2024 @CFL season

[GA Russell]

It's been two and a half weeks since March 8, so I'll try to list things in chronological order.

The Toronto city government is pushing for the Argos to play in BMO Field, the current home of Toronto's soccer team.

http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2014/03/07/mlse_city_pushing_to_move_argos_to_bmo_field.html

*****

The Argos released Khalif Mitchell so he could pursue NFL opportunities.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445832

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4675645

*****

The Eskimos released Chris Thompson.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=446278

http://cfl.ca/article/esks-release-veteran-db-thompson

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The Riders have hired Avon Cobourne to be their running backs coach.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=446535

http://cfl.ca/article/backfield-help-cobourne-joins-riders-coaching-staff

*****

Rey Williams has retired as a player, and will become the Riders' Director of Player Development.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=446537

http://cfl.ca/article/reys-day-williams-announces-retirement

*****

Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson tweeted that he would like to play with BC. Wally gave it some consideration and turned him down, so Jim Popp added him to the Als' neg list.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=446799

*****

The Rules Committee has recommended that defensive pass interference be subject to video review. I am not aware of the Board of Governors ever turning down the Rules Committee.

http://cfl.ca/article/video-review-of-pi-gets-one-step-closer

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=446862

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The draft's projected #1 pick, McGill OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, skipped the league's combines last week, and will try out for Arizona, Seattle and Cleveland.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=447199

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=447337

*****

Winnipeg has been awarded the 2015 Grey Cup game, says Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/2015-Grey-Cup-willed-be-played-in-Peg-251972661.html?device=mobile

*****

One more. Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson passed away today, so now we can expect the press on slow news days to speculate about the Bills moving to Toronto.

http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=447323#YourCallTop

Edited March 25, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Check this out!

The league's chief statistician used the data to pick four dream teams.

http://www.macleans.ca/interactive-cfl-dream-teams/

[GA Russell]

Ben Archibald has retired. And the Lions have released Anton McKenzie.

http://cfl.ca/article/archibald-retires-lions-release-mckenzie

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=447646

*****

The players' union is meeting in Las Vegas this weekend. They voted last night for President, and Scott Flory beat Mike Morreale.

http://scratchingpost.thespec.com/2014/03/flory-in-morreale-out-as-cflpa-president.html

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=447707

The union contract expires in a few weeks, so we'll see how hard a stance Flory takes.

[GA Russell]

Here's the word on Scott Flory and the others elected to the Board of the players' union.

I'm curious as to why Flory ran for the office. Is he more or less militant than Mike Morreale?

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=447906

[GA Russell]

Marcus Ball has signed with New Orleans.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=448107

*****

Herb Zurkowski said on the radio that Mike Morreale was quoted as saying that the players would not refuse to play without a contract. The players felt that it was a weak bargaining position to say that, so they replaced him with Scott Flory. The union did not release the vote tally.

[GA Russell]

Remember Carl Weathers who played Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies? Here's his BC Lions bubble gum card.

https://twitter.com/marcotwentysix/status/451555515349221376/photo/1

[GA Russell]

Here's something you might enjoy. The league on its website is conducting a poll (with videos) of the best trick plays.

http://cfl.ca/article/the-great-debate-best-trick-plays-of-all-time

[GA Russell]

Let's catch up.

Here's a surprise. The Lions have signed Steven Jyles. We'll see if he makes the roster.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=448609

http://cfl.ca/article/report-veteran-pivot-jyles-signs-on-with-lions

*****

The Toronto city council approved expanding BMO Field, where the Argos are expected to play.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=448179

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Chad Rempel has signed with Chicago.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=448645

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The guys at cfl.ca have issued pre-season power rankings. The Stamps are #1.

http://cfl.ca/article/cflca-power-rankings-stamps-top-off-season-list

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The Als are changing radio stations, and will now be on Montreal's TSN affiliate.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=448994

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This year will be the 50th Vanier Cup, and it will be held for the first time in Montreal, November 29.

http://cfl.ca/article/montreal-to-host-50th-vanier-cup

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The Riders have given Brendan Taman a two-year extension, and are now calling him Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager.

http://cfl.ca/article/extended-ride-saskatchewan-keeps-taman-in-the-fold

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=448791

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Alex Hall has signed with Carolina. This is big news here because he played his college ball for St. Aug's here in Raleigh.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=449039

