Friday CFL Notebook

The Toronto Argonauts have acquired international DL Andre Monroe from the Saskatchewan Roughriders today in exchange for the rights to international OL Jarriel King.

Monroe joined the Riders as a free agent before the 2015 season and played in eight regular season games, with seven starts. The 23-year old registered 17 defensive tackles, four quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles as a CFL rookie. Prior to signing in Saskatchewan, the Washington DC native played four seasons at the University of Maryland where he set a school record with 25 career QB sacks.

King joined the Argonauts prior to the 2013 season and played 29 games over parts of three seasons.

-----


The Ottawa REDBLACKS today announced multiple appointments to head coach Rick Campbell’s coaching staff for the 2016 season – six returning coaches and one newcomer.


The REDBLACKS defence will once again be led by defensive coordinator Mark Nelson, with Leroy Blugh as defensive line coach, Ike Charlton as defensive backs coach and Derek Oswalt as linebackers coach. Under their guidance last season, the REDBLACKS reestablished “Capital Punishment” on the D-line and established “D-Block” in the secondary. The REDBLACKS defensive line led the CFL in sacks with 61. The team defense tied for the league lead in interceptions with 26 and limited opposing teams to a league low average of only 70.8 yards rushing per game.

On the offensive side, receivers coach Travis Moore and offensive line coach Bryan Chiu have each signed for next season. Both played integral roles in coaching an offense that led the CFL in passing yards (5,816), overall completions (499), rushing touchdowns (18) and featured 4 players with over 1,000 yards receiving (Chris Williams, Greg Ellingson, Brad Sinopoli and Ernest Jackson).

“We had a lot of great players and great coaches last season and I’m glad we we’re able to bring back the guys we’ve announced today for continuity and to keep rolling,” said REDBLACKS head coach Rick Campbell. “Our objective for the coming season is to grow as a team and get better.”

The newcomer to the REDBLACKS coaching staff is special teams coordinator Bob Dyce. Most recently, Dyce, a native of Winnipeg, served as interim head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders after serving as the Riders’ special teams coordinator from 2013-2015. Prior to taking on special teams, Dyce served the Roughriders as offensive coordinator (2012) and passing game coordinator and receivers coach (2010-2011). He also served as receivers coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2003-2009) and receivers coach at the University of Manitoba (1996-2002).

“Bob Dyce is a very good coach and a man with great character,” said Campbell. “I’m looking forward to working with him and I know the players will as well.”

---

Calgary Stampeders general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce the re-signing of national receiver Anthony Parker. Parker was set to become a free agent in February. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Parker is coming off his best year as a pro, registering 31 catches for a career-high 443 yards and adding two touchdowns in 18 games. He also had eight carries for 56 yards, three punt returns for 16 yards, four kickoff returns for 77 yards and a missed field goal return for 22 yards.

He was the team’s leading receiver in the final regular-season game, hauling in four passes for 122 yards and scoring his longest career touchdown on a 70-yard pass from Drew Tate.

Parker started in both playoffs games, totalling five catches for 48 yards and adding a two-point convert.

“Anthony has worked very hard during his time with the Stamps,” said Hufnagel. “He’s made some big plays for us when called upon and has made progress every season. I believe he has the potential to grow even more and I look forward to watching his continued development.”

Parker has spent five seasons with the Stampeders after being selected third overall by the club in 2011 CFL Draft. He has played a total of 72 regular-season games and recorded 91 receptions for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns along with 23 carries for 190 yards.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to continue my career in the place that it started,” said Parker. “This is the best organization in the CFL top down and I expect big things to come in 2016. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

This and That

It is Friday and that means here are the thoughts running through my muddled mind, and as always, they are in no particular order.




--The bombs continue to drop at Mosaic Stadium.  As you all know, the Riders released 19 players on Tuesday as Chris Jones and company start re-tooling the 3-15 roster. Some are not happy over some of the players who were cut and the way they found out about it. When you are 3-15 and it is your job to do some cleaning up, you do it!
 
Yes, I was surprised at some of the players who were let go, but you really couldn't argue with who was told their services were no longer needed. The two biggest surprises to me were Anthony Allen and Weldon Brown. Allen's departure makes me wonder what the team will do at running back although with all the running backs the Eskimos went through last year, I am sure Chris Jones can bring one of those guys here. The other surprise was Weldon Brown who was injured early in the season adding to the woes on the defensive side of the ball.  The turnover rate on the roster will be immense this year, but as a fanbase that is what you should be expecting after the nightmarish season of 2015. It isn't over yet and some players who are more popular than the guys let go on Tuesday may be next. By the way, is it safe to say Mr. Jones isn't easing into his new position and he is not #$%^%$#$-ing around. We've still got six months until we see what type of players will be on the field at training camp. Are you counting down the days?

