2007 CFL Hot Stove League

[GA Russell]

The Calgary Stampeders have signed Marc Boerigter for next year. After playing out his option with the Stamps, he played four years with Kansas City, and spent some time this year with both Green Bay and Indy.

In his rookie year with KC he caught only twenty passes all year, but eight were TDs.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Cal...2431129-cp.html

[GA Russell]

I'm not sure how old Jeff Garcia is now, but he was a rookie for the Calgary Stampeders about 1990, so he's getting up there.

Today the Eagles named him their starter to replace the injured Donovan McNabb.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[GA Russell]

My CFL Encyclopedia says that Garcia was a rookie for the Stamps in 1994.

Here is an article that says he is 36. The Eagles play the Colts on Sunday night, so all of North America will be able to see if he still has it.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[GA Russell]

Vanier Cup:

Laval Rouge et Or 13....Sakatchewan Huskies 8

The game was played in Saskatoon, the first time ever outside Ontario. I read a couple of days ago that the temperature at kickoff was expected to be -20C, which I think is about 0F. This article doesn't specify the temp, but implies that it was too cold to be playing football.

This is Laval's third Vanier Cup in four years.

For those of you who don't know, the Vanier Cup is awarded to the Canadian collegiate champion of Canadian rules football.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[GA Russell]

Garcia looked pretty good against the Colts. He didn't throw deep downfield much, but he was effective getting first downs and engineering drives, looking like a Canadian league QB. The Eagles defense was terrible, but Garcia brought the team back to within ten in the fourth.

[GA Russell]

As expected, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that head coach Danny Barrett will not be back. Barrett s contract expired at the end of the season, so it is not really a firing. He was hired by GM Roy Shivers; and when Shivers was fired in the middle of this season, everyone figured that new GM Eric Tillman would replace Barrett with his own man.

From what I read when Tillman was the GM of the Ottawa Renegades, he may very well hire Dave Ritchie, currently the defensive coordinator of the new Grey Cup champion BC Lions. Ritchie won the Grey Cup as head coach of the Lions, and has also coached the Montreal Alouettes and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I heard an interview with Ritchie conducted the day before the Western final two weeks ago in which he said that he would very much like to be a head coach again.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[B. Clugston]

I feel bad for Danny Barrett, who is a class act. But the Riders needed a change.

Former QB Kent Austin’s name has also been dropped. He’s buddies with Eric “Suitcase” Tillman.

[John Tapscott]

I feel bad for Danny Barrett, who is a class act. But the Riders needed a change.

Former QB Kent Austin’s name has also been dropped. He’s buddies with Eric “Suitcase” Tillman.

I think Austin would be a mistake. He'll screw up Kenton Keith (a good running back) just as he messed up Ricky Williams and John Avery for the Argos earlier this year. All Austin can think of is the pass. I don't care what league it is - you have to have a decent running attack, something Austin doesn't seem to grasp.

[GA Russell]

Well, I think Ritchie would be the better choice, but in Austin's defense, many of the Argos were injured when he was the coordinator. As I recall, they only played Williams on first down because there was an import ratio issue preventing them from leaving him in there for second down. I also recall that Damon was out at the time, and all the defenses was keying on Williams on those first downs because they didn't think that Spurgon Wynn could complete a pass. It's my recollection that the game after they fired Austin Damon came back, and from then on the team started to win.

Not that it should matter in the selection of a coach, but Austin might sell some tickets as well. He had some great years as the QB in Regina, including the '89 Grey Cup. Did Austin leave Regina after alienating the fans there with a comment? I can't remember the circumstances.

*****

On another note, the Cowboys cut Mike Vanderjagt today. I saw him play in the '96 Grey Cup.

