December 15, 2016

Checking Their List: 3 off-season priorities for every team

The Canadian Press

TORONTO — The Grey Cup is over and the holidays are near but the CFL off-season never rests.

Much has already happened since Nov. 27 when the Ottawa REDBLACKS claimed the 104th Grey Cup Championship, including pending free agent extensions, a general manager hiring in Montreal and key personnel adds in Winnipeg.

Still, the tale of the 2016-2017 off-season has yet to unfold.

With five months left until training camp and so much still at stake, we look at three off-season priorities for every team:

BC Lions

The Canadian Press

Bryan Burnham has emerged as one of the CFL’s elite receivers (The Canadian Press)

1. Re-sign or replace Bryan Burnham

It’s unlikely the Lions are going to let Bryan Burnham, the league’s fourth-leading receiver (1,392 yards), sign elsewhere in the CFL. South of the border is a different story.

Wally Buono and the Lions spent a few years developing the 26-year-old into one of the league’s top receivers and will do everything in their power to keep him, but if he leaves, that production will have to be replaced.

Together, with a little help from the strong arm of Jonathon Jennings, Burnham and Emmanuel Arceneaux formed an unstoppable duo down the field as Burnham led all regular pass-catchers with a 17.6-yard average while Arceneaux was eighth with 14.9 yards per catch.

Burnham’s emergence opposite Arceneaux opened up something new for the Lions’ offence that’s at risk of being lost without an adequate replacement.

2. Determine a starting running back

Jeremiah Johnson, Anthony Allen and Chris Rainey were a three-headed monster for the Lions at running back in 2016 and two of them are pending free agents.

It’s a well-known fact that BC led the league in rushing yards and losing both Allen and Johnson would be a major blow to the Lions’ hopes of repeating such a feat.

Whatever ends up happening, the Lions should have shades of the Western Semi-Final in their heads as they approach the position this off-season — particularly the moment when Johnson’s explosiveness helped them dig out of a first-half hole and come back to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

3. The special in special teams

Special teams aren’t to blame for the way BC’s season ended, a blowout loss at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders. But they didn’t entirely help.

Signing up Rainey for the future was a good start but with an offence and defence nearing the top of the league, special teams lagged behind a little in 2016. While the Lions’ punting and coverage were among the best in the CFL, place kicking and kickoff coverage left a lot to be desired.

Wally Buono needs to lock up key pending free agents on that side of the ball (Richie Leone, Rolly Lumbala, Mike Benson, among others) or upgrade.

Edmonton Eskimos

David Chidley/CFL.ca

The topic of James Franklin will remain a popular one this off-season (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

1. An extension for James Franklin

Or maybe a trade? Either way, the quarterback situation is one the Eskimos might be better to address sooner rather than later.

Franklin is by now considered the top quarterback prospect who doesn’t have a starting job in the CFL and there are surely a number of teams that would covet the 25-year-old’s services.

The Eskimos could either re-sign Franklin, trade him or potentially lose him next season for no return. Ed Hervey may want to avoid the latter of those options.

2. American talent at receiver

If pending free agent Derel Walker is destined for the NFL, and that is the assumption, the Eskimos need some help at that position for league-leading receiver Adarius Bowman.

Bowman is getting up there in age (31) and while there’s no sign of a drop-off in production, it’s hard to know for sure he’ll match his recent success. And even if he does, Mike Reilly still needs a bonafide No. 2 option.

Brandon Zylstra was a revelation last season and looks like a key piece of the future. That’s a start, but who else will catch passes from one of the league’s top quarterbacks?

3. Tough decisions in the secondary

Pass defence was an issue all season for the Eskimos, not just in the Eastern Final against Henry Burris and the REDBLACKS. And while unusual, it was probably not unexpected considering the departure of Aaron Grymes via free agency and the loss of John Ojo to injury.

