Walter Tychnowicz/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Matt Nichols is going back to school, while John Chick’s retirement leaves a young and new-look front four for the Edmonton Eskimos.
South of the border, Johnny Manziel is apparently turning heads both on the field and off it at the spring league in Austin, Texas.
And finally, what was the motive behind the REDBLACKS’ sudden release of Kenny Shaw, Quincy McDuffie and Joshua Stangby?
The off-season continues and we’ve got all the latest in this week’s Checking Down.
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Odell Willis has recorded seven or more sacks in each of his last five seasons (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The toughest workout so far for CFL.ca’s Brodie Lawson was with Odell Willis, as ‘The Grind’ makes a stop in Atlanta (CFL.ca).
– All-time CFL wins leader Wally Buono has made the playoffs in 22 of his 24 seasons on the sideline. He’ll look to finish strong in what is believed will be his last season in 2018 (CFL.ca).
– Among the top stories to keep an eye on in 2018 is whether Jonathon Jennings bounces back from a disappointing season (Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca).
– After struggling to sack the quarterback last season, the Lions are hoping Odell Willis can improve their pass rush in 2018 — a key to their playoff hopes (CFL.ca).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Kwaku Boateng leads a new-look, younger group of defensive linemen on the Eskimos this year (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
– The Eskimos finalized their 2018 coaching staff on Tuesday, confirming Jason Maas will handle double duties as head coach and offensive coordinator (CFL.ca).
– With John Chick retired, the Eskimos’ youth movement on their defensive line is in full swing, and will be evident come mini-camp this month (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
– Maas says his support staff made him comfortable taking on the added role of offensive coordinator going into his third season as head coach (Postmedia News).
– While Maas will take play-calling duties for now, he says quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Jordan Maksymic is being groomed for the offensive coordinator position (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– The Eskimos announced Tuesday they’ve brought back national fullback Alexandre Dupuis, who’s played four seasons in the league including one with Edmonton.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Kamar Jorden says the best way to deal with trash-talking DBs is to run right past them (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)
– After a breakout rookie season, James Vaughters is ready for a bigger role following the departure of veteran rush end Charleston Hughes (Stampeders.com).
– Kamar Jorden says he’s expecting an earful from DBs this year after his fumble last November, but there’s a simple way to go about silencing his opponents (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Riders O-lineman Dariusz Bladek has set his sights on a starting role in 2018 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Riders will hold their training camp in Saskatoon, Sask. for the sixth straight season after announcing camp will be held at the University of Saskatchewan (Thomas Piller, Global News).
– Sophomore offensive guard Dariusz Bladek has set his expectations high for 2018, with the goal of becoming a starter for the Riders (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).
– Do the Riders’ hopes in 2018 hinge on the play of Zach Collaros? Collaros was listed No. 1 among Jamie Nye’s 10 faces in new places this off-season (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
– Former Rider and 12-year veteran John Chick says he’s at peace with his decision to retire, and can now focus on being a father for his eight (soon to be nine) kids (Rod Pedersen, CKRM).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Bombers QB Matt Nichols is bringing his game to the classroom this fall as he attends Gonzaga (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
– Matt Nichols is taking his game to the classroom this fall, after being accepted to the Master’s program for sport and athletic administration at Gonzaga University (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).
– The Bombers have added more camp competition at defensive back, signing international Malik Foreman out of Tennessee (BlueBombers.com).
– Mike O’Shea has added James Stanley to his coaching staff, with the former Ticats defensive backs coach coming in as a defensive assistant (CFL.ca).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
According to one coach, Johnny Manziel has stood out from the competition at the spring league in Austin, Texas (Texas A&M)
– In a long interview with TSN 1050, Ticats neg list QB Johnny Manziel opened up about mental health, dealing with fame, and his possible path to the CFL (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation via TSN 1050).
– With a new high school under construction across the street from Tim Hortons Field, some are hoping it will be named after former Ticats quarterback and trailblazer Bernie Custis (Scott Radley, The Hamilton Spectator).
– According to one coach watching closely in Austin, Texas this week, Manziel was ‘head and shoulders’ above the rest of the competition (Davis Sanchez, CFL.ca).
– With four of the first 18 picks in the 2018 CFL Draft, the Ticats have plenty of flexibility and could look at a defensive player with their first pick as a result (John Hodge, The Hamilton Spectator).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
While he’s not a starter, yet, James Franklin remains one to watch after joining the Argos (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Argos have added a young international DB to the fold, signing Baylor product and former Los Angeles Charger Ryan Reid (Argonauts.ca).
– With three Grey Cup wins in half of his six CFL seasons, Toronto Argonauts head coach Marc Trestman has set a remarkable pace so far in his career (CFL.ca).
– Has there ever been a backup more celebrated than James Franklin? Jamie Nye includes Franklin on his list of the biggest off-season additions in 2018 (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Kenny Shaw’s release came as a surprise on Tuesday as the REDBLACKS made some changes (Chris Hofley/Ottawa REDBLACKS)
– According to a report, former REDBLACKS kicker Brett Maher has agreed to sign with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys (3 Down Nation via Todd Archer, ESPN).
– It appears that a combination of finances and health contributed to the release of Josh Stangby, Quincy McDuffie and Kenny Shaw on Tuesday (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– In addition to releasing three receivers, the REDBLACKS also announced Tuesday that offensive lineman Zachary Intzandt has retired (OttawaREDBLACKS.com).
– In a league of constant change, Trevor Harris believes continuity can provide an advantage on an offence that continues to feature Greg Ellingson, Diontae Spencer and Brad Sinopoli (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
New Als receiver Chris Williams is looking to put a forgettable 2017 campaign behind him (BCLions.com)
– What’s ahead for new Alouettes head coach Mike Sherman? CFL.ca compares all nine CFL coaches heading into 2018 (CFL.ca).
– Chris Williams and Tommie Campbell are two new players to watch in 2018, but can they help the Alouettes bounce back from a three-win 2017 season? (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).
