CIS 2011

Our page for items of note on Canadian University Football for 2011.


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CIS Digest 2011

A digest of items of note from Canadian Inter University Football.

September 2-- Rams deserve larger crowds
September 2-- Carabins beat Redmen to open CIS season
September 1-- Herd last in poll, high on hope
September 1-- Laval Rouge et Or the team to beat once more

August 31-- Maciocia set to make university coaching debut
August 31-- Huskies QBs to go head to head Friday
August 31-- Bisons ranked low by league's coaches
August 31-- Charles has set lofty goals
August 31-- Huskies, police launch cop cards
August 31-- Head coach Nill prefers Dinos 'fly under the radar'
August 30-- Baby Bisons budding
August 30-- Peressin's veteran presence bolsters Marauders
August 30-- Plaszek whips Marauders, himself into shape
August 29-- Good rookies held back
August 29-- Rams pass pre-season test
August 29-- Kapway looks like a keeper
August 28-- Dinos' offence crushes Golden Bears
August 28-- Bisons lose in Regina
August 28-- Dinos romp to 49-14 pre-season win over Alberta
August 27-- University of Regina Rams win pre-season clash
August 27-- Hicks healthy and happy
August 27-- Ringlein loses weight, gains yardage
August 27-- Coaches have tough decision
August 27-- Golden Bears think big
August 27-- Dinos trounce Golden Bears on gridiron
August 26-- Lancers to face Huskies
August 26-- Eyes on Bisons quarterback
August 26-- Gleason back in the saddle
August 26-- Dogs eager to assess on-field talent
August 25-- Running Wild
August 25-- Lancers to face Huskies Friday in the first pre-season game
August 25-- Windsor coach savours chance to play Huskies
August 25-- Rookie Ralph looks like a keeper
August 25-- Dogs go deep on defence
August 22-- Bisons QB Williams natural born leader
August 22-- Dinos rookie kicker has at least one big shoe to fill
August 24-- Healthy Riva hopes to bid flashy farewell
August 24-- Prized recruit bolts Western
August 24-- Lancers' new coach makes his debut in Huskies matchup
August 24-- Huskies, Lancers get set
August 24-- Big Bears tailback primed for big season
August 24-- 'Feisty' Connor Ralph impresses Golden Bears coach
August 23-- Missimg Mustangs a shocker
August 23-- D'Amore begins auction
August 23-- Huskies have money riding on upcoming Lancers match-up
August 21-- Dinos counting on talented gridiron 'man child' Chungh
August 20-- Thiel brings CFL experience back from Riders
August 20-- Top high school recruit provides added beef to Dinos' line
August 20-- No more meetings, lets play ball!
August 20-- Harty ready to make big impact
August 19-- Patriarch's loss poignant time for Mustangs
August 19-- Time for Dogs to return favour on the field
August 19-- Dinos' hopes rest with reigning CIS rookie of the year
August 19-- Golden Bears hit training camp
August 18-- Hinds thankful for Huskies' progress
August 18-- Depleted Dinos reloading
August 18-- Dogs face questions heading into camp
August 18-- Dinos set to begin another Vanier Cup quest
August 17-- Rans QB brings CFL experience back to Regina
August 16-- Injury takes Hassler out for the season
August 16-- Calgary football coach remembered
August 16-- UBC Thunderbirds football hosts CIS Vanier Cup for the firs time
August 16-- Dobie's Green team
August 16-- New stadium Bison's 'ace in the hole'
August 12-- Kovach wants to set the tone in pre-season
August 11-- OUA's University Rush returns
August 7-- The Canadian game suits me better as a quarterback
August 5-- Huskies happy to have Kohlert back
August 5-- Regina's Kohlert rejoining Huskies