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Believe it or not, it looks like the Als will sign chad (Ochocinco) Johnson.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=449118

http://cfl.ca/article/alouettes-to-work-out-chad-johnson

*****

Rather than play for Ottawa, Marwan Hage has decided to retire.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=449237

http://cfl.ca/article/report-hage-set-to-announce-retirement

[GA Russell]

Apparently Khalif Mitchell's hopes to land an NFL job didn't pan out, because he is currently talking to the Lions.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=449525

http://cfl.ca/article/report-could-khalif-mitchell-be-heading-back-to-bc

*****

The Als have signed Chad (Ochocinco) Johnson. He last played in 2011.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4687034

http://cfl.ca/article/alouettes-ink-veteran-receiver-chad-johnson

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=449632

[GA Russell]

Here is the Scouting Bureau's final ranking of rookie prospects. The draft will be May 13.

http://cfl.ca/article/final-scouting-bureau-rankings

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=112023

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=450101

*****

You might be interested to see the most widely read news item in the history of the league's website.

http://cfl.ca/article/als-storm-back-to-win-97th-grey-cup

[GA Russell]

Mark Cohon announced today that the 2013 salary cap was $4,400,000., and that the Riders were the only team to exceed it, and by only $17,975.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=450184

http://cfl.ca/article/7-of-8-teams-under-the-salary-cap

[GA Russell]

Steve Slaton was a star running back for WVU, and as you can seee with this link he was on the covers of the 2007 college football previews of Sports Illustrated, Street & Smith and Athlon.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Steve+Slaton+cover&client=firefox-a&hs=aA0&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&imgil=X9TMsvgB6YaD4M%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcSk41JTVOlaV3zdUDU22Tv0S1UOUsf6rUpX7QuaQRenuKVdL_LdIQ%253B255%253B350%253BplGYH2twNLBgjM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fsportingnews.printstown.com%25252FMyCart.aspx%25253FprodId%2525253D33974&source=iu&usg=__UHaCIOWhRs4KumgeZ8z5hpHcQ_w%3D&sa=X&ei=16tcU_TiLIresASknYKABA&ved=0CDkQ9QEwBg

In 2008 he set several Houston Texan rookie records. On Thursday he signed with the Argos.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=450279

http://cfl.ca/article/backfield-depth-argos-sign-rb-slaton

*****

Here's the league's website's rankings of the top 20 most significant moves of this off-season.

http://cfl.ca/article/cflcas-top-20-most-significant-moves-of-the-off-season

*****

Here is the draft order for the May 13 draft.

http://cfl.ca/canadian_draft/list?year=2014

[GA Russell]

The league is currently selling its "Riders Grey Cup Champions" merchandise at 25% off.

http://www.cflshop.ca/cfl-special-events/browse/team/2RIDERS/perpage/48

*****

It looks like Steven Jyles may retire. He failed to report this week to the Lions' voluntary mini-camp.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=450766

[GA Russell]

The cost of Winnipeg's new stadium is now pegged at $210 million.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451033

*****

The Lions have signed Khalif Mitchell.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4691658

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451388

http://cfl.ca/article/back-in-bc-mitchell-inks-contract-with-lions

*****

It is possible that Geroy Simon will retire, going out on top.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451413

*****

The Redblacks unveiled their new uniforms.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ottawa+redblacks+uniforms+photos&client=firefox-a&hs=WO8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=F7NrU5b1K4mvsATJ3oCIDg&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=910

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/95953

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451439

*****

Scott Flory has retired. You will recall that he was recently elected head of the players' union.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451499

http://cfl.ca/article/changing-of-the-guard-flory-announces-retirement

*****

The Riders claim that November's Grey Cup generated $93 million for the province.

http://cfl.ca/article/grey-cup-and-festival-generated-over-93-million-dollars

[danasgoodstuff]

someone's getting pegged at $210 million for a stadium and $93 million would be roughly $90 CND for every person in Saskatchewan!

