Richie returns to Riderland

Like an episode of Dallas, those two years in Edmonton will soon seem like a dream (well maybe a nightmare) as Richie Hall returns to the friendly environs of Regina and resumes his duties in shaping an always tough Rider defence.

The former Rider coach (and player) returned to the Green and White on Tuesday, signing a two year deal to lend a hand to Greg Marshall in keeping the Riders in the upper reaches of the CFL.

The announcement of the return of Hall, reunites him with Marshall. Both were coaches with the Riders in the nineties, the two took different paths upon their parting, but now make the trip back to Regina and a desire to build on the tradition of the Riders.

One thing would seem certain with the recent moves in Saskatchewan, if the pedigree of the coaches is any indication then defensively this team is going to be a team to be reckoned with.

Some background on the Hall signing can be found below.



Regina Leader Post-- Richie Hall back with Saskatchewan Roughriders as defensive co-ordinator
Regina Leader Post-- Riders employed well-established defensive co-ordinators
Edmonton Journal-- Hall's return to Roughriders a great fit': Tillman
CBC-- Richie Hall returning to Riders
TSN--  Roughriders name Richie Hall New Defensive Coordinator
Sportsnet-- He's back: Roughriders hire Hall

Ontario adds to the Kitty cash call

They can continue to unfold the blue prints for the rejuvenation of Ivor Wynne Stadium, at as close to the last minute as possible, the Province of Ontario agreed to fill in the funding gap for the most discussed, argued and almost abandoned stadium project in the land.

The last minute financial boost erased the much discussed funding gap, which at one point seemed to be the tipping point for the Tiger Cats efforts to remain in Hamilton, taking away the final discussion point on the stadium project among the city's municipal politicians.

With the cheque in the mail as they say, Hamilton City council gave it's final approval on the renovation plans, turning the political aspect of the entire situation back over to the Province, which is now being accused of seeking political gain from their added largess.

So while that debate will carry forward on into whatever election cycles come next in the province, the actual stadium plan it would seem can go ahead.

That construction will apparently require the Cats to find a temporary home for the 2013 season, offering up the potential of auditions we imagine for Quebec City, Moncton or maybe Halifax to adopt the Cats for a year with an eye on a potential expansion franchise in the future.

Or, the Cats may seek a rental a little closer to home hello London, that of course being a discussion for a different day.

Some of the details and reviews of the Ivor Wynne deal can be found below:

Hamilton Spectator-- Touchdown! Ontario boosts in $22M
Hamilton Spectator-- Council backs Ivor Wynne deal
Hamilton Spectator-- Province commits $22.5M to stadium
Hamilton Spectator-- Council love in doesn't disguise its cuplability
Stoney Creek News-- Liberals need to give stadium funding NDP
Stoney Creek News-- Hamilton Scores new stadium
National Post-- It's official: Hamilton council approves stadium plan

Calvillo cleared for action, signs on for another two years with Als

The best news of last week in the CFL wasn't the extension of Anthony Calvillo's contract with the Alouettes until the 2012 season, though that was pretty good news for Als fans, but the more important aspect of the press conference came when it was announced that Calvillo had been given the all clear by doctors to continue on with his CFL career.

The Als quarterback and team leader had recently undergone surgery to remove his thyroid gland and recently completed follow up radiation treatments from that surgery.

Such has been the positive reaction to those treatments that Calvillo's surgeon, Dr. Roger Tabah believes that the Alouette will fully recover.

Calvillo provided an update on his situation and touched on how cancer had previously touched his family in a press conference in Montreal.



As for the football aspect of the story, while it means that the rest of the CFL's members teams will have to make plans to counter his skills at Quarterback, we're thinking that it's unanimous among those teams that his successful result from his surgery is something they are more than happy to have to deal with.

Beyond the obvious that CFL fans will be happy to hear that his health issues have had a successful result, the prospect of him continuing on with his stellar career on the field will offer up more thrills for fans across the league.

Some of the items of note on his return to football and contract extension can be found below.

Montreal Gazette-- Cancer under control, Calvillo says
Montreal Gazette-- Anthony Calvillo regaining health, signs contract extension with Alouettes
Montreal Gazette-- Calvillo's thyroid removed; outlook positive
CBC-- Calvillo ready to return to Als after cancer therapy
TSN-- Als' Calvillo feeling great; inks two year contract with club
CJAD-- Calvillo confidently looks ahead to next season
CTV.ca-- Anthony Calvillo recovering well from thyroid cancer
Sun Media-- Calvillo keen to resume career

And the nominees for coach of the year are...

