2024 @CFL season

[GA Russell]

Today I stumbled upon a reference to the Burnside rules on Wikipedia.

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

[GA Russell]

The league has announced that the amateur draft will be held May 12.

http://cfl.ca/article/2015-cfl-draft-order-broadcast-info-revealed

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-to-hold-draft-on-may-12-1.235065

[GA Russell]

Here's an article from Yahoo's CFL correspondent Andrew Bucholtz, in which he points out that the May 12 date is about ten days later than the past few years. The draft date is all about determining who will sign with the NFL for the money, so that nobody wastes a high pick on him.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/2015-cfl-draft-set-for-may-12--which-should-be-perfect-relative-to-the-nfl-draft-192819144.html

*****

Edmonton's backup QB Pat White has decided to retire.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-qb-white-retires-1.235206

http://cfl.ca/article/esks-qb-white-calls-it-a-career

*****

I've been following the league on a weekly basis since 1974, and last year was by far the least enjoyable for me. If all the games were as boring as they were last year, I wouldn't be a fan. I believe that the league added two players to the game roster, and the coaches put those two players on defense. Thus the games were boring.

Now Kirk Penton of the Winnipeg Sun says that there is a great deal of talk to change some rules to put the offense back into the game. Hey guys, why not just reduce the game roster by two players?

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/03/19/cfl-toying-with-rule-changes-to-increase-scoring

[GA Russell]

Following up on the transcript of Jim Barker's reddit AMA (post #2050), Dan Ralph's column today deals with the fact that Barker's, Milanovich's and Ray's contracts all expire at the end of this year. The 2016 Argos might be unrecognizable!

http://cjme.com/content/barker-and-others-enter-final-contract-year

PS - I see that Owens' contract is in its last year too!

*****

CBS has posted about the increase in interest in Canadians by the NFL teams.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25115675

*****

Here is this week's Checking Down column, with comments about each team.

http://www.cfl.ca/article/checking-down-draft-chat-free-agency-and-more

Edited March 21, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Anybody here watch Jeopardy?

https://twitter.com/Litz72/status/579486478201270272/photo/1

[GA Russell]

It has been nearly three weeks since my last post, so let's catch up.

Here is the current status of the free agents.

http://www.tsn.ca/2015-cfl-free-agent-tracker-1.155639

*****

The Eskimos released Joe Burnett, and the Stampeders signed him.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-release-db-burnett-1.246565

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-add-db-burnett-1.253167

*****

Riders CEO Jim Hopson has retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/riders-hopson-bids-farewell-thanks-fans

*****

The Rules Committee suggested a number of rules changes, which as expected the Board of Governors has approved.

http://cfl.ca/article/shell-offensive-pass-interference-now-reviewable

http://cfl.ca/article/major-rule-changes-approved-by-cfl-governors

http://cfl.ca/article/qa-esks-gm-hervey-talks-about-rule-changes

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-rules-committee-pitches-major-changes-1.241162

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-converts-pushed-back-20-yards-1.251292

http://www.tsn.ca/more-rule-changes-we-ve-seen-plenty-1.238790

You can read about the new freedoms the offense will have. I think that what most people will notice are the changes for the convert. If the team wants to go for two points, the line of scrimmage will be the three. If it wants to kick the one point, the line of scrimmage will be the 25.

*****

April 3 Checking Down - notes about each team

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-lulays-arm-a-topic-of-discussion

*****

The Bombers announced a profit of $3.9 million for 2014, which is $1 million more than 2013.

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-reveal-1-million-profit-increase-in-2014

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-post-3-9-million-profit-1.251130

*****

April 10 Checking Down - notes about each team

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-minicamps-kackert-and-more

Edited April 11, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Romby Bryant has retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/final-stamp-romby-bryant-retires-a-stampeder

http://www.tsn.ca/bryant-signs-one-day-deal-to-retire-with-stampeders-1.255717

[GA Russell]

Howie Schumm, who was a linebacker for the Eskimos throughout the '60s, has died at 75.

http://esks.com/article/eskimos-mourn-the-passing-of-howie-schumm

[GA Russell]

Here's a perfect article for a hot stove league - a list of the best draft picks, according to where they went in the draft!

http://bluebombertalk.com/2015/04/15/the-greatest-cfl-draft-picks-of-all-time-from-no-1-to-no-64/

[GA Russell]

Remember when Baltimore won the Grey Cup in '95?

I've just read that an American team has won the Grey Cup more recently than a Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup. I had no idea!

