Saturday, May 05, 2012

The future begins with a pick

The CFL held its annual draft this past week, a two day process that offered up some depth for some and some immediate fixes for others.

The league's eight General Managers scrolled up and down their lists, seeking the best fit for their requirements, looking for the one pick that could make the difference in the years to come.

Owing to their less than successful year of 2011, the Saskatchewan Roughriders had the first opportunity to stock the shelves and with that made Ben Heenan the top pick of the 2012 draft, the University of Saskatoon Huskie, set to be a dominant force on the Riders offensive line.

Regina Leader Post-- Saskatchewan Roughriders pick Ben Heenan at No. 1
Regina Leader Post-- Ben Heenan found his way at Regina's Sheldon-Williams Collegiate
TSN-- Riders take Huskies OL Heenan first in CFL Canadian Draft
Globe and Mail-- Roughriders take Ben Heenan with first pick in CFL draft
Globe and Mail-- Huskies OL Heenan projected to be top pick
Globe and Mail-- Roughriders have tough decision to make
National Post-- Riders stay close to home with top pick
Calgary Sun-- Roughriders get their man

Heenan was the anticipated first pick overall, with his selection out of the way, the jockeying for players and consultations with scouts provided for the remainder of the names to be remembered in the years to come.

The reviews of draft day and some of the factors leading put to it, can be found below, as each CFL team started to fill out their plans for the 2012 season and beyond.

TSN-- 2012 Canadian Draft
TSN-- Video on Demand CFL Draft
TSN-- 2012 CFL Draft Top Prospects
TSN-- Duane Ford's CFL Coverage
TSN-- Issues with Losing the Best Canadian talent to NFL
CBC-- Riders make Huskies lineman Ben Heenan CFL's top pick
CBC-- McMaster's Quinlan leads CFL draft class

National Post-- CFL draft 2012 recap: Breaking down the first two rounds
National Post-- Five players to watch at the CFL draft
Ottawa Citizen-- NFL activity creating challenges for CFL teams ...
Sportsnet-- Canadian QB conundrum
Toronto Sun-- CFL GMs always get what they want

Montreal Alouettes

Canada.com-- Als top draft pick first played football at 16
Canada.com-- Patrick Lavoie, 'good kid who loves football

Toronto Argonauts

Canada.com-- Luke Wilson, Shea Pierre go to Argonauts
Toronto Sun-- Argos tried, but... 

Hamilton Tiger Cats

Hamilton Spectator-- Cats sacrifice higher selection for more picks in CFL draft
Hamilton Spectator-- Central figure in Ticat draft has grown up at Ivor Wynne

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Winnipeg Free Press-- Making do at the draft
Winnipeg Free Press-- Bombers pick up Tyson Pencer from Washington State

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Regina Leader Post-- Sherbrooke standouts eager to stick with Saskatchewan Roughriders
Regina Leader Post-- Linebacker Sam Hurl hopes to stick with Sasktachewan Roughriders

Calgary Stampeders

Calgary Herald-- Sack specialist tops Stampeders' CFL draft picks
Calgary Herald-- Stampeders add talent to well-stocked cupboard

Edmonton Eskimos

Edmonton Journal-- Eskimos grab big O-lineman Pasztor, flip picks to end up with ...
Edmonton Sun-- Eskimos wheelin' works out

BC Lions

Vancouver Province-- Wally Buono gets who he wants
Vancouver Sun-- B. C. Lions top pick Jabar Westerman "speechless" after being selected 2nd overall

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