2025 @CFL hot stove league

[GA Russell]

Argos defensive coordinator Tim Burke has suddenly resigned for personal reasons, so Scott Milanovich has immediately named Casey Creehan to replace him.

I think that Creehan is the most controversial CFL coach that I can remember. A very large percentage of those who have an opinion think that he is terrible.

http://www.tsn.ca/creehan-replaces-burke-as-argonauts-dc-1.283864

http://cfl.ca/article/burke-out-creehan-in-as-argos-defensive-coordinator

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/15/burke-out-creehan-in-as-argo-dc/

*****

This article says that the most recent draft (before this week's) in which more than one quarterback was taken was in 2001, when three were taken.

http://cfl.ca/article/bridge-buckley-represent-new-era-of-canadian-qbs

*****

5/15 Checking Down column

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-cfl-draft-edition

*****

Here's a discussion about the best player in history, in which Leo Ezerins and I chime in.

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/15/the-friday-conversation-who-is-the-greatest-player-in-cfl-history/#comment-29392

Edited May 16, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Ticats signed a former NFLer named Adrian Robinson last month, but Saturday he committed suicide.

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/17/11580/

http://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/ncaafb/adrian-robinson-former-temple-standout-dies-at-25/ar-BBjTifo?ocid=anstheScore11

*****

Washington has signed the Argos' second round pick Daryl Waud.

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/18/argo-draft-pick-waud-signs-with-redskins/

[GA Russell]

It looks like the announcement of the sale of the Argos, and their playing at BMO Field, will be made tomorrow.

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/19/argos-sale-to-bell-tanenbaum-imminent-report/

http://www.tsn.ca/bell-tanenbaum-partner-up-to-own-argonauts-1.286511

*****

The Argos have added Jordan Younger to their defensive coaching staff, as the coaches' assignments get shuffled following the resignation of Tim Burke.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-name-younger-defensive-backs-coach

*****

The Supplemental Daft will be held tomorrow at 1:00 pm eastern.

27 players have been taken since 1957, including Jeremy O'Day (Toronto, 1997), Noel Prefontaine (Toronto, 1998), Paul Pearson (Calgary, 1978) and Ted Laurent (Edmonton, 2011).

http://www.cfl.ca/article/prospects-up-for-grabs-in-cfl-supplemental-draft

Edited May 19, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The sale of the Argos to Bell Canada and Larry Tannenbaum was announced today, along with the move of the Argos to BMO Field.

These guys are known for making lots of money operating bad teams, so I have to consider this bad news for Argo fans. Any thoughts?

http://www.tsn.ca/bell-tanenbaum-announce-argos-purchase-move-to-bmo-field-1.287292

http://cfl.ca/article/bell-canada-and-kilmer-group-to-acquire-the-argos

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/19/argos-sale-to-bell-tanenbaum-imminent-report/

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/20/argos-future-brighter-under-new-ownership/

*****

Neal Hughes has announced his retirement.

http://cfl.ca/article/career-long-rider-hughes-announces-retirement

*****

The Bombers used their 2016 first round pick to choose Dartmouth's Garrett Waggoner in the Supplemental Draft today. No one else was taken.

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-peg-waggoner-in-cfl-supplemental-draft

[GA Russell]

The Als have signed Michael Sam.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=Michael+Sam&filters=tnTID%3a%22BAD23F30-FC43-4aa8-8E83-9EF01A0F0A0D%22+tnVersion%3a%22904972%22+segment%3a%22popularnow.carousel%22+tnCol%3a%225%22+tnOrder%3a%2293d0314e-b36d-4159-9b59-f632644cf0e6%22&FORM=BSPN01&crslsl=0

http://www.tsn.ca/social-media-reaction-to-sam-s-signing-1.288926

(This TSN thread is censored to allow only comments which praise the signing.)

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/22/michael-sam-signed-by-aouettes/

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=825204

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/22/the-alsternative-michael-sam-joins-the-alouettes/

http://cfl.ca/article/d-lineman-michael-sam-signs-with-alouettes

*****

The Argos' Steve Slaton and Bernard Scott have retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-rb-steve-slaton-retires-from-football

*****

5/22 Checking Down column

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-argos-waggoner-and-retirements

*****

The Impact of Penalties on Winning and Losing in the CFL

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/21/flag-on-the-play-the-impact-of-penalties-on-winning-losing-in-the-cfl/

I'm going to need some time to study this to see if I understand it.