[GA Russell]

The league announced today that the auditing has been completed, and only one team exceeded the salary cap - the Ticats. The amount was only $8,939, so the Ticats will be fined that amount by the league. The Cats will not lose a draft pick. The team said that their going over the cap was due to a large number of injuries, and paying out a large number of bonuses for making the All-Star team.

http://cfl.ca/article/8-of-9-teams-under-2014-salary-cap

http://www.tsn.ca/tiger-cats-lone-team-to-exceed-salary-cap-1.258649

*****

Willard Reaves has a 25-year old son named Jordan. The Bombers have signed him, despite the fact that for the past ten years he has been playing basketball, not football.

http://cfl.ca/article/hard-turf-reaves-attempts-historic-football-comeback

*****

The Als' Steven Lumbala and Roderick Williams both announced their retirement today.

http://cfl.ca/article/als-lumbala-williams-announce-retirement

[GA Russell]

The union has parted ways with Ed Molstad. They lost confidence in him because they thought he was overcharging them.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/cfl-players-sever-ties-with-lawyer-after-dismissed-legal-fees-complaint-1.260165

*****

4/17 Checking Down - notes about each team

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-retirements-mini-camps-and-more

[GA Russell]

Chris Williams is returning to the league. He has signed with Ottawa.

http://cfl.ca/article/capital-gain-redblacks-sign-chris-williams

http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-sign-wr-williams-1.262765

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-williams-deal-a-long-time-coming

[GA Russell]

Yesterday and today, Mo Price and Brandon Banks have been dissing each other on Twitter!

http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-price-ticats-banks-feud-on-twitter-1.263774

[GA Russell]

Here's an article that points out that last year's MOP, Solomon Elimimian, made the team by trying out at a Lions Los Angeles mini-camp.

http://cfl.ca/article/solomons-story-from-open-tryout-to-mop

*****

April 24 Checking Down - notes on every team

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-passaglia-chris-williams-and-more

*****

On Friday, the Scouting Bureau released it Spring rankings. The Winter ranking evaluate the players after their college season has ended. In the past month there have been a number of "combines" in which the players display Olympic-type skills like weightlifting and sprinting. The Spring rankings rate the players after seeing the players at the combines.

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

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-scouting-bureau-spring-rankings-1.265609

You will note that one of the players is a quarterback - Brandon Bridge of South Alabama. The Scouting Bureau started in 2008, and this is the first time that a quarterback has made the top twenty.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-draft-ranking-features-first-ever-qb-1.265616

http://cfl.ca/article/canadian-qb-bridge-makes-scouting-bureau-history

Here are articles looking at the top twenty prospects.

http://www.tsn.ca/a-closer-look-at-the-top-5-cfl-prospects-1.266519

http://www.tsn.ca/a-closer-look-at-cfl-prospects-ranked-6-10-1.266556

http://www.tsn.ca/a-closer-look-at-cfl-prospects-ranked-11-15-1.266618

http://www.tsn.ca/a-closer-look-at-cfl-prospects-ranked-16-20-1.267191

*****

The Riders have released Seth Doege.

http://cfl.ca/article/riders-release-five-including-qb-seth-doege

*****

Redblacks kicker Brett Maher hurt himself getting ready for the Redblacks' camp, so they will be on the lookout for a new kicker.

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-sophomore-maher-on-the-shelf

*****

The Bombers have let go both Jason Vega and Steve Morley.

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-cut-ties-with-vega-morley

*****

Rumors are rampant that the Argos will be sold this week, and that their playing field issues will be resolved. The most commonly reported speculation is that the team will be purchased either by MLSE (which owns the Maple Leafs, the Raptors and the Reds soccer team) or by the MLSE's senior executive Larry Tanenbaum. MLSE has a far better record of showing a profit than of fielding competent teams, so this development should be of concern to Argo fans.

http://www.tsn.ca/bell-tanenbaum-in-talks-to-buy-argonauts-1.268118

[GA Russell]

Word was released yesterday that both Linden Gaydosh and Spencer Watt of the Ticats hurt their Achilles tendons in off-season workouts, and both will be lost for the entire year.

http://scratchingpost.thespec.com/2015/04/ticats-dt-linden-gaydosh-expected-to-miss-entire-2015-season-with-torn-achilles.html

*****

Yesterday was Jeff Orridge's first day on the job as Commissioner, and today he has released an open letter to the fans.

http://cfl.ca/article/an-open-letter-to-cfl-fans-from-jeffrey-l-orridge

Edited April 30, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Eskimos have added Justin Goltz and two other veterans to their roster.

http://www.esks.com/article/esks-add-trio

*****

Pinball Clemons became a Canadian citizen today.

http://argonauts.ca/article/pinball-clemons-proud-canadian-citizen

http://cfl.ca/article/pinball-clemons-becomes-a-canadian-citizen

http://www.tsn.ca/pinball-clemons-becomes-canadian-citizen-1.271282

[GA Russell]

The Ticats released nine today, including Cary Koch.

http://cfl.ca/article/koch-among-nine-released-by-tiger-cats

http://www.tsn.ca/koch-among-players-released-by-tiger-cats-1.272237

*****

The Als released seven today, including Larry Taylor.

http://cfl.ca/article/alouettes-release-return-specialist-larry-taylor

http://www.tsn.ca/return-man-taylor-highlights-alouettes-cuts-1.272501

*****

5/1 Checking Down

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-mini-camp-season-winds-down

[GA Russell]

As you know, the NFL draft was held the past few days, so let's see how it affects the CFL.

