2024 @CFL hot stove league

[GA Russell]

Henoc Muamba has been offered contracts by New England, Minnesota and Indianapolis; so the Bombers released him today, a week before the free agency date, so that he could get on with his life.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443067

http://cfl.ca/article/muamba-released-by-blue-bombers

*****

Corey Chamblin was named Coach of the Year today.

I thought it should have been Kent Austin. Does anyone know when the vote is taken? It seems like recently it has typically been given to the Grey Cup champion. I think the results would be different if the vote were taken immediately after the last game of the regular season.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443076

http://cfl.ca/article/capping-it-off-chamblin-named-2013-coach-of-the-year

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/94467

[GA Russell]

Weston Dressler has signed his contract with Kansas City, which will become official with the start of the NFL's fiscal(?) year.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443063

*****

Joe Paopao is returning to the Lions as their receivers coach.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443129

http://cfl.ca/article/receiving-help-paopao-joins-lions-coaching-staff

*****

Luca Congi requested and received his release from the Ticats. He was going to become a free agent on Tuesday anyway.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443154

http://cfl.ca/article/release-granted-ticats-part-ways-with-congi

*****

The Bombers traded Jade Etienne to the Riders for Drew Willy. Willy was set to become a free agent, but signed a two-year contract with the Bombers.

Will the Bombers still go after Glenn? Apparently Glenn's contract depends upon playing time, so he's not going to be happy sitting behind Hank.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443151

http://cfl.ca/article/getting-their-man-bombers-acquire-qb-willy-from-riders

*****

Marc Cohon will meet with the Mayor of Halifax Sunday to discuss their getting an expansion team.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443195

*****

Doug Kyed of NESN is reporting that Indianapolis has signed Henoc Muamba.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443182

http://nesn.com/2014/02/cfl-star-lb-henoc-muamba-released-to-pursue-nfl-career-patriots-had-interest/

[GA Russell]

Mike O'Shea announced today that Drew Willy will be the Bombers' starting quarterback.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443246

This announcement surprises me a great deal. It's as if O'Shea has no recollection of Stefan LeFors' being named the Bombers' starting quarterback in 2009 under similar circumstances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_LeFors

http://www.examiner.com/article/winnipeg-blue-bombers-fire-head-coach-mike-kelly

(With the second link, I also got a Bob Dylan Chrysler commercial.)

*****

Kerry Joseph has officially retired.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/could+still+Newly+retired+Edmonton+Eskimos+quarterback+Kerry+Joseph/9464859/story.html

[GA Russell]

A number of Rider items.

Graeme Bell is retiring.

The Riders released Diamond Ferri, Chris Garrett and Milt Collins.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443486

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4665610

*****

The Bombers' Chris Cvetcovic is retiring.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4665623

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443491

*****

The Ticats' Simoni Lawrence will soon sign with Minnesota.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443450

*****

Jovon Johnson becomes a free agent tomorrow, and he will not return to the Bombers.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443526

*****

Calgary traded Chris Randle and a draft pick to the Bombers for a draft pick.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443534

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-strike-early-acquire-randle-from-stamps

*****

Ottawa has placed Kevin Glenn on the trading block.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443541

[GA Russell]

Yesterday was the first day of free agency, and a lot of players changed teams. Here's the list.

http://cfl.ca/page/2014-free-agent-tracker

Among the biggest names...

Shea Emry joined the Argos.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443596

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4666004

Nick Moore joined the Bombers.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4666010

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443618

Craig Butler joined the Ticats.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443629

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4666019

Patrick Watkins joined the Eskimos.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443675

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4666365

The Argos released Noel Prefontaine. That should be the end of the line for him.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443692

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4666352

Simoni Lawrence signed with Minnesota.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443621

Jovon Johnson joined the Redblacks.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443701

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4666388

Diamond Ferri joined the Als.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443737

Kory Sheets signed with Oakland.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443709

*****

Arland Bruce and Bryant Turner tweeted comments regarding the Missouri kid coming out of the closet which Marc Cohon didn't like, so they were fined.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4665953

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443568

*****

The league announced its 2014 schedule today. The pre-season starts June 9 (Toronto at Winnipeg), and the season starts June 26 (also Toronto at Winnipeg). The Grey Cup game will be Nov. 30.

http://cfl.ca/schedule/year/2014/time_zone/0

[GA Russell]

I'm just learning how to do Twitter, and today I received an email from them saying that I now have my first follower - Herb Zurkowski! How about that!

