2024 @CFL season

[GA Russell]

Here are all of this year's Most Outstanding Player nominees:

PLAYER Solomon Elimimian (BC) Ricky Ray (TOR)

DEFENSIVE Solomon Elimimian (BC) Bear Woods (MTL)

CANADIAN Jon Cornish (CGY) Ted Laurent (HAM)

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN Brett Jones (CGY) Jeff Perrett (MTL)

SPECIAL TEAMS Lirim Hajrullahu (WPG) Swayze Waters (TOR)

ROOKIE Dexter McCoil (EDM) Tristan Okpalaugo (TOR)

In the past few years I've found it fairly easy to pick the winners, but not this year. I'll go with...

Ricky Ray

Solomon Elimimian

Jon Cornish

Brett Jones

Swayze Waters

Dexter McCoil

It can definitely be argued that Elimimian had a better year than Ray, but for most of the year people thought that John Chick would be named the league's best defensive player. I don't think that the voters have been watching Elimimian throughout the year like they have Ray.

Cornish had a crazy year. He was one of the best players in league history the games that he played, but he missed half the schedule with injuries. I think that the voters will name him Best Canadian as a consolation prize.

Offensive Lineman is always a tough call.

McCoil made some highlight videos throughout the year, so I think that he will get the nod.

Swayze Waters was not only good with the field goals, but he was magical punting the ball out of bounds inside the ten-yard line. For me, he and Elimimian (for Best Defensive Player) are the easiest picks.

Last night while I was recovering from my annual massive dose of tryptophan (a four-hour nap!), all of Vancouver attended the CFL Awards banquet. And the winners are...

Elimimian

Elimimian

Cornish

Jones

Waters

McCoil

http://cfl.ca/article/un-d-niable-elimimian-makes-history-with-mop-honour

Edited November 29, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Grey Cup picks

Chris Schultz

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/schultz-picking-the-winner-of-the-102nd-grey-cup-1.145839

cfl.ca

http://cfl.ca/article/cflca-writers-make-their-102nd-grey-cup-predictions

Scott Rintoul

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/ottawa-1200/rintoul-grey-cup-will-stay-in-the-west-with-the-stamps-1.146655

Dan Ralph

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/stampeders-have-the-advantage-going-into-grey-cup-finals/article21823177/

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Tonight the Hall of Fame announced its 2015 inductees:

Dave Dickenson

Gene Makowski

Leroy Blugh

Eddie Davis

Bob O'Billovich

Robert Wetenhall

Larry Reda (a BC amateur coach)

That's a pretty impressive list!

Edited November 30, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Top 50 Plays of the Year

http://www.tsn.ca/video/sc-top-10-presents-top-50-cfl-plays-of-the-year-1.147466

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cfl.ca Grey Cup preview

http://cfl.ca/article/2014-cflca-game-notes-the-102nd-grey-cup

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The University of Montreal Carabins won the Vanier Cup today by defeating the McMaster Marauders 20-19 in Montreal.

http://cfl.ca/article/montreal-carabins-capture-first-vanier-cup-title

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The Washington Post has an article about the Grey Cup.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/11/29/2014-grey-cup-players-you-should-know-and-players-you-might-recognize/

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So does Bleacher Report.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2282949-cfl-grey-cup-2014-date-time-tv-schedule-live-stream-and-preview

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Here's a collection of this week's Vancouver Province articles about the game.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2282949-cfl-grey-cup-2014-date-time-tv-schedule-live-stream-and-preview

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Remember, the deadline for the Grey cup contest is tomorrow at 6:00 pm eastern. Good luck everyone!

[danasgoodstuff]

The roughies (such an absurd nickname, but what has the official name got to do with Sk?) will be back next year, or not...depending on how well our QB heals.

[GA Russell]

Another cfl.ca Grey Cup preview

http://cfl.ca/article/preview-the-102nd-grey-cup-championship

[GA Russell]

The Stamps win the Grey Cup!

Calgary Stampeders 20....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 16

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-jump-out-to-big-lead-hold-on-to-beat-ticats-in-102nd-grey-cup-1.148326

http://cfl.ca/article/grey-gallop-stamps-champs-with-win-over-ticats

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=783090

http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/statsGame/id/12827

Good video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/107353

Edited December 1, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

I'll have a few things tomorrow when I get a chance, but for now...

Here are photos of the broken Grey Cup following Sunday's game.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/grey-cup-breaks-during-stampeders--celebration--for-the-second-time-in-three-years--photos-044823246.html

http://vipmedia.globalnews.ca/2014/11/cup-720.jpg?w=672&h=448&crop=1

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Wally will not offer contracts to Kevin Glenn, Dante Marsh and Khalif Mitchell.

