Ticats.ca
TORONTO — The countdown to kickoff is on as training camp opens up for all nine CFL teams.
As the competition ramps up for roster spots and starting jobs, we check in on the latest news including retirements, injuries and position battles.
Check back often for all of that and more in this training camp edition of Checking Down:
Eskimos linebacker Cory Greenwood left the field on a cart with an undisclosed injury:
Ominous start for #Greenwood #CFL training camp. Free agent signing, Canadian LB Cory Greenwood hurt and carted off field. @ctvedmonton pic.twitter.com/zvxG3aqWQq
— Adam Cook (@AdamCookCTV) May 29, 2017
The Argos could be in on recently-released linebacker Bear Woods:
Jim Popp confirms that he has already inquired about the possibility of Bear Woods coming to Toronto. Waiting for further talks. #Argos #CFL
— Mike Hogan (@tsnmikehogan) May 29, 2017
Newest Argonaut Marcus Ball has his old No. 6 back as the Argos hit the field in Toronto:
Look who’s back! Marcus Ball gets his old number 6 back as #Argos camp opens. #CFL #IsItJuneYet? pic.twitter.com/Ihd1Q0c8qc
— Mike Hogan (@tsnmikehogan) May 28, 2017
After the first day of training camp, Chris Jones says he was pleased with the performance of Vince Young:
#Riders HC Chris Jones after day one of training camp. Pleased with Vince Young’s performance. @CBCSask @CBCSaskatoon @SheilaColesCBC #CFL pic.twitter.com/HN6LfTTY1A
— Eric Anderson (@ericandersonyxe) May 28, 2017
Eskimos head coach Jason Maas says most of the team’s starters will play in the pre-season opener:
HC Jason Maas says the starters will play much of the 1st game. Many starters won’t travel to Winnipeg for the 2nd game. #Eskimos #CFL
— Dave Campbell (@Dave_CHED) May 28, 2017
According to TSN’s Farhan Lalji, Chris Jones says the Riders have agreed to a deal with second overall pick and UCLA linebacker Cameron Judge:
Chris Jones says #Riders have agreed to terms with #2 overall pick @cameronjudge. Expected to arrive soon after finishing finals at UCLA
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) May 28, 2017
The Riders’ quarterback competition begins with Vince Young listed as the fourth pivot on the team’s depth chart:
Vince Young (#8, left) begins his #CFL experiment as #4 on #Riders QB depth chart. @Air_Canada_7 looked good on day 1. @CFLonTSN pic.twitter.com/TcTISiRyR7
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) May 28, 2017
Esks receiver Brandon Zylstra was spotted leaving the field with trainers. The 24-year-old comes into the season with high expectations after a breakout rookie season in 2016:
REC Brandon Zylstra left the field with trainers. Bryant Mitchell seeing 1st team reps. #Eskimos #CFL
— Dave Campbell (@Dave_CHED) May 28, 2017
After adding three kickers on Sunday morning, the place-kicking job for the Ticats is wide open heading into training camp:
#Ticats Head Coach Kent Austin on kicking situation “we’re down to three guys, there hasn’t been any separation yet” #CFL pic.twitter.com/P5vX3BKOa8
— 🇨🇦 Marsh 🏈 (@TSN_Marsh) May 28, 2017
Out of Edmonton, Joel Figueroa has picked up where he left off in 2016 at his left tackle spot while Tony Washington shifts to right tackle. There’s expected to be some competition there following the addition of tackle Colin Kelly:
Figueroa begins at LT where he finished the 2016 season. Tony Washington shifts to RT. Marcell Young at wide-side corner. #Eskimos #CFL
— Dave Campbell (@Dave_CHED) May 28, 2017
Where does recently-acquired guard Peter Dyakowski fit in for the Riders? Joel Gasson of 3 Down Nation says he could be the favourite to start at right guard ahead of Josiah St. John.
Newly-signed defensive back and 2016 second round pick Arjen Colquhoun is on the field for the Esks on Sunday. He’s listed on the depth chart at safety:
Newly signed Arjen Colquhoun is on the field today. On the depth chart at safety #Esks #CFL
— Morley Scott (@Morley_Scott) May 28, 2017
If you were wondering who might replace Derel Walker, Vidal Hazelton appears to be the front-runner heading into what could be a heated competition in camp:
Vidal Hazelton, who finished out 2016 on the #Esks practice roster, is slotted atop the WR spot once held by Derel Walker. #Esks #CFL
— Gerry Moddejonge (@GerryModdejonge) May 28, 2017
New Riders Bakari Grant and Derek Dennis are not in camp today as they attend the Mylan Hicks preliminary hearing in Calgary (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
Sophomore national Alex Ogbongbemiga has switched sides, moving from linebacker to fullback for the Eskimos:
#Esks have swapped Cdn LB Alex Ogbongbemiga over to The offensive side at FB behind veteran McCarty and newcomer Alexandre Dupuis. #CFL
— Gerry Moddejonge (@GerryModdejonge) May 28, 2017
Ticats safety Mike Daly is reportedly not practising with the team today, although CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson doesn’t believe there’s any serious cause for concern.
Former Alouettes receiver Jamel Richardson is reportedly assisting the Edmonton Eskimos’ coaching staff in training camp:
Congrats to @jamelrichardson working with the @EdmontonEsks coaching staff. I am sure @ShamawdChambers is super stoked. #CFL #AlsMTL
— Moe Khan (@MoeKhan19) May 28, 2017