Edited May 22, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Rookie camps opened this week, and the full camps will open Monday. So let's see if we can get caught up by Sunday night.

Brandon Bridge did not receive an NFL offer, so he has signed with the Alouettes.

http://cfl.ca/article/brandon-bridge-officially-a-montreal-alouette

http://www.tsn.ca/alouettes-sign-canadian-qb-bridge-1.291180

*****

BC announced that they had signed all six of this year's draft picks; and that they have released Kito Poblah, Tim Brown, Steven Shott and Andre Ramsey.

http://cfl.ca/article/lions-sign-draft-picks-poblah-and-brown-released

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-release-veterans-brown-poblah-1.291194

*****

Daryl Waud voluntarily left the Washington camp, and has signed with the Argos. The Argos also signed former Alabama star QB Blake Sims.

http://cfl.ca/article/argo-draft-pick-waud-waived-by-redskins

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-sign-draft-pick-waud-quarterback-sims

http://www.tsn.ca/after-leaving-redskins-waud-signs-with-argos-1.293760

http://www.tsn.ca/argos-sign-former-crimson-tide-qb-sims-1.293756

*****

TSN announced its pre-season schedule. TSN also extended its contract with the league through 2021.

http://cfl.ca/article/tsn-announces-pre-season-broadcast-schedule

http://cfl.ca/article/tsn-and-rds-extend-broadcast-deal-with-cfl

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-tsn-and-rds-extend-broadcast-agreement-through-2021-1.294294

*****

Marc Beswick has retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/report-ticats-veteran-beswick-to-retire

http://www.tsn.ca/ticats-special-teams-dynamo-beswick-retires-1.294902

*****

5/29 Checking Down column concerning the rookie camps.

http://cfl.ca/article/getting-to-work-all-rookie-camps-now-open

*****

Jason Pottinger has retired.

http://cfl.ca/article/veteran-linebacker-jason-pottinger-retires

http://www.tsn.ca/redblacks-lb-pottinger-announces-retirement-1.294858

*****

The owner of CKOC in Hamilton is the owner of TSN. They have decided to make it a sports station, and will carry the Ticats games this year.

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-radio-1150-to-launch-in-hamilton-1.294149

*****

Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Aaron Rodgers, signed with BC in October after failing to stick with three NFL teams. He has decided to retire.
http://www.tsn.ca/lions-qb-rodgers-informs-team-he-will-retire-1.292081

Edited May 30, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

I'm beginning to see some team previews.

First, here are some TSN videos for...

Saskatchewan

Edmonton

Winnipeg

Hamilton

Montreal

Ottawa

http://www.tsn.ca/video/cfl-season-preview-saskatchewan-roughriders-1.294116

*****

Here are some previews offered on the league's website.

Calgary

http://cfl.ca/article/training-camp-primer-can-the-stamps-repeat

Hamilton

http://cfl.ca/article/training-camp-primer-third-times-the-charm-for-ticats

Edmonton

http://cfl.ca/article/training-camp-primer-eskimos-set-to-face-demons

Saskatchewan

http://cfl.ca/article/training-camp-primer-riderville-bound-to-rebound

Toronto

http://cfl.ca/article/training-camp-primer-argos-hoping-ray-is-healthy

Montreal

http://cfl.ca/article/training-camp-primer-als-look-to-carry-momentum

*****

The Riders will add two more to their Plaza of Honor - Scott Schultz and Tim McCray.

http://cfl.ca/article/two-rider-greats-to-be-enshrined-in-the-plaza-of-honor

*****

The first three parts of an Alouette pre-season analysis are now out:

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/27/the-alsternative-2015-season-preview-part-1-of-4/

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/28/the-alsternative-2015-season-preview-part-2-of-4/

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/29/the-alsternative-2015-season-preview-part-3-of-4/

Part Four will be published tomorrow.

[GA Russell]

So let's continue on from yesterday.