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The CFL outlined the three candidates for its coach of the year award on Thursday,  two Grey Cup finalists and the architect of the rebuilding process in Toronto making the short list for league honours this season.

With another Grey Cup to show off, Mark Trestman who has found some remarkable success with the Alouettes once again finds himself on the nomination list. A well deserved honour for the coach who frequently seems to pop up on the list of possibles for NFL employment.

Since his arrival in Montreal, the Als haven't seemed to miss a step in their dominance of the Eastern division of the CFL, his steady hand continuing on with the tradition of winning football that seems to be the mark of the Montreal franchise over the last decade.

Ken Miller who has twice come close to that anticipated province wide celebration in Saskatchewan, stepped aside from his coaching duties following this years Grey Cup loss. His disappointment balanced by his personality, which exudes calmness and class.

He moved up into the higher management ranks  this off season, but no doubt will continue to offer guidance and assistance not only to his replacement, but to the remainder of the coaching staff and players as well, many of whom regard him as a guiding force of Roughrider football.

In Toronto, the rebuilding process of the Argos continued forward in 2010, Jim Barker providing a blue print for the team that while providing for sometimes slow motion forward should serve the team well in the seasons to come.

He has worn a number of hats during his time in the CFL, but his most rewarding moments may yet be in the future, as he puts in place the blocks to bring the Argonauts back into contention in the East and provide for entertaining football for the sports fans of Toronto eager to find one team that can offer hope.

They hand out the Annis Stukus trophy on February 25th when league officials gather in Vancouver, whle the decision will be a tough one to make, considering the impact that each brought to their team in the last year, either of the three would be a worthy candidate for league honours for the year just past.

Globe and Mail-- Trestman, Miller, Barker up for CFL coach of the year award
TSN-- Trestman, Miller Barker  up for CFL coach of the year honours
Sportsnet-- Three finalists named for coach award
National Post-- Barker, Miller, Trestman up for CFL’s top coach award
Toronto Sun-- The case for Jim Barker
Regina Leader Post-- Saskatchewan Roughriders' Ken Miller finalist for 2010 CFL coach-of-the-year award
Montreal Gazette-- Trestman finalist for award

Talk softly, carry a big stick and pass the buns please

The problem it seems with "off the cuff remarks" is that sometimes perhaps they need to be a little further thought out before making it into the conversation.

Tiger Cat President Scott Mitchell is finding that out today, after he apparently suggested that should the ever confusing on again. off again stadium project for Hamilton fall off the rails, the the Tiger Cats would be calling Ottawa home.

Ottawa Citizen-- Ti-Cats could move to Ottawa: team president

A suggestion which travelled far beyond the Hamilton luncheon where Mitchell was doing his off the cuff thinking.

And while it's true that should things once again go awry in Hamilton then the Cats will need a new home, we're not so sure the CFL will be thrilled about moving the Cats into their first expansion site in recent years.

Especially since it would seem to under cut their new partners in Ottawa, and not to mention the fact that Ottawa at the moment is going through its own march of the damned discussions on stadium projects, though it would seem that Ottawa at least have agreed that a new stadium (or rejuvenated Frank Clair stadium) is something worth pursuing.

And while perhaps the residents of Ottawa might welcome a ready to go franchise on their door step, from the side of the table of the expansion rights holders having all their work go for naught probably wouldn't leave  a very good taste in the mouths of those that might have the most potential to make such a franchise work.

One of the many problems the CFL has had in the last few trips into the capital has been the nature of ownership, that being out of town owners thinking they know the Ottawa market. With the current roster of investors in the expansion franchise project that issue has been resolved, we're not sure a Tiger Cat relocation would be the best thing for long term stability in the city.

Beyond that, this constant drum beat that we may have to leave is probably growing a little old in Hamilton.

So It would seem that a little Steel town damage control will be in order today, the image of the Tiger Cats somewhat tarnished over the last few months in the loud rhetoric over the Hamilton stadium situation.

But with the goal on the horizon it seemed like a strange time to pull out a big stick to make a point.

Especially when the Tiger Cats may not even have been certain if a franchise shift to Ottawa would have been approved by the league considering the investment thus far in the expansion plans.