March 25-- Bisons host football camp
March 22-- Mark Mueller profile
March 15-- DeLaval returns to join Dinos football coaching staff
March 14-- DeLaval joins Dinos coaching staff
March 8-- Can Sinopoli break the Canadian QB curse?
March 8-- Mustangs quartet impresses scouts
March 7-- Lineman smashes bench-press record at CFL combine
March 7-- Grandson of a CFL great takes his shot
March 7-- Danny Maciocia comes full circle with U de M
March 6-- Observations from day one of the CFL's E camps
March 6-- Anthony Parker is running down a CFL dream
March 5-- Maciocia plans to get schooled in new job
March 5-- CFL Combine: Knill smashes bench press record with 47 reps
March 4-- 4 Mustangs headed to CFL evaluation camp this weekend
March 3-- Europe: Where one day off between football games is enough
March 3-- CFL sizing up high-ranked Dino players
March 3-- Players finding alternative routes to CFL
March 3-- CFL sizing up Dino players
March 3-- Argos end search for top scout
March 3-- Evaluation camp a chance for CFL long shots to impress
March 2-- Canada taking the gridiron to a world stage
March 1-- Bison linebacker will attend CFL evaluation camp

February 22-- UBC could finally be joining the NCAA
February 19-- CIS Athletes dominate CFL E camp invitations

January 31-- Etcheverry interested in Canadian university coaching gig
January 21-- CIS bureaucracy leaves a player with no place to play in 2011 

CFL Snowbirds

Every January a good number of Canadians head for sunnier climes for a little relaxation in the sun and a break from the rigours of a Canadian winter.

Known as Snowbirds they depart in the darkest days of winter and come back fully rested to face the final weeks of Canada's coldest season.

The CFL has its own version of the snowbirds, a collection of CFL free agents that take advantage of a window in their CFL contracts to test the waters of the NFL.

Some make the trek and find that they come up a little short of expectations from the NFL factory, in most cases returning to don the uniform of the team they last played for.

Others however show enough that NFL teams sign them up for the following season, or at least for a training camp appearance complete with signing bonus.

Below we'll keep track of those CFL free agents import and non-import alike that are making the circuit of NFL teams, anxious to make their mark in football below the 49th.

For some background on this annual migration see the items below.


National Post-- Cory Greenwood's fast track to the NFL
National Post-- Coming soon to the NFL: More CFL players
Sportsnet-- Hoping for a shot down south

As the free agents pack their bags and bring their film, we'll monitor the departure gates from this location.

BC Lions
Edmonton Eskimos
Calgary Stampeders
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Hamilton Tiger Cats
Toronto Argonauts
Montreal Alouettes

CFL Snowbirds: BC Lions

An update on departing Lions off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.


January 27--  Danny Watkins isn't a Lion yet, and if things work out the way that the Vancouver Sun suggest, the Baylor University player and current Lion pick may never see the CFL.

January 24-- A contract extension for the Lions Jamal Robertson who now signs on until 2012

January 24-- Robertson's helping hand points Arceneaux in the direction of the NFL.

January 19-- Arceneaux poised to leave Lions' den

CFL Snowbirds: Edmonton Eskimos

An update on departing Eskimos off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.

January 17-- Restelli signs on with NFL’s Dolphins: report

CFL Snowbirds: Calgary Stampeders

An update on departing Stampeders off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.


January 19--  Stamps' Johnson inks deal with NFL's Saints
January 18-- Stamps all star corner back Brandon Browner set to join Seattle Seahawks

CFL Snowbirds: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

An update on departing Bopmbers off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.

CFL Snowbirds: Hamilton Tiger Cats

An update on departing Tiger Cats off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.

CFL Snowbirds: Toronto Argonauts

An update on departing Argonauts off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.

CFL Snowbirds: Montreal Alouettes

An update on departing Alouettes off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.

January 12-- Andre Hawkins signs with St. Louis Rams

CFL Snowbirds: Saskatchewan Roughriders

An update on departing Riders off to seek fame and fortune outside of the CFL.

February 4-- Riders move forward without Andy Fantuz

February 4-- Andy Fantuz is 'locked in and hopefully not locked out'

February 4-- Riders' Andy Fantuz signs with NFL's Chicago Bears

January 20-- Roughriders Fantuz works out for NFL's Bears

CFL lays the ground work for Ottawa's return

With the caveat that there really, really does need to be a stadium in place, the CFL has offered up the first stages of the league's plans to return to the National capital in time for the 2013 season.

The league today provided the blue print for the league draft that will stock the Ottawa franchise with players, providing details on what the Ottawa team can look forward to once they get to plotting their roster for that 2013 debut.

The expansion draft which will take place in December of 2012 will provide for three rounds of picks for Ottawa, one for imports and two round for the all important non import aspect of a CFL roster.