Montreal analysis part four.

https://blu174.mail.live.com/?tid=cmZAy9fvEG5RGY_wAhWtdRtA2&fid=flsearch&srch=1&sfrm=donotreply%40wordpress.com&sdr=4&satt=0

*****

Hamilton

https://blu174.mail.live.com/?tid=cmBkofUcAG5RGTI2w75adL8A2&fid=flsearch&srch=1&sfrm=donotreply%40wordpress.com&sdr=4&satt=0

*****

TSN has added preview videos for Toronto and BC.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/cfl-season-preview-toronto-argonauts-1.294026

*****

Winnipeg

http://cfl.ca/article/training-camp-primer-bombers-add-to-foundation

*****

The Eskimos have extended Chris Jones' contract through the end of next year.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-extend-head-coach-jones-1.295506

http://cfl.ca/article/chris-jones-signs-extensions-with-edmonton

*****

The Argos have signed Aaron Kelly.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-sign-former-bomber-receiver-aaron-kelly

*****

5/30 Checking Down

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-news-and-notes-as-vets-report

*****

Kirk Penton reports that Jonathan Hefney has signed with the Als.

https://twitter.com/PentonKirk/status/604756500867895297

*****

Ticats CEO Scott Mitchell says that the Ticats failed to earn a profit (for the first time in 40 years) last year because of the new stadium delays. He expects the team will show a profit this year.

http://3downnation.com/2015/05/25/ticats-will-be-profitable-for-first-time-in-40-years-and-other-news/

*****

ESPN is reporting the 2014 salaries of the CFL teams. Andrew Bucholtz does some nice analysis of ESPN's figures.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cfl-55-yard-line/espn-sporting-intelligence-survey-has-some-fascinating-data-on-cfl-salaries-194534104.html

https://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/12910218/paris-saint-germain-tops-global-salary-survey

[GA Russell]

All of the training camps opened today.

http://cfl.ca/article/open-camp-teams-take-to-practice-field-today

*****

The Als have confirmed that they have signed Jonathan Hefney.

http://cfl.ca/article/cornerback-jonathan-hefney-signs-deal-with-als

*****

TSN has posted its preview video for Calgary.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/cfl-season-preview-calgary-stampeders-1.294063

*****

Here are the key pre-season dates leading up to Opening Night June 25.

http://cfl.ca/article/looking-ahead-key-2015-training-camp-dates

[GA Russell]

The league announced yesterday that single-game tickets are now for sale.

http://cfl.ca/single_game_tickets

*****

And here is the 2015 schedule.

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

*****

TSN yesterday announced its 2015 fantasy league.

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-fantasy-football-cfl-edition-open-1.294168

http://cflfantasy.tsn.ca/tsn/cfl15_en/promo

[GA Russell]

Brandon London announced his retirement today.

http://www.tsn.ca/als-london-announces-cfl-retirement-1.299165

[GA Russell]

Wayne Harris has died at 77. RIP. Fifty years later, he is still considered one of the best ever. I had his bubble gum card in 1964.

http://www.tsn.ca/stampeders-legend-harris-dies-at-age-77-1.300090

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-mourns-the-loss-of-wayne-harris

*****

Ricky Ray is still recovering from his off-season shoulder surgery, and Scott Milanovich says, "He's not close yet." Ray is 35, so it's possible that this is the end of the line.

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/04/ray-taken-off-injured-list-but-not-close-to-returning/#comments

*****

Because the Ticats radio broadcasts are moving over to CKOC, Rick Zamperin is out as play-by-play caller, and Andy McNamara is in. Coach Sal will remain as the analyst.

