CFL.ca Staff
There are still plenty of storylines to watch as the season enters Week 8. We look at the latest around the league, including a number of key injuries across the league, in the latest edition of Checking Down.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
- The REDBLACKS are tied for first in the East division and could be shaping up to be contenders in the CFL this year.
- Head coach Rick Campbell is proud of his team’s strong start to the season so far.
- Ottawa has brought in running back Travon Van out of Marshall University and released Jock Sanders. “He’s a running back/receiver who brings a lot of versatility, size and speed,” said REDBLACKS general manager Marcel Desjardins.
Calgary Stampeders
- The Stampeders added some depth at running back by signing Keith Toston to their practice roster.
BC Lions
- After shutting out the Eskimos in the second half of their Week 7 win, Lowell Ullrich of The Province wonders if the Lions’ defence has finally turned the corner. Reducing penalties as well as the workload of Adam Bighill and Solomon Elimimian are two of the main factors to the turnaround.
- The ‘burning desire’ of Andrew Harris has impressed head coach Jeff Tedford. The running back leads the CFL with six total touchdowns.
Edmonton Eskimos
- It appeared that the brief quarterback controversy between Matt Nichols and James Franklin was put to rest weeks ago. However, the two split reps at practice but Nichols ended up with the bulk of the workload as Monday’s session ended.
- With the Eskimos down three and 1:11 left in the game, head coach Chris Jones elected to go for the first down on third-and-four instead of trying a game-tying 48-yard field goal. Nichols was intercepted on the next play and the drive was over but the team has ‘no regrets’ over the decision.
- Mike Reilly is still expected to be out for another three-to-five weeks but took his first steps on the practice field since his injury.
- Edmonton could be without receiver Adarius Bowman for Week 8. He did not participate in practice aftersustaining a hip injury.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Saskatchewan enters its bye week with players looking to take some time to regroup following the team’s 0-7 start.
- The Roughriders set a team record for penalties in last week’s loss to the Argonauts. Saskatchewan racked up 24 flags for 192 yards, including having two touchdowns being called back.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Drew Willy is expected to be sidelined for 6-8 weeks after partially tearing the PCL in his right knee. The Bombers could also be without Paris Cotton (broken arm) and Darvin Adams (upper body) for an extended period of time.
- Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun believes the Bombers are being out-coached this season and it has had aheavy hand in the team’s 3-4 record.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- The Ticats announced that they will retire Angelo Mosca’s jersey number 68.
- Hamilton’s secondary has been the beneficiary of the constant, varied pressure of the front seven members of the defence. Steve Milton of the Hamilton Spectator examines the evolution of the team’s defence.
- Bakari Grant is ‘on a mission’ to prove he is among the CFL’s elite receivers. He has 389 receiving yards and four touchdowns and is certainly making his case to be in the discussion.
Toronto Argonauts
- Even though the Argonauts sit at 4-2, the team still has some areas of the game to work on, mainly cutting down on penalties and establishing a running game.
- Toronto received some good news on the injury front as Matt Black, Jermaine Gabriel and Bruce Elliott are all likely to play on Friday.
- The team has already lost Chad Owens, Andre Durie and Anthony Coombs to injury yet are still producing quality receivers. That depth has been a key to the Argos’ success.
Montreal Alouettes
- Montreal released three players from its roster – kicker Sean Whyte, receiver Dobson Collins and linebacker Bryn Roy.
- John Bowman and Jerald Brown were both left off the starting defence in practice. Michael Sam suffered a back injury and has been placed on the injured list so it looks like Bowman will play.
