Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Quick Snaps British Columbia Lions - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the British Columbia Lions.

May 31-- Jackson's still feeling the pain
May 31-- Receivers by the dozen
May 30-- Draft class all assembled
May 30-- Lions land another Gaiter
May 26-- Lions to find out what's in a name
May 26-- It's official: Lions up to six QB's
May 25-- Lions comfortable with Canadians left on roster
May 24-- Lions' spring cleaning claims veterans Joe McGrath, O'Neil Wilson
May 24-- Line juggling reduces spin
May 24-- Pondering a tailback tailwind
May 19-- Running game in the blood for Lions recruit
May 18-- Time called for two vets
May 17-- Matt Johnson described as a Damon Allen type
May 17-- Wally Buono sees Travis Lulay and offensive line as keys to success
May 17-- B. C. Lions to bring "Black Heisman' winning QB to training camp
May 17-- Lions plugging the gaps
May 12-- Den starting to get full
May 10-- Lions hoping Chris Hodgson is a 'catch'
May 9-- Sean Whyte's trade from Lions a Mother's Day 'shock'
May 9-- Good day at the office
May 9-- Can Lions sort themselves with CFL draft? We'll see
May 8-- Lions grab Golden Bear O'Neill
May 5-- Lions may take receiver with third overall pick
May 3-- Lions release Yonus Davis
May 3-- Lions release Davis following drug sting

Quick Snaps Calgary Stampeders - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the Calgary Stampeders.

May 31-- Stamps have holes to fill
May 28-- Stamps' rookie Antwi surprised by draft eligibility
May 28-- Stamps add four to training camp roster
May 28-- New Stamps recruit comfy with QB
May 28-- Continuity should help Red and White
May 28-- Stamps bring in QB for camp
May 27-- Gloomy forecast pushed Stamps' Fanfest indoors
May 26-- No Stamps interest in DeAngelis
May 25-- Has Allen mastered learning curve enough to start?
May 25-- Surgery has Stamps' Mace back in action
May 24-- Burris lends his valuable helping hand
May 21-- Stamps sign three draft picks
May 20-- Stamps ink trio of draft picks
May 19-- McNeal hoping for chance to play QB in Calgary
May 19-- Stamps excited about potential of two new O-lineman
May 19-- Stamps, Argos stage four-player swap
May 19-- Stamps, Argos pull off trade
May 17-- Lumsden retires from CFL to concentrate on bobsled
May 17-- Jesse Lumsden's disappointing journey
May 17-- Lums-done with football
May 17-- Lumsden will tackle bobsled full time
May 17-- Lumsden drive to become world-class bobsled pilot
May 16-- Lumsden bowing out of football - for now
May 16-- Stamps sign defensive linemen
May 14-- Stampeders' classy quarterback puts prospective stars through paces at kids' camps
May 13-- Canada's great quarterback hope
May 13-- Return on course for Lumsden
May 12-- Labinjo runs out of chances in Calgary
May 12-- Ex-Stampeder kicks back, looks forward to retirement
May 12-- Spoletini braces for fundraising roast
May 11-- Stamps O-line gets younger
May 11-- Walter shows class with Stamps
May 11-- Stampeders release Labinjo
May 10-- Stamps sign 2010 draft picks Bender, Deane
May 10-- Former Stamp Markus Howell retires
May 10-- Stampeders cut ties with Mike Labinjo
May 10-- Draft picks bolster Stamps offensive line
May 9-- Stamps pick home-grown Dino
May 9-- 2011 Stampeders draft picks
May 9-- Stamps reach deals with two O linemen pick in 2010
May 8-- Stamps take U of C receiver Parker as first round draft pick
May 8-- Stamps stock up
May 7-- 6 marks the spot for Stamps
May 7-- To deal or not to deal?
May 6-- Riders fans actually cheer Burris

Quick Snaps Edmonton Eskimos - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the Edmonton Eskimos.

