Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca
TORONTO — With Travis Lulay retiring and Brandon Bridge Toronto-bound, just one experienced quarterback remains on the open market.
Elsewhere, Johnny Manziel’s release sent shockwaves across the CFL, while former REDBLACKS defensive back Jerrell Gavins has called it a career.
The off-season continues and we’ve got all the latest in this week’s Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
Lions quarterback Travis Lulay has announced his retirement after 10 seasons (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– Often ravaged by injury, Travis Lulay’s prolific career is best defined by toughness and resilience (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
– Solomon Elimimian has responded to recent trade rumours, stating that while he’d love to finish his career in BC, he understands the business (via Twitter).
– Elimimian and offensive lineman David Foucault are reported to be on the Lions’ trade block as of late last week (CFL.ca via Farhan Lalji, TSN).
– In a story told by Chris O’Leary, Mike Reilly explains the free agent process and the decision to join the BC Lions (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
– The Lions have signed long snapper Tanner Doll, who spent parts of three seasons with Hamilton and Ottawa and has played in 26 contests (BCLions.com).
– After almost joining the Lions early in his career, it’s all come full circle for veteran defensive back Aaron Grymes (Matt Baker, BCLions.com).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
The Eskimos are expected to announce a replacement for Len Rhodes in May (Esks.com)
– Eskimos defensive back Johnny Adams has been moved to the team’s retired list after missing all of the 2018 season due to injury (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– After releasing Darius Allen, the Esks could see Nick Usher’s role grow as a rotational pass rusher at defensive end (Dave Campbell, CHED).
– Former Esks offensive coordinator Carson Walch has officially been promoted to wide receivers coach of the NFL’s Eagles (PhiladelphiaEagles.com).
– After Len Rhodes’ departure, Eskimos board chairman Brad Sparrow is expected to name the team’s next president at the annual general meeting in May (Terry Jones, Edmonton Journal).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Former Stamps defensive end Freddie Bishop has landed in the AAF (The Canadian Press)
– It doesn’t appear former Stamps defensive end Freddie Bishop will be back in the CFL any time soon, after signing with the AAF Memphis Express (3 Down Nation).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Riders pivot Zach Collaros will try to prove himself on a one-year deal (The Canadian Press)
– Recently-signed Argos quarterback Brandon Bridge says he wasn’t extended an offer by the Riders this off-season (3 Down Nation via CKRM).
– After revealing the details of Zach Collaros’ contract, Rob Vanstone says the one-year pact could greatly benefit both Collaros and the Riders (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
– For the Riders, there’s a different kind of pressure that comes with hosting a Grey Cup — even if 2020 is still a year away (Rob Vanstone, Regina Leader-Post).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
As free agency comes to a standstill, Bombers GM Kyle Walters makes small adjustments (Graham Hughes/CFL.ca)
– In a quiet week for the Bombers, the team has added international running back Larry Rose III and national defensive end Maxx Forde.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Former Riders running back Cameron Marshall is the newest addition to the Ticats’ backfield (The Canadian Press)
– While Mike Reilly and Bo Levi Mitchell were the stars of free agency, Ticats head coach June Jones says Jeremiah Masoli is the best quarterback in the CFL (TSN 1150).
– The Ticats have added some depth to the running back position, signing former Bombers and Riders running back Cameron Marshall (CFL.ca).
– Despite not having an interception last season, Delvin Breaux became the highest-paid defensive back for a reason in free agency (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos have added a new addition to their QB depth chart after signing Brandon Bridge (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
– Argos GM Jim Popp has reunited with Brandon Bridge, signing the free agent Canadian quarterback this week (CFL.ca).
– Bridge used to watch the Argos practise on the same field he attended high school. Now the Canadian quarterback has signed with his hometown team (Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun).
– After bolstering their front seven in free agency, was the Argos’ off-season geared towards trying to beat the Ticats? (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).
– A few months after being dismissed, Marc Trestman reflected on the Argos’ recent season and provided a health update following hip surgery (3 Down Nation via CKRM).
– The Argos have dropped three veterans from their defence, releasing Cassius Vaughn, Terrance Plummer and Johnny Sears Jr. (CFL.ca).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
RJ Harris could benefit from a larger role in the REDBLACKS’ offence in 2019 (CFL.ca)
– After weighing his options, Jerrell Gavins decided the long road to recovering from a torn ACL and returning to the CFL wasn’t worth it (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– It appears RJ Harris could be the biggest benefactor of the void left by Greg Ellingson and Diontae Spencer in the REDBLACKS’ receiving corps (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
– With Manziel out of the picture, 2019 suddenly becomes the most important year of Antonio Pipkin’s career as he tries to win the Als’ starting job (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).
– One side effect of Manziel’s departure from the CFL is that it gives the Alouettes more cap space entering the 2019 season (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).
– Johnny Manziel thanked Mike Sherman, fans and teammates after being released on Thursday, noting that he’ll explore new options south of the border (via Twitter).
