Checking Down: Stangby returns for REDBLACKS

TORONTO — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a big question mark surrounding their lineup heading into the Western Semi-Final.

Head coach Mike O’Shea says that Matt Nichols is expected to play Sunday, but has not confirmed that he that will start.

In other quarterback news, Ricky Ray has been named as a finalist for Most Outstanding Player and could win the award for the first time in his career.

And Josh Stangby returns to the REDBLACKS lineup just in the nick of time.

All that and more in this week’s Checking Down:

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BC LIONS

While there has been speculation that Travis Lulay may retire after suffering another devastating injury, the veteran quarterback doesn’t appear to be packing it in jut yet (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca).

– Quarterback Jonathon Jennings says that the Lions had the talent to go far this season, but just couldn’t get the job done (Jim Morris, CFL.ca).

– Head coach Wally Buono says Lions owner David Braley needs to be clear with fans, the organization, and employees about what his vision is for the franchise (TSN 1040).

– Travis Lulay has made it his off-season priority to get healthy after suffering a knee injury in September that kept him out for the remainder of 2017. The 34-year-old says he could be back as early as June (Matt Baker, BCLions.com)

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

– A strong win against the Riders last week has given the Esks top spot in the Power Rankings heading into the post-season. (CFL.ca).

– Edmonton is heading to Winnipeg for a Western Semi-Final date with the Blue Bombers, but which team has the edge? (CFL.ca).

– After a season riddled with injury, the Eskimos are staying healthy at the right time (Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun).

– On a squad full of powerhouse receivers, Mike Reilly says that Vidal Hazelton sets the tone for the team offensively.  Edmonton is 10-1 this year when Hazelton starts. (Esks.com).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stampeders have earned a much deserved bye and will face the winner between the Bombers and Esks (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– The Stamps have dropped three-straight heading into the Western Final and while some may be doubting the team to get things done when it counts, they are not doubting themselves (George Johnson, Stampeders.com)

– Calgary may have a bye to the Western Final, but that does not mean they are in vacation mode (George Johnson, Stampeders.com).

– Seven Stampeders have been selected to the West All-Star team, including defensive end Charleston Hughes, who received the honour for the sixth time in his career (Todd Sealhof, Calgary Herald).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

– The status of offensive linemen Brendon LaBatte and Derek Dennis remains uncertain for Sunday’s Eastern Semi-Final (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).

– The Riders are looking to become the first crossover team to make it to the Grey Cup since the format was introduced (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).

– When it comes to players to watch during the post-season, receiver turned defensive back Duron Carter tops the list (CFL.ca).

– Between Kevin Glenn, Peter Dyakowski, Chris Getzlaf, and a number of others, the Riders are rich in playoff experience (Ian Hamilton/Riderville.com).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

– Receiver Darvin Adams has officially been ruled out of playing in the Western Semi-Final (CFL.ca).

– After being limited at practice this week, Matt Nichols is expected to play on Sunday, but head coach Mike O’Shea would not confirm if he will start (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).

– The Esks may be a team on the rise, but the Bombers have come out on top in both head-to-head matchups with Edmonton this season (Doug Brown, Winnipeg Sun).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Special teams’ guru turned go-to receiver Brandon Banks was one of three Ticats receivers to rack up over 1,000 yards (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)

– Brandon Banks has earned a fourth consecutive nod as an East Division All-Star, but this is the first year he is being honoured as a receiver (Drew Edwards, Hamilton Spectator).

– Marshall Ferguson makes the case for why free agent Jeremiah Masoli and interim head coach June Jones need to be back in 2018 (CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Ricky Ray is up against Esks pivot Mike Reilly for Most Outstanding Player honours. The two quarterbacks rank second and first in passing yards respectively (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– Ricky Ray has been named as a finalist for Most Outstanding Player, an award he has yet to win in his illustrious CFL career (Matthew Cauz, CFL.ca)

– While the Argos deserve plenty of credit for finishing first in the East, the efforts of head coach Marc Trestman cannot be overlooked (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

– Trestman and Ray say that while staying focused during the their bye is a priority, so is rest (CFL.ca).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Stangby racked up 478 catches and five touchdowns in 13 games before he was sidelined with a hip injury that kept him out for two months (Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca)

– It appears that receiver Joshua Stangby will be back just in time for the Eastern Semi-Final. His return is a much needed boost for Ottawa after losing Brad Sinopoli for the year (Tim Bains, Ottawa Sun).

– Despite a much different looking roster from last year, the REDBLACKS defence are hoping to have the same post-season success as 2016 (Don Landry, CFL.ca).

– Quarterback Trevor Harris says he is preparing for his first playoff start the same way as any other game (OttawaREDBLACKS.com).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

– General manager Kavis Reed has a lot of work to do in the off-season to try and turn the Als into a 2018 contender (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– A bright spot in the Alouettes’ disappointing year has been linebacker Kyries Hebert, who was nominated as a finalist for Most Outstanding Defensive Player (MontrealAlouettes.com).