Around the CFL

[OV Argo]

Replaces the Henoc Muamba rumour; not sure where/why they would sign Mumaba when they have already signed FA MLB Jones from the Argos? - unless one of them could play an OLB spot.

Anyhow - HC ego-Jones can do no wrong there with any move he makes ;o); going to the former Rider team, that he wanted to dismantle so much, scrap-heap to bring in competition at OT - an imports only position in his 7 NIs only need apply thinking; oops, no, wait - 1st round draft pick St John to get a shot to start at OT ? ;o)

[R.J]

Replaces the Henoc Muamba rumour; not sure where/why they would sign Mumaba when they have already signed FA MLB Jones from the Argos? - unless one of them could play an OLB spot.

Anyhow - HC ego-Jones can do no wrong there with any move he makes ;o); going to the former Rider team, that he wanted to dismantle so much, scrap-heap to bring in competition at OT - an imports only position in his 7 NIs only need apply thinking; oops, no, wait - 1st round draft pick St John to get a shot to start at OT ? ;o)

I'd cut Greg Jones in a second if Muamba was willing to sign - Jones IMO is nowhere near an elite MLB. I agree; I think it's pretty obvious Chris Jones only likes using 7 CDN and puts the vast majority on offense as he doesn't seem to think CDN's are good enough for his defense - I recall around draft time how he brought up drafting receivers and offensive linemen, then went on to say he just wants his defensive picks to be good special teamers (or something like that). St. John was one of the few projected CFL tackles in this years draft - gotta think he'll at least get a shot this season.

[jerrym]

I'd cut Greg Jones in a second if Muamba was willing to sign - Jones IMO is nowhere near an elite MLB.

I agree on signing Muamba if possible, but while I would not call Jones an elite MLB, he is a capable one. Adding a National of Muamba's skills would be a real bonus to the Riders.

After playing mostly special teams in his first year in the league, Muamba became a very significant part of the Bombers defense in 2012. He recorded 65 tackles and 3 sacks, adding another 20 tackles on special teams. Muamba built upon the strong 2012 season he had with an even better 2013 season. He set a new career high with 106 tackles (2nd most in the league), while also adding 1 quarterback sack, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery and 1 defensive touchdown. His outstanding 2013 campaign was recognized by the Blue Bombers as he was unanimously voted as the team's Most Outstanding Player, Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Most Outstanding Canadian.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henoc_Muamba

[R.J]

Ex-Argo and Redblack Jonathon Williams may have signed with the Roughriders.

[OV Argo]

I'd cut Greg Jones in a second if Muamba was willing to sign - Jones IMO is nowhere near an elite MLB. I agree; I think it's pretty obvious Chris Jones only likes using 7 CDN and puts the vast majority on offense as he doesn't seem to think CDN's are good enough for his defense - I recall around draft time how he brought up drafting receivers and offensive linemen, then went on to say he just wants his defensive picks to be good special teamers (or something like that). St. John was one of the few projected CFL tackles in this years draft - gotta think he'll at least get a shot this season.

Agreed that Muamba is a better MLB than Greg Jones; and HC ego-Jones might like to get Muamba (if he has the $M$ cash); it would still be the 7 NIs only need apply deal - he`s just switch one of the other designated NI positions on his D (safety in this case - Capiccotti is a solid starter at DE) and replace it with an import (Jones with the Esks last year went with 2 "NI positions" on defence - DT & safety).

Not that this is really different thinking than most CFL teams go with - pre-designating 7 NI starter spots as per minimum requirement and sticking with that. The Argos & Bombers might be the teams to play 8 or more NI regular starters this season.

[R.J]

http://www.bluebombers.com/2016/05/2...x-release-six/

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the additions of receivers Gerrard Sheppard and Thomas Mayo, running back Carlos Anderson, defensive lineman Cameron Henderson, linebacker Duron Singleton, and defensive back Jarrid Bryant. All players are Internationals.

The club has also released the following players (all Internationals):
Receiver Larry Pinkard
Receiver Ernest Smith
Running back B.J. Catalon
Defensive lineman Jordan Stanton
Defensive back Justin Green
Defensive back Arthur Williams

[jerrym]

Pat Woodcock’s return to Football as @REDBLACKS strength coordinator #ottnews https://t.co/r11lyMOG48 pic.twitter.com/hUlozxOoMf

— CTV Ottawa (@ctvottawa) May 25, 2016

[jerrym]

The Riders have signed 4 new players.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have four new members of the team, including Armanti Edwards who was signed as a quarterback and a receiver.
Edwards played for the NFL's Carolina Panthers for five seasons.
Also joining the club are two linebackers, Sam Eguavoen and D.J. Lynch. They played college football in the United States.
Also joining the Riders is David Barks, a defensive back, who is from Detroit.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskat...back-1.3462561

[jerrym]

Armanti Edwards was a college QB and a NFL receiver.

He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft.^[1] He was the starting quarterback for the Appalachian State Mountaineers football team from 2006–09.In addition to leading the Mountaineers to consecutive NCAA Division I Football Championships (FCS) in 2006 and 2007, Edwards became the first quarterback in Southern Conference history to lead his team to four straight conference championships.^[2] He became the first quarterback in NCAA Division I history to throw for 9,000 and rush for 4,000 yards in a career, accomplishing the feat against Furman on October 31, 2009.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armanti_Edwards


His NFL record as a receiver in the NFL is below.
http://www.nfl.com/player/armantiedwards/497110/profile

[hugoagogo]

Edwards was signed by Sask and designated a receiver. I expected Chris Jones to perhaps utilize his QB skills in a wildcat formation, but I've heard that he was hurt at mini-camp - not sure what his status is heading into main camp, but he is listed on the Rider roster.