[GA Russell]

Jim Popp's missus Kim, while on vacation at Hilton Head Island, was bitten by a shark!

http://www.wcti12.com/news/nc-woman-says-she-punched-shark-to-survive-attack/25901308

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451634

*****

As expected, the Board of Governors approved the Rules Committee proposal that will make pass interference calls reviewable. The coach will have to challenge.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451630

http://cfl.ca/article/board-of-governors-approve-all-rule-changes

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4692234

*****

The Ticats have released Brandon Isaac, Onrea Jones and two others.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451699

http://cfl.ca/article/isaac-jones-releases-by-tiger-cats

*****

The Argos have hired Bryan Chiu to be their new offensive line coach.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451709

http://cfl.ca/article/chiu-joins-boatmen-as-o-line-coach

*****

Keep in mind that the draft will be Tuesday.

[GA Russell]

The radio broadcast of the draft will be on the internet Tuesday starting at 7:00 pm eastern, here:

http://www.tsn1200.ca/live/music-player/index.html

http://cfl.ca/article/cflca-is-the-place-to-be-on-draft-day

*****

The Bombers showed a $2.9 million profit last year.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=451973

*****

The Bombers have released Cauchy Muamba.

http://cfl.ca/article/muamba-moving-on-from-winnipeg

http://cfl.ca/roster/show?id=4053

Edited May 12, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

If you won't be able to tune in at 7:00 pm eastern tomorrow, I've found a couple of links for you to see what you have missed.

http://cfl.ca/draft

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=118161

[GA Russell]

We have a lot to catch up on!

Simoni Lawrence was released by Minnesota, and is now a free agent in both the CFL and the NFL.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452061

*****

The last player picked is called "Mr. Irrelevant." The 2008 Mr. Irrelevant is still in the league - Luc Brodeur-Jourdain!

http://cfl.ca/article/draft-stories-2008s-mr-irrelevant

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The Redblacks had the first pick in the draft, but traded it to the Stamps for OL Jon Gott.

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-trade-1st-overall-pick-to-stamps

*****

By far the best prospect in the draft was McGill OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. But he was picked in the 6th round by Kansas City, so the teams passed on him until the Stamps took him with the first pick of the third round.

http://cfl.ca/article/laurent-duvernay-tardif-falls-to-19th-overall-to-calgary

*****

The Als took OL David Foucault in the first round, but he signed with Carolina.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/19/4919233/carolina-panthers-sign-canadian.html#.U4a_DXYmSUk

http://cfl.ca/article/montreal-takes-david-foucault-with-fifth-selection

*****

The Redblacks traded Kevin Glenn to the Lions for their first round pick.

http://cfl.ca/article/ottawa-trades-glenn-to-bc-for-5th-overall-pick

*****

The Bombers signed Ejiro Kuale.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452077

*****

The Als drafted punter Nick Boyd in the fifth round. The next day Burke Dales announced his retirement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke_Dales

*****

Here's the complete list of the draft.

http://cfl.ca/draft

*****

Patrick Kabongo has retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/kabongo-hangs-em-up-after-11-seasons

*****

The Riders have signed Brandon Isaac.

http://cfl.ca/article/brandon-isaac-rides-to-saskatchewan

*****

The Als signed 2012 Heisman finalist Collin Klein.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452330

*****

The Bombers signed RB Kevin Smith, who spent five years with Detroit.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452630

*****

Cory Huclack has retired.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452642

*****

The negotiations for the next labor contract have begun.

The league proposed a 9% increase in the salary cap.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452722

The Commissioner posted an open letter to the fans.

http://cfl.ca/article/an-open-letter-to-canadian-football-league-fans

*****

The Stamps traded a pick to the Ticats for Dee Webb. They also signed Lin-J Shell, and released Jonathan Hefney.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452777

http://cfl.ca/article/making-moves-stamps-sign-shell-acquire-webb-release-hefney

*****

Here's a photo of the model of the Riders' new ballpark, which will also be called Mosaic Stadium

http://cfl.ca/article/riders-unveil-new-mosaic-stadium

*****

Adrian McPherson was injured last year playing in the Arena league. He has not fully recovered, so the Stamps have put him on the retired list.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=452969

*****

The Argos had planned to relocate to BMO Field, but it now looks like that's not going to happen.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453230

*****

Chad Johnson has had some trouble with the law in the US, and there was some question as to whether he would be allowed to enter Canada. However the government issued his work permit.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453335