--I will admit I didn't know a lot about John Murphy when he was hired. Yes, I knew who he was and what his resume looked like, but he could have walked past me in Calgary and I wouldn't have recognized him because he was one of those behind the scenes guys. If you want to know Murphy and what he is about, listen to Tuesday's podcast of the Sportscage as Rod and Luc Mullinder had a fantastic interview with him.

--I don't know about you, but Jeffrey Orridge is on Strike two when it comes to CFL commissioner. Saying coaches can't move without the league's approval is A) too late and B) goes completely against what the CFL has done for years. Yes, the Noel Thorpe situation which arguably resulted in the edict being handed out is a little greasy, but you can't change the rules once the kids are in the sandbox with the rules having been in place for years. You do it before the kids get in. If Orridge wants to do this, that is fine, but as I have stated previously, you announce this once the season is over so that it takes effect for all squads thinking about coaching moves in 2017. Perhaps he should have done this three weeks ago in Winnipeg instead of introducing us to that stupid logo.By the way, I am guessing this not allowing Thorpe to go to Edmonton story is a long ways from being over. How can the guy go back to Montreal now?

--Question asked of me Wednesday night. If the Riders were to win the Grey Cup and say the Argos pulled off a Craig Reynolds and managed to get Jones and his entire staff to continue their renegade tour and pack up and go to Toronto, how would it be accepted here. I think I know the answer to that one, and I think you do too. However, it would have meant the Riders were at the top of the CFL mountain again. I don't think Jones and crew are a one and done in Saskatchewan, but if that one results in a championship than I would think Craig Reynolds would say what Ed Hervey did and that is Chris did what we wanted him to.

--If the Rider brass asks Darian Durant to take a pay cut, what would be a fair one to take?  Durant is making a rumoured 500-grand a season and he earned that for what he did in 2013, but he has only played a half season since then. 250 is too much, but I think 325 with bonuses would be a very fair proposition. Say what you will about Doubles, but he is the face of the franchise and will continue to be for a while. I am guessing he wants nothing more than to be heaving passes in the direction of numbers 6 and 7 and I am guessing he is ready to get back on the field after missing virtually all of 2015.

--The Winnipeg Sun's Kirk Penton has surmised the CFL off-season has been more exciting than the regular season. I can't disagree with that!

--Since the CFL came out with its latest draft rankings, I have been trying to determine just what route the Riders should go when it comes to who will go first overall. There is no doubt Manitoba DL David Onmeyata would look good in green and white as would Calgary RB Mercer Timmis and UBC DB Taylor Loffler.  Who's kidding who, Iowa's Tevaun Smith would be a nice target for Darian as well and at 6-2, 205, he would be a big receiver that Chris Jones and John Murphy would both covet. This won't be an easy call to make. I would probably go with Onmeyata meaning he won't be the guy.

--Serena Williams gets the honour of Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year. Did those who vote forget about Steph Curry? There were many people I would have put in there ahead of Serena Williams.

--If that linebacker doesn't punch out Jets quarterback Geno Smith before the start of the season, are the Jets in playoff contention going into Week 15 of the NFL season. I think not!

--Week 15 NFL Lock of the Week --Seahawks over Browns
   Week 15 NFL Upset of the Week --Giants over Panthers

--Stat from Pro Football Talk....Since Russell Wilson entered the league in 2012, he has won 50 total games. That's the same number of games the Browns have won since 2006.

--Was it just me or was ketchup battling mustard on the NFL Thursday niter?  Those jerseys were god-awful hideous! 

--Is Johnny Gaudreau to the Calgary Flames what Mike Comrie was supposed to be for the Edmonton Oilers?

 --Message to Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman. Either sign Steve Stamkos to a contract or trade him somewhere to this endless droning by everyone on him going to the Leafs can stop!

--Message to Calgary GM Brad Treliving. As an Oilers fan, please make a trade for Jonathan Bernier!

--Message to Winnipeg Jets defenceman Jacob Trouba. You have done nothing in this league to even consider asking for a 56 million dollar contract. What makes you think you should be earning that type of money. Realism kid----try it sometime!

That's all I got. It's the last Saturday before Christmas so do what you have to do, and be civil about it when going outside. 