Sometimes when it comes to luncheon meetings, the best topics of conversation should be left to pass the butter and the chicken tastes pretty good today.

Building the better hangar

The Blue prints are out, the pilings are getting pounded in and there's progress in Bomberland as the prep work for the Bombers new stadium on the campus of the University of Manitoba begins to take shape.

The much discussed, frequently moved new home for the Bombers at times seemed like a stadium too far, but with Winnipeg looking forward to spring (though there may yet be a few more months of winter to go) the movement on the stadium project is in motion.

With the steel pilings in place Manitobans and Bomber fans can finally begin to see some tangible proof that the era of Canad Inn Stadium may finally be at hand. And for proof that it's mot a mirage, the bombers have provided a webcam link to track the progress of construction.

Some of the reviews of the latest developments can be found below.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers-- New stadium update
Winnipeg Free Press-- Construction starts on Bombers' new home
Winnipeg Free Press-- Building revenue opportunities
Winnipeg Sun-- New stadium on track
CJOB-- New stadium construction proceeding on schedule
CJOB-- View stadium construction online
CBC-- Bomber Stadium construction begins

Ben Cahoon takes his final bow

It was a decision that rumbled in Canadian football ever since the Als brought home the Grey Cup from Edmonton in November, lost at the moment in the sudden concern over the health of Anthony Calvillo.

But yesterday, the Als made it official, after a spectacular run as one of the marquee players of the Canadian Football League, Ben Cahoon has brought his career to an end.

The stats are impressive;  13 seasons of play as a Montreal Alouette , 224 regular season games, 1,017 receptions, 13,301 yards and 65 touchdowns.

The awards of a 13 year career are many, and even more could have, should have been bestowed upon him.  Outstanding Canadian twice, league all star three times, three time Grey Cup champion, the outstanding Canadian in two of them.

He was a complete player, an icon for the Alouettes and the league, leading by example, without fanfare or boasting, a work ethic worthy of a league that is perhaps one of the most workmanlike of all the sports leagues on the continent.

The word class has been used many times whenever Cahoon's name comes up, a worthy candidate for the moniker, though talent as always is the defining character in sport and Cahoon had that as well.

He was part of one of the most magical of passing combinations the league has seen, the frequent target of Anthony Calvillo, one's success dependent on the other and both complimented each other like few combos have in the past.

When Calvillo dropped back to pass, there was a pretty good chance that Cahoon was going to be at the other end of the pattern, shaking off double coverage, diving that extra few inches to make the catch, almost always gaining the needed yards, almost always moving the ball forward.

The Als have been as much of a dynasty over the last decade as any of the ancient teams of CFL legend of the past, slowly they are filtering away, retirement and age taking its toll on the chemistry that has been assembled and helped take football to its most popular place in Quebec's long storied football history.

An ongoing reference material that features some great names of the past, with a few more destined to the join the ranks of Sonny Wade, Peter Dalla Riva, Sam Etcheverry and oh so many more, they'll be saving a chapter for Anthony Calvillo and as should be expected, there will be a section for Ben Cahoon.

Likewise, we are sure that it won't be too long before he makes yet another trip north, for his enshrinement at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton, where he will received his due from the league at large.

His final day with the Alouettes took place this week at a press conference to announce his departure, sometime this season we imagine there will be a public celebration of a great CFL career in Montreal, to fully recognize the talent, work ethic and personality that has made football worth watching in Quebec for 13 years.

There are countless videos uploaded to YouTube featuring his amazing catches, among the best of them is this one:

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With word of his retirement, the tales are being told about his remarkable run with the Alouettes, samples of what he brought to the game and what CFL fans were fortunate to view for thirteen years, some of them can be found below.

Montreal Gazette-- 'Magical ride' ends for Cahoon
Montreal Gazette-- Alouette's Cahoon retires as CFL's all time leading receiver
Globe and Mail-- Als' Cahoon closes out stellar career
National Post-- Cahoon retires as CFL's all time leading receiver
Examiner.com-- Class Act Cahoon goes out on top
Toronto Sun-- CFL's all-time leading receiver Cahoon retires
CBC-- Alouette's Cahoon retires

CIS sends two to Shrine Game

Saturday's final college game of the season, the East-West Shrine Game which doubles a kind of a final exam for some draft eligible players featured two Canadian participants this year.