*****

The Commissioner sent a letter to each player. The union negotiators weren't happy that he went around them. Here's what the letter said:

http://cfl.ca/article/canadian-football-league-makes-offer-to-players

*****

Here's a true/false test you can take concerning the league's 2014 rules!

http://cfl.ca/article/test-time-take-the-2014-cfl-rules-exam

Edited May 29, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

TSN reports that Geroy Simon will retire this week. This was confirmed by Brendan Taman.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453628

http://cfl.ca/article/hanging-em-up-reports-say-simon-set-to-retire

*****

The Ticats have signed Simoni Lawrence.

http://cfl.ca/article/back-in-the-steeltown-simoni-signs-with-the-ticats

*****

Chad Kackert has retired, and will become the Argos' strength and conditioning coach. You will recall that Kackert broke his ankle at the end of last season, and he did not recover sufficiently to continue his playing career.

http://cfl.ca/article/a-new-direction-kackert-retires-joins-argos-staff

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453677

*****

The Ticats have signed Ted Laurent.

http://cfl.ca/article/ted-in-tigertown-all-star-laurant-signs-with-hamilton

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453743

*****

Peter Dyakowski injured his patellar tendon in the Grey Cup game, and has not fully recovered. So the Ticats have placed him on the nine-game injured list.

http://cfl.ca/article/more-time-needed-dyakowski-placed-on-nine-game

*****

The teams opened their camps today, and as far as I know, all the players showed up. The union contract expired Thursday night at midnight, and the union says that a strike is a possibility.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453748

[GA Russell]

Here is a good look at the schedule.

http://cfl.ca/schedule/year/2014/time_zone/0

*****

After one day in camp, the Bombers have released former NFLer Kevin Smith.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453770

*****

The league has posted great summaries of what each team has been up to during the off-season.

Winnipeg

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-winnipeg-blue-bombers

BC

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-bc-lions

Toronto

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-toronto-argonauts

Sask

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-saskatchewan-roughriders

Calgary

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-calgary-stampeders

Edmonton

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-edmonton-eskimos

Montreal

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-montreal-alouettes

The Hammer

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-hamilton-tiger-cats

Ottawa

http://cfl.ca/article/offseason-timeline-ottawa-redblacks

[GA Russell]

My hard drive died on the 3rd, and I had it replaced yesterday. So here we go.

Mike McCullough has retired.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4697912

*****

The Bombers released Kevin Smith.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4698730

*****

Geroy Simon officially retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/superman-simon-hangs-up-his-cape

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=453954

*****

Paul LaPolice is a training camp guest coach for the Argos this year.

http://cfl.ca/article/getting-his-fix-lapolice-happy-to-be-a-guest-coach

*****

The Bombers will unveil their new Bud Grant statue in October.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=454163

*****

In a great surprise, one week into training camp the Als let go their new offensive coordinator Rick Worman.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=454435

http://cfl.ca/article/quick-exit-alouettes-part-ways-with-worman

*****

The Exhibition Season has begun!

Argos 24....Bombers 22

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=454445

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-pass-first-test-with-pre-season-win-over-bombers

Lions 14....Eskimos 11

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=454796

http://cfl.ca/article/game-winning-shott-late-field-goal-lifts-lions-over-esks

*****

After a great deal of public posturing, the league and the players' union agreed to a five-year labor contract.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4701289

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=454752

http://cfl.ca/article/new-five-year-cba-ratified-by-cfl-and-cflpa

*****

I have found a website that sells DVDs of Grey Cup games. I placed an order, and the service was very prompt. However, I have not seen one yet, so I can't vouch for the quality. He might give you a discount if you mention my name.

http://www.sell.com/23N72X

Edited June 14, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Ticats 28....Als 23

http://cfl.ca/article/big-second-half-vaults-tiger-cats-over-alouettes

Riders 21....Redblacks 17

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-debut-but-riders-prevail-at-mosaic

Stamps 23....Bombers 20

http://cfl.ca/article/running-game-rookie-kicker-lead-stamps-over-bombers

[GA Russell]

Check out this video of Mike Reilly!

[GA Russell]

I'm finding lots of little things on twitter that don't really merit in-depth analyses to be linked to. You are welcome to follow me at @RealRussellMoon