CFL Releases Statement on Noel Thorpe Situation

 It looks as though defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe will remain in Montreal for the time being.  The Canadian Football League released a statement Thursday after an investigation was done by the League and Commissioner Jeffrey L. Orridge.

Earlier in the week, there was talk that Thorpe was to resign from his post in Montreal and potentially join the Edmonton Eskimos’ coaching staff.

“Commissioner Jeffrey L. Orridge has done a thorough and complete investigation of the facts surrounding the Noel Thorpe matter and has determined that Thorpe’s purported resignation from his contract with the Montreal Alouettes on Tuesday December 15, 2015 in order to secure a coaching position with the Edmonton Eskimos was invalid based on the terms of his contract with Montreal and the existing by-laws of the CFL,” the CFL said in a statement Thursday.

“Thorpe is currently still under contract to Montreal and is not free to resign from his existing contract to accept employment from Edmonton, or any other CFL Club, unless written permission is received from Montreal in advance and subject to the current protocol of advance approval from the League office.

“Commissioner Orridge has also determined that Edmonton did not violate the existing CFL by-laws and will not be subject to any discipline in this matter.”

(CFL.ca)

Week 15 NFL Capsules

Two of the top rookies in the NFL will be on the field Thursday night as Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off Week 15 of the season with a game in St. Louis against Todd Gurley and the Rams. For a look at that game and others this weekend, click here

CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge Weighs In on Coaches Shuffle

 

Effective immediately, there will be a moratorium on any coaches’ movement from one Club to another Club, unless such transaction is expressly approved in writing by the Commissioner or his delegate, prior to the movement taking place. This only applies to coaches who are currently under contract with a CFL Club.
For greater clarity, no Member Club or any person connected directly or indirectly with the Club will be allowed to have any contact or discussions with a CFL coach currently under contract with another Club, unless:
(a) permission in writing has been first obtained from the coach’s current Club (President or General Manager) to engage in such discussions and express permission has been granted to enter into a contract with the other Club, and
(b) approval in writing by the Commissioner or his delegate copied to both Clubs and the coach, for the coach to engage in such discussions with the other Club.
Furthermore, the fact that a CFL coach currently under contract attempts to resign with his current Club in order to sign with another Club will not void or circumvent the two pre-conditions above for the duration of the coach’s contract, provided that the coach’s contract is legally enforceable.
This moratorium will be in place until further notice.

Brand New Slate of Assistant Coaches in Riderville

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations Chris Jones is announcing who his assistant coaches will be and a majority of them served with him in Edmonton. 

The assistants will be

Stephen McAdoo – Offensive coordinator & assistant head coach

Craig Dickenson – Special teams coordinator

Jarious Jackson – Quarterbacks coach & passing game coordinator

Mike Scheper – Offensive line coach

Phillip Lolley – Linebackers coach

Jason Shivers – Defensive backs coach

Ed Philion – Defensive line coach

Craig Davoren – Running backs coach & special teams assistant

Riders Unveil Front Office Structure While Releasing Many Players

Saskatchewan Roughriders vice president of football operations, general manager and head coach Chris Jones has announced his football operations staff.

Joining Jones in the front office will be assistant vice president of football operations and player personnel, John Murphy.

Murphy joins the Riders after spending eight seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, originally joining the team during their 2008 Grey Cup winning season. He joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as director of player personnel for the 2009 season before returning to the Stampeders where he spent the last five seasons as assistant general manager and director of player personnel.

Long serving Roughrider, Jeremy O’Day remains with the club after being named assistant vice president of football operations and administration.

O’Day originally joined the Riders front office in 2011 as a football operations coordinator after playing 202 regular season games through 12 seasons with the team. He has spent the last four seasons as assistant general manager and director of football operations. Last year, O’Day was named interim vice-president of football operations and general manager where he remained for the final nine games of the 2015 regular season. 

----

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released the following players:

·         International running back Anthony Allen

·         International safety Tyron Brackenridge

·         International defensive back Weldon Brown

·         International defensive back Marshay Green

·         International defensive back Macho Harris

·         National linebacker Nathan Kanya

·         National defensive back Hugo Lopez

·         International defensive back Terrell Maze

·         National fullback Scott McHenry

·         International defensive back Junior Mertile

·         National linebacker Kyle Norris

·         International receiver Jamel Richardson

·         International defensive lineman Cameron Sheffield

·         International quarterback Blake Sims

·         International receiver Taj Smith

·         International running back Chad Spann

·         International defensive back Alex Suber

·         International defensive lineman Derek Walker

·         National linebacker Ryan Wellman

-----