CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — With the 2015 CFL National and Regional Combines officially in the books, it’s business as usual around CFL corners. Teams will continue to look at their options through free agency, while the May 12 CFL Draft remains the number one bullet on the agenda.
Here’s an update from around the CFL with the latest edition of Checking Down:
BC Lions
- The BC Lions updated the media this week, as General Manager Wally Buono praised the depth of this year’s prospect pool entering the CFL Draft. The biggest issue that came out of it: Travis Lulay’s arm.
As the Vancouver Sun‘s Mike Beamish writes, Lulay may not participate in the team’s voluntary late-April throwing program as he continus to mend from off-season shoulder surgery.
The team maintains that Lulay is on schedule in his recovery, and his presence at the OTA (organized team activity) is far from necessity.
Edmonton Eskimos
- The Edmonton Eskimos released defensive back and former CFL and West Division All-Star Joe Burnett on Thursday, ending the veteran’s three-year tenure with the team.
The team hasn’t yet commented on the move, but it should be noted that Burnett played in only five games last season due to injury. Given his smaller frame and second-year head coach Chris Jones’ tendency to lean on more physical defensive backs, perhaps the move shouldn’t be so surprising.
Either way, expect Burnett to land on another CFL roster before the start of training camp.
Calgary Stampeders
- With Nik Lewis and Maurice Price out of the Stamps’ receiving corps in Calgary, the group is a lot quieter. Marquay McDaniel is now the veteran of the group and while he’s been known as a quiet leader in the past, he says he fully plans on taking on a more vocal leadership role in 2015.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- While the Bombers were busy scouting National talent over the weekend, that didn’t also stop them from adding some International flavour. The Bombers signed 27-year-old receiver Derrick Hector; 23-year-old defensive lineman Justin Oxendine; and 25-year-old offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders.
Sanders, a six-foot-six, 320-pound tackle, was a fifth round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 2012 NFL Draft after starting 50 games during his career at Florida State — the second most in the history of the school.
The youngest of the new signings, Oxendine, spent four seasons at The Citadel, recording 7.5 sacks in 2014 along with 37 tackles and 11 for losses.
Hector joins the Bombers as a six-foot-three, 220-pound receiver out of the Ricmond Raiders of the Professional Indoor Football League, following a collegiate career at Morehouse.
Toronto Argonauts
- No big news out of Argo camp, although it’s noteworthy to point out that off-season acquisition Ricky Foley says he plans on having a career year in 2015. He raved about Tim Burke and Casey Creehan in his first media availability back in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, and says their defensive system “rewards pass-rushers.”
The York product’s career high in sacks is 12, a total he tied last year with the Riders.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- The dust has settled on International receiver Bakari Grant’s new contract, but that shouldn’t take away its importance. The deal seemingly completes what’s been a busy off-season for the Ticats, in which they’ve managed to also lock up key pieces for their future in Luke Tasker and Brandon Banks.
Grant, along with National slotback Andy Fantuz, forms the veteran core of the Ticats receiver group, and his return will pay dividends for an offence building on a strong 2014.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
- The REDBLACKS have all their options open and a lot can change in the next month or so, but the Ottawa Sun‘s Tim Baines says it appears as though the team will draft an offensive lineman first overall.
There has been talk of receiver Lemar Durant entering the conversation, but while the physical pass-catcher tested well, CFL on TSN analyst Duane Ford said he hasn’t proven he’s ready to make an impact professionally just yet (although Ford maintains that in the long run, Durant will be successful).
- While the REDBLACKS struggled on field goals from beyond the 30 last year, Head Coach Rick Campbell told the Ottawa Citizen‘s Gord Holder that he supports the proposed rule change that involves moving back the convert.
Campbell says the rule change would alter the way coaches strategize from the sideline after touchdowns, which is why he’s all for it.
Montreal Alouettes
- As the Montreal Gazette’s Herb Zurkowsky reports, Alouettes GM Jim Popp believes there’s about a 50 per cent chance the team will be able to land Michael Sam.
Sam, most known as the first openly gay football player, was drafted in the NFL in 2014 but is currently without a team. The Als hold exclusive negotiating rights with Sam, who they believe would be a perfect CFL fit.