Ojo, Pat Watkins, Brandyn Thompson, Cord Parks, and Marcell Young are all hitting free agency and while Ojo is coming off a significant injury, Watkins is 33 years old.

With some tough decisions on tap, that position group could be in for a major reconstruction.

Calgary Stampeders

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Derek Dennis played a huge role for the Stamps in 2016, but will he be back? (The Canadian Press)

1. Winter maintenance required

A major source of the Stamps’ horsepower is the offensive line, a unit that paved the way for Jerome Messam while allowing only 20 sacks — the fewest in the CFL.

The problem? Three of the five starters up front in Calgary are pending free agents.

Dan Federkeil is likely to return but what about former first overall pick Pierre Lavertu and Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Derek Dennis? How many years can the Stampeders sustain losses up front and still rebound?

2. Feeling the rush

Charleston Hughes was the league leader in sacks while Micah Johnson enjoyed his breakout season with seven — a mighty impressive figure for an interior lineman. On Feb. 14, both will be free agents.

It’s a difficult bridge to cross for General Manager John Hufnagel but one thing we know is the Stampeders have a history of moving on at exactly the right time.

If Hughes is going to get paid for his past results at age 33 and Johnson could command top dollar on the market, the possibility of both hitting free agency is very real.

Either way, Calgary’s D-line needs some work heading into free agency.

3. A veteran hand

DaVaris Daniels has emerged as the clear-cut No. 1 in Calgary just a year after the departure of Eric Rogers. We know he’s back in 2017. Marquay McDaniel is a different story.

McDaniel has been a father figure on the Stamps’ receiving corps as well as a key cog, putting up three 1,000-yard seasons in his last four years and at least 700 yards in all five seasons in Calgary. But by the time next season rolls around, McDaniel will be 33 years old.

It’s not to say the Stampeders don’t have other options, but the loss of McDaniel via free agency would leave a gaping hole in the receiving corps and the absence of a reliable veteran.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

All eyes will be on Darian Durant throughout the coming months (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

1. Find the quarterback of the future

While talks have reportedly stalled between Darian Durant and the Riders, even more crucial for the team this off-season than signing Durant is finding the quarterback of the future.

It wasn’t for a lack of effort last season as Chris Jones brought in a long list of young quarterbacks, but the Riders’ head coach and GM may not be any closer to having an answer considering that outside of Durant, only Mitchell Gale earned extensive playing time under centre last season and he’s a pending free agent.

Jones and the Riders probably do like James Franklin over in Edmonton as many have speculated, but is the 25-year-old attainable via trade? Or do the Riders stick with one of the young guns on their roster, say Jake Waters or Brandon Bridge?

2. Address the O-line

If a strong offensive line is the foundation of success for any offence, it’s clear why 2016 was a struggle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Injuries hurt the Riders early last season and that unit never recovered, allowing the second-most sacks in the league (57).

Most of the Riders’ offensive linemen are under contract next season, but that unit will have to improve substantially or it doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback. Jones’ second off-season as general manager is the perfect time to tinker and improve.

3. Determine a starting running back

Pending free agent Curtis Steele is a solid run blocker and can get downhill, but age and durability could be a concern considering he turns 30 in March and has played only 13 games the last two seasons.

Who else could carry the load for the Riders in 2017?

That’s the question and Jones could have plenty of options come February as Brandon Rutley, Travon Van, Shakir Bell and Jeremiah Johnson are among pending free agents that could fit that bill.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Justin_Medlock_2016

Justin Medlock, one of the CFL’s most accurate kickers, is up for free agency in February (The Canadian Press)

1. Extend Justin Medlock

It can’t be put in simpler terms: the Winnipeg Blue Bombers need Justin Medlock back as their kicker in 2017.

With a career 87.7 per cent efficiency on field goals, Medlock is as close to automatic as it gets, something Bombers fans noticed first-hand a season ago. The 33-year-old attempted three or more field goals in 14 of 18 games this season and was a key part of the team’s success.

