Checking Down: Olafioye on the block?

TORONTO — Could the BC Lions trade their franchise left tackle?

Plus, is C.J. Gable facing some competition at Ticats training camp this spring?

That and more in the latest Checking Down:

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BC LIONS

Jovan Olafioye’s name has come up in recent trade rumours (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– Heading into his third CFL season, Jonathon Jennings continues to be a student of the game (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

– The Lions and Alouettes are reportedly in trade talks involving offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye (Rick Dhaliwal, News 1130 Sports).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

March continues to be a busy month for General Manager Ed Hervey and the Eskimos (The Canadian Press)

– It appears the Eskimos have signed 23-year-old returner and receiver Jarvis Turner out of Alcorn State.

– While the league turns its attention to the CFL Combine, the Eskimos begin the first of 12 stops on their U.S. scouting trail (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Legendary running back Ezzrett Sugarfoot Anderson passed away on March 8 at age 97 (Stampeders.com)

– Calgary Stampeders legendary running back Sugarfoot Anderson, who passed away at age 97 last week, was a fixture at McMahon Stadium well past his playing days (Eric Francis, Calgary Herald).

– After losing Derek Dennis in free agency, could the Stamps turn to Jeff Perrett, Josh Bourke or D’Anthony Batiste? All three remain on the market (CFL.ca).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Vince Young continues to be the topic everyone’s talking about across the CFL (Riderville.com)

– After three years, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are ready to open up new season ticket sales to fans (Riderville.com).

– For Rob Vanstone, the concern with Vince Young isn’t his age — it’s his time spent away from the game (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).

– Bombers pivot Matt Nichols also weighed in on Vince Young, adding that the other quarterbacks in Regina will provide stiff competition (TSN).

– In the end, the Young signing won’t define what’s been a busy free agent period for Chris Jones and the Riders (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

The Bombers will take the field for their annual mini-camp in Winnipeg at the end of April (CFL.ca)

– The Bombers announced they will hold their annual three-day mini-camp in Winnipeg this April from the 26th to the 28th (BlueBombers.com).

– While the free agent list shrinks, former Bombers receiver Tori Gurley remains one of the biggest names up for grabs (CFL.ca).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Could C.J. Gable face serious competition for his starting role this training camp? (Dario Ayala/CFL.ca)

– Have the Ticats sent a subtle message to running back C.J. Gable? Some competition in camp could be just that (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).

– After once going to the same school and even producing music, Kevin Elliott and Brian Tyms are reunited and could become a dynamic duo for the Ticats (Kristina Costabile, CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Jim Popp and Marc Trestman have made an early mark since arriving in Toronto (The Canadian Press)

– The Argos have added a trio of internationals in defensive backs Cariel Brooks and Tramain Jacobs along with running back James Wilder Jr. (Argonauts.ca).

– The Argos have also made a significant upgrade on their O-line, signing versatile national guard and tackle J’Michael Deane (CFL.ca).

– With the Ontario Regional Combine coming to Toronto, we look at five players to track on Friday (CFL.ca).

– While Corey Chamblin once eyed the Argos’ head coaching gig, the former Riders bench boss feels he’s happy with his current role (Don Landry, CFL.ca).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Rick Campbell walks with the Grey Cup in the days following Ottawa’s victory (The Canadian Press)

– After being sidelined throughout 2016, REDBLACKS kicker Ronnie Pfeffer says he’s close to 100 per cent and excited about 2017 (Mark Bryson, Waterloo Region Record).

– For Rick Campbell, the goal was always to ‘get as good as we can as fast as we can’. Ottawa’s head coach reflected on winning the Grey Cup and what’s to come in 2017 (TSN 1200).

– Grey Cup tickets for the 105th Grey Cup Championship in Ottawa are already selling quickly (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

– Why do regional combines matter? Ask Scott Macdonell, whose work at the 2014 Toronto Regional Combine helped him become a second round pick (Kristina Costabile, CFL.ca).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Jovan Olafioye could be the international tackle the Alouettes are after (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

– While continuing to break barriers in pro sports, Als assistant GM Catherine Raiche says it’s been a seamless transition in the Alouettes’ front office (Laura Casella, Global News).

– Are the Alouettes in on offensive tackle Jovan Olafioye? That’s the word out of Vancouver as the former Most Outstanding Lineman could be on the block (Rick Dhaliwal, News 1130 Sports).

– The Als have announced they will hold their annual mini-camp from April 10-12 at the Historic Dodgertown complex in Vero Beach, Fla.