May 31-- Reed looks for winning rebuild
May 31-- Opportunity knocks for Nichols
May 31-- Esks CDO sets departure date
May 31-- Eskimos CEO LeLacheur  will step down in 2012
May 30-- Tillman confident in Esks' overhaul
May 30-- Esks benefit from luck of the draw
May 30-- Edmonton Eskimos select Ted Laurent in CFL supplemental draft
May 29-- Esks have shot at Grand Poblah
May 27-- Kimball creator of Eskimo Way
May 27-- Eskimos add muscle to defensive line with pair of signings
May 27-- Maas says goodbye after 'nine great years' with Eskimos 
May 26-- Maas won't rule out comeback
May 26-- An Eskimo no Maas
May 25-- Edmonton Eskimos sign 2011 draft pick Hugo Lopez
May 18-- Edmonton Eskimos sign two more players
May 18-- City approves Commonwealth ticket tax
May 17-- Eskimos hope 'explosive step' will speed Williams on to roster
May 16-- Edmonton Eskimos make more cuts as training camp nears
May 16-- The Eskimo experience
May 13-- Esks tap into winning tradition
May 13-- Pless named Edmonton Eskimos' ambassador
May 13-- No coaching ambitions for Pless
May 12-- Defensive star Willie Pless set to rejoin Edmonton Eskimos
May 11-- Esks add speed with Holland
May 10-- Graeme Bell wasn't surprised by trade
May 10-- Lancaster's grandson to don Green and Gold?
May 10-- Esks place faith in Bowman
May 9-- Ron Lancaster's grandson signs with Edmonton Eskimos
May 9-- Football fans should help pay for new seats: Edmonton mayor
May 9-- Eskimos' new deep threat predicts 'great year' in Edmonton
May 9-- Esks swap for starters
May 8-- Tillman touts primo picks
May 8-- Bolster shot for Eskimos' O-line
May 8-- Mitchell got final word aboutr his draft selection from mom on Mother's Day
May 8-- Trio of Eskimos' picks expected to add immediate impact, says Tillman
May 7-- Tillman ponders his next move as draft approaches
May 7-- Esks, Stamps said to be discussing draft-day swap
May 6-- Plenty of options available for Eskimos as they near CFL Canadian draft
May 5-- Are Esks still daft at draft?
May 4-- More changes likely from Esks
May 4-- Eskimos release Peterson, Zabransky
May 4-- Calgary Dinos prospects could end up in Green and Gold
May 2-- Eskimos release Rector, Birdine
May 1-- Esks sort through options in wake of NFL draft

Monday, May 16, 2011

Quick Snaps Saskatchewan Roughriders - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

May 31-- Riders coach Doug Berry looking for consistency, less turnovers...
May 31-- Riders name Corey Holmes, Mike Saunders, Dan Rashovich to ...
May 31-- Richie Hall ready to roll into old role with Riders
May 31-- Riders' draft pick Matt O'Donnell may hold out
May 30-- CFL supplemental draft results
May 30-- Roughriders' Craig Dickenson hopes to see improvement on special teams
May 29-- Jamie Nye's thoughts on Gary Etcheverry
May 27-- Roughriders are ready for changes
May 26-- Comments from today's Roughriders conference call
May 26-- Roughriders defensive assistant coach Gary Etcheverry resigns
May 26-- Roughriders sign 3 import players
May 26-- Stadium issue not much of a distraction for Riders: Jim Hopson
May 26-- Etcheverry quits Roughriders
May 26-- Roughriders expect QB's star to keep rising
May 25-- Roughriders sign 3 import players
May 20-- John Gregory resigns
May 20-- Saskatchewan Roughriders sign 4 players
May 19-- Riders makes moves
May 19-- Saskatchewan Roughriders sign 2 defensive backs ...
May 17-- Riders confirm Thiel signing; invite Craig Newman to camp
May 17-- Riders negotiation list could see changes
May 17-- Roughriders sign Regina native
May 16-- Congi eager to get going
May 16-- Regina dents captured photo of The Kick
May 13-- Roughriders' Gene Makowsky happy to help younger players
May 12-- CFL tweaks rules to eliminate loopholes
May 12-- Regina-born linebacker Peter Thiel excited about chance with Roughriders
May 11-- Roughriders looking to sign Canadian college players
May 11-- Taman looking for 'gems' at free-agent camps
May 11-- The free-agent frenzy
May 10-- Media goes gaga over new Regina QBs
May 10-- Regina's Marc Mueller signs with Eskimos
May 10-- Butler was the right pick
May 10-- Riders GM Taman smart, not flashy, on CFL draft day
May 9-- Roughriders look this way yet again
May 9-- Riders upgrade special teams, depth at 2011 CFL draft
May 9-- Etienne a surprising pick
May 9-- New Riders likely to join special teams
May 9-- Learning from a legend
May 9-- Rams shut out of CFL draft
May 6-- Riders taking wait and see approach to CFL draft
May 6-- Former Rider QBs Kerry Joseph and Henry Burris in Regian for KidSport ...
May 6-- Rider fans show unusual affection for Stamps QB Henry Burris
May 6-- Saskatchewan Roughriders sign QB Chris Leak
May 5-- A 'win-win situation' for Rams' Marc Meuller heading into CFL draft
May 4-- Computer software making Riders draft prep more efficient: Taman
May 4-- Riders serious about Canadian content
May 4-- Riders GM Brendan Taman hits the books leading up to CFL draft
May 3-- Weston Dressler says he wants to remain a Rider
May 3-- Civilians unaware of football rehab
May 3-- NFL lockout leaves former Rider Andy Fantuz in limbo

Quick Snaps Winnipeg Blue Bombers - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.


