Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca
TORONTO — It appears the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman is on his way to the open market and will test free agency on Feb. 14.
Plus, what do the moves in Saskatchewan and Edmonton mean for Esks backup James Franklin?
We have the latest off-season news in Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Geroy Simon (right) continues his search for talent across North America (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Lions 2016 draft pick Anthony Thompson could be ready for a bigger role in his sophomore season (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).
– Geroy Simon has been just about everywhere this off-season, leaving no stone unturned as the off-season continues (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).
– Just because he’s in the NFL doesn’t mean former BC Lion Adam Bighill will change his approach (Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
While James Franklin’s name is in the headlines, it’s status quo with the Esks’ pivot (David Chidley/CFL.ca).
– Could the Esks’ signing of Brett Smith and the Riders’ addition of Duron Carter open the door for a James Franklin trade? (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
– How is Mike Reilly spending his 32nd birthday? Catching some rays with his daughter Brookyn in Hawaii (The Snap).
– The Eskimos have released returner/receiver Kenzel Doe, the team announced Friday.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Derek Dennis after winning Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman back in November (The Canadian Press)
– With his NFL options seemingly dried up, Derek Dennis has a chance to earn a big payday come free agency next month (Scott Mitchell, Toronto Sun).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
– The Roughriders have released Mitchell Gale, Shamawd Chambers, Curtis Steele and Dylan Ainsworth ahead of the start of free agency (CFL.ca).
– The newest Rider receiver Duron Carter, who officially signed with the team on Thursday, says he doesn’t accept his bad boy title (Glenn Reid, CBC).
– It appears the Riders are saving a substantial amount of money going from Darian Durant to Kevin Glenn at quarterback (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– There appears to be plenty of interest in recently-released Riders receiver Shamawd Chambers (Gary Lawless, TSN).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
With a new contract in hand, Matt Nichols faces higher expectations in 2017 (Johany jutras/CFL.ca)
– Matt Nichols is used to playing with a chip on his shoulder and it’ll be more of the same for the recently-signed pivot in 2017 (Darren Cameron, BlueBombers.com).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Henry Burris’ time with the Ticats was short but he didn’t fail to leave his mark (The Canadian Press)
– The greatest Henry Burris memory for Ticats fans may be the 2013 Eastern Final vs. the Argos (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Argos head coach Scott Milanovich has left the team after five seasons (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Argos head coach Scott Milanovich has resigned to accept a job with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars (CFL.ca).
– The Argos’ decision to move on from GM Jim Barker was fueled by the desire for a fresh start (Scott Mitchell, Toronto Sun).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
The REDBLACKS and fans across the CFL await a decision from quarterback Henry Burris (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
– One of the all-time greats, it was the constant chip on his shoulder that separated Henry Burris from the rest (Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press).
– Now the definite No. 1 quarterback, Trevor Harris isn’t sweating the departure of an all-time great in Henry Burris (Gord Holder, Ottawa Sun).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
According to reports, John Bowman has signed a new contract with the Als (CFL.ca)
– With her promotion to assistant general manager, Catherine Raîche continues to break the mold for women in sports (Herb Zurkowksy, Montreal Gazette).
– Raîche, who started with the Alouettes two years ago, says her appointment speaks more to her qualifications than anything else (MontrealAlouettes.com).
– The Als have reportedly signed John Bowman to a restructured deal with an extension (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– Als defensive end Jesse Joseph has signed a new two-year deal, the team announced Thursday.
