2025 @CFL hot stove league

[GA Russell]

Let's review what has happened in the past week.

The Redblacks got some good players in the expansion draft. They chose Kevin Glenn and Thomas DeMarco for their quarterbacks. They also got Chevon Walker, Keith Shologon (who I think was their best pick) and Marwan Hage (who is long in the tooth, but who I expect will provide leadership in the locker room.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439107

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439238

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The Bombers named Marcel Bellefeuille as their OC.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439247

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The Als' Andrew Woodruff retired because of concussion problems.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439335

http://cfl.ca/article/woodruff-retires-alouettes-extend-pair-of-canadians

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The Stamps named Rich Stubler as their DC.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439391

http://cfl.ca/article/stubler-named-defensive-coordinator-in-calgary

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The Bombers released Sandro DeAngelis. I've never understood why he was the best when he was with the Stamps, and hasn't been any good ever since he left them. (This article mentions that the Bombers released Justin Palardy during the season. I don't recall that.)

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439391

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The Argos' Jeff Johnson has retired.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439461

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Denver, Miami, NY Jets, San Diego and Minnesota have shown interest in Dontrelle Inman.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439478

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After spending this year with Dallas and New England, Jason Vega is returning to the Bombers.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439645

http://cfl.ca/article/happy-returns-vega-re-joins-bombers-for-2014

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The Lions have named Khari Jones as their new OC.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439649

http://cfl.ca/article/lions-hand-khari-jones-keys-to-offence

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The Redblacks named their coaching staff.

http://cfl.ca/article/gibson-among-8-coaching-hires-in-ottawa

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Top 10 runs of 2013 video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/93995/autostart/true

Edited December 24, 2013 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Denver, Miami, NY Jets, San Diego and Minnesota have shown interest in Dontrelle Inman.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439478

The Argos today released Inman early, apparently to allow him to sign an NFL contract promptly.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-release-receiver-dontrelle-inman

[GA Russell]

Top 10 returns of 2013 video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94005/autostart/true

[GA Russell]

Chicago has signed Chris Williams.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=439779

[GA Russell]

Top 10 hits of 2013 video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94023

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Top 10 post-season plays of 2013 video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/93715

[GA Russell]

Top 10 defensive plays of 2013 video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94043

[GA Russell]

There is a new book out about the league's expansion into the US called End Zones & Border Wars by Ed Willes. Last year for Christmas I received the author's book on the WHA called The Rebel League, and I enjoyed it very much.

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2013/11/06/new-cfl-book-nice-trip-down-memory-lane/

http://www.amazon.com/End-Zones-Border-Wars-Expansion/dp/1550176145/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383947535&sr=1-3&keywords=Ed+willes

Amazon US had problems getting this book in, but it finally arrived at my place today. I'm looking forward to reading it.

[GA Russell]

Top 10 catches of 2013 video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94053/autostart/true

[GA Russell]

Top 10 plays of 2013 video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94061

[GA Russell]

Here's a Dec. 19 CP article you might enjoy about current players reminiscing about their days with the Renegades.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/as-cfl-returns-to-ottawa-former-renegades-reflect-on-time-in-nations-capital/article16053858/

[GA Russell]

Here's a list of those who will become free agents.

http://cfl.ca/page/2014-free-agent-tracker

It's interesting how few are BC Lions.

I don't know why Jordan Younger is still listed as suspended rather than retired. Anybody know?

http://runwayramblings.blogspot.com/2013/06/jordan-younger-retiring-from-cfl-cody.html

[GA Russell]

Let's take a look at what has happened in the past ten days.

Nick Setta has signed with the Redblacks.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440524

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The Ticats traded Simon Charbonneau-Campeau to the Stampeders for Spencer Armstrong.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440544

http://cfl.ca/article/stamps-acquire-charbonneau-campeau-in-trade-with-cats

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4653479

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Adrian McPherson hopes to make a comeback with the Stampeders.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440551

http://cfl.ca/article/report-mcpherson-could-be-headed-back-to-cfl

http://cfl.ca/article/making-it-official-stamps-sign-qb-adrian-mcpherson

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4653707

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Dontrelle Inman has signed with San Diego.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440629

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Justin Medlock has signed with the Ticats.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440641

http://cfl.ca/article/just-kickin-it-ticats-sign-medlock-re-sign-lauther

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4654062

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The Ticats announced that they had released Dave Stala, and the Als signed him the next day.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440760

http://cfl.ca/article/ticats-release-receiver-dave-stala

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440849

http://cfl.ca/article/back-where-he-started-stala-signs-with-alouettes

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Martell Mallett will attempt a comeback with the Stampeders.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=440640

http://cfl.ca/article/back-again-mallett-signs-on-with-stamps

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Weston Dressler will try out with Kansas City.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=441066

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Neiko Thorpe has signed with Oakland.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=441107

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The Scouting Bureau has released its winter rankings.

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-scouting-bureau-releases-winter-rankings

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

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Here are lists of the top free agents.

