Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — With the draft coming in hot, there’s been plenty of talk about top picks and potential trades. Plus, a couple of former CFL players have suddenly become available.
Finally, some big names are looking for new teams after this week’s post-mini-camp cut-down day.
More in this week’s Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Former Lion Micah Awe could be back on the CFL radar following his release in the NFL (The Canadian Press)
– The biggest positional need for any team in the draft appears to be on the O-line of the BC Lions (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).
– With the draft closing in fast, Matt Baker counts down the top 10 BC Lions draft picks over the last couple of decades (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).
– If the BC Lions were hoping to take a local product in UBC’s Dakoda Shepley, NFL interest may complicate things (Steve Ewen, Vancouver Province).
– After some big off-season moves, new Lions GM Ed Hervey’s first draft will be critical in laying the groundwork of his roster (Lowell Ullrich, TSN).
– Linebackers Bo Lokombo and Micah Awe have been released by their NFL teams, making them available to sign in the CFL (BC Lions Den).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Running back Travon Van was among players let go by the Eskimos following mini-camp (The Canadian Press)
– A couple of running backs in Marion Grice and Travon Van were among Eskimos cuts following Tuesday’s 75-man roster deadline (CFL.ca).
– The emergence of Shaq Cooper at last week’s mini-camp may have played a role in the decision to move on from Grice and Van (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– Fast-rising defensive back prospect Jackson Bennett looks like a solid fit for the Eskimos at sixth overall, especially considering their ratio (Gerry Moddejonge, Edmonton Journal).
– Former Eskimos linebacker Dexter McCoil has been released by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers (Matt Maiocco, NBCS).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Stamps GM John Hufnagel (left) is sure to stock up on O-line talent in Thursday’s draft (The Canadian Press)
– Four key departures, including Pierre Lavertu and Brett Jones, have highlighted the importance of depth on the O-line for CFL teams (John Hodge, 3 Down Nation).
– A decade since they last hosted the Grey Cup, the Stampeders are getting a chance to appear in the big game at home in 2019 (Kristen Anderson, Postmedia).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Chris Jones and the Riders could be a suitor if the first overall pick becomes available (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Expect Chris Jones to focus on athleticism rather than positional need when the Riders are on the clock Thursday (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).
– Duane Forde speculates the Riders could be a fitting partner if the Als are dangling the first overall pick in a trade (CFL.ca).
– The Riders plan to move Sam Eguavoen to middle linebacker following the off-season departure of Henoc Muamba (Arielle Zerr, CJME).
– Chris Jones says the Riders weren’t fond of the DB class in the draft, and will instead focus on OL and DL in the first round (Arielle Zerr, CJME).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Sophomore receiver L’Damian Washington was among those released by the Bombers (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Bombers’ depth of Canadian talent gives GM Kyle Walters plenty of flexibility going into the 2018 CFL Draft (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).
– Walters says he’s happy to continue waiting for last year’s first round pick Geoff Gray, who remains in the NFL (Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun).
– Who are the Bombers eyeing in Thursday’s CFL Draft? GM Kyle Walters says it’s all wide open… (BlueBombers.com).
– Despite a strong rookie season, Bombers defensive back Brandon Alexander knows he can’t rest on his laurels (Jeff Hamilton, Winnipeg Free Press).
– A year after being a surprise addition, L’Damian Washington was a surprise cut following last week’s mini-camp (Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
While the draft comes into focus, Johnny Manziel’s future with the Ticats remains a topic of interest (Texas A&M)
– According to Dave Naylor, all is quiet on the Johnny Manziel front as the Ticats wait in the wings (Dave Naylor, TSN).
– Richard Leonard is still lamenting not being picked for Most Outstanding Rookie last season (CFL.ca).
– With a quarter of the draft’s first 20 picks, the Ticats hold all the cards in the first few rounds of Thursday’s CFL Draft (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).
– After a strong mini-camp, Mariel Cooper appears to be an early favourite to start at SAM linebacker for the Ticats (Drew Edwards, The Hamilton Spectator).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Jeff Fuller’s time with the Argos has come to an end after just one season with the team (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Argos have released a couple of well-known names after their mini-camp, parting ways with Alan-Michael Cash and Jeff Fuller, among others (CFL.ca).
– Former Argos quarterback Damon Allen has been named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as part of its 2018 class (Argonauts.ca).
– With the ninth overall pick, the Argos could seek value with a ‘futures’ pick (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
The REDBLACKS are hoping Noel Thorpe can help them force more turnovers in 2018 (Chris Hofley/CFL.ca)
– REDBLACKS developmental quarterback Will Arndt is sticking to his day job after getting to meet Al Pacino during an acting gig last year (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– Top-ranked defensive lineman Julien Laurent could be on the REDBLACKS’ radar following the off-season departure of Zack Evans (CFL.ca).
– After ranking dead last in the CFL with 22 takeaways last season, the REDBLACKS expect a total turnaround under new defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– How has Trevor Harris changed his preparation for the upcoming football season? (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Kavis Reed (left) has plenty of options with the top pick, including the possibility of a trade (Montreal Alouettes)
– Who does Marshall Ferguson have going first overall? More in the CFL Draft analyst’s final mock draft (CFL.ca).
– With the Als coming off a three-win season, GM Kavis Reed could feel the pressure to swing a deal that will provide immediate help before Thursday’s draft (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
– Taking it even further, TSN‘s Glenn Suitor says the Als are very much open to dealing the top pick (TSN 1040).
– There appears to be no clear-cut favourite to go first overall, with Mark Chapman and Trey Rutherford both apparently in the mix (CFL.ca).
– The Alouettes have made it no secret that they’re hoping for immediate contributions this season from their first overall pick (MontrealAlouettes.com).