First, let's look again at the Scouting Bureau's Top 20 prospects.

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

The #1 guy was Grover Covington's son Christian. He went to Rice, and was drafted in the sixth round by the Houston Texans.

http://www.tsn.ca/texans-select-canadian-dt-covington-1.273437

#2 was Brett Boyko who was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles.

http://www.tsn.ca/eagles-sign-canadian-ol-boyko-1.273608

#13 Jason Ruby has been invited to the mini-camp of the New York Giants.

http://www.tsn.ca/giants-invite-canadian-ot-ruby-to-mini-camp-1.273619

#19 Brandon Bridge has been invited to the mini-camp of the Dallas Cowboys.

http://www.tsn.ca/canadian-qb-bridge-to-try-out-for-cowboys-1.273692

*****

Here's an article about each CFL team's mini-camp this week.

http://cfl.ca/article/recap-three-storylines-from-each-cfl-mini-camp

Edited May 4, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Here is a new Twitter address for you to follow. I think it started today.

https://twitter.com/3DownNation

[GA Russell]

Tomorrow is the draft, so let's catch up with what has occurred in the past week.

The Stampeders traded Ryan Mouton to the Bombers for Zebrie Sanders.

http://cfl.ca/article/stamps-acquire-ol-sanders-from-bombers

http://www.tsn.ca/stamps-deal-db-mouton-to-bombers-for-ol-sanders-1.275606

*****

The league has decided to make a special effort to market itself to millennials with something called the Whistle Sports Network.

http://cfl.ca/article/whistle-partnership-aims-to-connect-fans-with-athletes

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-out-to-broaden-its-appeal-to-millenials-1.276800

*****

Here is a video of Andy Fantuz setting a new world record for "most one-handed catches in one minute" with 50!

http://www.thesnap.ca/ticats-wr-andy-fantuz-sets-new-world-record-for-most-one-handed-catches/

http://www.tsn.ca/video/must-see-fantuz-breaks-one-handed-catch-record-1.276449

*****

The Argos have signed Kierrie Johnson.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-sign-free-agent-receiver-kierrie-johnson

*****

The Lions have traded Seydou Junior Haidara to the Ticats for their fifth round pick.

http://cfl.ca/article/ticats-send-pick-to-bc-to-acquire-seydou-junior-haidara

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-trade-wr-haidara-to-ticats-for-pick-1.276729

*****

Chris Jones and Ed Hervey of the Eskimos say that they will continue to prefer physical defensive backs despite the new rules' discouraging that sort of play.

http://cfl.ca/article/esks-wont-change-philosophy-on-defensive-backs

*****

The Bombers have signed Canadian defensive lineman Jamaal Westerman, who has spent the past six years in the NFL.

http://cfl.ca/article/blue-bombers-bring-dl-westerman-to-winnipeg

http://www.tsn.ca/bombers-sign-former-nfl-player-westerman-to-deal-1.277362

*****

The league has announced that Shaw Communications will sponsor the Grey Cup game. I realize that bills have to be paid, but one of the appeals of the league to me is that it is less commercialized than the other pro leagues.

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-announces-partnership-with-shaw-communications

*****

5/8 Checking Down - notes on each team

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-notes-from-around-the-cfl-may-8

*****

The Riders traded Cory Watson and a '16 pick to the Eskimos for Jorgen Hus and a '16 pick.

http://cfl.ca/article/west-trade-winds-eskimos-acquire-cory-watson

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-acquire-receiver-watson-from-roughriders-1.280440

*****

The Als have signed punter Ricky Schmitt. He is 29 years old, and has spent 8 years bouncing around the NFL and the CFL.

http://cfl.ca/article/alouettes-add-international-punter-ricky-schmitt

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-sign-veteran-punter-schmitt-1.280450

*****

The Ticats have signed free agent (former Bomber) Johnny Sears, Jr.

http://cfl.ca/article/ticats-add-veteran-db-johnny-sears-jr

http://www.tsn.ca/ticats-sign-db-sears-jr-1.280563

*****

With the draft tomorrow, here's a quick look at each team's first round picks of the past five years.

http://cfl.ca/article/draft-rewind-five-years-of-first-round-picks

*****

TSN's Duane Ford has done a lot of work to prepare draft profiles for each team.

