Checking Down: Running back competition in BC?

TORONTO — Shortly after trading for Brandon Rutley, the BC Lions are already stirring up some competition in their offensive backfield.

Plus, what’s the latest on marquee pending free agents Aaron Grymes and Diontae Spencer?

The dark days of January are here, but big news is on the way as free agency creeps closer.

More in this week’s Checking Down:

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

– The Lions acquired Brandon Rutley to be more than just an insurance policy. Could the 29-year-old push Jeremiah Johnson for the starting running back job? (Steve Ewen, Vancouver Province).

– Speaking of Rutley, the Lions’ new back won’t have to wait long to face his former team. More on that from Matt Baker right here (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

– Former Lions linebacker Adam Bighill has signed a contract to stay with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in 2018 (via Twitter).

– After allowing the most sacks in the CFL, Lions offensive linemen Cody Husband and Antonio Johnson have extra motivation for 2018 (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

– The Lions have crossed another starter off their pending free agent list, signing T.J. Lee to a one-year extension through 2018 (CFL.ca).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

– While no deal is official, the Eskimos are reportedly ‘very close’ to signing an extension with Aaron Grymes (Morley Scott, CHED).

– The Eskimos have also reportedly held preliminary talks with Adam Konar and more detailed conversation with JC Sherritt, two pending free agent linebackers (Morley Scott, CHED).

– It’s early, but it appears that Chris Edwards is the early favourite to replace the departed Kenny Ladler as the Eskimos’ SAM linebacker (Morley Scott, CHED).

– Kevin Glenn has his ninth team, yet he’s still searching for his first Grey Cup. Could a stop in Edmonton set up a memorable finish for the 38-year-old? (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca)

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

– Jamar Wall, Joe Burnett, Josh Bell, Ciante Evans and Tommie Campbell are all pending free agents, but Stamps GM John Hufnagel believes the majority will be signed before free agency (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

– After winning the second-string job last season, Andrew Buckley will be under the microscope in Stamps camp going into his third CFL season (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

– Despite the addition of Zach Collaros, former Riders quarterback Kevin Glenn says he was caught off guard by his release from the team (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).

– The Riders are reportedly close to a new re-structured deal with Riders quarterback Zach Collaros (Matthew Scianitti, TSN).

– Chris Jones admits that sometimes he’s viewed as the bad guy; yet one of the CFL’s most divisive figures has another side to him, one rooted deep in a love of the game (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– Riders offensive tackle Bruce Campbell has been saddled with a two-game suspension following a positive test for a banned substance (CFL.ca).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

– Questions continue to surround the Bombers’ pending free agents, but in the meantime, they’ve signed 24-year-old defensive Eric Patterson (Paul Friesen, Winnipeg Sun).

– Could the Bombers be front runner to land recently-released quarterback Darian Durant? (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

– The talent is obvious, but it may not mean guaranteed success in the CFL for Johnny Manziel. What’s working against the former Texas A&M star? (Matthew Cauz, CFL.ca).

– $23,000 later, Mike Filer has a new look. Filer shaved his beard into a moustache and raised money for charity (Robbie Abrahamson, CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

After winning the Grey Cup in November, Ricky Ray‘s retirement decision remains up in the air (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– The Argos are expecting an answer from Ricky Ray by the end of the month. Ray’s retirement decision will affect how the Argos approach free agency (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

– One wins away from being in the Super Bowl, former Argos head coach Scott Milanovich reflected on his former team and new job south of the border (Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press).

– The Argos have signed defensive back Caleb Ham, the son of Canadian Football Hall of Fame quarterback Tracy Ham (CFL.ca).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

– While William Powell will be back in the REDBLACKS’ lineup in 2018, there’s been little movement involving Diontae Spencer, Jonathan Rose or Alex Mateas, all pending free agents (Tim Baines, Ottawa Citizen).

– The REDBLACKS have reportedly reached a contract extension with running back Mossis Madu (3 Down Nation via TSN 1200).

– The REDBLACKS have signed 2017 CFL Draft pick and Hec Crighton winner Ed Ilnicki, who set a single-season Canada West rushing record last season (CFL.ca).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

– The Alouettes have revealed the remainder of their 2018 coaching staff, including former CFL stars Jason Tucker and Billy Parker (CFL.ca).

– Without a franchise quarterback since the departure of Anthony Calvillo, Montreal’s search continues — without Darian Durant (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– According to Justin Dunk, former Alouettes quarterback Darian Durant is in no hurry to make a decision on a new team (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).