While all eyes were on Weston Dressler and Andrew Harris, few players across the league made a greater impact than Medlock in 2016.

2. Address the QB situation

This could simply read ‘re-sign Matt Nichols’ but it isn’t that simple — the Bombers need to make a careful decision about who will line up under centre for them in the upcoming years.

Nichols broke out in 2016 and led the Bombers to seven straight wins after replacing Drew Willy, eventually leading the Blue and Gold back to the post-season for the first time since 2011. Yet word out of Winnipeg is Nichols wants to be paid top dollar.

If GM Kyle Walters doesn’t believe Nichols has proven he’s a top quarterback, the Bombers will have other options in what could be a loaded quarterback market.

3. Extend Stanley Bryant

Quarterback play and the kicking game helped Winnipeg make the post-season last year, but another key factor was the improved play of the offensive line.

Stanley Bryant is the only  starter up for free agency on an O-line that allowed 35 sacks last season, good for fourth in the CFL, and should come relatively cheaper than when he signed as a free agent two years ago.

Whatever happens at quarterback, continuity up front would help the Bombers pick up where they left off as an offence.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca

Orlondo Steinauer will not return to the Hammer after signing with Fresno State (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

1. Find a new defensive coordinator

One of Kent Austin’s first hires after landing with the Ticats in 2013, Orlondo Steinauer brought stability to the team through its defensive dominance.

Four years later, Steinauer had left to join Jeff Tedford at Fresno State, leaving a void in the Ticats’ coaching staff for the second straight season (last year it was offensive coordinator Tommy Condell resigning months before the season).

As good as Zach Collaros and the offence have been at times, defence has been the Ticats’ identity and Austin’s top priority this off-season is now finding Steinauer’s replacement. The Ticats simply can’t afford to regress on that side of the ball.

2. Strengthen the receiving corps

Injuries hit hard in 2016 for the Ticats’ receivers as Chad Owens, Luke Tasker and Andy Fantuz were all sidelined for long periods of time. Questions surround those three for next year while Terrence Toliver could also depart as a pending free agent.

How will the Ticats’ receiving corps look next season? That puzzle will be one of the top priorities for Kent Austin and General Manager Eric Tillman.

Those catching passes from Zach Collaros in 2017 could make an unfamiliar group.

3. Extend Emanuel Davis

A pre-season injury to Craig Butler left the Ticats’ secondary in a state of flux, one Orlondo Steinauer’s defence never quite recovered from.

Getting Butler back can definitely help, as would retaining the services of Emanuel Davis — especially in a season when Hamilton will be deploying a new defensive coordinator (see point No. 1).

Despite ranking third in the league it total yards, Hamilton’s defence failed to live up to its usual gold standard, ranking sixth in the CFL with 299.1 passing yards against per game.

Toronto Argonauts

The Canadian Press

Despite his size, Diontae Spencer could be a big name on the free agent market (The Canadian Press)

1. Extend Diontae Spencer

Whatever happens with the Argos’ front office and coaching staff, there’s sure to be some change on the field for the Boatmen heading into 2017. Diontae Spencer is one player that needs to remain.

The 24-year-old is a sparkplug for the Argos’ offence and can be used in a number of different ways, whether it’s getting open down field with his speed or getting the ball in space and making yards after the catch.

The NFL could come calling but Spencer’s diminutive 5-foot-8, 163-pound frame makes him tailor-made for the CFL game and he’s got the skills to be an upper-echelon receiver here.

2. Determine the front office structure and coaching staff

It’s starting to look more like Jim Barker and Scott Milanovich will be back at the helm of the Argos in 2017 but nothing’s been assured. Upper management will have to come to a definitive decision either way before too long.

Despite last year’s results, Barker is a good GM and Milanovich a good coach — both have plenty of experience and both have enjoyed past success in this league. But the question still remains: can those two reverse the team’s recent downward trend?