Montreal

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-montreal-alouettes-1.278191

Ottawa

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-ottawa-redblacks-1.278186

Toronto

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-toronto-argonauts-1.278169

Hamilton

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-hamilton-tiger-cats-1.278146

Winnipeg

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-winnipeg-blue-bombers-1.278136

Saskatchewan

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-saskatchewan-roughriders-1.278130

Calgary

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-calgary-stampeders-1.278124

Edmonton

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-edmonton-eskimos-1.278083

BC

http://www.tsn.ca/draft-profile-bc-lions-1.278070

*****

Here are the links to use tomorrow to follow the draft as it happens.

http://cfl.ca/draft

http://www.tsn.ca/2015-cfl-draft-tracker-1.274687

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-hosts-exclusive-live-coverage-of-2015-cfl-draft-1.278064

*****

The Eskimos announced that they enjoyed a record profit of just under $3.6 million in 2014.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-2014-season-successful-on-and-off-field-1.275828

*****

Ray Baillie, who was a defensive lineman for four teams over the course of nine seasons, has died at 80.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-cfler-mcgill-coach-baillie-dies-at-80-1.280775

Edited May 12, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The draft starts in three hours (8:00 pm eastern).

Here's are five aspects of this year's draft on people's minds.

http://cfl.ca/article/five-things-to-know-heading-into-the-cfl-draft

*****

And repeating from last night...

Here are the links to use to follow the draft as it happens.

http://cfl.ca/draft

http://www.tsn.ca/20...racker-1.274687

http://www.tsn.ca/ts...-draft-1.278064

[GA Russell]

So the draft is over. I think that it's noteworthy that two quarterbacks were picked. (I don't know when that last happened.)

With pick #31 the Als took Brandon Bridge. And with the last pick of the draft, the Stamps took Andrew Buckley of the Calgary Dinos.

http://cfl.ca/draft

Any thoughts?

[GA Russell]

Brandon Isaac is returning to the Argos.

http://www.tsn.ca/linebacker-isaac-returns-to-argos-1.282288

http://cfl.ca/article/lb-brandon-isaac-returns-to-argos

***

Joel Reinders has announced his retirement.

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/reinders-retires-to-fulfill-passion-for-policing/

*****

You will recall that the Scouting Bureau had Christian Covington as the #1 prospect in the draft. But he was drafted by the Houston Texans, so he was not not picked until the Lions took him in the fifth round.

http://cfl.ca/article/lions-draft-top-ranked-covington-in-round-5

*****

The Redblacks have released Brett Maher and DJ Young, and John Delahunt has retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-release-maher-delahunt-retires

*****

The Bombers have already signed their top draft pick, Sukh Chungh.

http://www.cfl.ca/article/bombers-sign-second-overall-pick-chungh

http://www.tsn.ca/bombers-sign-no-2-pick-ol-chungh-1.282152

*****

Here are analyses of the draft for each team except Edmonton.

Ottawa

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/breaking-down-the-redblacks-2015-draft/

Montreal

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/the-alsternative-2015-cfl-draft-recap/

Toronto

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/argos-draft-picks-show-interesting-thought-process/

Hamilton

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/welcome-to-who-wants-to-draft-a-linebacker/

Winnipeg

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/recapping-grading-the-2015-cfl-draft/

Saskatchewan

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/best-canadians-best-team/

Calgary

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/12/rouge-et-or-line-reunion-with-stamps/

BC

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/13/recap-bc-lions-beat-to-their-own-drum-in-cfl-draft/

[GA Russell]

Mike Bradwell has retired.

http://www.tsn.ca/argos-bradwell-retires-after-six-seasons-1.283380

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-receiver-bradwell-announces-retirement

*****

The Eskimos have released AJ Guyton and Chris Mercer. They have signed former Bomber Tyson Pencer and kicker Zackary Madeiros.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-sign-ol-pencer-release-sb-guyton-1.283338

http://cfl.ca/article/eskimos-sign-free-agents-medeiros-pencer

*****

The Redblacks have released Eric Fraser and four others.

http://cfl.ca/article/fraser-among-five-released-by-redblacks

*****

You will recall the charges levelled after the Grey Cup that the Bombers' new stadium was woefully constructed. Well now the Manitoba Opposition is calling for the Auditor General to look into it, and Premier Greg Selinger is saying that he has no problem with that idea.

http://www.tsn.ca/opposition-asks-auditor-to-review-construction-of-winnipeg-stadium-1.283059

*****

The Stampeders have released Yannick Carter and Billy Peach.

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-release-lb-carter-ol-peach-1.283348

*****

Here's an article on the six biggest surprises of the draft.

http://cfl.ca/article/3-for-3-the-cfl-drafts-biggest-movers