In total, Ottawa will be allowed to select a total of eight imports and sixteen non imports from CFL rosters. Included in that total will be two quarterbacks from the other eight members of the collective.

Providing the team is set to go, Ottawa's management will also be allowed to take part in the 2013  college draft, picking first in all six rounds of the 2013 Canadian draft and having selected as many as four underclassmen from the NCAA in 2012 CFL Canadian draft.

Some of the details on the expansion draft can be found below

Globe and Mail-- CFL develops expansion plan for Ottawa 
Vancouver Sun--  Draft plan supposed to make Ottawa competitive. We'll see 
Ottawa Citizen-- Ottawa's CFL franchise could have a partial roster by Christmas 2012 
Ottawa Sun-- CFL board confirms Ottawa team expansion draft

Can't tell the coaches without a scorecard

Journalists and bloggers alike are keeping rather busy in the middle of a cold January, tracking the arrivals and departure desk of the CFL's coaching fraternity.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders receive a makeover as new head coach Greg Marshall makes a number of personnel changes for his sidelines for the year to come, some of those decisions were examined in a number of insightful posts found below.

In particular, our first selection featuring Murray McCormick's thoughts for his Rider Rumblings blog outlines the very personal nature of coaching and how the game can change their personal directions in a very short period of time.

Regina Leader Post-- TGIF: An off season edition
Regina Leader Post-- Murray's musings on a bitterly cold Thursday 
Winnipeg Free Press-- CFL coaching carousel keeps spinning

At the top of the draft list for the Ogdensburg US Border Service office

A CFL agent has found himself out of touch with his clients for the foreseeable future, after  being placed under arrest by US customs officials over an outstanding warrant.

According to media reports, CFL agent Mark Maren was placed under arrest in December, after applying for admission to the United States at the Ogdensburg, New York border crossing.

Upon a record check conducted by US border officials it was learned that there was a felony warrant issued against him out of Florida over fraud related incidents.

A press release issued by the US Border Services office also stated that Maren had an extensive criminal record in Canada, which made him inadmissible into the United States.

He reportedly is currently in jail in the United States, awaiting extradition to Florida

Among his clients in the CFL are Kevin Glenn, Barrin Simpson, Obby Khan, Joe Lobendahn and Otis Floyd.

Globe and Mail -- U. S. Customs and Border protection officials arrest CFL agent Mark Maren
Toronto Star-- CFL player faces fraud charges 
Sportsnet-- Prominent CFL agent arrested

Location, location, er location?

The long and winding road that leads to a new football stadium for Hamilton will apparently be a round about, as the City of Hamilton and Tiger Cats finally come to an agreement that in the end, while not a perfect solution, the best place you can be, is where you are.

This week details were released on the plan to refurbish Ivor Wynne Stadium,  a rehabilitation project that will see the south side seating area rebuilt, with improvements made to the north side seating area.

Though it being Hamilton, controversy seems to follow every announcement, this time the surprise nature of the Mayor's discussions with the Tiger Cats and the sudden, surprise announcement that Ivor Wynne was in the picture, with dreams of a sparkling new stadium now banished to the coulda, shoulda filing cabinet.

Should the latest plan fall through, the city intends to build a 5,000 seat stadium on the West Harbour for Pan Am soccer and the Cats we imagine would begin the process of looking for a new home, most likely out of Hamilton, though we suspect they can cross Burlington off of any relocation short list now.

In the wake of the latest twist in the tale of the Tabbies, the folks who call Burlington home are feeling just a little bit used, from their recent discussions with the Tiger Cats management team.

All in all, a pretty messy affair for the Tiger Cats to try and mend over (perhaps either discounts for season tickets for the Burlington postal code, or not mailing any pamphlets at all the two options for the Cats there).

Still, once Hamilton council approves the plan (never a sure thing we guess) the actual blue prints will be passed out, showing what the "new" Ivor Wynne (how long the name lasts in this era of corporate branding remains to be seen) will look like.

One thing we'll all be watching for is to see if the cramped sidelines are to be relegated to the past, the character of the current stadium has always featured the "heads up" approach to football, where a push out of bounds has a fifty fifty chance of sending the shovee off to intensive care, we imagine that feature of the old Ivor Wynne will be but a foggy memory in the future.

The reviews of the latest chapter of the Cats stadium desires can be found below.

