May 30, 2018

Checking Down: Bo’s playing time, Manziel moving up and more

Stampeders.com

TORONTO — From fisticuffs in practice to updated depth charts, the intensity is escalating ahead of the first full week of pre-season.

Johnny Manziel is getting ready to take his first reps in the three-down game, while the Lions’ offence is getting used to the new playbook from offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson.

As far as the quarterbacks go, Mike Reilly’s pre-season appears to be over after a quick start for the reigning MOP. Meanwhile, a few hours south, it remains unknown just how much Bo Levi Mitchell will play when the Stamps take the field on Friday.

Finally, the Riders have added another former NFL running back to the mix, as Tre Mason is set to join former St. Louis Rams teammate Zac Stacy in Saskatoon.

All this and more in the latest from Checking Down:

Jump to team:

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

BC LIONS

Bryan Burnham (right) and the rest of the Lions are getting used to a new-look offence (BCLions.com)

– With the Lions now leaning on him for leadership, Odell Willis credits current and past GM Ed Hervey for helping him mature (Ed Willes, The Vancouver Province).

– After helping the Riders lead the CFL in touchdown passes last year, Jarious Jackson is attacking his first job as an offensive coordinator head on (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

– Garry Peters, who’s competing for a starting role in the Lions’ secondary, is the epitome of what Ed Hervey was hoping to do with his defence this off-season (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

 

– With the dog days of camp arriving, Head Coach Jason Maas doesn’t mind the fisticuffs at Esks practice this week (Rob Tychkowski, Edmonton Journal).

– Eighty-five players dressed for the Eskimos in their pre-season win on Sunday, but three stood out above the rest (CFL.ca).

– Mike Reilly and Kevin Glenn will sit out the Eskimos’ pre-season finale Friday, with Zach Kline expected to get a heavy dose of playing time (Dave Campbell, CHED).

– While Kelvin Palmer and Tommy Draheim are competing for the right tackle spot, could Arjen Colquhoun have some competition at field corner? (Dave Campbell, CHED).

– After leading two touchdown drives in two tries, Mike Reilly’s work is done for the pre-season — and the quarterback is alright with it (Rob Tychkowski, Edmonton Sun).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

The Stamps have limited Bo Levi Mitchell’s workload so far in training camp (Stampeders.com)

– Former Stamps receiver Marquay McDaniel is joining McMaster’s coaching staff as an offensive assistant and receivers coach (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).

– With plenty of options with Canadian passports, the Stamps’ biggest competition might be at defensive tackle right beside Micah Johnson (CFL.ca).

– With Bo Levi Mitchell’s workload limited throughout camp so far, plans are still up in the air for Friday’s pre-season opener (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

– After recording 12 special teams tackles as a rookie, Riley Jones is looking to pick up where he left off (Laura Bates, Stampeders.com).

– The grandson of the late Larry Highbaugh is in CFL training camp, as Tre Roberson looks to land a job with the Calgary Stampeders (Daniel Austin, Calgary Herald).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Riders pivot Zach Collaros is expected to make his pre-season debut on June 8 (Riderville.com)

– After playing DB for the Riders in their pre-season game, former Auburn QB Nick Williams was running the offence for some reps on Tuesday (Darren Zary, Saskatoon StarPhoenix).

– Chris Jones is looking to address the Riders’ undisciplined play with burpees and up-downs after mistakes (CBC News).

– The Riders have signed former third-round NFL draft pick and Auburn star Tre Mason (CFL.ca).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

 

– Bombers kicker Justin Medlock says he analyzes his kicking motion much like he does his golf swing. TSN golf analyst Bob Weeks takes a closer look (TSN).

– Alex Ross is looking to wrap up the Bombers’ backup job, as he continues to absorb the three-down game in his second CFL season (CFL.ca).

– After both being sidelined, Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky are both practising with the starters on the Bombers’ offence (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).

– Which quarterback is closer to being elite: Matt Nichols or Travor Harris? Dave Naylor and Farhan Lalji debate (TSN).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

 

– According to June Jones, Johnny Manziel has moved up to second on the Ticats’ depth chart and is ‘coming along fast’ (Drew Edwards, 3 Down Nation).

– Manziel says he’s looking forward to seeing his first playing time in the CFL in Friday’s game (Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun).

– Will Brandon Banks continue his reign as the CFL’s fastest player? We’ll find out as ‘Best in the League’ continues on Friday (CFL.ca).

– The Ticats’ head coach is hoping to bring good vibes from Hawaii to Hamilton. What’s the story behind his shell necklace? (CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

Ricky Ray appears unlikely to dress for the Argos’ first pre-season game Friday night (Stacey White/Argonauts.ca)

– Argos head coach Marc Trestman has been impressed with Canadian quarterbacks Noah Picton and intern Michael O’Connor (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

– The Argos are not expected to dress Ricky Ray in the team’s pre-season opener Friday at Tim Hortons Field (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

– Shawn Lemon played a leading role in recruiting defensive end Frank Beltre to Toronto. Beltre is expected to replace the departed Victor Butler (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

 

– Kyries Hebert says he’s looking forward to the opportunity to ‘fly around’ against his former teammates in Thursday’s pre-season game (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

– Former quarterback Henry Burris says the REDBLACKS are going to surprise a lot of people around the CFL this season (TSN 1200).

– Diontae Spencer is one of the fastest players in the CFL, but could have some competition — from a teammate (CFL.ca).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Drew Willy is slated to start the Alouettes’ first pre-season game Thursday night in Ottawa (MontrealAlouettes.com)

– Josh Freeman’s CFL career was short-lived, but Als GM Kavis Reed defends his decision to give the former NFL pivot a look (Herb Zurkowsky, Montral Gazette).

– With a new defensive playbook, the Als players are doing everything they can — including some 10 p.m. meetings — to get ready for the season (CFL.ca).

– Drew Willy continues to take most of the first-team reps with the Als and appears to be in the driver’s seat of the quarterback competition (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).

– New Als defensive back Joe Burnett says he didn’t leave Calgary on the best of terms, and he’s excited for a new start in Montreal (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).