The Newsy Neighbour Magazine
March Issue 113
Article Provided By:Jock Wilson
When you’re on a budget you don’t shop at Nordstrom’s.
The good news is, Calgary Stampeder President and General
Manager John Hufnagel was able to find some bargains at Value Village last
month. True to his word, Hufnagel focused on taking care of his own players
during CFL free agency. After re-signing star receiver Marquay McDaniel and DL
Micah Johnson the core for the 2017 football club was back in place but with a
5.2 million dollar salary cap the budget was tight.
On day two of hunting season (for CFL free agents), the
Stamps landed a national linebacker named Beau and a quarterback named
Mitchell. Beau Landry was a former first round pick, 8th overall in
2014. A talented player on special teams who could back up Alex Singleton at
MLB. When you have a Canadian starter in the CFL it’s so important to have a
backup with the same passport. At the time, QB Mitchell Gale was a surprise
signing from Saskatchewan but as we later found out the organization had to
save some money as he was cheaper and 5 years younger than Drew Tate who was
moved to the Ottawa Red Blacks.
Receiver Simon Charbonneau Campeau announced he was going
back to school so the team needed a replacement. Rory Kohlert was a starter
last season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and now he will compete with Anthony
Parker for the starting wide out position. Once again, the passport was a
perfect match.
The Stampeders did not have a national back up for
outstanding Canadian Jerome Messam last season. That was addressed with the
signing of former U of C star Anthony Woodson from the Hamilton Tiger Cats. It
was very clear that the second generation Stampeder left money on the table.
“It has always been my dream to play for the Stampeders,”
says Woodson. I live in Calgary in the off season and I let the organization
know very early in the process where I wanted to be. To be honest, I really
didn’t look anywhere else.”
The biggest loss for the Stampeders last month was the
defection of outstanding offensive lineman Derek Dennis to the Rider Nation. Dennis
was one of four Stampeders to sign with Saskatchewan. Linebacker Glenn Love, DL
Zach Minter and receiver Bakari Grant were the others.
“I only have so much money to spend,” explains Hufnagel. “He’s
not the first all-star left tackle we have lost. He’s a good player but we will
find a replacement.”
Believe it or not, this also comes down to the passport and
how much the organization is willing to spend on an international offensive
lineman. Hufnagel believes in his scouting and development and he is confident
they will find the next Derek Dennis at their spring camps in the US.
The only other issue that was not addressed in free agency
was the secondary. With legal troubles pending for all-star Tommie Campbell
it’s likely his days in the CFL are over. High end corners do not come cheap in
free agency so once again the organization will have to fill this void through
their spring camps.
It’s pretty clear the Stampeders won’t get any gold stars
for sexy signings during the free agent period, they have put themselves in a
very good position moving into the 2017 season. Let’s break it down in the
West.
The Saskatchewan Rough Riders spent like a drunken sailor.
Most of the experts declared they were the big winners last month. On paper,
they now have a very respectable offensive line, a new running back (Kienan LaFrance)
from the defending champions, and some talented receivers. If they ever get the
quarterback position figured out they may return to respectability.
The BC Lions landed a big fish in all-star receiver Chris
Williams. Unfortunately for Lion fans, they also lost 5 players to the NFL and
national DL Jabar Westerman to Montreal. The Lions did not get better last
month.
For the first time in 3 years, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
were very quiet during free agency. Their budget was blown with the resigning
of QB Matt Nichols and like the Stampeders, they also took care of their own.
The Edmonton Eskimos lost two key players to the NFL in all
star receiver Derel Walker and Linebacker Deon Lacy. The Eskimos were busy
adding to their depth at running back and full back, but the question is did
they address the biggest holes?
In the East, the dysfunction award goes to the Toronto
Argonauts. With no general manager or head coach in place, players steered
clear or signed only when it was the last option.
The Ottawa Red Blacks won the biggest turnover award. The
Red Blacks will have a much different look in 2017 as they attempt to defend
the cup on home turf. The high powered offense lost big play receivers Ernest
Jackson and Chris Williams. Henry Burris officially retired and RB LaFrance
moved on to Saskatchewan. The defense took a major hit as DL Forrest Hightower
bolted to the NFL. They also lost two key players in the secondary. Jeff
Richards to the NFL and Abdul Kenneh to the Hamilton Tiger Cats.
The CFL will take a small pause early in March but things
will heat up at the end of the month. The first ever CFL week will take place
in Regina from March 20 – 26, 2017.
The off-season gathering will include
several major fan engagement events, multi-day media access opportunities to
more than 50 prominent CFL players, a Hall of Fame and player Gala Dinner, a
coaches’ media junket and a new passing showcase tournament featuring several
of Canada’s top university football programs.
The week will be capped off with the
CFL’s National Combine, where Canada’s rising stars will come together in Regina
for the most social and most accessible Combine – for fans and media – in CFL
history.
“CFL Week will bring together everything
that is great about our league in one place for one exciting week: important
football events such as our national Combine, opportunities for fans to meet
and greet our biggest stars, and access for the media to the league’s biggest
players and decision makers,” said Jeffrey L. Orridge, CFL Commissioner.
The CFL draft will take place on May 7, then a brand-new
season kicks off in June.
About Jock Wilson:
Jock has been involved in the Calgary
sport media scene for over 30 years. He hosts the Calgary Stampeder football
broadcasts on Newstalk 770 and is the host of Sportstalk from 6:30 pm to 8:00
pm.
Email: jock@am770chqr.com
Twitter: @sportson770
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