The Canadian Press
Ed Hervey is the GM of the BC Lions, Noel Thorpe is the defence minister in the nation’s capital and James Franklin is an Argo (at least for now).
The 2017-2018 off-season has already seen a whirlwind of activity, but we’re really just getting started.
There’s still much to be decided, whether it’s the Alouettes’ coaching staff, the starting QBs pending free agency or the possibility of Johnny Manziel crossing the 49th parallel to play for the Ticats.
It’s the calm before the storm in the CFL off-season but that’s about to end. Here’s one pressing question for every team going into a busy few months:
BC Lions
Is Jonathon Jennings the quarterback of the future?
Jonathon Jennings threw more interceptions (19) than touchdowns (16) in 2017 (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
A year ago, No. 10 was viewed by many as the league’s top up-and-coming quarterback following a superb sophomore season on the west coast. An injury-plagued campaign saw Jennings come down to earth, the 25-year-old throwing a league-worst 19 interceptions and his team missing the playoffs.
Known for his strong arm and fearless attitude, some may have seen him as ‘reckless’ last season as the third-year pivot struggled with turnovers. However, Jennings’ O-line also had its struggles, while he himself may not have played fully healthy in 2017.
Whatever the case, new general manager Ed Hervey will have flexibility when it comes to the quarterback position. While Jennings is the likely starter in 2018, don’t rule anything out as the former Eskimos GM puts his stamp on the team.
Also: With six offensive linemen headed towards free agency, will the Lions re-tool up front?
Edmonton Eskimos
Who will back up Mike Reilly?
The departure of Mike Reilly’s backup, James Franklin, creates a void for the Esks’ offence (The Canadian Press)
After three seasons as the Eskimos’ backup, James Franklin’s departure leaves a critical void for the Green and Gold. That’s actually one of the more underrated storylines going into the 2017-2018 off-season.
The Esks are in good hands with Reilly, who’s missed only one game (a healthy scratch in the season finale in 2016) since missing the first half of 2015 with a knee injury. But if anything happens to the veteran, there’s no more Franklin to lean on.
Danny O’Brien is the only other battle-tested quarterback on the roster, but are Jason Maas and co. comfortable with him as their second-string? With plenty of options available, look for the Eskimos pursue a proven backup, whether through free agency or trade.
Also: With Derel Walker, Brandon Zylstra and Vidal Hazelton all pending free agents, who will catch passes from Reilly?
Calgary Stampeders
Do the Stamps need a shakeup?
Dave Dickenson and the Stamps have a busy off-season ahead of them (Alex D’Addese/CFL.ca)
From the management to the players, the Stampeders do not appear to be questioning themselves after a second straight heartbreak in November. John Hufnagel’s team has been the model of success the last decade, and there’s little reason to alter what’s worked.
Still, with more than 20 pending free agents, the same roster will not be back in Calgary next season. Meanwhile, consecutive devastating losses — in which the Stamps were heavy favourites — could take a toll on returning veterans.
Last year, the Stamps worked all season to maintain their focus on the goal of returning to the Grey Cup. Will they be able to hit reset come June, with the same discipline and attention to detail?
That’s one of the pressing questions heading into what could be an off-season of movement for all nine teams across the board. What will Hufnagel have in store?
Also: Could the Stamps and Jerome Messam part ways? He’s a free agent and the Stamps may have liked what they saw from 25-year-old Terry Williams.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Who will be the Riders’ quarterback in 2018?
Will the Riders go into 2018 with Kevin Glenn as their starting quarterback? (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
Previously option 1-A in the eyes of Riders fans, James Franklin may no longer be an option when the free agent market officially opens on Feb. 13. But there are still plenty of possibilities for a team in search of a long-term answer under centre.
Kevin Glenn is under contract for 2018 and enjoyed a productive season for the Green and White, so at the very least there’s that. Chris Jones will also have Vernon Adams Jr. and Marquise Williams, two valued prospects, next season if he so chooses.
The biggest question surrounds Canadian quarterback Brandon Bridge, who played an increasing role in the Riders’ offence in 2017. Will he challenge to be the starter? He inked a one-year contract extension so he could be looking to make one last ditch effort in Regina to become the no. 1 guy.
Fans will be glued to the screen as the quarterback position remains a question mark in Riderville — much to Kevin Glenn’s chagrin.
Also: Will the team’s Most Outstanding Player in Duron Carter return to the Riders or wind up in the NFL?
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
How will the Bombers address their defence?
Bombers’ defensive back TJ Heath is one of several key starters headed for free agency (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
Bombers fans holding out hope that Noel Thorpe would be added to the coaching staff were disappointed earlier this month. Thorpe landed in Ottawa, taking one of the league’s brightest defensive minds off the board.
