The Canadian Press
TORONTO — With six teams taking the field this week, mini-camps are in full force across the Canadian Football League. That means while the season is still on the horizon, football is finally back and there’s plenty to talk about.
Some doubted whether Sergio Castillo would play at all in 2018, let alone be ready for camp, but the REDBLACKS’ new kicker is at TD Place this week and say he’s 100 per cent.
Plus, the Riders’ new franchise quarterback has been enjoying the Florida sun, making a strong early impression at the team’s annual mini-camp.
Finally, is a new favourite emerging for first overall pick?
More in this week’s Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Lions GM Ed Hervey is likely eyeing an offensive lineman in the first round (BCLions.com)
– The Lions’ mini-camp is mostly for first-year players, but one veteran receiver is paying his own way there with hopes of extending his career (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– Look for the Lions to go O-line in the first round of the CFL Draft, with prospects like Peter Godber, Trey Rutherford, David Knevel and Ryan Hunter all potentially available at third overall(Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
– With a pre-season game coming just a week into camp next month, this week’s mini-camp was critical for the Eskimos to get a head start on install (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun).
– While the Eskimos are already quite deep on the defensive line, one newcomer is getting some attention after the team’s mini-camp in Las Vegas (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Sun).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Former top pick Pierre Lavertu called an end to his four-year career this week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Former first overall pick Pierre Lavertu has retired after four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders (CFL.ca).
– Who will fill the open cornerback spot opposite Ciante Evans? Stamps GM John Hufnagel already has someone in mind (Paul Mawdsley, Stampeders.com).
– The CFL and the Stampeders have announced that Calgary will host the 107th Grey Cup presented by Shaw in 2019 (CFL.ca).
– After what some have called a ‘down year’, Bo Levi Mitchell is still the top quarterback on Pat Steinberg’s ‘Money List’ (Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
– Zach Collaros has been sharp early in Riders mini-camp, standing out among the 31 participants in Bradenton, Fla. (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).
– While one would assume Collaros will be the Riders’ starting quarterback, Chris Jones maintains it’s open competition at all positions for the Green and White (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).
– While his time with the team is up, Peter Dyakowski’s impact on the Riders will be seen throughout 2018 and beyond (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
– Duron Carter was the eighth-ranked receiver on TSN’s top 50 CFL players last year. Davis Sanchez says that won’t be the case this season (CFL.ca).
– The Riders have released international receiver Jacoby Ford and Canadians Johnny Augustine and Brett Blaszko on their second day of mini-camp (Riderville.com).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
– While Darian Durant isn’t at Bombers mini-camp this week, a different quarterback is making a strong impression on the coaching staff (Declan Schroeder, Winnipeg Sun).
– After first losing Zavian Bingham to the Riders, the Bombers finally have the young defensive back in their building. They’re excited to see what he can show (Jeff Hamilton, Winnipeg Free Press).
– With Chandler Fenner, the Bombers believe they’re getting one of the rare two-phase players who can contribute on special teams just as much as on defence (Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun).
– Only six months after tearing his Achilles, Bombers defensive back Maurice Leggett says, matter of factly, that he could play tomorrow if needed (Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
– One single-digit number is not taken on the Ticats’ mini-camp roster. Is it any coincidence that Johnny Manziel’s No. 2 has been left available? (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
– Jeremiah Masoli is relishing being ‘the guy’ under centre for the first time in his professional career (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
– Still recovering from knee surgery, Ticats receiver Terrence Toliver is not at the team’s voluntary mini-camp this week in Hamilton (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
– Ticats coach Dennis McKnight has a new role, moving from special teams coordinator to offensive line coach (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
– The Ticats reportedly do not plan on bringing back 34-year-old free agent receiver Andy Fantuz (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Argos defensive back T.J. Heath is feeling at home in his return to his original club (Stacy White/Argonauts.ca)
– After ranking the Argos sixth in his off-season power-rankings, is Davis Sanchez changing his tune? (CFL.ca)
– Along with TFC, the Raptors and the Maple Leafs, the Argos have helped Toronto shed a very negative label for the city’s sports teams (Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun).
– Since being traded in 2016, the Argos always remained in the back of T.J. Heath’s mind. Now he’s back where his CFL career began (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
– With the REDBLACKS’ plans to start two Canadian receivers, the odds are high that they’ll look to draft a receiver early in the CFL Draft (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– After tearing his ACL last October, it was believed Sergio Castillo would miss a good part of 2018. But the REDBLACKS’ kicker says he’s 100 per cent as he competes for the job in Ottawa (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– Trevor Harris says he feels more comfortable going into his second season as a full-time starting quarterback (CFL.ca).
– Could not having a veteran backup to Harris come back to haunt the REDBLACKS? (Henry Burris, TSN 1200).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Mark Chapman is considered a strong possibility to go first overall in the CFL Draft (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
– Could the Als take a receiver with the first overall pick? Some are calling Mark Chapman a can’t-miss prospect in the upcoming draft (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).
– Als defensive back Dominique Ellis is optimistic about his team’s chances this season, despite a forgettable 2017 season (The Canadian Press)
