2025 @CFL hot stove league

Brandon Browner joined New England this year after three years with Seattle. So now he gets to face his old team in the Super Bowl. Here he comments on the deflated balls issue.

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/01/brandon-browner-points-out-the-patriots-would-have-crushed-the-colts-regardless

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The Eskimos have released Hugh O'Neill. I don't know how many Edmonton fans will miss his performance, but I think that all of them will miss his beard!

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-release-kicker-punter-o-neill-1.188339

GA Russell · January 23, 2015

As expected, George Cortez has signed on with BC to be Jeff Tedford's OC.

http://cfl.ca/article/cortez-headlines-tedfords-new-look-coaching-staff

http://www.tsn.ca/tedford-rounds-out-lions-coaching-staff-with-old-friend-cortez-1.189278

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The Bombers have released Ian Wild so that he can sign an NFL contract.

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-release-wild-so-he-can-sign-nfl-deal-1.189541

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The union has published an article about the four men their awards are named after. I had the pleasure of meeting Jake Gaudaur and Annis Stukus.

https://cflpa.com/history-of-the-cfl-specialty-awards/

Edited January 23, 2015 by GA Russell

GA Russell · January 26, 2015

Nowadays, you don't see a trade of a star for a star very often (in any league). So I was surprised to see that the Argos have traded Shea Emry to the Riders for Ricky Foley.

http://cfl.ca/article/returning-home-riders-trade-foley-back-to-toronto

http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-acquire-star-de-foley-from-roughriders-for-lb-emry-1.190931

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New Orleans has signed Delvin Breaux.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-former-tiger-cats-cb-breaux-reaches-agreement-with-saints-1.190919

GA Russell · January 27, 2015

Here are a couple of unusual items coming from the Argos.

The Argos have hired Jonathan Himebauch to be their offensive line coach and assistant head coach. I find that odd. "Offensive line coach" doesn't sound very high up on the ladder, but "assistant head coach" sounds very high up. Any ideas?

http://cfl.ca/article/himebauch-joins-argonauts-coaching-staff

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You know how the league is involved with women's issues like domestic violence and breast cancer. Well an Argos season ticket holder last year objected to the team's involvement with a domestic violence program because he felt that that particular program discriminates against men.

So the Argos refused to renew his season tickets. So now he has filed a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. To be continued.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/argos-face-human-rights-complaint-over-alleged-threat-to-cancel-customer-s-season-tickets-1.191884

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Here is an article discussing the league's policy regarding custody of game balls, in light of the NFL under-inflated footballs controversy.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-nfl-have-similar-protocol-regarding-inflation-of-their-footballs-1.192185

GA Russell · January 28, 2015

The Argos have released John Chiles early so that he can sign an NFL contract, presumably with Chicago.

http://cfl.ca/article/chiles-released-set-to-become-a-free-agent

http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-release-rb-chiles-expected-to-sign-with-nfl-s-bears-1.192864

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It looks like Duron Carter will sign with Indianapolis.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-former-alouettes-wr-carter-close-to-deal-with-colts-1.193153

GA Russell · January 31, 2015

I'll catch up with the week's news later.

In the meantime, here is an interview with Jon Ryan on the alumni association's facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/cflaa/posts/10152653740726453

GA Russell · February 1, 2015

I have seen a number of reports that Chicago has signed John Chiles to a future contract, but I haven't seen a definition of what that is. Any idea?

http://www.tsn.ca/bears-ink-former-argos-wr-chiles-to-contract-1.193703

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The Bombers have traded Cory Watson to the Riders for Kris Bastien. The word is that Watson told the Bombers he would retire if he was not traded.