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/04/mcnamara-named-as-play-by-play-voice-of-the-ticats/#comments

Edited June 5, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Jeff Tedford has decided to go with his new young kickers, so the Lions asked Paul McCallum to retire. He declined, so they have released him.

http://cfl.ca/article/note-so-fast-mccallum-released-takes-to-twitter-regarding-move

http://www.tsn.ca/lions-release-k-mccallum-1.301605

*****

6/5 Checking Down reports from the training camps

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-5-days-of-training-camp

*****

CJ Gable has hurt his hand, and may be out for four weeks.

http://cfl.ca/article/report-gable-sidelined-again-with-hand-injury

http://www.tsn.ca/report-ticats-rb-gable-out-up-to-four-weeks-1.301538

[GA Russell]

Here's a surprise. They haven't even played their first exhibition game yet, and the Argos today released former Alabama star QB Blake Sims. And remember, Ricky Ray is still recovering, and not yet playing.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-release-qb-blake-sims

http://www.tsn.ca/argos-release-ex-alabama-qb-sims-1.302151

[GA Russell]

The pre-season games start at 7:30 pm eastern tonight with the Ticats against the Redblacks.

Radio

Ottawa

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/ottawa-1200

Hamilton (I think)

http://tunein.com/radio/CKOC-1150-s31274/

Television

http://ticats.ca/watchlive

*****

John White ruptured his Achilles tendon yesterday during practice, and will miss the entire year.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-lose-leading-rusher-white-for-year-1.302878

http://cfl.ca/article/eskimos-rb-white-out-for-season-with-ruptured-left-achilles

*****

Korey Banks and Eric "The Flea" Allen have filed suit against the league regarding repeated brain trauma.

http://www.tsn.ca/former-players-file-200m-lawsuit-against-cfl-1.300462

[GA Russell]

Hamilton 37....Ottawa 10

http://cfl.ca/article/cats-claws-sharp-in-pre-season-win-over-redblacks

Not much of a game. The Ticats scored the first 34 points.

There were a number of good kick returns, which may be a reflection of the new rules.

Zach Collaros didn't play. His backup Jeff Mathews looked real good.

[GA Russell]

The Argos host the Bombers tonight at Varsity Stadium at 7:30 pm eastern.

http://cfl.ca/article/preview-argos-host-bombers-at-varsity-stadium

Radio

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-1050

http://player.cjob.com/

*****

The league has a new pick-the-winners contest. It looks like the winner gets a trip to the Grey Cup.

http://pickem.cfl.ca/

*****

The Eskimos have signed former Bomber Chad Simpson to replace John White.

http://cfl.ca/article/eskimos-ink-running-back-chad-simpson

*****

I read the other day that BMO Field has a grass field - I think the only park in the league that does.

*****

Listening to the Ticats game last night, I learned that there will be only one cutdown date this year. The announcer said that the teams think it is less expensive to keep everyone on the roster for the entire pre-season period than it is to fly people in and out.

*****

Reebok's contract with the league will not be renewed at the end of this season. I'll be interested to see what sort of interest there will be in the league.

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/08/11994/#comments

[GA Russell]

Drew Edwards reports that the Ticats' Mossis Madu has hurt his shoulder, and will miss the season.

*****

Forbes has recognized the league's #IsItJuneYet? Twitter campaign the #3 best sports marketing campaign on Twitter so far this year.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/markfidelman/2015/06/09/here-are-5-of-the-best-sports-marketing-campaigns-that-went-viral-in-2015/

*****

The league will again be carried by ESPN in the US this year. I believe that all the regular season and playoff games which which are not on ESPN or ESPN2 will be on ESPN3.com

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-games-return-to-espn-in-2015

*****

For those of you who do not keep up with Canadian news, Jacques Parizeau passed away on June 1, and was laid to rest yesterday.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/whos-who-of-quebec-politics-attending-parizeau-funeral-in-montreal/article24876433/

*****

Last night...

Winnipeg 34....Toronto 27

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-open-exhibition-with-win-over-argos-at-varsity

http://www.tsn.ca/bombers-beat-argos-for-exhibition-win-1.304426

Both teams showed good offense. Backup QBs Robert Marve and Trevor Harris both looked good.

Edited June 10, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The WADA is not satisfied with the league's new PED policy.

http://www.tsn.ca/wada-room-for-improvement-in-cfl-s-drug-testing-policy-1.305009

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/10/wada-blasts-the-cfl-on-drug-testing/#comments

*****

The Als have placed Tanner Marsh on the six-week injured list - a knee problem, but no ligament damage.

http://cfl.ca/article/alouettes-place-quaterback-marsh-on-six-game-injured-list

http://montrealgazette.com/sports/football/cfl/montreal-alouettes/the-snap-alouettes-injuries-starting-to-mount

*****

Could you survive a CFL training camp?

