April 18, 2018

Checking Down: And we’re off in the Sunshine State

MontrealAlouettes.com

TORONTO — The first true sign of football season has arrived as mini-camps kick off across the continent.

The Alouettes have gotten their first glimpse at Josh Freeman, while the defending Grey Cup Champs have started their road to repeating in Bradenton, Fla.

We’ve also got updates on Johnny Manziel, Bo Levi Mitchell’s arm and what happened with Henoc Muamba and the Bombers as the off-season continues.

More in this week’s Checking Down:

Jump to team:

BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal

BC LIONS

Wally Buono has a hole to fill at WILL linebacker after Micah Awe’s departure (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– If the Lions are looking to play a Canadian at WILL linebacker, Frederic Chagnon and Jordan Herdman will both be vying for playing time (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

– Speaking of the linebacker position, the Lions have reportedly signed Hawaii linebacker Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea (Stephen Tsai, Honolulu Star Advertiser).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Esks running back C.J. Gable has set lofty expectations for the 2018 season (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– The Eskimos are mourning the loss of former offensive tackle John Dlugos, who passed away at the age of 89 (Esks.com).

– C.J. Gable is setting lofty goals for 2018, joining a group of running backs hoping to hit the 1,000/1,000-yard milestone for the first time ever (Kristina Costabile, CFL.ca).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Bo Levi Mitchell is focusing on keeping his shoulder healthy going into 2018 (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

– With the help of a new throwing coach, Bo Levi Mitchell is focusing on his mechanics to get 100 per cent healthy for 2018 (Mark Stephen, 770 CHQR).

– The Stamps have issued a statement regarding the alleged incident involving Roy Finch in Oklahoma over the weekend (CFL.ca).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Local product Zack Evans was a marquee signing for the Riders this off-season (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

– Zack Evans drove 2,734 kilometres from Ottawa to Regina, as he returns to his hometown to play for the Riders (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).

– Brendon LaBatte is expecting plenty of competition in Riders camp this year as Chris Jones continues to add depth to the roster (Ian Hamilton, Riderville.com).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

The Bombers couldn’t get a deal done with Henoc Muamba, who signed with Montreal (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)

– With Henoc Muamba out of the equation, the Bombers have added a former NFLer to the mix at middle linebacker (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).

– Timing appears to have been the biggest factor in Muamba’s decision to sign with the Montreal Alouettes instead of the Bombers (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).

– The Bombers have signed another defensive back, adding 24-year-old Ezra Robinson to the roster ahead of the team’s mini-camp (BlueBombers.com).

– The Bombers also announced the addition of two internationals in linebacker Chinedu Oparaku and running back Cierre Wood (BlueBombers.com).

– Former second overall pick Matthias Goossen has made an impact on the field for the Bombers, and perhaps an even bigger impact off of it (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Despite a reduced role, Kent Austin is still playing his part for the Ticats this off-season (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

– What does Kent Austin’s reduced role mean for discussions with Johnny Manziel? Very little, according to team president Scott Mitchell (TSN 1150).

– After leading the Ticats on a 6-4 run to close out the season, June Jones’ biggest impact may have come in the off-season (Drew Edwards, Hamilton Spectator).

– After a forgettable 2017 season, Abdul Kanneh believes he can prove once again that he’s one of the CFL’s top defensive backs (Don Landry, CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Dakota Prukop is one Argos pivot who will look to push newcomer James Franklin this week (Bea Serdon/Argonauts.ca)

– While all eyes will be on James Franklin and Ricky Ray, the other QBs have a lot to gain at Argos mini-camp in Bradenton, Fla. this week (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

It’s been a busy off-season with plenty of change for Ottawa’s GM Marcel Desjardins (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– What will it take for the REDBLACKS to get back to the top? James and Davis discuss in the 102nd episode of The Waggle (CFL.ca).

– What kind of donut would you be? If you were at the combine, you may have been asked that by the Ottawa REDBLACKS (Kristina Costabile, CFL.ca).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Josh Freeman is pictured during the Als’ three-day mini-camp in Vero Beach, Fla. (MontrealAlouettes.com)

– With seven quarterbacks on the Als’ roster, Kavis Reed says he’s hoping to get that number down to four or five following this week’s mini-camp in Vero Beach, Fla. (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– Als receiver T.J. Graham is hoping the seventh stop on his pro tour is his last, as he tries to land a key role with the Als in 2018 (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– Kavis Reed says the Als will make an announcement soon regarding the future of Chip Cox and Nik Lewis, who both contemplated retirement after last season (Didier Orméjuste, RDS).

– It looks like patience paid off for the Montreal Alouettes in their pursuit of star linebacker Henoc Muamba, who wanted to take his time making a decision (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).