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-acquire-wr-watson-from-bombers-in-exchange-for-wr-bastien-1.194696

http://cfl.ca/article/trade-riders-acquire-wr-watson-from-bombers

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Tom Higgins has decided that Anthony Calvillo will be his receivers coach this year.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-star-qb-calvillo-named-alouettes-receivers-coach-1.194801

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Hamilton native (and therefore national/non-import) receiver Austin Collie has signed with the Lions after five years in the NFL. Collie has a history of concussions, so his passing his physical and getting much playing time are yet to be determined.

http://www.tsn.ca/b-c-lions-sign-former-nfl-receiver-collie-to-contract-1.195009

http://cfl.ca/article/buono-inks-free-agent-wr-collie

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Ian Wild has tweeted that he will sign with Pittsburgh.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-bombers-lb-wild-tweets-he-s-signing-with-nfl-s-steelers-1.195864

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The Eskimos have released Matt O'Donnell so that he can sign with an NFL team, presumably Cincinnati.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-bombers-lb-wild-tweets-he-s-signing-with-nfl-s-steelers-1.195864

Edited February 1, 2015 by GA Russell

GA Russell · February 1, 2015

Bill Polian, who was the personnel man for both the Als and the Bombers when they won Grey Cups way back in the day, has been elected to the Canton hall of fame.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/polian-elected-to-pro-football-hall-of-fame-20150131

GA Russell · February 3, 2015

A man in a Florida supermarket tried to buy half a head of lettuce.

The very young produce assistant told him that they sell only whole heads of lettuce.

The man persisted and asked to see the manager.

The boy said he'd ask his manager about it.

Walking into the back room, the boy said to his manager: 'Some asshole wants to buy half a head of lettuce.'

As he finished his sentence, he turned to find the man standing right behind him, so he added, 'And this gentleman has kindly offered to buy the other half.'

The manager approved the deal, and the man went on his way.

Later the manager said to the boy, 'I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who think on their feet here. Where are you from, son?'

‘Canada, sir,' the boy replied.

'Well, why did you leave Canada?' the manager asked.

The boy said, 'Sir, there's nothing but whores and hockey players up there.'

‘Really?' said the manager. 'My wife is from Canada.'

‘No shit?' replied the boy. 'Who'd she play for?

Edited February 3, 2015 by GA Russell

danasgoodstuff · February 3, 2015

A man in a Florida supermarket tried to buy half a head of lettuce.

The very young produce assistant told him that they sell only whole heads of lettuce.

The man persisted and asked to see the manager.

The boy said he'd ask his manager about it.

Walking into the back room, the boy said to his manager: 'Some asshole wants to buy half a head of lettuce.'

As he finished his sentence, he turned to find the man standing right behind him, so he added, 'And this gentleman has kindly offered to buy the other half.'

The manager approved the deal, and the man went on his way.

Later the manager said to the boy, 'I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier. We like people who think on their feet here. Where are you from, son?'

‘Canada, sir,' the boy replied.

'Well, why did you leave Canada?' the manager asked.

The boy said, 'Sir, there's nothing but whores and hockey players up there.'

‘Really?' said the manager. 'My wife is from Canada.'

‘No shit?' replied the boy. 'Who'd she play for?

Gotta love a good Hockey joke! Slightly unrealistic, most Canadians would've just said 'No, we can't do that" if you could find anyone to help you at all!

GA Russell · February 4, 2015

Thanks to BeBop's thread entitled "Bios on sale," I this evening purchased the new Frank Cosentino book I mentioned earlier.

The book is $18.73, but with BeBop's discount code GOPHIL, the price was reduced by $5.62.

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

GA Russell · February 9, 2015

Tomorrow is Free Agency Day, so let's catch up on what has happened this month.

The Riders released Ben Heenan early so that he could sign with Indianapolis.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-riders-ol-heenan-signs-with-colts-1.198644

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-release-2012-first-overall-pick-ol-heenan-to-pursue-nfl-opportunities-1.198037

http://cfl.ca/article/heenan-released-by-riders-as-he-looks-south

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Duron Carter has signed with Indianapolis.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-als-receiver-carter-signs-with-colts-1.198202

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The Riders have signed Hugh O'Neill.

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-sign-k-o-neil-extend-db-turenne-1.198562

http://cfl.ca/article/riders-sign-k-oneill-extend-db-turenne

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Mike Renaud has decided to retire. This comes as a big surprise to me.

http://cfl.ca/article/renaud-retires-after-six-cfl-seasons

http://www.tsn.ca/veteran-cfl-punter-renaud-announces-retirement-1.200390

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The Bombers have released Ejiro Kuale.

http://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-release-lbs-kuale-and-jones-1.198575

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The Als have released Alex Brink, and signed former Arizona Cardinal QB John Skelton.