Hamilton Spectator-- Council gives Ivor Wynne plan cautious support
Hamilton Spectator-- The imperfect compromise
Hamilton Spectator-- Wynne win situation
Hamilton Spectator-- Ivor Wynne not so bad after all
National Post-- Ticats, Hamilton mayor strike stadium deal
National Post-- One man never gave up on Ivor Wynne
National Post-- Pan-Am Games boss has questions about Ticats’ stadium plan
Globe and Mail-- Tiger-Cats staying put in Hamilton
Globe and Mail-- Hamilton stadium decision expected by mid February
Toronto Sun-- Ticats fans are happy they're staying at Ivor Wynne 

Khari Jones takes the helm of the Ti Cats offence

The Tiger Cats may still be looking for some real estate for their franchise home, but they covered a lot of ground this week in the administration department, with the announcement that Khari Jones, the teams quarterback coach will be taking over the entire offensive game book in the 2011 season.

The relationship between Quarterback coach and quarterback no doubt played some role in the decision, but it wasn't the only factor that Ti Cat head coach Marcel Bellefeuille considered when he looked over his short list of candidates for the offensive coordinator position.

The Cats no doubt hope to put that wealth of CFL experience that Jones brings to his position after nine campaigns in the CFL, on field performances that garnered him all star accolades and status as the leagues most outstanding player in 2001 when he played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Point production will be the goal of the Jones offensive schemes, designed to deliver more than statistics but wins in the ledger as the season progresses.  A remix of the offensive play book seems in the works as well, with a bit more of an emphasis on the run than last year, while taking advantage of Kevin Glenn's skills at scrambling as well as passing.

The Cats who recently lost defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall, who took on the duties as head coach in Saskatchewan will continue on with the remake of the management lists, but the addition of Jones to the offensive rolodex is one that is being welcomed within the ranks, an indication that the path of last year wasn't one that was universally endorsed by those on the field.

It will be up to Jones to make sure that his blue print for 2011 is one that can be executed to success, as Ti Cat fans once again wonder if this is the year that their long lasting support finally brings them a chance to bring back the Grey Cup.

Hamilton Spectator-- Ti Cats hand ball to Khari Jones
Sun Newspapers-- Jones a quick study
National Post-- Ticats' Jones downplays potential QB controversy
Globe and Mail-- Tiger Cats name Khari Jones offensive co-ordinator
TSN- Former MVP Khari Jones named Ticats' offensive co-ordinator

Quick Snaps: CFL head office

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


August


August 16-- Defences advocated degrees of roughing
August 15-- CFL Teams finding ways to gain the longest yard
August 12-- Meet Bernie Custis, football's first AfricanAmerican quarterback


July


July 21-- Vancouver Grey Cup sold out
July 15-- CFL War room meets the video review challenge
July 10-- Matt Dunigan reveals dark days with post-concussion syndrome
July 9-- Football hall of fame goes online
July 6-- CFL mirrors what's great about Canada


June


June 30-- Unplugged: Commissioner Cohon on the state of the CFL
June 29-- Some want to change confusing import rule
June 29-- Barker aims to make T. O. a CFL kind of town
June 28-- Task force recommends doping snitch line
June 24-- Unplugged: Theismann on the CFL, NFL and Marc Trestman
June 21-- CFL returning to NFL network
June 21-- NFL Network will air more CFL games
June 20-- Ottawa CFL group puts GM search on hold...
June 18-- CFL doc focuses on Bombers rookie
June 9-- Lawyer: Pryor not interested in CFL
June 1-- Damon Allen and the great Canadian QB hope


May


May 30-- Toronto Mayor must choose between CFL, NFL
May 15-- Taking brain injuries head on
May 8-- Receivers go fast at the CFL draft
May 7-- Everything to know about the quirky  CFL draft
May 7-- Mississauga school a football factory
May 7-- Lure of NFL can play havoc on CFL draft
May 7-- What to look for in the CFL draft
May 6-- CFL draft prospect ready to make the move
May 5-- CFL's draft a much trickier dance than NFL version
May 5-- CFL split on inexperienced intriguing prospect
May 5-- The risk of drafting Vaughn Martin
May 3-- Nationwide concussion awareness campaign launched


