Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — Sunday was cutdown day in the CFL, marking the unofficial transition from training camp to the regular season.
Like always there was a handful of surprises throughout the long list of players that were released, from receivers Bakari Grant and Anthony Parker to last year’s first overall pick in Faith Ekakitie.
Of course, for those suddenly looking for a new place to play, this isn’t necessarily the end of the line. Just like star linebacker Bear Woods a year ago, some of Sunday’s camp casualties will make a significant impact elsewhere.
Let’s look at some of the possibilities following the roster purge.
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After a decade in green and white, Rob Bagg could wear different colours in 2018 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Rob Bagg, REC
After a decade with the Riders, there’s a good chance Rob Bagg will wear different colours for the first time in his career in 2018. Bagg has overcome some awful injury luck in his career but has been durable ever since, playing 17 or more games in his last five seasons.
The production was less than what we’re accustomed to in 2017, but the 33-year-old offers experience and leadership along with a positive influence in a locker-room. The question for potential suitors will be whether he can still play at a high level. Stay tuned.
Bakari Grant, REC
The Riders’ leader in receptions a season ago, Bakari Grant was the biggest surprise cut over the weekend. Grant is a seven-year veteran but was just coming into his own last season, showing the maturity of a long-time pro and the production of a star while hitting 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.
At just 30, Grant has some good years left in him and is likely to be snapped up quickly.
Chad Owens, REC
Age has caught up to former Most Outstanding Player Chad Owens, who turned 36 in April. Yet the Hawaii native proved late last season he can still be a weapon, recording 235 yards and a touchdown in three games.
While Owens can make a difference on the field, his biggest asset might be in the locker-room, where his dedication and professionalism make him a positive role model for young players. That alone makes the 5-foot-7 receiver/returner worth consideration.
Travis Bond, OG
Few teams in the league have the ratio flexibility to play three Americans on the O-line, putting the NFL-CFL veteran Bond in a tough spot after his release from the Riders consider his use as a guard. But if anyone could use a proven international, the 27-year-old could fit the bill.
Bond played a big role in the Bombers’ success in 2017, helping them host their first playoff game since 2011 thanks to a downhill rushing attack and an efficient passing game.
Travis Bond was considered a lock to start for the Riders, but was a surprise cut this weekend (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
Ed Ilnicki, RB
He’s never taken a CFL snap but Ed Ilnicki’s name makes the list thanks in part to his dominant U SPORTS season in 2017. Not many Canadian running backs get the opportunity unless they can play fullback or convert to receiver, or dominate on special teams, but if any team is looking to employ a Canadian, Ilnicki is worth a look.
It took Johnny Augustine a while to catch on but he finally has a roster spot with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — Ilnicki can do it too if he’s patient and plays his cards right.
Sergio Castillo, K/P
Before tearing his ACL last season, Sergio Castillo was enjoying a career year with the Ticats, converting on 85 per cent of his field goal tries including one from 57 yards. ACLs are tough enough to begin with, but for a kicker, Castillo had the deck stacked against him in REDBLACKS training camp.
While the 27-year-old continues to work his way back, there will surely be an opportunity for him at some point in 2018. His name will be on speed dial in the event of any injury.
Kieren Duncan, REC/RET
Despite his electrifying speed and a penchant for making explosive plays, Kieren Duncan is on the open market for the second time in the last month. He’s been with a few CFL teams now, but Duncan has the things you can’t teach.
Turns out it was just a pipe dream, imagining the REDBLACKS’ offence with two sub-4.30 runners, but Duncan’s natural ability should land him a job somewhere.
Brandyn Thompson, DB
Achilles injuries have ruined many players’ careers, which is the uphill battle veteran defensive back Brandyn Thompson is facing (ask John Ojo, whose comeback bid with the Riders ended early in camp this year). But proven defensive backs are difficult to come by, and Thompson has shown he can defend at a high level in the three-down game.
It may take some time, but Thompson should get another look and could be a steal for a team needing some veteran assistance in the defensive backfield.
Brandyn Thompson is on the comeback trail after injuring his Achilles last season (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Quinn van Gylswyk, K
A former third-round pick, Quinn van Gylswyk is a consistent kicker with a strong leg, as evident in his Vanier Cup season with UBC where he converted 40 of 49 attempts. But while he’s got the Canadian passport that teams covet, he faces two problems: one, he’s unproven, and two, there are only nine teams in the league, and jobs don’t open often.
After stints in Regina and Montreal, van Gylswyk is too promising of a prospect to not be on a roster.
Rueben Randle, REC
Despite a good showing in the Bombers’ pre-season finale, including a 58-yard touchdown, Rueben Randle is without a team after being cut on Sunday. Randle was a good NFL receiver and could be a star in the three-down game, but faced a stiff challenge in Winnipeg where the Bombers have a deep and proven receiving corps.
Now that he’s entirely free and not on anyone’s neg list, any receiver-needy team should be giving the four-year NFL veteran a phone call.
Brian Walker, DB
The Bombers tried to find a role for Brian Walker after upgrading their secondary this off-season, even starting him at linebacker in their final pre-season game. But it wasn’t enough, as the 22-year-old was among Sunday’s cuts.
Walker has plenty of upside and with some starts under his belt should be getting a call sooner rather than later.
Faith Ekakitie, DL
Talk about a complete 180, the Bombers deciding to part ways with Faith Ekakitie a year after picking him first overall. The 25-year-old made five tackles in 14 games as a rookie, struggling to get on the field. Some thought he’d be in for a breakthrough after slimming down this off-season, but the Bombers’ plans to start two internationals at defensive tackle — and Ekakitie’s rookie salary — may have made him expendable.
Still, the Iowa grad has shown keen interest in turning things around, and any team that deploys a starting Canadian in the middle of the D-line should have an interest.
A year after being picked first overall, Faith Ekakitie is looking for a new team this week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Randy Colling, DL
Just like Alex Singleton, Randy Colling had already played for an NFL team before being drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the first round. Things didn’t work out the same this time, with Colling joining an exclusive club along with Faith Ekakitie of 2017 first-round picks that have already been released.
The Stampeders have an embarrassment of riches in the middle of their D-line, stacking up Ese Mrabure, Junior Turner and Derek Wiggan as nationals that could line up beside Micah Johnson. Less fortunate teams should see value in the 28-year-old.
Anthony Parker, REC
Seven years after transitioning from the University of Calgary to the Calgary Stampeders, Anthony Parker is out of a job. The veteran receiver was a surprise cut from the Stamps after recording 2,245 yards and 15 touchdowns in one of the league’s most consistent offences.
Just like with Colling, the Stamps are deep at receiver, with Lemar Durant working his way back to join the likes of Juwan Brescacin, Julan Lynch and the fast-emerging Richard Sandini. Again, most teams don’t have that luxury, so Parker should land on his feet quickly.
Willie Quinn III, REC/RET
Possibly the CFL’s smallest player at 5-foot-5, 152 pounds, Willie Quinn III couldn’t stick as a returner with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He did get an extended look though, and showed glimpses of being a big weapon in the return game, which could get him another look elsewhere.
Stanley ‘Boom’ Williams, RB
Just 22, Stanley ‘Boom’ Williams looked good in pre-season with the Argos, but star running back James Wilder Jr. and another promising young back in Brandon Burks may have sealed his fate. Running back jobs are limited in the CFL, but they do tend to open up, especially when there are injuries, so it’s possible Williams’ name is called again.
