CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — The home stretch is just around the corner as the season enters Week 13. We look at the latest around the league in the latest edition of Checking Down.
CFL
- Free agent linebacker Henoc Muamba is meeting with a number of teams as he decides where to sign. The former first overall pick has already spoken with the Ticats and Argos and is set to talk with the Bombers and Lions.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
- The REDBLACKS are certainly trending in the right direction and have begun to throw their hat into the Grey Cup conversation. However, the team knows their special teams units need to improve.
- It has been an up and down season for linebacker Travis Brown. He has been banged up for most of the year and wants to savour a winning season after being a member of the expansion roster.
- Henry Burris continues to be a revelation even at 40 years old. “He takes care of himself. He’s probably the best-conditioned quarterback in our league at his age, and it doesn’t even matter what age that is,” said offensive coordinator Jason Maas.
BC Lions
- The Lions have found some valuable pieces on the midseason free agent market including Eric Fraser and Chris Rainey. Both players have found homes in BC after the team cycled through a number of options.
- If Adam Bighill had one word to describe the Lions at the halfway mark it would be ‘malleable’ as the Vancouver Sun handed out their midseason report cards for the team.
Edmonton Eskimos
- There was a lot of flack thrown Deon Lacey’s way after his pre-game trash talk at the coin toss with Bo Levi Mitchell on Labour Day. While not everyone was a fan of his actions, his coach had his back.
- The return of Mike Reilly has injected some needed life into the team and he has quickly established a rapport with Kenny Stafford.
Calgary Stampeders
- The team gave up four ‘big plays’ against the Eskimos and were burned as a result of it. Giving up 41, 46, 47 and 50 yards on single plays is something the Stamps don’t think will happen again.
- Injuries have forced Calgary to use a patchwork offensive line throughout the year. There doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight and the team will need to figure something out with Jon Cornish set to return.
- Cornish, Dan Federkeil and Brandon Smith were all practicing on Tuesday.
- A win over the Eskimos could have put the Stampeders three games up in the division with the tiebreaker in hand but now the team is facing added urgency in their remaning schedule.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
- A quarterback debate is set to be ignited in Saskatchewan with the return of Kevin Glenn looming and Brett Smith struggling. Rob Vanstone of The Star Phoenix argues that the Riders should stick with the rookie pivotand not hastily react to another loss.
- Former Roughriders star Stanley Williams has passed away.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- The Bombers will be without their leading receiver for at least one game as Nick Moore has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
- After acquiring the negotiation rights to Tajh Boyd, the Bombers have signed the quarterback to their practice roster.
- It seems a fresh start could be all Matt Nichols needed. He’s feeling the trust from his teammates and the coaching staff and Nichols doesn’t feel like he has to look over his shoulder if he makes a mistake.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Head coach Kent Austin has been fined by the league after inappropriate conduct on the sideline with Argonauts receiver Dave Stala.
- The Ticats may have a cushion in the East standings but their remaining schedule still features some tough matchups, especially back-to-back games against the Esks and Stamps.
Toronto Argonauts
- The team’s hopes of finishing first in the division took a big hit when they dropped their third game this year to the Ticats. Now on the bye week, the Argos are hoping that the roster can heal up before they play a crucialdivisional game against the REDBLACKS.
Montreal Alouettes
- With two promotions in his rookie coaching season, some wonder if Anthony Calvillo is being groomed to become the next head coach of the Alouettes.