April


April 14-- Crazy CFL sequence leads to rule change
April 7-- 'Awareness is half the battle' for CFL and concussions
April 6-- CFL releases draft rankings
April 5-- Scott Mitchell named top ranked prospect for upcoming CFL draft
April 5-- Life expectancy of 55 shocks CFLers into push for safety


March


March 31-- CFL drug testers out in force
March 28-- Can NFL players come to CFL during lockout?
March 24-- Americans may turn to CFL
March 24-- No agent, no problem for some CFLers


February


February 25-- Cohon aims for more southern exposure
February 25--  Barker gets special surprise at awards luncheon
February 24-- 'Opportune time' for CFL expansion: PA boss
February 24-- Cohon not finished with CFL
February 23-- GM's sure Damon will get in
February 22-- Argos president defends CFL schedule makers
February 21-- Canadian Football Hall of Fame voting shrouded in bizarre secrecy
February 20-- Former CFL players' brains used in study link between concussions and disease
February 18-- Another Classic CFL blunder
February 7-- Moncton lands CFL regular-season sequel 


January 


January 26-- False Facts
January 19-- While there are a few conditions still in place, (like a stadium for instance), the plans are moving forward to develop expansion plans for the Ottawa franchise planned for an entry into 2013 season.
January 17-- By way of the Huffington Post, The Nation provides an interesting look back at the career of Cookie Gilchrist

Quick Snaps: British Columbia Lions - January 2011

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




January 29--  Two vets shown the door
January 28--  Lions bulk up defensive line with Williams extension
January 28-- B.C. Lions release OL Haji-Rasouli 
January 28-- Knee history apparently at root of Haji-Rasouli's release
January 28-- Lions bulk up defensive line with Williams extension
January 28-- Lions sign Keron Williams to contract extension
January 27-- Lions Draft Watkins the Toast of Mobile , B. C. Lions top prospect Danny Watkins touted for NFL
January 26-- Local brewery out of its league in sponsorship of Lions
January 26-- Lions, 'Caps play B. C. Place waiting game
January 26-- Will it be called BC Bud?
January 24-- Re-upped B. C. Lion Robertson helps smooth teammate Arceneaux's way to NFL
January 24-- The Lions sign Jamal Robertson to a contract extension, holding him in the Lions den until the 2012 season.
January 19-- It looks as though Manny Arceneaux is destined for the NFL, with reports out of Vancouver that the Lions don't hold out much hope of his return to Vancouver in 2011
January 17-- Renovations continue on for the home of the BC Lions, CTV BC provides coverage as the final mast for the retractable roof is put in place. 

Quick Snaps: Calgary Stampeders - January 2011

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


February 3-- Stamps, Romby Bryant, come to terms, says report
February 2-- Stampeders offensive lineman Lazeo retires
January 25-- Ryan Thelwell files his retirement papers.
January 25-- Stamps' Thelwell packs in CFL career
January 25-- Stampeders receiver Ryan Thelwell retires
January 20-- Ball is in Labinjo's court, says Hufnagel
January 20-- Family ties helped keep fullback Cote in Calgary
January 20-- New defensive backs coach Tony Missick watched Stampeders from afar
January 19-- The Stamps bring in Tony Missick as their defensive backs coach, 
January 19-- All-Star Johnson marches to Saints
January 19-- Als surprise by nixing Labinjo trade
January 19-- Stamps all-star cornerback set to join Seattle Seahawks
January 13-- Stamps hunting for defensive backs coach after Ticats lure Chamblin
January 13-- Tiger-Cats pluck Chamblin off the Stamps
January 12-- Stampeders trade Labinjo to Alouettes
January 11-- Stamps recall Jim Duncan as tough, but honest coach

Quick Snaps: Edmonton Eskimos - January 2011

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


January 29-- Significant change is coming
January 25-- Esks Players part of Haiti relief effort
January 25-- Eskimos likely to keep Eisler on staff
January 25-- Ray signs to stay with Eskimos
January 25-- Ricky Ray signs on with the Eskimos until 2013 keeping his hold on the number one spot in Edmonton.
January 24-- Ray happy with extension
January 24-- Ricky Ray signs extension with Eskimos
January 19-- Eskimos sign Winnipeg's Adarius Bowman
January 18-- Restelli signs with Dolphins: report
January 14-- Edmonton Eskimo facing new charges
January 13-- Edmonton Eskimo Braidwood slapped with sex assault charges