Not that continuity is necessarily a bad thing, but whatever happens next in Argoland could determine the foreseeable future.

3. Lock up/bolster national talent

It looked like the Argos’ national talent pool was strong heading into 2016, but the ensuing 18 games may have cast some doubt on that notion.

Llevi Noel, Brian Jones and Daryl Waud provide a good starting point while having 26-year-old safety Jermaine Gabriel locked up gives the team an advantage in that department as well. However, some big names are slated for free agency.

The Argos need to make it a high priority to lock up Anthony Coombs, Cory Greenwood, Lirim Hajrullahu, Tyler Holmes and Chris Van Zeyl — all good Canadians that they can’t afford to lose.

Otawa REDBLACKS

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Greg Ellingson is one of three 1,000-yard receivers the REDBLACKS could lose (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

1. Two out of three ain’t bad

Two seasons in a row the Ottawa REDBLACKS had the same four receivers go over 1,000 yards through the air — the first time in history that has happened. Unfortunately, like all good things, it must come to an end.

With three of those pass-catchers — Greg Ellingson, Chris Williams and Ernest Jackson — set to hit free agency on Feb. 14, General Manager Marcel Desjardins needs to try and lock down at least two of them.

While Ellingson explores NFL opportunities, many speculate that Williams won’t be back as he’ll command top dollar despite recovering from a severe knee injury that ended his 2016 campaign early.

If Ottawa can get two of three back in town, Juron Criner has proven capable of providing the fourth threat in the REDBLACKS’ offence. He filled in for Williams quite nicely down the stretch.

2. Shore up the O-line

The REDBLACKS have a strong O-line with a bright future but also face the prospect of two free agent guards packing up and leaving in Nolan MacMillan and J’Michael Deane.

Alex Mateas should be a go for one of those spots but Rick Campbell’s team could use as much depth as possible. It certainly came in handy this year after that unit sustained so many injuries.

3. Tough decisions on defence

Even after extending Antoine Pruneau, the REDBLACKS still face a number of difficult decisions this off-season as it pertains to their pending free agents — especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Six of the team’s defensive starters from the Grey Cup are up for free agency and some could prove very difficult to re-sign, especially those like Abdul Kanneh and Moton Hopkins.

Just like last year, Desjardins has to evaluate his players’ value and determine who’s worthy of a major extension — a typical challenge for the Grey Cup Champion.

Montreal Alouettes

David Chidley/CFL.ca

Philippe Gagnon has a bright future on the Alouettes’ O-line (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

1. Sign a veteran QB

If it wasn’t already obvious, recently-promoted general manager Kavis Reed made it clear that acquiring a veteran quarterback is one of the top priorities in Montreal over the next several months.

Is Darian Durant a match? That’s the name some have bandied about but either way, getting an experienced signal caller to support Vernon Adams Jr. would both aid the 23-year-old’s development and also give the Als a competitive edge right now.

Adams Jr. might be the quarterback of the future but the Alouettes don’t want to rush him.

2. Improve O-line depth

Jim Popp and co. did a nice job rebuilding the Alouettes’ O-line with some young pieces that should be here for the long haul, a list led by Jacob Ruby and Philippe Gagnon. They can continue to build on that relative youth through the draft, but adding some depth to the O-line will be critical.

Injuries and a lack of experience hurt the Als at the position last season and some reinforcements can go a long way in the team’s rebuild.

3. Defensive free agents

Just like with their O-line, the Als have some nice pieces to build around on defence in Ethan Davis and Jonathon Mincey, their two 24-year-old corners. That’s good because Kavis Reed has some work to do on the defensive side of the ball otherwise.

The majority of the Alouettes’ free agents (16 to be exact) are on the defensive side of the ball, including Winston Venable, Gabriel Knapton, Marc-Olivier Brouillette and Alan-Michael Cash.

If Reed can get his key guys locked up, the Als should have a strong defence in 2017.