Johany Jutras/CFL
TORONTO — The free agent flurry is behind us, mostly, but for teams and front offices the action never ends. While GMs continue to fill out their depth charts, scouting departments look forward to national and regional combines as teams get a chance to look at some of the top upcoming national talent.
From free agent rumours to even a coaching hire, we look at some of the happenings in Checking Down as the CFL off-season continues.
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
– Quarterbacks Travis Lulay and Jonathon Jennings have already gotten to work on 2016, working with offensive coordinator and former CFL quarterback Khari Jones on what could be a new-look offence. The two held an availability on Tuesday in Vancouver.
– Departed running back Andrew Harris went on TSN Radio in Vancouver to reflect on his time in Vancouver, saying while he has nothing but fond memories there, his time on the West Coast had just run its course.
– BC Lions president Dennis Skulsky says he’s happy with the newly-released CFL schedule this season, which he adds is favourable for the team with home games on Saturdays and not on long weekends (VIEW 2016 SCHEDULE).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
– One of the CFL’s top remaining free agents is set to join a team according to the Edmonton Sun‘s Gerry Moddejonge, as former Riders receiver Chris Getzlaf is expected to join the Eskimos.
– The Eskimos haven’t been overly busy this off-season, but may have just gotten two key contributors for 2016 in the likes of former NFL players Jacoby Ford and Joe McKnight. Ford, known for his blazing speed, could provide a vertical threat in the Esks’ offence in place of the departed Kenny Stafford while McKnight could compete for a Kendial Lawrence-type role as a returner and running back.
– Looking to bolster their national depth, the Esks have added a versatile piece to their roster with the signing of former Argo Zander Robinson. Robinson can play on all three sides of the ball after being drafted as a defensive lineman but converting to fullback in 2013.
– The Eskimos announced this week they’ve donated $610,000 to support the growth and development of amateur football in Northern Alberta, with the help of the 50/50 draw.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
– After losing Jeff Fuller and Eric Rogers to NFL deals, the Stamps’ receiving corps next season may look new to Calgary fans but familiar to those in Hamilton. Incoming free agent signing Bakari Grant makes it three former Ticats now in Red and White, as he joins Marquay McDaniel and Simon Charbonneau-Campeau.
– Former Stampeders star Eric Rogers has passed every hurdle in his football career so far, but will it translate south of the border? CSN‘s Matt Maiocco has more on Rogers’ long winding road to the San Francisco 49ers.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
– Chris Jones says he’s comfortable with the Canadian talent he’s added, while the first priority on offence is to protect the quarterback. This and more from CFL.ca’s Rod Pedersen, as Jones discusses a multitude of topics along with the releases of Weston Dressler and John Chick.
– According to the Regina Leader-Post‘s Mike Abou-Mechrek, Chris Jones’ biggest victory this off-season was his handling of the ratio. After losing out on Ted Laurent, Jones went out and got the next best rated national in Justin Capicciotti.
– For all the change in Riderville this off-season, one constant is the team will once again hold training camp in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchewan. All teams kick off training camp on May 29.
– What are the Riders’ chances in 2016? Don’t count them out, CFL.ca’s Justin Dunk and Pat Steinberg agree in this week’s Monday Morning Quarterback.
– The bar isn’t high for the Riders following a three-win season and massive off-season overhaul, but don’t let low expectations fool you. According to Dunk, the Riders will be competitive this season.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
– The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have kicked off a campaign to combat violence against women on Tuesday, led by Matt Bucknor and Matthias Goossen. The program is in partnership with Status of Women Canada and Manitoba Status of Women.
– When it comes to the new-look Bombers, the first half of the season might tell the tale says the Winnipeg Free Press’ Doug Brown. The Bombers play the Eskimos twice, the Stamps, the Ticats and the Argos among others in their first nine games in 2016.
– The big free agent wave of signings behind them, the Bombers continue to tweak their roster after adding defensive back Jonte Green and offensive lineman Lawrence Martin. Green is a former NFL player with 24 games next to his name.
– Marquee free agent signing Ryan Smith says the decision to join close friend Weston Dressler and move closer to his home state of North Dakota was an easy one.
– According to Bombers director of communications Darren Cameron, Head Coach Mike O’Shea was the greatest determining factor among free agents that chose to sign with the Bombers this off-season. Players like Andrew Harris, Ryan Smith and Justin Medlock simply want to play for O’Shea.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
– The Ticats will play in two of 2016’s marquee matchups, first taking on the Argos in the first game at BMO and then hosting their Toronto rivals in a rare nighttime Labour Day classic in September (VIEW FULL 2016 SCHEDULE).
– Talking off-season on TSN Radio, CFL.ca’s Don Landry said the Ticats, despite taking a hit in free agency, are still the favourite to win the East ahead of the Ottawa REDBLACKS (the full interview can he heard HERE).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
– Toronto Argonauts president and CEO Michael Copeland went on TSN Radio on Tuesday to talk about the inaugural season at BMO Field, addressing a wide range of topics from booming ticket sales, tailgating at BMO and state of the art locker-rooms to the rivalry with the Ticats.
– There was a major breakthrough in the BMO Field renovation this weekend, as the partial roof has started to take place. All of the latest can be seen on The Snap. The Argos will host the Ticats in the first game at BMO Field in a can’t-miss season-opener.
– The Argos have made some important splashes in free agency so far, but their off-season hasn’t come without loss. Just this week Cleyon Laing has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Dolphins while Tristan Okpalaugo has landed with the Cardinals.
– While the Boatmen have lost three key members of their D-line, Brian Bulcke is among three important additions and, according to Ricky Foley, could be a heart and soul player on Toronto’s defensive front.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
– The Ottawa REDBLACKS have released veteran linebacker Travis Brown. The 25-year-old spent two seasons with Ottawa but missed most of last season after suffering separate injuries, including one in the season-opener. They also announced the signing of defensive back Darren Woodard.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
– According to the Montreal Gazette‘s Herb Zurkowsky, S.J. Green, Chip Cox and Bear Woods have agreed to re-structured deals. This comes in the wake of a busy off-season for GM and Head Coach Jim Popp, one that included the signings of Duron Carter, Jovon Johnson and Vaughn Martin.
– Jim Popp is a proven successful CFL GM, but is it in the Als’ best interest for him to be on the sidelines too? TSN‘s Glen Suitor isn’t so sure. (Suitor also talks CFL expansion in a half-hour segment that can be downloaded in its entirety by clicking HERE).
A Canadian QB to watch?
– Canadian and Simon Fraser quarterback Tyler Nickel will get a look from the NFL’s talent evaluators this week at a regional NFL Combine. As the Toronto Sun‘s John Kryk writes, however, his main goal remains getting to the CFL (photo credit: SFU Athletics).
MORE on Free Agency
– CFL free agency all starts with an e-mail. CFL.ca’s Justin Dunk has more on the ‘behind the scenes’ of free agency in his latest column at 3 Down Nation.