May 30-- Bombers sign top pick to multi-year deal
May 30-- Blue Bombers select Poblah in supplemental draft
May 29-- Bombers keen on Kito Poblah
May 26-- Bombers to give up first-round pick
May 25-- Howell takes on new coaching duties with Bombers
May 25-- Blue married to the idea of fresh start
May 24-- Bombers look to finish
May 24-- Bombers not threatened by NHL
May 24-- Bombers welcome return of NHL
May 24-- Bombers' 'true but useless' excuses get turfed
May 21-- Blue could latch onto hotshot receiver
May 20-- Decision day for Bombers
May 20-- Bombers add 2 linemen
May 19-- Blue and Gold start butting heads June 1
May 18-- Bombers sign Canadian prospects
May 18-- Bombers lock up three Canadian prospects
May 18-- Blue-chip prospects slow to sign contracts
May 17-- Bombers sign four players
May 13-- Blue sign draft pick, free agent
May 13-- 'Peg lineman nabs rookie nod
May 13-- Surla signs with the Bombers
May 11-- Unsung Bomber Donnelly retires after nine seasons in CFL
May 10-- Donnelly retires from Bombers
May 10-- Ticket sales hot for Blue
May 10-- Bombers looking at younger receivers
May 10-- Bombers' Donnely retires
May 9-- Bombers receiver Markus Howell retires
May 9-- Bombers reshape roster
May 9-- Bombers release Brock Ralph
May 9-- Meet the new Blue
May 9-- Future will tell how smart Blue are
May 9-- It's just starting for "All-Over"
May 8-- Bombers land late bloomer
May 8-- Former Blue Bomber Mack Herron arrested on heroin possession charge
May 8-- Bombers pick Muamba No. 1 in CFL draft
May 8-- Blue Bombers select St. Francis linebacker Muamba first overall in CFL draft
May 8-- CFL draft Forde's forte
May 7-- Canucks worth their weight in gold
May 7-- Als eye Bombers' No. 4 pick
May 7-- Blue and Gold players a cut above
May 6-- Bombers trade Glover for conditional draft pick
May 5-- Bombers have their man
May 4-- Stegall worried about Blue Bombers
May 4-- Pair head up Bombers' shopping list for CFL draft

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Quick Snaps Hamilton Tiger Cats - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the Hamilton Tiger Cats.


May 31-- Ticats invite McMaster quarterback to training camp
May 31-- Big cats scratch out high marks
May 26-- Ticats linebacker Ray Mariuz retires
May 26-- Mariuz hangs up the cleats after eight seasons
May 25-- Ticats hoping to claw past semifinal hump in 2011
May 25-- Ticat ticket sales up: Mitchell
May 25-- Ticats cut ties with DeAngelis
May 25-- Ticats have their ducks in order
May 25-- Ticats kicker gets boot
May 25-- Ticats will play two more seasons at Ivor Wynne: Mitchell
May 24-- DeAngelis upset Ticats giving up on him
May 19-- Tiger-Cats sign players as training camp approaches
May 18-- Big gains for Ticats
May 17-- Jesse Lumsden retires from football to concentrate on bobsled
May 17-- Lumsden driving towards new goal
May 17-- Lums-done with football
May 17-- Jesse Lumsden was all about tantalizing glimpses
May 17-- Pinball's Labour Day frown
May 13-- Ticats want Moncton to be their home
May 12-- CFL tickets almost sold out
May 11-- CFL tickets in high demand
May 10-- Ticats' game with Als a tough ticket
May 10-- Offensive lineman Donnelly retiring after nine years with Bombers, Ticats
May 9-- Inside the Ticats' war room
May 8-- Who the Ticats drafted and why
May 8-- Bombers select St. Francis linebacker Muamba first overall in CFL draft
May 7-- Ticats could pick a pass catcher in CFL draft
May 5-- Making a mockery of the CFL draft boards
May 5-- Former Hamilton Tiger-Cats lineman Gene Gossage dies

Quick Snaps Toronto Argonauts - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the Toronto Argonauts.

