The Canadian Press
TORONTO — As Feb. 14 draws a little bit closer, all eyes are on the two starting quarterbacks slated for free agency.
Plus, who’s headed south after a busy week of signings both in the CFL and NFL?
We have the latest off-season news in Checking Down:
Jump to team:
| BC | Calgary | Edmonton | Saskatchewan | Winnipeg | Hamilton | Toronto | Ottawa | Montreal |
BC LIONS
The Lions have lost their top pass rusher following the departure of Alex Bazzie (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
– Recently-released defensive end Alex Bazzie has joined the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts on a future contract.
– The BC Lions have signed international linebacker Gionni Paul to an extension and added defensive lineman David Perkins.
– Recently-released Anthony Gaitor is set to join other CFL players Adam Bighill and Forrest Hightower on the NFL’s New Orleans Saints (Farhan Lalji, TSN).
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Derel Walker’s departure leaves a significant void in the Esks’ receiving corps (CFL.ca)
– Who will fill the voids left by the departed Deon Lacey and Derel Walker in Edmonton? Expect the Esks to hire from within (CFL.ca).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Led by Dave Dickenson, the Stamps’ coaching staff will look entirely familiar in 2017 (CFL.ca)
– The Calgary Stampeders are sticking with their winning formula, retaining their entire coaching staff for the 2017 season (CFL.ca).
– Frank Beltre is reportedly joining the New York Jets, where he’ll join another former Stamps D-lineman in Freddie Bishop III (Adam Caplan, ESPN).
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
According to reports, talks continue between Darian Durant and the Riders ahead of Feb. 14 (CFL.ca)
– By this point, unless the Riders up their offer, Darian Durant may be better off waiting for free agency to determine his true value (Darrell Davis, CJME 980).
– Corey Chamblin hopes to one day return to the CFL but his chances of doing so this coming season appear slim (Don Landry, CFL.ca).
– The rumours are all over the map as it pertains to contract negotiations with Durant, but word is the Riders want him back on an incentive-based deal (RodPedersen.com).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Bombers pivot Matt Nichols remains without a contract and is pending free agency on Feb. 14 (CFL.ca)
– Bombers GM Kyle Walters says contract negotiations with Matt Nichols have been ‘tough sledding’ as he remains without a new deal (Kelly Moore, CJOB).
– The Bombers have added national linebacker Akeem Whonder to their roster, the team has announced.
– While the Bombers’ depth chart remains a question mark at QB, Dominique Davis remains on the radar as the only pivot under contract (BlueBombers.com).
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Ticats special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold continues to build on his coaching legacy (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
– As Jeff Reinebold continues to grow his legacy as a CFL coach, what’s next for the Ticats’ current special teams coordinator? (Roger Kelly, American Football International).
– The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have re-signed offensive lineman Landon Rice, the team has announced, keeping him off the free agent market.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Josh Bourke was one and done with the Argos after being released Monday (CFL.ca)
– The Toronto Argonauts have released offensive lineman Josh Bourke one year after joining the team as a free agent (CFL.ca)
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Mitchell White is among CFL defensive backs that have caught on south of the border (The Canadian Press)
– Taylor Reed’s work down the latter half of last season has earned him a one-year contract extension with the Ottawa REDBLACKS (CFL.ca).
– Ottawa has re-signed national DL Andrew Marshall and also added American pass-catcher Armon Binns (OttawaREDBLACKS.com).
– Recently-released Jeff Richards has a chance to pursue his NFL dreams after signing a futures deal with the Carolina Panthers (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).
– Mitchell White, another former REDBLACK, reflects on how the CFL has become a breeding ground for NFL defensive backs (Aaron Kasinitz, PennLive).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Word out of Montreal is Kevin Glenn will not be reunited with Montreal (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
– The Alouettes have added three international players on two-year deals — DB Desmond Cooper, RB LaVance Taylor and DL Reuben Frank.
– Als coach Jacques Chapdelaine says recently-released Kevin Glenn is not in the team’s plans moving forward (Herb Zurkowsky, Montreal Gazette).
– Als receiver Nik Lewis says he can still be one of the best players on a CFL field. The 34-year-old recently signed a two-year contract extension (Pat Steinberg, Sportsnet 960).