Winnipeg’s defence has been an enigma the last two seasons: Among the top teams in the league at taking the football away but one of the worst at keeping opposing offences at bay. The 396.9 yards per game the Bombers allowed were the second-most in the league. Points (27.3 per game) were middle of the road.
If it’s the scheme, it’ll be up to Mike O’Shea and Richie Hall to make the necessary changes. Otherwise, the Bombers have flexibility, with several starters up for free agency including starters Kevin Fogg, TJ Heath, Sam Hurl, Maurice Leggett, Drake Nevis, Chris Randle, Ian Wild, Jake Thomas and Jamaal Westerman.
The Bombers won’t win a Grey Cup allowing close to 400 yards per game.
Also: Is it time to seek a veteran backup for Matt Nichols?
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Will Johnny Football land in the Hammer?
Johnny Manziel continues to be linked with the Ticats as the off-season gets under way (The Associated Press)
From the status of pending free agent Jeremiah Masoli to the future of Kent Austin, there are plenty of questions surrounding the Ticats this off-season. Yet whatever happens, fans and media are not about to stop talking about Johnny Manziel.
The Ticats and the former top college quarterback remain closely linked through the month of December, with June Jones even proclaiming that Manziel would be ‘the best player to ever play up here’. Maybe Jones is a recruiting wizard or a marketing guru; or maybe he’s onto something.
What happens there could have implications elsewhere, including with Masoli. Masoli went 6-4 and emerged as a legitimate starting quarterback in 2017, jiving with Jones’ simplified offence. Does he return if Manziel is signed?
Whatever the case, Manziel would be one of the biggest college stars to land on this side of the border in some time.
Also: Can the Ticats bring back their top receivers and late-season offensive catalysts in Brandon Banks and Luke Tasker?
Toronto Argonauts
Will James Franklin sign an extension with the Argos?
The Argos acquired the rights to James Franklin following Monday’s swap with the Esks (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
The Argos made a big splash by acquiring the exclusive negotiating rights to one of the top pending free agents. But if the Boatmen fail to extend the 26-year-old quarterback prospect, it’ll be all for naught.
Franklin offers big-time potential for the Argos, and the fit is there. For one, Franklin played in a similar offence as Trestman’s under Jason Maas and Carson Walch. Furthermore, with Ray 38 and the clock ticking on his illustrious career, the door could be open for Franklin to finally become a starter.
But there are questions. Jim Popp has stated that the starting job is Ray’s, should he return. Would Franklin escape Edmonton just for the shift from Reilly’s shadow to Ray’s? Skeptics are saying no.
It’s not a bad situation for the Argos, who should either have Ray under centre or Franklin in 2018. How will it all play out?
Also: With seven of their defensive regulars without a contract, are the Argos bracing for big changes on that side of the ball?
Ottawa REDBLACKS
What will Noel Thorpe’s defence look like?
The addition of Noel Thorpe gives the REDBLACKS’ defence an all new look (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
While Mark Nelson built a Grey Cup-winning defence in his time with the REDBLACKS, getting one of the best in the business in Noel Thorpe was a major coup for Rick Campbell and co.
Change on that side of the ball has been constant for Ottawa, a team that was hit particularly hard after last year’s Grey Cup Championship. Even more changes could be in store as the club switches personnel to sync up with Thorpe’s scheme, with the former Alouettes defensive coordinator bringing a unique outlook to a defence that ranked sixth in the CFL in yards allowed (384.8 per game) last season.
Antoine Pruneau is a lock at safety for Ottawa while Sherrod Baltimore and Corey Tindal are emerging young stars in the secondary, but there could be plenty of changes elsewhere for the REDBLACKS’ defence.
Also: Can the REDBLACKS bring back one of their most exciting stars in Diontae Spencer?
Montreal Alouettes
Who will be the Alouettes’ head coach?
*UPDATE: The Alouettes announced they’ve hired Mike Sherman as their new head coach
Kavis Reed and the Als’ front office look to add a new head coach this month (MontrealAlouettes.com)
You can probably scratch this one off the board very soon, but for now, it really is one of the off-season’s biggest head-scratchers.
Argos receivers coach Tommy Condell and Lions defensive coordinator Mark Washington were previously rumoured to be in the mix, while defensive coordinators Corey Chamblin (Toronto) and DeVone Claybrooks (Calgary) have reportedly stepped out of the running.
Kavis Reed has said that the Als need a strong personality that can be a face of the franchise and energize the team. Whoever that is, we expect it to be determined in short order — with the rest of the coaching staff to be filled out soon after.
Once the coaching staff is in place, there’s plenty more to be done for Reed and his front office.
Also: Will Darian Durant remain an Alouette in 2018? And if not, who will the Als look to at quarterback?
