and 28-year-old Eric Norwood has announced his retirement after four CFL seasons (CFL.ca).
– No news to report in Riderville on a Darian Durant extension, as Gary Lawless reports that Chris Jones has drawn a line in the sand and Durant isn’t taking it (Gary Lawless, TSN).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Matt Nichols (left) and Kevin Glenn (right) are key free agents for the Bombers (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
– Linebacker Tony Burnett is also among pending free agents reportedly working out for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings (NEWS 1130 Sports).
– The Bombers have the fewest free agents but still face some key questions ahead of free agency on Feb. 14 (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Emanuel Davis is one of multiple pending Ticats free agents this winter (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Ticats have a number of key pending free agents coming up, including Emanuel Davis, who was named to Jamie Nye’s CFL.ca free agent dream team (CFL.ca).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Long snapper Jake Reinhart will be back in Double Blue in 2017 after signing a new contract (CFL.ca)
– No word yet on any coaching or GM change in Toronto as President Michael Copeland could be adding a new layer to the Argos’ organizational structure — someone between himself and the general manager (Gary Lawless, TSN).
– The Argos have agreed to a contract extension with long snapper Jake Reinhart, who was due to become a free agent on Feb. 14 (CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
The legend of Henry Burris (left) continues to grow after winning a Grey Cup at age 41 (Geoff Robins/CFL.ca)
– Henry Burris’ Grey Cup triumph is making waves across the border as well, as Peter King wrote about the Grey Cup MVP in his Monday Morning Quarterback (Peter King, Sports Illustrated).
– There’s a strong chance that Chris Williams and Abdul Kanneh, both pending free agents, will not return as Ottawa REDBLACKS in 2017 (Don Brennan, Ottawa Sun).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Brock Sunderland (left) is considered a leading candidate for the Als’ GM job (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Rumours out of Montreal are that Brock Sunderland is the leading candidate for the Alouettes’ GM job but there’s no word on when a decision will be made (Gary Lawless, TSN).
