David Chidley/CFL.ca
CALGARY — John White was barely on the market before his name was brought up in a town not far from where he spent his last five Canadian Football League seasons.
The international running back was issued his walking papers by the Edmonton Eskimos on the eve of training camp, but on Sunday reporters were already asking Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson whether he’d be a fit.
Could John White be joining the other side of the Battle of Alberta?
“We always look at people, but you do a lot of work in the off-season, you’re always going to look for talent,” Dickenson told Danny Austin of the Calgary Herald. “I’m sure our scouts and those guys are looking harder than we are right now, but we like our guys first and foremost.
“But you’re not saying you’re not out there looking.”
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John White has had to overcome two major injuries up to this point in his career (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
White’s time in green and gold has ended after five injury-plagued seasons, the type of injuries — a ruptured Achilles and a torn ACL — that can threaten a player’s career. But the 26-year-old bounced back after his first season-ending injury, and is young enough to do so again.
Perhaps the stars are aligned for White to join his former division rival. The Stampeders are in the midst of a full-fledged running back competition in training camp, with sophomore Terry Williams taking on a handful of rookies. Dickenson is changing the ratio at the position following the departure of Canadian Jerome Messam, who left as a free agent to Saskatchewan.
Williams, 26, is an intriguing prospect, and can add some speed to the position. He scored three touchdowns in his debut last season during a blowout win over the Montreal Alouettes. Back for a second stint with the team is Marquise Williams, who signed with the club Sunday morning. Rushel Shell, Romar Morris and Don Jackson are rookies.
While White seems likely to land somewhere, coming into the season with 2,110 yards and 12 touchdowns in 41 career games, Calgary isn’t the only potential landing spot.
There appears to be some running back competition in BC, where Jeremiah Johnson, Travon Van and Brandon Rutley are all in the mix for reps. White has a connection with the Lions in former Eskimos general manager Ed Hervey, who’s since taken the same job in BC.
Another possible landing spot is Hamilton, where Alex Green is the lead back going into camp but the Ticats have no clear-cut second option. While would push a relatively unproven Green for work throughout the season.
Saskatchewan could be a possibility after the Riders had to cut Cameron Marshall (he failed his physical) and will be without Marcus Thigpen (suspended) for the first two games of the season. Chris Jones would likely prefer to pair an American running back in tandem with national Jerome Messam.
In Montreal, the Als could look for some depth in their backfield after trading the aforementioned Rutley. Tyrell Sutton is considered one of the best running backs in the CFL, but at age 31 the Als will want to monitor his workload, and keep an insurance policy ready.
Alternatively, White could wait until his opportunity arises. There are always injuries at the position and White, who knows the league well, will be ready to step in immediately.
What seems clear is that White, talented and just 26 years old, is too good to be unemployed for long.