May 31-- Ten questions heading into Argos camp
May 31-- Grey Cup to be redesigned after 2012 season
May 31-- Doug Ford a party crasher
May 30-- Grey Cup runneth over with enthusiasm
May 30-- Toronto gets early start on 2012 Grey Cup plans
May 30-- Ford brothers aren't giving up on NFL
May 30-- Ford Bros. talk up Toronto's potential as NFL destination
May 30-- Toronto mayor must choose between CFL, NFL
May 30-- The Fords need to choose: CFL or NFL
May 30-- Argo QBs on the job in off-season
May 27-- Damon Allen gets behind Canadian quarterbacks
May 27-- Argos bring back Edwards
May 26-- Ex-Argo linebacker Mairuz hangs up his cleats
May 19-- Argos acquire P. K. Sam from Stamps
May 19-- Stamps, Argos pull off trade
May 19-- Argonauts, Stampeders make six player trade
May 18-- Argos aim to get offence firing with more experience at Quarterback
May 18-- Argos expect stiff competition at training camp
May 18-- Argos have plethora of QB's
May 18-- Fresh breeze in Argos' sails
May 18-- Argos better, QB's maybe
May 17-- Pinball's Labour Day frown
May 13-- CFL alumni score big in business world
May 12-- Belli's legacy: A nasty player with a big heart
May 12-- Tough-as-nails football player appreciates vintage rides
May 12-- Belli kisses CFL goodbye
May 12-- Adriano Belli retires in style
May 12-- Argos defensive tackle Belli announces retirement from CFL on a boat
May 12-- The Kissing Bandit
May 12-- Veteran Belli announces retirement on tall ship in Toronto
May 11-- Leo Cahill: Still a man of the people
May 11-- Argonauts' Kissing Bandit sails into the sunset 
May 11-- Argos' Belli sails away on his terms
May 10-- Much ado about Belli
May 10-- Source: Argos' Adriano Belli to announce retirement on a boat
May 10-- The toughest fight of Leo Cahill's life
May 10-- Argonaut Belli expected to kiss CFL goodbye
May 10-- Argos' cheerleaders huddle up to prevent bullying
May 10-- Going the extra yard
May 9-- Will Argos' Belli sail away?
May 8-- Argos roll dice by picking NFL prospect
May 8-- Argos trade up to make bold draft pick
May 7-- Mississauga school a football factory
May 6-- Argos eyeing receivers in draft
May 5-- Barker's not a fan of No. 12
May 5-- Adriano unlikely to Belli up to the Argos
May 5-- Argos thinking of trade on eve of draft

Quick Snaps Montreal Alouettes - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the Montreal Alouettes.

May 31-- Ex Alouette Damon Duval enjoying life without football
May 31-- CFL training camps on eve of opening
May 30-- Alouettes add DeAngelis to kicking team
May 29-- Als add another experienced kicker
May 29-- Battle of the boot looms for Alouettes
May 27-- Als eager to begin CFL title defence
May 26-- Alouettes sign local draft picks Barrette, Sagesse
May 20-- Rochon leaving Als
May 18-- Anthony Calvillo striving for Grey Cup repeat
May 18-- Cancer can't throw Anthony Calvillo for a loss
May 17-- Anthony Calvillo's perspective altered
May 17-- Als' Calvillo: "I'm not done yet"
May 13-- Jim Popp ponders Avon Cobourne deal
May 13-- Alouettes GM criticizes Ticats on radio station
May 12-- Marc Trestman tabs Brandon Whitaker to replace Avon Cobourne
May 12-- Alouettes GM takes shot at Ticas; Cobourne hits back
May 12-- Als' Popp stirs the pot with Tiger-Cats over Cobourne signing
May 12-- Calvillo has record yardage in sight
May 12-- Als turn page on 2010
May 12-- Larry Smith taking time to recharge before accepting next challenge
May 11-- Alouettes take the sting out of Stinger's wait
May 10-- Kicker Sean Whyte happy to join Alouettes
May 9-- Stingers' Anthony Barette 'ecstatic' about joining Alouettes
May 9-- Alouettes baffle CFL with draft-day gamble
May 8-- Alouettes set sights on dual-purpose kicker Hugh O'Neill
May 7-- Als eye Bombers' No. 4 pick
May 6-- Mahoney confident ahead of CFL draft
May 4-- Als sign Citadel's Clanton

Quick Snaps proposed Ottawa franchise - May 2011

Items of note that don't get the full blog treatment, but offer up news and background on the conditional franchise in Ottawa.

