June 16, 2016

Parting Ways: 8 first cuts you should know about

Argonauts.ca

TORONTO — The biggest cut day is yet to arrive and that’s Sunday at 11:59am ET — but the first round of cuts wasn’t without surprise.

With teams required to reduce their rosters to 65, Tuesday’s first cuts saw 73 players looking for new teams.

Some will land elsewhere, some may never be back and others may retire. Either way, here are eight first cuts of interest:

Jacoby Ford, REC
Edmonton Eskimos

Esks.com

Jacoby Ford failed to catch a pass in pre-season action last weekend (Esks.com)

An elite speedster, Ford and his infamous 4.28 40-time came to Edmonton amid plenty of hype. With his speed being second-to-none, it was thought the 28-year-old former Oakland Raider could take Kenny Stafford’s old spot and play the role of deep threat in the Esks’ offence.

But after barely playing in the team’s first pre-season game and failing to collect a catch, Ford’s time with the Eskimos and possibly the CFL ends with a whimper.

Bryant Moniz, QB
Calgary Stampeders

Hard to say it’s a surprising move given his pre-season performance, but after a two-interception game against the Esks the Stampeders’ quarterback picture got a little bit clearer. Bryant Moniz was locked in a duel for the third spot on the QB depth chart, and his release now opens the door a little further for Canadian quarterback Andrew Buckley.

Calgary also signed G.J. Kinne to come in and compete, so nothing’s a given for the 2015 Stamps draft pick — but it’s a good start to camp no doubt.

Dan West, DB
Saskatchewan Roughriders

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Dan West was considered in the mix to play safety for the Riders (The Canadian Press)

Mainly a special teams player throughout his career, Dan West was in the fold to play safety for the Riders but didn’t last long. Chris Jones still has a number of options at the position, including this year’s supplemental draft pick Kevin Francis, an ultra-athletic safety converted from receiver.

Either way it’s a key battle in Riders camp and West won’t be part of it.

Kevin Cone, REC
Winnipeg Blue Bombers

There’s an open spot for an American in the Bombers’ receiving corps, and after being brought in late last season Kevin Cone has had plenty of opportunities to lay his claim. But while receivers Gerrard Sheppard and Quincy McDuffie showed well in pre-season game number two, Cone failed to record a catch in two pre-season games.

Cone has plenty of potential and could still land elsewhere, but in the end the position is all about production and that’s been missing.

Zach Anderson, DT
Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Ticats are pretty deep on the interior D-line, and in the end Zach Anderson didn’t show enough to stick. While his production has dropped off since recording seven sacks in 14 games in his rookie season in 2013, Anderson should be an intriguing name for teams needing depth at defensive tackle.

Chad Kackert, RB
Toronto Argonauts

Argonauts.ca

A former Grey Cup MVP, Chad Kackert was a big name released on Tuesday (Argonauts.ca)

The 2012 Grey Cup Most Valuable Player and an inspiring comeback story, it’s sad to see Chad Kackert go. But at 29 years old and with the injuries he’s had this could be the end of the line.

Once teetering on the status of elite running back, Kackert’s always been the quintessential Scott Milanovich type of player. Don’t be surprised if he returns to the Argos in some other capacity.

Adrian McPherson, QB
Toronto Argonauts

After playing some in last year’s Eastern Final, it’s a little surprising to see the Argos part ways with Adrian McPherson, the only real veteran presence in their quarterback room outside of Ricky Ray. Logan Kilgore earned the number two job in pre-season and while Cody Fajardo and Mitchell Gale battle it out for a spot, in the end it turns out McPherson just wasn’t part of the plans.

Jerry Rice Jr., REC
Montreal Alouettes

He earned glowing reviews in April’s Florida mini-camp and he’s the son of pro football’s all-time leading receiver, but in the end Jerry Rice Jr. just couldn’t crack the Als roster.

There could be hope for him somewhere, and he’s obviously got the pedigree — the Als just have such a deep stable of receivers it’s easy to see why Rice Jr. couldn’t be included.

Also worth mentioning: 

BCLions.com

Defensive tackle Boyd Richardson looks on at Lions practice (BCLions.com)

There were eight nationals released on Tuesday and one would have to think they’d all have higher odds of landing elsewhere. Some were 2016 draft picks like the Lions’ Boyd Richardson or Brennan Van Nistelrooy while others like Calgary’s James Green are veterans.

Here are the nationals looking for teams following Tuesday’s first cuts: 

DB Brennan Van Nistelrooy (BC Lions)
DL Boyd Richardson (BC Lions)
FB Matt Rea (Edmonton Eskimos)
LB James Green (Calgary Stampeders)
C Tim St. Pierre (Calgary Stampeders)
REC S.J. Haidara (Saskatchewan Roughriders)
DB Keldyn Ahlstedt (Ottawa REDBLACKS)
DL Quinn Lawlor (Montreal Alouettes)