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-say-glenn-marsh-and-mitchell-won-t-be-back-in-2015-1.150091

[GA Russell]

Three quick items...

Marcus Thigpen was waived by Tampa Bay, and immediately picked up by Buffalo.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/26/bills-awarded-returner-marcus-thigpen-on-waivers/

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Chicago has waived/injured Chris Williams.

http://dawindycity.com/2014/08/30/chicago-bears-cut-kick-returner-chris-williams/

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Nebraska today named Mike Riley to be their new head coach. I don't recall Nebraska ever having a passing game before, so this will be something new for Cornhusker fans.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/nebraska-hires-oregon-states-mike-riley-as-its-new-coach/ar-BBgl1Th?ocid=ansspap11

[GA Russell]

I promise I'll take care of the week's news tomorrow. In the meantime...

Jeff Tedford has nominally been Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator this year, but he has missed most of the season due to illness. Tampa Bay released him today.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2290749-jeff-tedford-relieved-of-coaching-duties-by-tampa-bay-buccaneers

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

Edited December 6, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

I am very pleased to announce that my high school alma mater, Jesuit High School of New Orleans, has moments ago won the Louisiana state championship for the first time since 1960.

Jesuit has had two alumni go on to success in the Canadian league - Al Ecuyer of the Eskimos and Gill the Thrill Fenerty of the Argos.

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

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

[GA Russell]

And here's a news report of Jesuit's glorious victory!

http://www.wwltv.com/story/sports/high-school/2014/12/06/jesuit-curtis/19998071/

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And now to return to our regularly scheduled broadcast.

The week following the Grey Cup usually has little news, as everyone takes the week off. But not this year.

Sunday's Grey Cup stats

http://www.cfl.ca/statistics/statsGame/id/12827

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Grey Cup video highlights

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/107369

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The Redblacks have named Jason Maas to be their new offensive coordinator.

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-name-maas-offensive-coordinator

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John Hufnagel has announced that he will coach one more year, and then appoint Dave Dickinson to succeed him as head coach in 2016.

http://cfl.ca/article/one-more-year-hufnagel-to-return-for-2015-season

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The 2014 All-Star Team has been announced.

http://cfl.ca/article/stars-shine-cfl-all-star-team-unveiled

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The Riders announced that George Cortez will not be back next year.

http://cfl.ca/article/riders-confirm-cortez-will-not-return-in-2015

http://www.tsn.ca/cortez-will-not-be-back-as-roughriders-offensive-coordinator-next-season-1.151822

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Marc Cohon will step down Jan. 9. Board Chairman Jim Lawson will fill the position on an interim basis until Cohon's successor is hired.

http://cfl.ca/article/commissioner-cohon-to-step-down-in-january

http://www.tsn.ca/cohon-to-step-down-as-cfl-commissioner-jan-9-1.151809

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Kerry Joseph has again retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/making-it-official-joseph-announces-retirement

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-quarterback-joseph-announces-retirement-again-1.152554

[GA Russell]

Let's see if we can catch up before the ball drops.

Here's the video of this year's Grey Cup game.

http://www.cfl.ca/video/index/id/107575

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Richie Hall will not return as the Riders' defensive coordinator next year.

http://cfl.ca/article/hall-wont-return-as-d-coordinator-riders-announce

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/107625

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The Scouting Bureau released its December rankings.

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/107631

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-scouting-bureau-winter-rankings-1.157499

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Here is the league's list of the players who are set to become free agents.

http://cfl.ca/article/2015-free-agent-tracker

http://www.tsn.ca/2015-cfl-potential-free-agents-1.155639

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Here is the league's list, with videos, of the year's 15 most memorable games.

http://cfl.ca/article/top-15-games-to-remember-from-2014

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The league speculates that these 15 players may become stars next year.

http://cfl.ca/article/15-for-15-top-breakout-candidates

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Anthony Calvillo will be an offensive assistant coach for the Als next year.

http://cfl.ca/article/calvillo-to-resume-als-career-as-an-offensive-coach

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The league has assembled videos of various Top Tens of the year: Catches, Hits, Returns, Interceptions and Runs.

http://cfl.ca/video

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Luke Tasker had a tryout with Green Bay.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-tiger-cats-wr-tasker-works-out-for-nfl-s-packers-1.162004

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The Bombers have let Gary Etcheverry go.