May 31-- Mayor still favours moving historic building
May 30-- Do not move Horticulture Building, provincial tribunal says
May 29-- Don't move historic building: tribunal

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Draft Day set to dawn for CFL teams

There may be more than a few Canadian and US college football players, phoning home to Mom with some good news as the Sunday moves on.

The nature of those calls could be an update on how they fared as the eight member teams of the Canadian Football League gathered on Sunday morning to make their selections in the 2011 draft.

With six rounds of player selection, the draft provides an opportunity for each team to build up depth, or fill in missing pieces from the season past.

Winnipeg has the first pick of the day, while the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes will be selecting eighth in the first round.

Though finding the right Canadian players can sometimes be the difference between a winning a losing season, such is the currency of the Canadian player in the CFL these days.

TSN will provide live coverage of the morning's proceedings, (12:30 ET, 9:30 AM PT) another step in that networks comprehensive CFL coverage.  In years past the CFL draft has not gained much in attention, more of a conference call than anything else, but as the league's presence has grown on TSN, so has the focus on such things as the draft.

While not quite yet near the status of the NFL draft of last month, nor of the NHL's June extravaganza, the opportunity to start the CFL season off with a look at where each franchise feels it needs some help is just what Canadian Football fans need to kick start the upcoming season.

With training camps set to open later this month and the Canada Day weekend regular season kick off not too far off in the distance, the draft signals the unofficial start of another year of Canadian football.

The CFL home page has an outline of the draft day proceedings, including the latest list of potential picks for 2011,  as well as a tracker page for the days events.

The CIS has set up a page on their home page as well, eager to trumpet the success of their graduating class of football players for 2011.

The TSN home page also has a wide variety of draft day information.

Below some of the items of note we have come across regarding this years draft, our primer, or pre draft preview of sorts as to what may come to pass as the draft moves forward on Sunday.


May 7-- Anticipation mounts ahead of CFL draft
May 7-- Lure of NFL can play havoc on CFL draft
May 7-- What to look for in the CFL draft
May 7-- CFL's top prospect excited about pro football career
May 7-- Four Dinos could factor in CFL draft's first round
May 7-- To deal or not to deal?
May 7-- Esks, Stamps said to be discussing draft-day swap
May 7-- Tillman ponders his next move as draft approaches
May 7-- Ticats could pick a pass catcher in CFL draft
May 7-- Alouettes set sights on dual-purpose kicker Hugh O'Neill
May 7-- Mississauga school a football factory
May 6-- Bombers trade Glover and land another draft pick
May 6-- Prospect can't prove he's Canuck
May 6-- 2011 CFL draft order and Top 15 prospects
May 6-- Riders taking wait-and-see approach to CFL draft
May 6-- Plenty of options available for Eskimos as they near CFL Canadian draft
May 6-- Mahoney confident ahead of CFL draft
May 6-- Huskies alums top prospects at Canadian college draft
May 6-- Five intriguing players in the 2011 CFL draft
May 6-- Teammates took different routes to college draft
May 6-- Will it be all in the family for Lions, star CFL draft prospect Henoc Muamba?
May 5-- The risk of drafting Vaughn Martin
May 5-- CFL draft filled with intrigue
May 5-- Making a mockery of the CFL draft boards
May 5-- Bombers ready to pull trigger
May 5-- Canucks worth their weight in gold
May 5-- A 'win-win situation' for Rams' Marc Mueller heading into draft
May 5-- CFL Canadian Draft ready to unfold Sunday on TSN
May 5-- Dinos dot the top of CFL teams' draft boards
May 5-- Lions may take receiver with third pick overall
May 5-- Riders serious about Canadian content
May 5-- BYU Linebacker believes time right to try luck in CFL
May 5-- CFL teams rave about software
May 5-- CFL's draft a much trickier dance than NFL version
May 5-- CFL split on inexperienced intriguing prospect
May 4-- Computer software making Riders draft prep more efficient: Taman
May 4-- Calgary Dinos prospects could end up in Green and Gold
May 4-- Riders GM Brendan Taman hits the books leading up to CFL draft
April 29-- Stamps scour North America for talent
April 27-- League rules on NCAA players put stress on CFL teams picking Canadians
April 7-- CFL Scouting bureau gives a hoot for Owls' Mitchell
April 6-- U of C's Parker climbs to No. 2 on CFL prospects list
April 5-- CFL releases draft rankings
April 5-- Mitchell ranked No. 1 for CFL draft