I looked him up in my encyclopedia and was surprised to see how little time he spent in the CFL. He played two games (no placekicks, 17 punts) for the Roughriders in '95, won the Grey Cup twice with the Argos in '96 and '97, and joined the Colts in '98. I thought he was in the CFL much longer than that.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[GA Russell]

Here's an article about the Ticats. It says that former Als coach Charlie Taafe is the favorite to be the Ticats' next head coach, but they will also interview Winnipeg defensive coordinator Greg Marshall. Marshall used to play for the Ottawa Rough Riders, and should not be confused with the former McMaster and Ticat head coach of the same name.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Ham...530891-sun.html

*****

Here's an article which verifies my hunch that Eric Tillman will hire Dave Ritchie for the Roughriders head coaching job.

It also says that in Montreal Jim Popp will probably relieve himself of the head coaching duties, and is considering hiring BC Lions offensive coordinator Jacques Chapdelaine.

If both come to pass, Wally in BC would have to find himself both a new offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator to defend the Grey Cup with.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Sas...530892-sun.html

edit for typo

Edited November 29, 2006 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Toronto Sun reports that even though Casey Printers' rights still belong to BC, the Argos' management are openly discussing their desire to sign him. Printers is currently on the Kansas City practice roster

The article also says that BC has signed Buck Pierce to a three year contract extension. Why Pierce would agree to such a deal is a mystery to me unless he is being paid an awful lot of money. They are not going to let him start ahead of Dave Dickenson, and Pierce is IMO better than the starting QBs in Sask, Winnipeg, Toronto and maybe Hamilton.

Anyway, with both Dickenson and Pierce, the Lions have little interest in Printers coming back. I believe that the Lions' rights to Printers expire in a few weeks, probably Feb. 1.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Tor...545653-sun.html

[B. Clugston]

Casey Printer’s best case scenario in the NFL right now is holding a clipboard. If he wants to hold a football in the next two years, the Argos are his best bet. They have coveted him for a while.

As for Buck Pierce, he is the Lions quarterback of the future. Pierce and Dave Dickenson get along very well. With the way the Lions now run their offence, Pierce is guaranteed some playing time. With the way Dickenson plays and gets hurt, Pierce is guaranteed a lot of starts.

Printers was actually at B.C. Place for the Western final. Dickenson wasn’t pleased. Also, Jacques Chapdelaine and Printers apparently don’t see eye to eye. Printers won’t be back.

Hate to reopen old wounds, but that was a dumb move in not playing Printers, the CFL player of the year, in the 2004 Grey Cup final. But some football minds think Pierce is more likely to see NFL action in the future rather than Printers.

[GA Russell]

BC, if you ever hear what Pierce signed for, I hope you will let us know. I imagine they gave him a big bonus before the midnight 11/19 deadline.

****

The AP reports that T.O. objects to the Cowboys' releasing Vanderjagt!

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

****

The CP reports that Sask has signed both Andy Fantuz and Luca Congi to one-year plus one-year option deals. I don't know why they don't lock up good young talent for a lot longer than that. They are always free to renegotiate later if a guy's career is a disappointment.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[B. Clugston]

It appears Pierce is making $200,000 a year, according to several media sources. He got a $100,000 signing bonus. It's three years, though it may be two years and an option.

According to not always reliable CKNW radio, Pierce's deal includes a renegotiation clause that allows him to significantly boost his $200,000-a-year salary if he replaces Dave Dickenson as the team's No. 1 quarterback in '08.

Toronto has asked the Lions for permission to talk to Printers.

Hamilton is also looking at Jacques Chapdelaine for coach.

[GA Russell]

BC, I think Pierce is playing it smart. I think a guy, particularly a QB, should prove himself to be a winner in the CFL for a few seasons before he tries his hand in the NFL. I think that was Burris s mistake. Pierce is evidently sticking with one of the best teams in the league, making good money, with a good chance of inheriting the starter s position in a few years. If it works according to plan and he can win the Grey Cup as a starter, the NFL should give him a real shot, not just put him on the practice roster.

****

The Toronto Sun is reporting that Steve Buratto, the highly respected offensive coordinator just let go by the Stampeders, is being wooed by the Eskimos and the Argos for the same position.

The Argos are also considering Danny Barrett for that role.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Tor...560920-sun.html

[GA Russell]

The Als announced today that Jim Popp will remain as both GM and head coach for 2007.