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-part-ways-with-dc-gary-etcheverry

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-fire-defensive-co-ordinator-etcheverry-1.162123

http://cfl.ca/article/irving-oshea-etch-couldnt-reach-compromise

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I'm not sure exactly what this means, but Google has released its 2014 data for "trending" Canadian teams, and six of the top ten were CFL teams.

http://cfl.ca/article/google-data-reveals-cfl-teams-trending-upwards

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The list of potential new commissioners includes former Als exec Skip Prince, and former MLSE head Tom Anselmi. You will note that one commenter says, "Take a look at Goodall and hire someone different." (!)

http://www.tsn.ca/report-former-cfl-exec-prince-interested-in-commissioner-s-job-1.163238

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Tricky Dick Thornton has died at 75.

http://cfl.ca/article/the-cfl-mourns-the-passing-of-tricky-dick-thornton

http://www.tsn.ca/former-blue-bomber-argo-dick-thornton-dies-at-age-75-1.164468

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BC has hired Jeff Tedford to be their new head coach.

http://cfl.ca/article/lions-name-jeff-tedford-their-next-head-coach

[GA Russell]

The Riders have hired Jacques Chapdelaine to be their new offensive coordinator.

http://cfl.ca/article/chapdelaine-named-riders-next-offensive-coordinator

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-hire-veteran-coach-chapdelaine-to-be-offensive-co-ordinator-1.163785

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After missing all of 2014, Jamel Richardson has signed with the Riders. Herb Zurkowski pointed out in a tweet that until he passes the physical, this signing is a non-event.

http://cfl.ca/article/back-at-it-richardson-returns-inks-deal-with-roughriders

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-sign-sb-richardson-after-missing-entire-2014-season-1.166113

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

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-add-chiu-to-coaching-staff

http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-appoint-chiu-as-their-offensive-line-coach-1.167011

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Wally has joined Jake as a member of the Order of Canada! I'm very happy for him, but for me it hasn't been the same since they let the abortionist in.

http://cfl.ca/article/a-great-honour-buono-named-to-order-of-canada

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-gm-buono-named-to-order-of-canada-1.168767

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The league has posted year-end reviews of each team, including potential departures and what each team will need to win the Grey Cup next year.

Ottawa

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-ottawa-redblacks

Montreal

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-montreal-alouettes

Edmonton

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-edmonton-eskimos

Saskatchewan

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-saskatchewan-roughriders

Toronto

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-toronto-argonauts

Hamilton

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-hamilton-tiger-cats

Winnipeg

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-winnipeg-blue-bombers

BC

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-bc-lions

Calgary

http://cfl.ca/article/season-rewind-calgary-stampeders

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You may recall that I received the Cookie Gilchrist book last month. I read it a couple of weeks ago, and he mentions something that I had no idea about. Jim Trimble and a partner invented the single-leg goal post!

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

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Frank Cosentino has a new book out! It's called Home Again, and it covers the last twenty years of the league. (You will note that he has self-published it using Bob Young's company, lulu.com.)

http://www.lulu.com/shop/frank-cosentino/home-again/paperback/product-21944940.html

Edited December 30, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Happy New Year, everyone!

I learned today that Normie Kwong is also a member of the Order of Canada.

http://www.amazon.com/China-Clipper-footballs-Chinese-Canadian-Recordbooks/dp/1552775275/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420087982&sr=8-1&keywords=china+clipper+richard+brignall

[GA Russell]

This article was in the paper during Grey Cup Week. It mentions Khalif Mitchell, so I thought you might enjoy it.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/11/26/4357287_decade-later-the-play-lives-on.html?sp=/99/103/&rh=1

[GA Russell]

TSN is reporting that...

1) with Jeff Tedford becoming the new head coach, the Lions are letting go Joe Paopao, Kelly Bates and Dan Dorazio;

2) Dorazio may join Jacques Chapdelaine in Regina; and

3) George Cortez may join Tedford in Vancouver.

http://www.tsn.ca/assistant-coaches-paopao-dorazio-released-by-lions-1.172123

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Top Ten offensive touchdowns of 2014

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/107903

[GA Russell]

The Winnipeg Sun's Kirk Penton is tweeting that the Riders have released Dominic Picard.

[danasgoodstuff]

I've oftimes wondered what kind of shock must be experienced by players from the American south who play for Edmonton or SK when they first experience -100F windchill...

[GA Russell]

Dana, the coldest Grey Cup that I remember watching on TV was the 1991 game in Winnipeg between the Argos and the Stampeders.

I don't remember when they decided to play the game at night (for the TV ratings of course), but since we're talking about the last Sunday of November, it wouldn't bother me if all outdoor Grey Cups were to be played in the afternoon.

[danasgoodstuff]

Dana, the coldest Grey Cup that I remember watching on TV was the 1991 game in Winnipeg between the Argos and the Stampeders.

I don't remember when they decided to play the game at night (for the TV ratings of course), but since we're talking about the last Sunday of November, it wouldn't bother me if all outdoor Grey Cups were to be played in the afternoon.