The showcase of football talent was broadcast on the NFL network and provided a good measuring stick for the two Canadians as they went to an extra level of their football careers this weekend.

The University of Calgary's Anthony Parker donned the uniform of the West team, while Queen's offensive lineman Matthew O'Donnell went to work for the east.

Two players from relatively humble CIS programs moving into the realm of the football factories of the American game, making the journey to Orlando with football and not Disneyworld on their minds.

Showing that the lead up week to the Shrine Game isn't a matter of dropping off your bags and getting ready for a pick up match, NFL teams run combine drills, exam sessions and interview each of the participating players, all designed to make a more complete list of draft eligible seniors for the April NFL draft.

CFL scouts dot the stands and sidelines as well, seeking to track down a player who may slip through an NFL crack or come up just short of expectations, possibly hoping to hone his skills north of the border for a few seasons or possibly more.

The game itself was dominated by the eastern squad, which handily defeated the west by a score of 25-8, the Eastern team's defensive units proving to be more than up to the challenge of the West's offensive threats.

And while neither of the two Canadian participants made it into the top ten of improved draft  prospects list from Saturday's game,  both Parker and O'Donnell left impressions on the scouts and testing personnel a showing that could provide for more notice on both sides of the football border.

Some of the reviews of Shrine Game week can be found below.

Vancouver Sun-- CFL teams eye seniors in East-West Shrine Game
Montreal Gazette-- Parker brings his game to passel of NFL scouts
Calgary Sun-- Dinos standout pumped for Shrine Bowl
The Gauntlet-- Parker to play in Shrine Game

Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!

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Our section dedicated to the on again, off again (mostly Toronto centred) fascination with bringing an NFL franchise to Canada.

A topic that has popped up on the Canadian Football radar  since the 1970's (when Montreal was the anticipated domino for Canadian football) but as of yet has provided for little more than exhibition football and the odd regular season game in Toronto.

However, the drum beat does go on and so we'll catalogue the latest offerings below.

Oct 9-- Globe and Mail-- NFL will do everything it can to keep Bills in Buffalo
May 6-- Globe and Mail-- Doug Ford apologizes to New Orleans football fans
May 6-- Toronto Sun-- Councillor Ford talks football again, gets hate mail
May 6-- NFL.com-- Toronto politician aims for NFL franchise north of border
May 6-- CBS Sports-- Toronto Councillor: Um, never mind about Saints
May 6-- USA Today-- Saints reject idea they're on list for relocation to Toronto
May 5-- CBS Sports-- Toronto wants an NFL team, thinks it could happen
May 5-- Fox Sports-- Jags could move to Toronto, politician says
May 5-- Toronto Life-- Doug Ford's NFL plans just got (slightly) less crazy
May 5-- Orland Sentinel-- Toronto Jaguars? City official says Jags may be in play ...
May 5-- The Score-- Toronto Councillor on NFL: "They can't keep ignoring a market ..."
May 5-- New Orleans .com-- Toronto councillor apologizes for New Orleans Saints remarks
May 5-- NFL.com-- So called Toronto NFL plan has flaws beyond reason 
May 5-- New Orleans Examiner-- The Toronto Saints? Not likely - rumours shot down ...
May 5-- ESPN-- Saints to Toronto? Not a chance
April 1-- Globe and Mail-- Bills trying to find ways to raise their profile in Toronto
March 29--National Post-- Toronto experiment paying off for Bills
January 21-- Globe and Mail-- Rob Ford's brother says four groups seek to bring NFL team to Toronto
January 21-- Toronto Sun-- Toronto's dreaming the impossible NFL dream
January 21-- Toronto Sun- Councillors take sides on NFL in Toronto
January 21-- Toronto Star-- Ford brothers revive dream of NFL franchise in Toronto
January 21-- Toronto Sun-- Argos Prez: Mayor can keep jersey
January 21-- Toronto Sun-- T. O. NFL team 'not a pipe dream'

CIS Twelve Men original posts

An archive of our original items on the blog, items which highlight developments in the football side of Canadian Inter University Sport.

August 31-- CIS Season Kickoff Arrives and the rankings are
August 17-- CIS Team by Team 2011 Season
January 23- CIS sends two to Shrine Game

CIS 2011

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


CIS homepage
CIS (Quebec) Schedule for 2011
CIS Digest (our notes on events in the CIS)
CIS Twelve Men original Posts for 2011
CIS Team by Team 2011

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