Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Will the addition of Orlondo Steinauer as assistant head coach be the spark the Hamilton Tiger-Cats need to turn around their 6-12 finish to the 2017 season?
Are the younger, new-look Stampeders still Grey Cup favourites? Plus, will Anthony Calvillo be Toronto’s next quarterbacks coach?
Let’s look at the latest headlines across the league in Checking Down.
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Markus Howell will be looking to help the Lions improve on their 2017 season (CFL.ca)
– Markus Howell was hired as the Lions’ receivers coach and passing game coordinator in January and the 42-year old brings not only a new and fresh mind to the offence but some recent success in Saskatchewan to build on (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).
– The Canadian Football League released a statement on the status of defensive lineman Euclid Cummings (CFL.ca).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Offensive coordinator Carson Walch will not be returning to the Eskimos in 2018 (Esks.com)
– The Eskimos signed offensive lineman Andrew Jones to a one-day contract so he could retire with the team (CFL.ca).
– Offensive coordinator Carson Walch announced he will not return to the Eskimos in 2018, instead taking a job in the NFL (CFL.ca).
– A relatively quiet off-season for the Edmonton Eskimos has been music to the ears of second-year general manager Brock Sunderland (CFL.ca).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Free agent acquisition Ese Mrabure adds youth to the Stampeders new-look roster (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– After the dust settled on free agency, and a few off-season moves, the Calgary Stampeders sit on top of the Nissan Titan Post-Free Agency Power Rankings (CFL.ca).
– The Stampeders are heading into the 2018 season with a younger roster. Does their new look keep them as the favourites in the West? (Jeff Krever, CFL.ca).
– Linebacker Duron Mayo is determined and ready for his return to the Stampeders in 2018 (George Johnson, Stampeders.com).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
It’s combine season and Riders DB Adam Laurensse knows exactly how important they are (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
– Thanks to a regional combine in Regina last year, Riders recently-signed defensive back Adam Laurensse is getting his opportunity to take the next step in his football career (Kristina Costabile, CFL.ca).
– Defensive end Tobi Antigha is having a busy off-season, working the Olympic games in PyeongChang, South Korea while also preparing for the 2018 season (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Adarius Bowman is re-joining his old team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, this season (CFL.ca)
– Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Darren Cameron blogs on the Adarius Bowman of the past and present (BlueBombers.com).
– The 2017 first over all CFL Draft pick Faith Ekakitie is working hard this off-season to build on his rookie season in Winnipeg (Ed Tait, Blue Bombers.com).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Orlondo Steinauer is back in Hamilton after one year away to coach in the NCAA (Ticats.ca)
-It only took seven days to get Orlondo Steinauer’s deal with the Tiger-Cats to come to fruition (The Waggle, CFL.ca).
– The Ticats have added four international free agents to their roster in DB Jumal Rolle, DE Julian Howsare, LB Junior Sylvestre and WR Harvey Binford.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Anthony Calvillo could be in line to be the Toronto’s quarterbacks coach (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Toronto Argonauts agreed to terms with 2017’s Rookie of the Year, James Wilder Jr., keeping him with the club through the 2019 season (CFL.ca).
– James Wilder Jr.’s new deal with the Argonauts ends a whirlwind, unique off-season contract saga (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
– With the end of the Wilder contract discussions, and a few off-season moves, will there be smooth sailing ahead for the reigning Grey Cup Champions? (CFL.ca).
– According to a report from 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk, Anthony Calvillo is set to join the Argonauts as the team’s quarterback’s coach (CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Quarterback Ryan Lindley is now a free agent after being released from the Ottawa REDBLACKS (The Canadian Press)
– The Ottawa REDBLACKS mourned the loss of CFL legend Maurice “Moe the Toe” Racine this week (CFL.ca).
– The REDBLACKS have released quarterback Ryan Lindley after one year with the team (CFL.ca).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
New Als pivot Josh Freeman got a little more acclimated with Montreal this week (The Associated Press)
-Get to know new Alouettes quarterback Josh Freeman (and his French skills) in this edition of locker room talk (MontrealAlouettes.com).
– Four prospects were selected from the Eastern Regional Combine in Montreal to move on to the CFL National Scouting Combine presented by adidas at the end of the month in Winnipeg (CFL.ca).