Imports

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=111840

Non-Imports

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=111828

Likely NFL Bound

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=111907

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It looks like Anthony Calvillo will announce his retirement on Tuesday.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=441191

http://cfl.ca/article/end-of-the-line-calvillo-to-make-important-announcement

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4655841

[GA Russell]

Want to sign up to be on the email mailing list of the league or any of the teams? Go here.

http://cfl.ca/profile/new

[GA Russell]

In Ottawa, Toronto Dominion Bank has arranged for Lansdowne Park to be renamed TD Place. Ugh.

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

[GA Russell]

Anthony Calvillo made it official, and announced his retirement today.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=441750

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=112077

Top 10 Calvillo Moments video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94209

Calvillo's 1st TD pass video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94209

[GA Russell]

The Toronto Star reports today that, like the NFL, the league is considering doing away with the single-point placekick convert.

Surely I'm not the only one here who remembers the World Football League in 1974! Their touchdowns were worth seven points, and the PAT (called the "action point") was a run or pass and was worth one point.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2014/01/22/cfl_also_looking_at_eliminating_the_convert.html

[GA Russell]

Marc Parenteau has announced his retirement.

http://cfl.ca/article/parenteau-announces-retirement-after-nine-years

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You will recall that Argos defensive coordinator Chris Jones has left their coaching staff to become the head coach of the Eskimos. Jones has announced that four members of the Argos' 2013 staff and two more from the 2012 staff will join him in Edmonton.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442392

http://cfl.ca/article/mcadoo-dickenson-and-jackson-headline-esks-new-staff

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Dave Naylor is reporting that MLSE, the owner of the Maple Leafs hockey team, considered purchasing the Argos at its December board meeting. Naylor also reports that should the MLSE board decide to not to buy the club, MLSE Chairman Larry Tannenbaum may buy it on his own.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442375

[GA Russell]

Lots of news in the past two days.

Zach Collaros was set to become a free agent Feb. 15. The Argos did him a favor and released him early, yesterday. Today he signed with the Ticats.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442555

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94313

http://cfl.ca/article/dunk-collaros-a-perfect-fit-for-austins-ticats

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So the Ticats released Henry. The Bombers immediately made him an offer.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442611

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The Eskimos today released Kerry Joseph. He is expected to sign a one-day contract and retire as a Roughrider.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4661511

http://cfl.ca/article/hanging-them-up-joseph-to-announce-retirement

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442583

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Korey Sheets worked out with Oakland Tuesday.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442478

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Weston Dressler is passing-a-physical away from signing with Kansas City, so the Riders released him today.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442593

http://cfl.ca/article/release-granted-riders-part-ways-with-dressler

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Dmitry Tsoumpas retired yesterday. He is only 27. He will remain with the Stamps as a conditioning coach.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442468

http://cfl.ca/article/three-time-all-star-dimitri-tsoumpas-retires

[GA Russell]

Korey Banks has his option year left on his contract. He told Wally he didn't want to return to the Lions, so Wally Friday traded him to the Bombers. The Bombers released Jason Boltus.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442668

http://cfl.ca/article/veteran-presence-bombers-acquire-banks-in-trade-with-lions

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The Als have released Byron Parker.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4661948

http://cfl.ca/article/als-release-veteran-byron-parker-sign-stafford-matha

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Rumors say that two NFL clubs have shown interest in hiring Jim Popp, but he won't name them.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442662

[GA Russell]

Ottawa has signed Leroy Blugh as their defensive line coach.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442895

http://cfl.ca/article/blugh-named-redblacks-defensive-line-coach

[GA Russell]

A word about yesterday's Super Bowl. I don't pay much attention to the NFL. I usually check the scores each Monday, and that's about it.

I thought that there was a pretty good chance that Denver with Peyton Manning would win big. So the 43-8 final score doesn't surprise me. But it was the wrong team!

This reminds me of the '86 Grey Cup, when Edmonton was expected to clobber Hamilton, but instead Hamilton clobbered Edmonton 39-15.

[GA Russell]

Surprise! Hank has signed with Ottawa.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442977

http://cfl.ca/article/report-burris-to-sign-with-redblacks

So where does this leave the Bombers? Will they trade for Kevin Glenn?

[John Tapscott]

Surprise! Hank has signed with Ottawa.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=442977

http://cfl.ca/article/report-burris-to-sign-with-redblacks

So where does this leave the Bombers? Will they trade for Kevin Glenn?

Yep, that seems a strange signing. I can't imagine Glenn and Burris on the same team for a whole season. One will surely be traded. How can Ottawa fit 2 veteran starting QB's under the cap?

[GA Russell]

TSN's Farhan Lalji has tweeted..."Just landed in Ottawa to hear from source #RedBlacks paying Burris way over 400K and #Bombers weren't in ball park."

[GA Russell]

Monday the 17th will be a holiday in much of Canada - Family Day in most of the provinces that will have the day off.

The league and the players union have decided to move the date of free agency up four days so that it will not interfere with the long weekend. So it will be Feb. 11 this year, not Feb. 15.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443011