*****

Jamall Johnson has signed with the Lions.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443804

http://cfl.ca/article/fa14-johnson-returns-to-lions-den

*****

Jermaine McElveen has signed with the Als.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443833

http://cfl.ca/article/fa14-mcelveen-makes-his-return-to-montreal

*****

Cordarro Law has signed with San Diego.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=443863

*****

The Argos have announced their coaching staff. You will recall that they lost much of their staff to the Eskimos.

http://cfl.ca/article/milanovich-introduces-2014-argos-coaching-staff

[GA Russell]

A number of small headlines in the past week.

Marcus Ball wants to try out for the NFL, so the Argos gave him his release.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444069

http://cfl.ca/article/boatmen-release-lb-marcus-ball

*****

Damaso Munoz has signed with Tampa Bay.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444077

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444136

*****

The Ticats have traded Josh Bartel, Shomari Williams and the 8th pick in the draft to the Riders for the 9th and 11th picks.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444042

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4668032

http://cfl.ca/article/back-in-green-williams-highlights-riders-ticats-trade

*****

Terrence Edwards has retired. Think he will make it into the Hall of Fame?

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444119

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4668359

http://cfl.ca/article/saying-good-bye-edwards-announces-his-retirement

*****

Chris Williams has signed with Seattle.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444136

*****

The Bombers have named Gary Etcheverry to be their defensive coordinator.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444289

*****

The Eskimos have released TJ Hill.

http://cfl.ca/article/more-movement-esks-release-tj-hill

*****

The Eskimos have released Donovan Alexander. There's probably a story there somewhere, but I haven't found it.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444314

*****

Paris Jackson met with Wally and told him that he wanted to be a bigger part of the offense. Either that, or trade me or release me. So Wally released him.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444382

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4669743

http://cfl.ca/article/lions-extend-marsh-release-jackson

http://cfl.ca/article/wanting-more-lions-grant-jacksons-release

[GA Russell]

The Spectator is reporting that the new Tim Horton's Stadium is behind schedule.

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/4375026-stadium-completion-up-in-the-air/

[GA Russell]

Big news! The Als today named Tom Higgins to be their new head coach.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444578

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4670691

http://cfl.ca/article/back-to-the-sidelines-als-name-higgins-head-coach

*****

There is some feeling in Hamilton that the new Tim Hortons Field will not be finished on time, by June 30.

http://metronews.ca/news/hamilton/948263/hamiltons-tim-hortons-field-completion-up-in-the-air/

[GA Russell]

The Bombers have signed Donovan Alexander.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444634

http://cfl.ca/article/going-home-alexander-signs-with-bombers

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4670901

*****

The Stampeders have traded Larry Taylor and a pick to the Als for two picks.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444663

http://cfl.ca/article/back-where-he-started-taylor-traded-to-montreal

*****

To replace Taylor, the Stamps signed former Rider Jock Sanders.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444665

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4671008

http://cfl.ca/article/the-replacement-sanders-signs-with-stamps

http://cfl.ca/roster/show/id/4589

[GA Russell]

The Als have released Arland Bruce.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444752

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4671376

http://cfl.ca/article/alouettes-release-arland-bruce-lll

http://www.cfl.ca/roster/show/id/2887

Edited February 27, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Ticats have signed a 20-year lease with the new Tim Hortons Field.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=444789

http://cfl.ca/article/ticats-reach-20-year-agreement-with-city-of-hamilton

*****

The Riders have signed six-year NFL veteran receiver Brett Swain.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4671668

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Swain_%28American_football%29

*****

David Naylor has been tweeting the past two days that he doesn't expect Tom Higgins' situation at Montreal to work out well. During Super bowl Week, Jim Popp told Naylor that he was still negotiating with Bob Wettenhall for the head coaching job. Apparently Wettenhall decided to hire Higgins without input from Popp. Popp was not present for the news conference introducing Higgins. You will recall that Popp hired the assistant coaches for this year, so Higgins will have to live with Popp's selections.