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-sign-former-nfl-qb-skelton-1.201489

http://cfl.ca/article/als-release-brink-add-qb-john-skelton

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Brandon Banks was not able to find an NFL deal to his liking, so he has signed a three-year contract with the Ticats.

http://cfl.ca/article/banking-on-a-new-deal-ticats-re-sign-star-speedster

http://www.tsn.ca/ticats-sign-banks-to-extension-1.200653

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Winner of the 2014 Best Offensive Lineman Award Brett Jones is close to signing with an NFL team, probably the New York Giants.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-jones-to-sign-with-giants-1.203346

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The Redblacks announced their coaching staff today. Quite a number of familiar names.

http://cfl.ca/article/redblacks-announce-2015-coaching-staff

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Here are a few articles about the players who will become free agents tomorrow, and where they are likely to end up.

http://cfl.ca/article/needs-and-wants-positional-breakdown-of-free-agency

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-top-20-free-agents-set-to-hit-the-market

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

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/cfl-prominent-names-and-signings-1.194824

GA Russell · February 12, 2015

After two days of free agency, there haven't been many big names to change teams. Some of the bigger names have decided to stay where they are.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/cfl-prominent-names-and-signings-1.194824

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-top-20-free-agents-set-to-hit-the-market

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The Bombers have signed Stanley Bryant and guys who are not stars.

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-adams-signs-with-blue-bombers

http://www.tsn.ca/bombers-retool-line-with-bryant-dile-1.204385

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Jeff Garcia is interviewing with St. Louis for the quarterbacks coach job.

http://www.tsn.ca/report-former-qb-garcia-to-interview-with-rams-1.205566

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Ottawa has signed Brad Sinopoli, SirVincent Rogers, Ernest Jackson and Greg Ellingson.

http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-sign-ot-rogers-three-receivers-1.204961

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-ernest-jackson-signs-in-ottawa

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Spencer Watt and Anthony Woodson have signed with the Ticats.

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-watt-heads-down-qew-signs-with-tiger-cats

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-ticats-sign-tailback-anthony-woodson

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The Eskimos lost Alexander Krausnick to the Redblacks in the expansion draft last year, and now they have brought him back.

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-krausnick-returns-to-edmonton

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The Riders have signed Alex Hall and a few others.

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-sign-pass-rusher-hall-four-others-1.205036

Edited February 12, 2015 by GA Russell

GA Russell · February 13, 2015

Brandon Boudreaux has signed with the Stampeders.

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-boudreaux-heading-west-to-calgary

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Greg Wojt has re-joined the Eskimos.

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-wojt-heads-west-to-edmonton

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Many tweets say that the Als will announce tomorrow that they have signed Sam Giguere.

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Geroy Simon has accepted a front office position with BC.

http://cfl.ca/article/back-in-the-den-simon-returns-to-lions

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The Bombers have hired Barron Miles to be their new defensive backs coach.

http://cfl.ca/article/miles-joins-blue-bombers-coaching-staff

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The Als have signed Carl Volny.

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-add-canadian-volny-1.206074

http://cfl.ca/article/fa15-als-sign-hometown-player-rb-volny

GA Russell · February 14, 2015

The league released the 2015 schedule today.

The first game will be Thursday, June 25 - Ottawa at Montreal.

Winnipeg has four games with only four days' rest.

The Argos open hosting the Eskimos in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The speculation on the web is that this will be the northernmost pro football game ever played.

The Argos will not play a game in Toronto until August 8. The Ticats home opener will not be until August 3. The Pan Am games are filling the schedules of Toronto and Hamilton. But remember, if it weren't for the Pan Am games, Hamilton wouldn't have its new ballpark.

The Grey Cup game will be played Sunday, Nov. 29.

You will notice that in each week but one through the Labour Day weekend, there will be a Thursday night game.

http://cfl.ca/article/unlocked-cfl-releases-2015-game-schedule

http://cfl.ca/schedule/year/2015/time_zone/0

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-opens-2015-schedule-in-montreal-1.206844

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The Als made it official today, and announced that they had signed Sam Giguere to a one-year deal.

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-sign-giguere-to-one-year-deal-1.206470

Edited February 14, 2015 by GA Russell