MontrealAlouettes.com
TORONTO — The James Franklin trade shook up the CFL this week, while the Alouettes’ coaching search continues.
Plus, Brandon Bridge, Kenny Ladler and Duron Carter are among players reportedly getting looks south of the border.
From coaching rumours to the free agent frenzy, we take a look at the latest whispers across the league.
More in this week’s Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
The Chris Williams era was a short one in BC, ending with a trade to Montreal (BCLions.com)
– With the Chris Williams trade, the ‘Legion of Zoom’ has been broken up. Why did Ed Hervey trade his fastest receiver? (J.J. Adams, Vancouver Province).
– It appears the Lions will have their defensive coordinator back in 2018, as Mark Washington has reportedly withdrawn his name from consideration for the Als’ head coaching job (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– Tuesday’s trade could signal plenty more to come from Ed Hervey and the BC Lions as their off-season gets a kick-start (Lowell Ullrich, 3 Down Nation).
– From the farmers’ fields in Colorado to the football field in Vancouver, Gabriel Knapton is excited to wear the orange and black (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
After playing an integral role down the stretch for the Esks, CJ Gable will be back in 2018 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– According to a report, Eskimos defensive back Garry Peters and linebacker Kenny Ladler worked out with the NFL’s New York Jets. Ladler also reportedly worked out with Cincinnati (3 Down Nation).
– With an extension no longer possible, GM Brock Sunderland said trading James Franklin — to an East Division team — was the next logical step (CFL.ca).
– Esks pending free agent Simeon Rottier was limited to four games last year, but says he’s looking forward to rebounding for a 10th CFL season (Eric Bowling, The Westlock News).
– The Eskimos signed CJ Gable to an extension on Tuesday, making him an integral component of the team’s offence going into 2018 (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
DeVone Claybrooks interviewed for the head coaching job for the Montreal Alouettes (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Stamps’ D-coordinator DeVone Claybrooks says he values the opportunity to interview for the head coaching job with the Als, but he’s excited to return to Calgary in 2018 (Jock Wilson, 770 CHQR).
– Claybrooks says that while a head coaching job intrigued him, his situation in Calgary is too comfortable to leave (George Johnson, Stampeders.com).
– DaVaris Daniels and Shaquille Richardson were among seven CFL players who worked out with the NFL’s New York Jets on Tuesday. Both are pending CFL free agents (3 Down Nation).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Riders quarterback Brandon Bridge has reportedly gotten a tryout south of the border (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
– It took Riders fans some time to warm up to Chris Jones, but it’s now clear that signing the head coach/GM to a contract extension is a positive step (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
– While everyone is talking about Kevin Glenn and Brandon Bridge, the Riders’ long-term answer at QB could already be on the roster — just further down the depth chart (Rod Pedersen via TSN 1150).
– With Franklin off the board, it might make the most sense for the Riders to put all hope in Canadian quarterback Brandon Bridge (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
– Speaking of Bridge, the Riders’ quarterback has reportedly worked out with the NFL’s New York Jets (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– Will the Riders have their Most Outstanding Player back in 2018? The pending free agent has reportedly worked out with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals (Rod Pedersen, CKRM).
– Also getting a look down south for the Riders is defensive end A.C. Leonard, who’s reportedly worked out with the Cincinnati Bengals (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
The Bombers will have their starting left tackle back on the O-line after extending Stanley Bryant (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
– Bombers 2017 first round pick Geoff Gray has signed with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns after leaving the New York Jets’ practice roster (Russ Hobson, Global News).
– For Stanley Bryant, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, the decision to stay in Winnipeg was influenced by quarterback Matt Nichols (CFL.ca).
– From the Bombers’ perspective, extending Bryant’s contract was a top priority going into the off-season (Jeff Hamilton via TSN 1290).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Rumours continue to surround Ticats quarterback Zach Collaros, who remains under contract in 2018 (The Canadian Press)
– If the Ticats end up trading Zach Collaros, Montreal could be a logical landing spot — especially if Tommy Condell is hired as the team’s head coach (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Commissioner Randy Ambrosie told ESPN that the league remains in a holding pattern with Johnny Manziel, who the Ticats may look to sign this off-season.
– The Tabbies have signed six international free agents, including former UCF running back Storm Johnson (CFL.ca).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos acquired the rights to quarterback James Franklin from the Eskimos on Monday (Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca)
– Recently-acquired Argos QB James Franklin reportedly has no NFL workouts scheduled, but will take some time to absorb Monday’s trade before making any decisions about his future (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– If Ricky Ray doesn’t retire, keeping James Franklin in Double Blue could be difficult — but it’s a good problem to have (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
– A future of James Franklin is no guarantee in Toronto, but the potential impact on the franchise can’t be overlooked — if he extends (Jeff Krever, CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
– REDBLACKS defensive back Jonathan Rose was among seven players who worked out with the NFL’s New York Jets on Tuesday (3 Down Nation).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
– According to a report, Lions defensive coordinator Mark Washington has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Alouettes’ head coaching job (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– Another candidate for the job, Tommy Condell, was apparently in Montreal on Tuesday also interviewing for the Als job (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– The third coaching candidate for the Alouettes is rumoured to be either Oscar Giles or Kerwin Bell (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– DeVone Claybrooks wouldn’t divulge whether or not he was offered the Als’ head coaching job, but the Stamps’ defensive coordinator offered high praise for the Alouettes and General Manager Kavis Reed (Jock Wilson, 770 CHQR).