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/06/could-you-survive-a-cfl-training-camp/#comments

*****

The next game will be tomorrow (Friday) at 9:30 pm eastern - BC at Calgary.

Radio

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/vancouver-1040-i-1410

http://www.newstalk770.com/?refresh=60767

Edited June 11, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Here's something I've come upon. The union has issued its own 2015 preview!

Part 1

https://cflpa.com/poll-recap-10-1/

Part 2

https://cflpa.com/poll-recap-10-2/

Part 3

https://cflpa.com/poll-recap-10-3/

Part 4

https://cflpa.com/poll-recap-10-4/

*****

The festivities for this year's Grey Cup in Winnipeg have been announced.

https://cflpa.com/103rd-grey-cup-festival/

[GA Russell]

Tonight's game will be shown live (in the US) on espn3.com at 9:30 pm eastern.

*****

Argos long snapper Jake Reinhart accepted a challenge yesterday, and snapped the ball from the goal line, and hit the crossbar 110 yards away!

http://www.thesnap.ca/jake-reinhart-is-back-again-this-time-he-accepts-the-crossbar-challenge/

*****

6/12 Checking Down roundup

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-week-2-of-training-camp-pre-season

*****

The Ticats' Brian Bulcke has torn his ACL, and will miss the season.

http://cfl.ca/article/ticats-defensive-tackle-bulcke-out-for-season-with-acl-injury

[GA Russell]

I've been sick in bed for the past three days, so let's catch up.

Michael Sam left the Als' camp unexpectedly but with permission Friday, the day before the Als' first exhibition game. The Als have suspended him.

http://www.tsn.ca/popp-sam-s-football-career-on-the-line-1.308385

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3123307/Michael-Sam-leaves-Montreal-Alouettes-training-camp-personal-reasons.html

*****

Calgary 20....BC 6

http://cfl.ca/article/fourth-quarter-major-lifts-stamps-over-lions

http://www.tsn.ca/stamps-get-past-lions-in-pre-season-game-1.307218

*****

The Argos have signed Adrian McPherson. He spent last year playing arena ball.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-sign-former-als-qb-adrian-mcpherson

http://www.tsn.ca/former-als-qb-mcpherson-signs-with-argos-1.307365

*****

Montreal 26....Ottawa 9

http://cfl.ca/article/second-half-surge-pushes-als-over-redblacks

http://www.tsn.ca/als-start-pre-season-with-rout-of-redblacks-1.307794

*****

Edmonton 31....Saskatchewan 24

http://cfl.ca/article/esks-complete-the-comeback-in-pre-season-opener

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-rally-past-riders-in-pre-season-1.307901

*****

Each team announced its first round of cuts yesterday. Obviously, what I reported last week about there being only one round of cuts was incorrect. Those looking for work now include Alex Suber, Jabari Arthur and Tino Sunseri. I'm surprised to see that the Ticats suspended CJ Gable. As mentioned June 6, Gable hurt his hand and will be out for a month.

http://cfl.ca/article/first-cuts-tracking-roster-moves-around-the-cfl

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-clubs-pare-down-training-camp-rosters-1.308063

Edited June 16, 2015 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

TSN has begun its annual season previews!

TSN Montreal

http://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/montreal-alouettes-season-preview-1.298030

TSN BC

http://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/bc-lions-season-preview-1.298008

TSN Toronto

http://www.tsn.ca/other-sports/toronto-argonauts-season-preview-1.297998

TSN Ottawa

http://www.tsn.ca/ottawa-redblacks-season-preview-1.288120

*****

The rich get richer. The Stampeders have signed Tim Brown.

http://cfl.ca/article/stampeders-sign-return-specialist-tim-brown

*****

The Argos have placed Ricky Ray on the six-game injured list.

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-place-ricky-ray-on-six-game-injured-list

[danasgoodstuff]

OK, Chicago won the Stanley Cup last night so NOW we can talk football!

[GA Russell]

TSN Winnipeg

http://www.tsn.ca/winnipeg-blue-bombers-season-preview-1.297990