Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — While Trent Richardson gets set for his first Canadian Football League game, C.J. Gable sheds his black tiger stripes for something a little more green.
Plus, while Trevor Harris gets ready to return to the REDBLACKS’ lineup, what’s Darian Durant’s status in Montreal?
Finally, much has been made about Wally Buono and whether it’s his last season in the CFL. Has a decision been made?
There’s plenty to watch out for as Week 16 arrives. We’ve got it all in Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
After rolling up big yards against the Ticats, Jonathon Jennings looks for more of the same this week(The Canadian Press)
– Murmurs have surrounded Wally Buono’s future all season, and this week the Lions’ head coach and GM said he could be prompted to stay another year should the team continue to struggle (Lowell Ullrich, 3 Down Nation).
– While the Lions failed to finish against the Ticats, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel after the offence rolled up 480 yards of offence before their bye (Cam Tucker, Vancouver Province).
– With the roster expansion period under way, the Lions have made five new additions, including former Super Bowl XLIV participant and offensive tackle Keavon Milton (Steve Ewen, Vancouver Province).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
The Eskimos have added running back C.J. Gable to their backfield in a trade with the Ticats (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
– While discussions between Edmonton and Hamilton had already been ongoing, the injury to Travon Van added more urgency for Eskimos GM Brock Sunderland to trade for C.J. Gable (Morley Scott, CHED).
– What does the C.J. Gable trade do for the Eskimos? General Manager Brock Sunderland weighs in following the deal (Esks.com).
– After a 7-0 start, the Eskimos have lost six straight and are in danger of falling out of a playoff spot (Terry Jones, Edmonton Journal).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Bo Levi Mitchell has a chance to throw for 5,000-plus yards in consecutive seasons (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
– After three straight games of double-digit tackles, Alex Singleton has earned the nod for Shaw CFL Top Performer of the Month for September (CFL.ca).
– Bo Levi Mitchell’s bid for a second consecutive 5,000-yard passing season could come down to the wire, especially if he sits the season finale this year (CFL.ca).
– Could we see a rematch of the 100th Grey Cup? CFL Simulation says a Toronto-Calgary Grey Cup this November is more than 50 per cent likely (CFL.ca).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Trent Richardson is set to make his Riders debut on Saturday afternoon in Toronto (Riderville.com)
– Chris Jones has no reservation about handing the football to Trent Richardson, who the head coach says ‘seems like he’s in good shape’ (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).
– While Richardson makes his CFL debut, even bigger news for the Riders is the return of receiver Naaman Roosevelt, who was injured in a loss to Calgary (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Justin Medlock missed three field goal tries and a convert vs. the Eskimos last week (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
– It’s only taken one season for Justin Medlock to lose his long-standing reputation as the CFL’s most accurate kicker. Rebounding could be difficult for the veteran lefty (Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun).
– The Bombers are hoping they’ll have Moe Leggett and Julian Feoli Gudino back on the field for Friday’s matchup vs. the Ticats (Bob Irving, CJOB).
– Chris Givens could be closer to making his CFL debut, as he shadows Ryan Lankford on the Bombers’ first-team offence (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).
– While Ian Wild (six-game) is eligible to return to practice, it doesn’t appear as though he’s ready to go just yet (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
– After five year in Hamilton, C.J. Gable was traded to Edmonton this week. The veteran running back posted an emotional farewell note to Ticats fans on his Instagram account (CFL.ca).
– New Ticats assistant coach Dan Morrison has a long working relationship with Head Coach June Jones. Morrison will be the offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
– Despite his size, Richard Leonard isn’t backing down from any of the CFL’s top receivers (Kristina Costabile, CFL.ca).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos will be without one of their defensive leaders this week in Marcus Ball (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Argos will be without LB Marcus Ball (foot) for at least their Week 16 clash with the Riders. Terrence Plummer and recently-signed Khalil Bass could help fill the void (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).
– After missing Saturday’s win over Hamilton, Chris Van Zeyl has been placed on the six-game injured list (3 Down Nation).
– October is #CFLPink Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Argos running back James Wilder Jr., along with other running backs, are rushing to help the cause (CFL.ca).
– The Argos’ third-ranked run defence is ready to take on Trent Richardson, who will make his CFL debut against a friend and former teammate in Victor Butler (Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press)
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
– While the REDBLACKS haven’t yet confirmed a starter, Trevor Harris is in line to return to the lineup barring any setbacks (CFL.ca).
– Henry Burris says that for the Ottawa REDBLACKS, getting Trevor Harris back will make a huge difference due to Harris’ game-changing ability (TSN 1200).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The Alouettes may be leaning on Drew Willy for a second straight week vs. the Esks (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– With Darian Durant still affected by a hamstring injury, Drew Willy could make his second consecutive start this week (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Also out for the Alouettes for a second straight week is left tackle Jovan Olafioye (Herb Zurkowsky, Montral Gazette).
– Meanwhile, T.J. Graham is expected to get a second look for the Als despite a tough debut vs. Calgary, which included a couple of drops and a deflected snap resulting in a fumble (Montreal Gazette).