[paulwoods13]

Sask fans crack me up. They drafted a guy in the third round of the supplemental draft -- a 6-5 receiver who had all of 17 catches in his college career. One fan on riderfans thinks he might become a Ray Elgaard, another suggests he might be a Marc Boerigter. Some, to be fair, wonder why the org would throw away a third-round pick on a guy who based on college stats looks like a project at best.

[R.J]

Riders sign 4 of their 2016 picks
http://www.620ckrm.com/2016/05/26/ri...sc_ref=twitter

[jerrym]

Nye argues that Rider depth is considerably improved.

Jones most recently talked about where you need Canadians to win — receivers, offensive line and then wherever you can find quality and depth on the defensive line.
So let’s start at receiver.
The Canadian depth has improved since the end of the 2015 season. The team appears to be ready to make Nic Demski a bigger piece in his sophomore season after a promising rookie year, which allowed the team to dispose of veteran receiver Chris Getzlaf and maybe more importantly his sizeable contract.
And while Demski will get a bigger role, Shamawd Chambers comes aboard via free agency to aid in the depth of quality Canadian receivers.
Oh, and never sleep on Rob Bagg — he’s had back to back under appreciated seasons, which have come in the form of a career year in yards in 2014 and touchdowns in 2015. ...
Along the offensive line, Corey Watman moved on in free agency after never living up to the expectations of the fourth overall pick in 2013. Instead the Riders are committed to Dan Clark, Brendon LaBatte and Chris Best again in the middle of the offensive line to be backed up by veteran Andrew Jones.
With the first overall pick they took Josiah St. John, who could soon be a ratio breaker like Ben Heenan was as a starting tackle. Later in the draft they picked up Alex McKay, who is another potential tackle but also played inside some as well.
The Riders then have a crop of young offensive linemen who appear to be on the same career curve as Clark — slow and steady improvement and could be soon ready when their number is called. They are Matt Vonk and Aaron Picton.
The Riders are eight deep along the offensive line, the type of depth they didn’t have last year among their Canadians.
Now let’s slide over the defensive side of the ball where they made the most changes.
Last year the Riders had Shea Emry and a young crop of defensive tackles to fill up their seven starting spots. Emry got hurt in the first game and with no sufficient Canadian back-up and Canadian defensive tackles who weren’t quite ready for the pro game, the Riders were weak up the middle and exploited because of it.
The best teams play their Canadians where they are deepest; the Riders didn’t do that last year.

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/05/25/nye-rid...roved-in-2016/

[jerrym]

Riders sign 4 of their 2016 picks
http://www.620ckrm.com/2016/05/26/ri...sc_ref=twitter

The signing of Van Gylswyk with a 83.3% FG rate and 43.6 yard punting average could give the Riders kicking game a big boost.

[jerrym]

The Riders have resigned Xavier Fulton further strengthening the Roughrider OL.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced international offensive lineman Xavier Fulton has signed with the team. As per club policy, details of the contracts were not released.
Fulton (6’4 – 300) re-joins the Riders after becoming a free agent in February. The 30-year-old Illinois product has spent the previous four seasons with the Green and White after originally being acquired from the Edmonton Eskimos in an April, 2012 trade.
Fulton has started all 65 career regular season games played at left tackle after appearing in all 18 last season. He has also added four career playoff games and won his first Grey Cup with the Riders in 2013.

http://www.riderville.com/2016/05/26...xavier-fulton/

[OV Argo]

The signing of Van Gylswyk with a 83.3% FG rate and 43.6 yard punting average could give the Riders kicking game a big boost.

The guy that Barker passed on drafting to pick a "project" O-lineman instead ?

[Argo57]

The guy that Barker passed on drafting to pick a "project" O-lineman instead ?

Yeah OV but he missed on 16.7% of his field goals😛

[jerrym]

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats finalized their coaching staff on Friday, announcing four new additions along with the promotion of Defensive Coordinator Orlondo Steinauer to assistant head coach.
Vice President of Football Operations and Head Coach Kent Austin will head the staff for the fourth straight season along with Special Teams Coordinator Jeff Reinebold, while Offensive Coordinator Stefan Ptaszek, Offensive Line Coach Mike Markuson and Defensive and Special Teams Assistant Chuck Winters are among new additions.
Austin also announced the addition of Jarryd Baines as offensive quality control coach and Matt Tolliver as defensive and special teams quality control coach.

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/05/27/ticats-...einauers-role/

[jerrym]

If there’s excitement in the unknown, these three or four days before training camp might be the best time of year for CFL coaches.
That was no doubt the sentiment for Wally Buono on a rainy Thursday in Kamloops. For the CFL’s all-time wins leader, the return to coaching never felt more real than right now.
“It definitely feels real,” said Buono, who stepped away from coaching after winning a Grey Cup with the Lions. “Obviously when the players all reported, especially the first-year guys and you see them going through the physicals, the names become people.
“It’s definitely real.”
Second-year pivots Greg McGhee and Keith Price took reps at quarterback while offensive lineman Charles Vaillancourt took the field for the first time since being drafted fifth overall, marking a productive first day of camp for the Lions.
Like clockwork, the rain started falling as BC Lions players began their stretches for day one of mini-camp at Hillside Stadium. Despite the gloomy conditions, the atmosphere was positive and upbeat, particularly for the rookies stepping on the field for the first time.
“Right now, I love it,” said Vaillancourt, one of three Laval offensive linemen taken in the first round of the 2016 CFL Draft. “I didn’t move to BC for the weather. When it’s 28 degrees, you will probably see me complaining.”

http://www.cfl.ca/2016/05/27/excitem...s-rookie-camp/

[jerrym]

A complete look at the #Esks 2015 Grey Cup ring pic.twitter.com/ymd9Ask2TD

— Edmonton Eskimos (@EdmontonEsks) May 28, 2016