In Edmonton in late Nov there's barely enuff hours of daylight to play a football game. But I meant just living there...although I'm sure some of 'em head south as soon as the season's over...

[GA Russell]

Allie Sherman has died.

I recently read a book about the 1943 Philadelphia Eagles/Pittsburgh Steelers season called Last Team Standing. He was with the Eagles that year, and there was some discussion of him. The author said that after he was let go by the Giants, rather than stay in football, he moved over to Wall Street and made a fortune.

I haven't yet found a book about his years with the Bombers.

You may recall that shortly after the Giants' fans serenaded him with Goodbye Allie, the Argos' fans serenaded Leo with Goodbye Leo. As a result, Leo called his book Goodbye Argos!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/sports/football/allie-sherman-giants-coach-in-the-1960s-dies-at-91.html?_r=0

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

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Team-Standing-Steelers-Eagles--/dp/B000WCNXHS/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420571289&sr=1-1&keywords=last+team+standing

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Dominic Picard has signed with the Bombers.

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-re-sign-anthony-wellman-release-picard-black-1.176054

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-sign-free-agent-ol-picard-1.176053

Edited January 6, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Amazon has on sale for only $6.74 Al Carmichael's autobiography 106 Yards.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007HWEZVO/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is a beautiful coffee table book with plenty of photos, including a readable photo of his 1959 contract with the Stampeders on page 321.

Edited January 10, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Here are the league's picks for the best photos of the year.

http://cfl.ca/photo_gallery/gallery/14263

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Carl Hairston is another coach who will not be back with the Lions

http://cfl.ca/article/paopao-among-coaches-that-wont-return-with-lions

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And now, the Top Ten defensive plays of the year.

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/107915

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Oft injured DT Ryan Lucas has decided to retire after seven years.

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-defensive-tackle-lucas-retires

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Top Ten Plays of the year

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/107917

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The league's former Director of Football Operations Shawn Coates has died. He was only 52.

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-mourns-the-loss-of-shawn-coates

http://www.tsn.ca/former-blue-bombers-cfl-official-coates-dies-at-the-age-of-52-1.179419

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Former Lion and Rider long snapper Tim Cronk has signed with the Bombers.

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-sign-former-roughriders-long-snapper-cronk-1.178545

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The Lions have offered the OC job to George Cortez. This TSN article acts as if it's a done deal.

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-offer-offensive-coordinator-job-to-cortez-1.176240

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An NFL team has offered a contract to Bombers linebacker Ian Wild, and the team will probably release him so that he can sign that contract. No word on which team.

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-lb-wild-offered-nfl-contract-1.176275

[GA Russell]

I see that on his Wikipedia page, this year's Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota says that as a youngster he admired the Ticats' Jeremiah Masoli.

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

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The Riders have hired Als linebacker coach Greg Quick to be their new defensive coordinator.

http://cfl.ca/article/quick-hire-riders-bring-on-new-defensive-coordinator

http://www.tsn.ca/quick-named-defensive-co-ordinator-of-roughriders-1.180737

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Jalil Carter was scheduled to become a free agent next month, so the Argos have released him a month early to give him a better chance at signing an NFL contract, probably with Minnesota.

http://cfl.ca/article/carter-released-king-extended-by-boatmen

http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-sign-king-to-extension-release-veteran-carter-1.181689

[GA Russell]

TSN reports that the Als have Ohio State qb Cardale Jones on their neg list.

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-have-negotiation-rights-for-ohio-state-qb-jones-1.182627

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The Eskimos have signed former Northern Illinois qb Jordan Lynch. Lynch was a 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-sign-former-heisman-finalist-qb-lynch-1.182439

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As expected, Jalil Carter has signed with Minnesota.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-argonauts-cb-carter-signs-with-vikings-1.183288

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The Stampeders have traded Mo Price to the Redblacks for Jasper Simmons and Dan Buckner.

http://cfl.ca/article/price-shipped-to-ottawa-for-simmons

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-trade-wr-price-to-redblacks-for-lb-simmons-wr-buckner-1.183338

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The Eskimos have traded Fred Stamps to the Als for Kenny Stafford.

http://cfl.ca/article/end-of-an-era-esks-ship-stamps-to-als

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-acquire-veteran-receiver-stamps-from-eskimos-1.184523

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Cleveland has interviewed Marc Trestman for their OC job.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ap-source-browns-interview-ex-bears-coach-trestman-182115340--nfl.html

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Some of the Scouting Bureau's highest rated players will be playing in the East-West Shrine Game tomorrow.

http://cfl.ca/article/two-of-the-countys-top-prospects-ready-for-shrine-game

Edited January 17, 2015 by GA Russell