January 19, 2017

Checking Down: Is Burris leaning towards retirement?

CFL.ca

TORONTO — According to Tim Baines of the Ottawa Citizen, Henry Burris may be close to a decision with regards to his football future.

Plus, Vernon Adams Jr. won’t be so willing to hand Darian Durant the keys to the Alouette offence.

We have the latest off-season news in Checking Down:

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BC LIONS

Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca

Fans might see a number of new faces in Mark Washington’s defence next year (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

– The BC Lions have added a new quarterback prospect to their stable with the addition of Coastal Carolina’s Alex Ross (CFL.ca).

– One Lions receiver vying for a job this spring caught passes from Robert Griffin III in college and also had the opportunity to shadow Antonio Brown in NFL camp (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

– The BC Lions have some work to do defensively but Defensive Coordinator Mark Washington is up to the task (CFL.ca).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

David Chidley/CFL.ca

While James Franklin’s name is in the headlines, it’s status quo with the Esks’ pivot (David Chidley/CFL.ca).

Vidal Hazelton has re-joined the Eskimos after spending part of 2016 on the team’s practice roster (CFL.ca).

– Hazelton is expected to compete for the No. 2 receiver position in the Esks’ receiving corps behind league-leading receiver Adarius Bowman (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).

– It doesn’t sound like the Eskimos are close to a new deal with James Franklin, who reportedly has one year left on his deal (Gary Lawless, TSN).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca

Stampeders backup pivot Drew Tate (left) might be a fit for the Riders’ open position (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)

– Stamps backup quarterback Drew Tate could be in the Riders’ sights to replace Darian Durant (Arash Madani, Sportsnet).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Does Brandon Bridge have a shot at becoming the Riders’ starting quarterback? (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– It was the Kerry Joseph trade that paved the way for Darian Durant in Riderville. Now, the Riders hope history repeats itself (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).

– With an open competition for the Riders’ QB job, Brandon Bridge is very much in the running to win the gig (Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press).

– Riders DB Otha Foster has reportedly worked out for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).

– Shortly after being granted his release by the Riders, Jeff Knox. Jr. has been signed by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Greg Auman, TampaBay.com).

– With the end of an era, CFL.ca looks back on a decade of memories with a photographic timeline of Darian Durant through the years (CFL.ca).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

The Bombers have solidified the QB position with a new contract for Matt Nichols (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– The Bombers have officially signed quarterback Matt Nichols to a three-year contract extension (CFL.ca).

– Winnipeg has also bolstered its receiving corps, landing veteran receiver Kenny Stafford on a two-year deal (CFL.ca).

– Bob Wylie has left the Bombers’ coaching staff to take a job as the Cleveland Browns’ offensive line coach. 

– The Bombers continue their busy off-season by signing receiver Darvin Adams to a contract extension (CFL.ca).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Arthur Ward/CFL.ca

The Ticats bring continuity to their secondary by retaining Cassius Vaughn (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)

– The Ticats will have Cassius Vaughn back for at least another season after agreeing to a new deal with the defensive back along with two other new faces (CFL.ca).

– Hamilton also added three new nationals to the lineup, including OL Everton Williams, receiver Matt Uren and receiver/fullback Felix Faubert-Lussier (Ticats.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca

Kenny Shaw remains among Argos unsigned beyond Feb. 14 (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

– The Argos have made steady progress in locking up pending free agents, but some big names still remain — from Kenny Shaw and Diontae Spencer to Brandon Whitaker.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca

The REDBLACKS and fans across the CFL await a decision from quarterback Henry Burris (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

– The REDBLACKS have added a national offensive lineman to their roster with the signing of Kadeem Adams out of St. Mary’s.

– While no decision has been made, it appears Henry Burris is leaning towards retirement (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca

Where does the recent trade leave Als’ quarterback prospect Vernon Adams Jr.? (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

– In the wake of the Darian Durant trade, Vernon Adams Jr. says he’ll fight for the starting quarterback job no matter the odds (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).

– The Alouettes are expected to have Noel Thorpe back for at least one more season as 2017 marks a contract year for the defensive coordinator (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).

– The Als have solidified their offensive line, signing veteran centre Luc Brodeur-Jourdain to a contract extension (CFL.ca).