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
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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
– 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).