2025 @CFL hot stove league

[GA Russell]

The Argos have signed former Ticat free agent Jonathan Hood, a defensive back. Considering how bad the Hamilton defense was last year, I'm not sure what promise he offers.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=418629

[GA Russell]

The league announced yesterday that it is renewing its TV deal with TSN through 2018, reportedly at double the fee. No word on the availability for American fans.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/dowbiggin-cfl-scores-touchdown-with-big-tsn-deal/article10151768/

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=418717

*****

The Rules Committee has approved video review of missed field goals and converts. I don't recall a Rules Committee recommendation ever being turned down by the Board.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=418837

[GA Russell]

The Riders have signed Renauld Williams, and released Joe Lobendahn.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419071

[GA Russell]

The Bombers have released Joey Elliott and Ian Logan. Logan was a league all-star in 2011.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419135

[GA Russell]

The Als have signed former Indianapolis running back Dominic Rhodes. Here's betting he won't be playing for them the end of the year.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419236

*****

Ron Lancaster, Jr., has died. He was an assistant coach with four teams, and won three Grey Cups.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419226

[GA Russell]

The Lions have traded Khalif Mitchell to the Argos for Adrian Awasom and the rights to a neg list player. It never looks good when two teams owned by the same man exchange players; and when the trade involves an all-star, I think it looks even worse.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419700

Edited April 3, 2013 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Chris Williams wants to pursue NFL opportunities. He signed a two-year plus an option deal last year. The CBA requires each team to offer rookies a one-year plus option deal. So Williams is claiming that the Ticats never made the one-year offer, and that his contract should be voided.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419896

[GA Russell]

The Bombers have released Joey Elliott and Ian Logan. Logan was a league all-star in 2011.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419135

First the Bombers release Joey Elliott, and now they have released Alex Brink.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=420202

[GA Russell]

The Argos have traded the rights to former Indianapolis o-lineman Don Federkeil (who has been retired for three years) to the Stampeders for linebacker Akwasi Antwi. Both are non-imports, and both are from their new teams' areas.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=420237

[GA Russell]

The Lions have traded Khalif Mitchell to the Argos for Adrian Awasom and the rights to a neg list player. It never looks good when two teams owned by the same man exchange players; and when the trade involves an all-star, I think it looks even worse.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419700

Mitchell doesn't plan to report to the Argos. He wants to stay out west for a year (Edmonton or Calgary) and then try again for an NFL job.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=420536

The Rules Committee has approved video review of missed field goals and converts. I don't recall a Rules Committee recommendation ever being turned down by the Board.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=418837

The Board of Governors has approved the rules change.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=420390

[GA Russell]

The Argos have signed Alex Brink.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=422041

[GA Russell]

The Eskimos have reported a $200,000 net profit for last year.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=422629

[GA Russell]

The league held its draft last week immediately after the NFL's draft. Traditionally, the CFL would hold its draft first because its training camps open earlier. However, teams were reluctant to spend first round picks on good prospects who might get drafted by and sign with the NFL, so they decided to wait until everyone, teams and players both, knew what the situation was vis a vis the NFL.

The Ticats had the first pick, and chose a DT named Linden Gaydosh. Today it was announced that he has signed with Carolina as an undrafted free agent. However, apparently he did not receive a signing bonus, so the chances are slim that the Panthers will keep him.

Here are the draft results:

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=94440

Here is the story on Gaydosh:

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423024

[GA Russell]

The Argos have signed Alex Brink.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=422041

And three weeks later the Argos have released Brink.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423367

Edited May 17, 2013 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

After two years in the NFL, Emmanuel Arceneaux has returned to the Lions.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423639

[GA Russell]

The Ticats have reached a deal to offer Seagram's Coolers at the ballpark this year. I didn't know that teams could sell alcohol other than beer.

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/cfls_tiger_cats_toast_brewery_partnership/

[GA Russell]

The Argos have signed former USC star and NFL first round draft pick Mike Williams.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423838

*****

The Ticats have traded Jermaine McElveen to the Riders for Lyle Leong, Jr. McElveen led the team with six sacks last year.

The Riders also released Tristan Jackson, which surprises me.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423831

Edited May 24, 2013 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Argos' first round draft pick, Matt Sewell, has decided to take advantage of a one-time opportunity to earn an MBA at McMaster before joining the team.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423924

*****

The Lions have signed Joey Elliott to a three-year contract.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423903

[GA Russell]

The Bombers have released Joey Elliott and Ian Logan. Logan was a league all-star in 2011.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=419135

Ian Logan has decided to retire.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424133

[GA Russell]

Ottawa has scheduled a June 8 press conference to reveal the team's name.

TSN is reporting that it will be the RedBlacks. Other names suggested to focus groups have been Nationals, Rush, Voyageurs, and Raftsmen.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424313

*****

After three years in the NFL, John Chick is now a free agent, and is shopping himself to CFL teams.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424323

*****

Kyle Quinlan has told the Als that he will not report to camp. The word is that he will coach at McMaster instead.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424342

[GA Russell]

The Argos have signed former USC star and NFL first round draft pick Mike Williams.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=423838

The Argos changed their mind and released Mike Williams today.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424436

[GA Russell]

CP is reporting that the Riders have come to terms with John Chick.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424483

*****

The Eskimos have released Kyle Koch.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424522

[GA Russell]

Here's a report that says that Tim Tebow has been told by his advisors not to expect to play in the NFL again.

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/05/31/report-tebows-camp-says-nfl-career-might-be-done/

[GA Russell]

Training camps open today.

Chris Williams is suing to have his contract voided, so he didn't show up. So the Ticats suspended him.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424554

[GA Russell]

Jordan Younger has surprised the Argos and retired.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=424652

*****

The Stamps have obtained the sponsorship of First Calgary Financial which will involve the players making many appearances at schools and hospitals, as well as other community events.

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/stampeders_agree_deal_with_first_calgary_financial/

*****

Here's an article from March that says that CFL teams generate $15-20 million annually.

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/cfl_more_than_doubles_domestic_rights_revenues/

Edited June 4, 2013 by GA Russell