I think this is a mistake. I don't think a man with so little coaching experience can succeed in the CFL. He let go one of his two offensive coordnators yesterday.

Popp has done an excellent job as a personnel man over the years, and now he is going to be taking a lot of time away from that in order to be involved with the team as a coach, even if he lets his two coordinators do most of the work.

And on the personnel side, Popp lost his right hand man Marcel Desjardins to the Ticats a couple of months ago.

So I think the Als are going to find themselves understaffed this year compared to past years. The personnel-hunting issues may not show up until 2008, but I look for Popp to make some boneheaded decisions as an inexperienced coach this year. Couple that with the probable lack of help (due to the personnel office lack of expertise) come Labor Day airlift time, and the Als aren't looking so good to me anymore.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[danasgoodstuff]

As for the Canadian college game in S'toon, my mom said it was so cold that reporters from other parts of canada said they were never coming back!

[B. Clugston]

Meet Kent Austin, your new coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=187335&hubname=

[GA Russell]

BC, thanks for the heads up!

That link isn't working for me. Here's the link to the CP report:

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

[B. Clugston]

Jacques Chapdelaine has been scooped up by Edmonton as assistant coach. Damn!

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story/?ID=188082&hubname=

Steve Burratto will be the Argos new offensive co-ordinator.

[GA Russell]

BC, you beat me to it! I just found this report from Allan Maki of the Globe & Mail:

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Maki also says that Charlie Taafe is expected to be named the Ticats head coach.

With Buratto on board (no pun intended), I guess we can expect the Argos to use the bunch formation all the time. Didn't he do pretty well when he was the head coach of the Lions? I can't remember, although obviously he would still be the head coach if he did all that great. I think Damon Allen should retire, and I'm not convinced that any of the Argo backup QBs can win.

My understanding is that the Eskimos o-line is not very good. I love Edmonton's backfield, but without blockers they've got a problem. Maybe there will be some free agents available for them to sign. Edmonton has never had a problem with money. The salary cap is like baseball - if you spend over the figure you pay a tax to the league. But now that Hugh Campbell is gone for good, things may be different in Edmonton.

Taafe left Montreal for the money with Maryland, as I recall. This past year he was with Pitt. My understanding is that Division 1-A assistant coaches make so much more than CFL head coaches they can't turn down the opportunity. George Cortez of the Stampeders was an example of that. But the Ticats' Bob Young has very deep pockets, so maybe Hamilton is willing to match what US colleges are willing to pay. Still, don't the coaches' salaries count against the salary cap?

[John Tapscott]

I bet Casey Printers will be the Argos' next QB. The Argos need him badly and he's good for the CFL.

[GA Russell]

OK, I have found a CP article that says that Buratto was the head coach of the Lions when they won the Grey Cup in 2000. He was fired during the 2002 season.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Tor...2737469-cp.html

And here is a report by David Naylor of the Globe saying that Buratto was Casey Printer's "tutor" at BC the year that Printers won the Most Outstanding Player Award.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

John, I agree with you that the Argos need Printers; and now that the Argos have Buratto, Printers would be a great fit. But I don't think that the Argos owners have the money to spend like they have in BC, Hamilton and Montreal. I figure it's going to take at least $300,000. to sign Printers. Because of their veterans I am under the impression that the Argos payroll is already pretty high. I suppose that with the salary cap it all evens out. And the two clubs that need him more than Toronto does, Sask and Winnipeg, have less money to spend than the Argos do. So where else could Printers go?

I think Printers needs to win a Grey Cup or two before he can expect a fair shot at the NFL.

[GA Russell]

Two sources have told the CP that Charlie Taaffe will be named the Ticats head coach tomorrow:

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

edit to add a later and more full article:

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

Edited December 14, 2006 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Argos released R. Jay Soward and Eric England along with four others today, in what is described to be salary cap moves. This is crazy. They are two of their best players.

I don't know what they are being paid, but I don't like any league's salary cap for that reason. I think teams should cut players because they find somebody better, not because of a salary cap.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home

edit for typo

Edited December 15, 2006 by GA Russell