Around the CFL

[R.J]

No comment from Hervey on Jones rumours. Says he wants to focus on the team and celebrations.

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) November 30, 2015

Jones says he "hasn't heard anything" on the Saskatchewan front and that he and Hervey haven't talked about it yet.

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) November 30, 2015

Hervey and Jones declined to discuss Jones to Saskatchewan rumours.

— Reid Wilkins (@ReidWilkins) November 30, 2015

[R.J]

Orridge's presentation may have been a bit awkward, but embarrassing is not the word I'd use.
While I'm still disappointed that the new CFL website hasn't been unveiled (in fairness, Orridge never made the comment, some media members did) and that there still isn't a drug testing policy in place, of which could be announced during Orridge's state of the League address, he has done some good things as of late. Getting the playoffs and Grey Cup on youtube, making the game available to most of the world is a good initiative. Also bringing in Kal Tire, BF Goodrich and Redtag.ca as league sponsors also are steps in the right direction. Not to mention some of the new playoff sponsors such as Odds Shark, Canadian Beef, Casa Di Mama, etc. I for one am really looking forward to the State of the League press conference, would love to hear what his and the League's plans are moving forward.

[ArgoGabe22]

Orridge is a businessman is he not? When was the last time a President/CEO of a company be solely judged on their public speaking or how "boring" they seem? It's what goes on behind the scenes that really matter. If Orridge is getting things done like what SnowRogue posted, then I'm thinking he's doing his job (for now at least). It will take a few years to see what kind of overall impact he's had as commissioner.

[R.J]

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/11/2...scenes-chatter

tweets via CFL_News, tweeting snippets from the column.

#Riders Pres./CEO Craig Reynolds will create buzz wherever he goes this wk. Ppl will want 2 C w/ whom he is hanging around.

O'Day would probably like this week to fly by without Reynolds talking to anyone, but that won't happen.

(John) Murphy is one of #CFL's top personnel men, as evidenced by #Calstampeders' success over the years.

O'Day, Murphy & Sunderland could have stiff competition as rumours swirling that some big names have entered the fray.

#Riders are the richest franchise in the league by a long shot, and there is no pension plan in the #CFL.

A renowned GM at the end of his career could pocket a few million dollars with one final deal.

That's why names like Wally Buono, Jim Barker and John Hufnagel shouldn't be ruled out until the new boss is named.

Jeff Tedford isn't a slam dunk to return next season & #BCLions getting worse ever since @GM_Brillo quit coaching.

If Tedford returns to the NFL or NCAA, that's two head coaching positions that are open.

Offensive co-ordinator George Cortez's future is also said to be up in the air.

#Esks Chris Jones is a natural born head coach, but he also has the ability to find players (for #Riders GM/HC role).

.@PaulLaPolice believed to be O'Day's favourite HC choice but #Bombers also interested in him as their new OC.

#CFL Insiders say: If Tedford goes it's likely one of Cortez, (Mark) Washington or Buono returning to the sidelines.

#CFL Insiders say: People around the league are surprised at Montreal's decision to retain their full staff.

[ArgoRavi]

Barker told Steve Simmons last week that he is definitely not leaving Toronto. Regarding the B.C. situation, I don't know how the Lions can sell Buono as head coach again as many Lions fans are sick of him and believe that it is time that he retires. Mark Washington and George Cortez aren't all that inspiring as possible head coaches either. Lions need to do something to stop the bleeding of fan support out in B.C.

Here is some additional chatter from that column:

"The best referee this season has been Tom Vallesi. Hopefully he gets Sunday's game"

One of Penton's "insiders" said this. Vallesi has, arguably, been the worst ref in the league this season and did not work any of the post-season games so I am pretty sure he is out of the equation for the Grey Cup. I would go with either Kim Murphy or Andre Proulx.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/11/2...scenes-chatter

[Argo]

Regarding the B.C. situation, I don't know how the Lions can sell Buono as head coach again as many Lions fans are sick of him and believe that it is time that he retires. Mark Washington and George Cortez aren't all that inspiring as possible head coaches either. Lions need to do something to stop the bleeding of fan support out in B.C.

Truer words were never spoken : ))

[AngeloV]

I wonder Noel Thorpe may be a candidate for the Lions job.

[R.J]

Eskimos coach Chris Jones on possibility of @sskroughriders GM/HC job: "I don't want to think about that right now. No comment."

— gary lawless (@garylawless) November 30, 2015

[ArgoGabe22]

Looks like Jon Cornish is leaning towards retirement. Haven't really heard much about it.

[Will]

Looks like Jon Cornish is leaning towards retirement. Haven't really heard much about it.

Yesterday was the first anybody has ever heard about it I think. At first I thought it might be due to some of the injuries he's suffered, but apparently not, I heard he might want to pursue some non-football opportunities.

[R.J]

Looks like Jon Cornish is leaning towards retirement. Haven't really heard much about it.

Already discussed here.
http://www.argofans.com/showthread.p...ps-likely-done

Off season CFL storylines
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/the-repo...rylines~759984

[ArgoGabe22]

Well the good news is that Riders ask for permission to speak to Jim Barker, but were denied.

[R.J]

Per #CFL sources: Winnipeg recently asked Ottawa to interview Jason Maas to become Assistant Head Coach/OFF coordinator. Permission denied.

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) December 2, 2015

[AngeloV]

Per #CFL sources: Winnipeg recently asked Ottawa to interview Jason Maas to become Assistant Head Coach/OFF coordinator. Permission denied.

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) December 2, 2015

They should take the tampering charge and talk to him anyway. They really need to be creative here the way the Argos were when they stole Jones from Calgary.

[Scooter McCray]

They should take the tampering charge and talk to him anyway. They really need to be creative here the way the Argos were when they stole Jones from Calgary.

Maas should only interview for HC positions. He has proven himself as a solid OC and has good things brewing in the nation's capital. I can't see him leaving for a lateral move.

[R.J]

Hervey fined for tampering comments. http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/fo...bout-tampering
Had a bit of a laugh about this, it's pretty common knowledge that tampering occurs in the CFL, Hervey just acknowledged it, I don't see the big deal about it.

Coach Cortez informed the @BCLions that he was not returning & most likely retiring. Reports that he would not be retained are incorrect.

— Wally Buono (@GM_Brillo) December 4, 2015

As of today the @BCLions have granted permission to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to speak to Coach Khari Jones about an opening. @CFL

— Wally Buono (@GM_Brillo) December 4, 2015

[R.J]

Lions special teams co-ordinator Chuck McMann retires.
http://www.tsn.ca/lions-special-team...tires-1.404718

[R.J]

Toss @CoachLangsdorf into the mix for #Esks job. Serious NFL, NCAA & CFL experience. Should get a look. #yet

— Dave Jamieson (@jamieson1260) December 7, 2015

[paulwoods13]

Langsdorf seems like a longshot to me. Last CFL experience in 2001, no head coaching experience. Resume reads a bit like Bart Andrus's -- QB coach, etc.

[ArgoRavi]

Langsdorf seems like a longshot to me. Last CFL experience in 2001, no head coaching experience. Resume reads a bit like Bart Andrus's -- QB coach, etc.

A key advantage Langsdorf would have is that he coached GM Ed Hervey in Edmonton. Will that be enough to get the head coaching job?