February 14, 2017

5 highlights from day 1 of free agency

TORONTO — The first day of free agency has come and gone but the action is only beginning.

From Abdul Kanneh to Drake Nevis, day one of CFL Free Agency 2017 saw some big names come off the board early.

How are the defending champs looking after a day of widespread change? And how did the Riders help their O-line?

We look at the five highlights from the first day of free agency:

1. Defending champs come out swinging

 

Marcel Desjardins didn’t take long to answer questions about how the Ottawa REDBLACKS might look in 2017.

All off-season the talk was about three 1,000 yard receivers potentially headed out the door. Yet by the end of Tuesday, with Kenny Shaw and reportedly Diontae Spencer added to the roster, the REDBLACKS’ receiving corps is once again brimming with talent.

While Greg Ellingson and Brad Sinopoli bring some familiarity, Spencer and Shaw can inject youth and athleticism (and a past connection with Trevor Harris) into what was last season the league’s most lethal passing attack. Add to that group last season’s late-bloomer Juron Criner and the REDBLACKS might have the top-rated group of pass-catchers in the CFL.

Also of note: Desjardins spent part of Tuesday patching up his defence. He saw an upgrade at the WILL linebacker position over Damaso Munoz with the addition of Khalil Bass. Then, with three 2016 starting defensive backs on the outs, the REDBLACKS GM made the move to sign A.J. Jefferson.

There’s still work to be done but the Ottawa REDBLACKS came out swinging on day one and look poised to repeat as Grey Cup Champs.

2. Back-end booster in Hamilton

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Abdul Kanneh was one of the highest sought-after free agents heading into Tuesday (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

What a difference an off-season makes.

It wasn’t long ago, after all, that the Ticats’ secondary hobbled off the field after a playoff loss vs. Edmonton. Injuries obviously played a key role in a down year for that group, one that surrendered 299.1 passing yards per game — the fourth-worst in the CFL — but now, on this day in February, things are looking up.

The Ticats didn’t just re-sign Emanuel Davis (official confirmation pending) but also cashed in on one of the league’s top free agents in Abdul Kanneh. And suddenly, one of the off-season’s biggest questions has been answered.

With Craig Butler back at safety, Courtney Stephen back at his usual corner opposite Cassius Vaughn and Abdul Kanneh and Emanuel Davis at half, quarterbacks could be in trouble vs. the ‘Cats.

3. Riders go big up front

 

Chris Jones got the O-line help he needed on Tuesday, signing the biggest man (this should be taken literally) in free agency in Derek Dennis.

The Riders’ front five allowed 57 sacks in 2016, the second-most in the CFL, en-route to a 5-13 season in Riderville. That’s not the start to his Riders tenure that Jones was looking for.

Remember, one turning point for the Eskimos under Jones was getting Matthew O’Donnell signed up in the middle of 2015. He might be a guard unlike Dennis, but he made that unit one of the biggest and most physical in the league. Suddenly, the Esks were as much of a bully on offence as they were on defence.

That’s what the Riders need and Dennis, a 6-foot-3, 341-pound left tackle, is a pretty good start.

4. Hogs still waiting

Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca

J’Michael Deane should be a name to keep an eye on in day two of free agency (Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca)

With Derek Dennis off the board, all eyes rest squarely on the top two remaining offensive linemen: J’Michael Deane and Greg Van Roten.

Not shockingly, offensive linemen will continue to be the theme of free agency and the pickings just got a little bit slimmer for those hoping to boost their O-line.

Nolan MacMillan signing on the eve of free agency changed the market and so did Derek Dennis going to Saskatchewan. Keep an eye on those still available in the coming days.

5. Bombers power up their D-line

Johany Jutras/CFL.ca

Drake Nevis may have been the last elite defensive tackle on the market (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

We knew this free agent period wouldn’t be a repeat of last off-season for Kyle Walters and the Bombers — fair. With that said, one area of concern clearly stood out for the Bombers’ GM and that was the defensive line.

On Tuesday, the Bombers scored arguably the top remaining defensive tackle on the market, signing former Ticat Drake Nevis to a one-year deal.

With Keith Shologan and Euclid Cummings out and Tristan Okpalaugo and Nevis in, the transformation of the Bombers’ D-line is nearly complete.