[GA Russell]

Widener University in Pennsylvania has hired Mike Kelly to be its head football coach.

http://www.widenerpride.com/news/2014/2/28/FB_0228145405.aspx

[GA Russell]

Buck Pierce announced his retirement today.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445196

http://cfl.ca/article/over-and-out-pierce-announces-retirement

http://cfl.ca/roster/show/id/3653

http://www.cjob.com/2014/03/04/buck-pierce-decides-to-retire/

*****

Glen Suitor tweets that Rick Worman will be the new Alouettes offensive coordinator.

*****

The Ticats traded QB Brian Brohm to the Bombers for a conditional draft pick. Brohm was Green Bay's second round pick in 2008, but spent all of last season injured. The Bombers also released Justin Goltz.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445142

http://www.cjob.com/2014/03/03/bombers-acquire-quarterback-brohm-from-hamilton/

*****

The Riders have signed six-year NFL veteran receiver Chaz Schilens.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445258

[Mike Schwartz]

Does the NFL draft get followed by CFL_ers in order to figure who may come North for those not drafted or late rounders who may get a better chance to play and such?

Edited March 5, 2014 by Mike Schwartz

[GA Russell]

Does the NFL draft get followed by CFL_ers in order to figure who may come North for those not drafted or late rounders who may get a better chance to play and such?

Mike, yes. The CFL draft is held a few days after the NFL draft.

The CFL's concern is the best Canadian players. Nowadays, almost all of them play their college ball in the US.

The NFL pays 20 times what the CFL pays. The average NFL salary is $2 million, while the average CFL salary is $100,000. So 100% of the players drafted by the NFL sign with the NFL.

Typically, the very best Canadian players spend their entire pro career in the NFL, and never sign with the CFL. So the CFL doesn't want to waste a high draft pick on someone drafted by the NFL. They will waste a low draft pick on him, however, in case the NFL lets him go.

In regard to American players, the CFL has many scouts who attend not only the usual college games, but also things like the Senior Bowl where they make their presence known. The CFL has a lot of contacts with college coaches. For example, in the CFL's eyes, there are a thousand American running backs available, so rookies at that position are not offered much money.

Edited March 5, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Here's an article that says that the Ticats will pay $30 million rent for their 20-year lease at their new ballpark. I don't know what the other teams with new stadiums are paying. Anybody know?

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/cfls_tiger_cats_sign_lease_for_tim_hortons_field1/

[GA Russell]

TJ Hill signed today with the Redblacks.

http://cfl.ca/article/hill-williams-among-three-inked-by-redblacks

[GA Russell]

Herb Zurkowski tweets that Jim Popp has retained labor lawyer Gary Rosen.

*****

Buffalo has announced that it will not play in Toronto this year. Remember when all of the reporters said that the Bills playing in Buffalo would put the Argos out of business?

http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=445309

Edited March 5, 2014 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The Als named their coaching staff this morning. I had no idea some CFL teams have so many coaches.

http://en.montrealalouettes.com/page/coaching-staff

[GA Russell]

I have started using Twitter to follow the CFL, so I expect that there will be news items that I will not have links for.

Ottawa has signed Justin Palardy and waived Nick Setta.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4674012

http://cfl.ca/article/palardy-time-redblacks-ink-veteran-kicker

*****

Kevin Glenn has asked Ottawa to trade him.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445464

*****

The Bombers have hired Buck Pierce as their running back coach.
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445512

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4674201

http://cfl.ca/article/coach-buck-pierce-joins-bombers-staff

[GA Russell]

Angus Reid has retired. Next stop, Hall of Fame.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445517

[GA Russell]

Ottawa has signed Paris Jackson.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=445550

http://www.cfl.ca/roster/show/id/603

http://cfl.ca/article/veteran-receiver-jackson-signs-with-ottawa

[GA Russell]

I'll come back tomorrow, and catch up on the doings of the past week.

But first I want to point out that the league's website has a poll with videos of recent exciting finishes. I know you'll enjoy them.

http://cfl.ca/article/the-great-debate-wildest-cfl-finishes

[B. Clugston]

I'll come back tomorrow, and catch up on the doings of the past week.

But first I want to point out that the league's website has a poll with videos of recent exciting finishes. I know you'll enjoy them.

http://cfl.ca/article/the-great-debate-wildest-cfl-finishes

Love that Milt Stegall miracle TD.