CFL

Durant, Cornish, Two Eskimos Named Top CFLers in Week 1

• Dale Perth
• July 4, 2012

The first awards have been given out in the wake of the Canadian Football League’s opening week, and it’s no surprise that representatives of Western Division clubs swept the accolades. An impressive 43-16 upset blowout engineered by Saskatchewan in Hamilton had another positive outcome, as Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant was declared the league’s top offensive...

CFL

CFL: Tate Impresses as Stampeders Rout Als!

• Al Dannity
• July 2, 2012

If Drew Tate was nervous, he certainly didn’t let it show as the Calgary Stampeders dominated the Montreal Alouettes in a 38-10 win on Sunday. Al Dannity looks back on an impressive start to the season for the Stamps. Business-like start Drew Tate was not the star for the Stampeders on Sunday but the quarterback...

CFL

‘Superman’ Simon Leaps CFL All-Time Receiving Yards Mark

• Dale Perth
• June 30, 2012

On a night when the B.C. Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicked off their 2012 seasons with a rematch of the 99th Grey Cup final, all eyes were on one man. Surrounded by 30 family members from Johnstown, Pennsylvania who attended the game, Lions slotback Geroy Simon became the new owner of the career...

CFL

CFL 2012 Season Starts with Fantuz Facing Former Team

• Dale Perth
• June 29, 2012

Andy Fantuz can’t wait to get going. He had been a popular member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiving corps from 2006 to 2011. In February he signed a four-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. So it’s appropriate that the first team he faces is his old club, the Green Riders. The Saskatchewan-Hamilton tilt is the...

CFL

CFL: Bombers Likely to Hide Big Guns Against Ticats!

• Al Dannity
• June 20, 2012

Fans of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will likely have to wait another week before finally seeing their much vaunted new offense in action. Al Dannity looks ahead to their pre-season clash with the Hamilton Tiger Cats as the start of the 2012 CFL season edges closer. The right fit? Gary Crowton has been around. At...

CFL

CFL Pre-Season: Argos Stop Ticats; Lions Rout Riders

• Dale Perth
• June 15, 2012

Two quarterbacks who have recently moved from west to east made their mark on their new teams, while a backup quarterback left a good impression with the Grey Cup champions on Wednesday night. Ricky Ray led the Toronto Argonauts into Ivor Wynne Stadium to face Henry Burris and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the first pre-season...

CFL

CFL: Protecting Ray is Top Priority for Argos

• Al Dannity
• June 6, 2012

The Argonauts went all in to get the man they want under center. Now they need to make sure he can stay on his feet. Al Dannity looks at Toronto’s efforts to find the right protection for Ricky Ray. Don’t make Ricky the next Buck Pierce Buck Pierce knows a good pass rush when he...

CFL

CFL: Bombers Camp Abuzz with Activity

• Al Dannity
• June 5, 2012

Pre-season training is under way in the CFL and Al Dannity breaks down the buzz from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers camp. Having come so close to glory last year, the Bombers enter 2012 looking to go that extra step needed to lift the Grey Cup. Etienne needs to make it count Jade Etienne’s first year...

CFL

CFL: New Coach and High Expectations for BC Lions

• Al Dannity
• June 1, 2012

When you win the 99th Grey Cup one season, there’s only one target for the next one. Mike Benevides is the new man in charge of the BC Lions and he knows anything less than winning the 100th Grey Cup will be a step back from last year’s memorable campaign. Big shoes to fill Wally...

CFL

CFL: Eskimos Look to Stamps as New Leader

• Al Dannity
• May 31, 2012

With Ricky Ray leaving for Toronto in a blockbuster trade, the spotlight in Edmonton has turned to receiver Fred Stamps. The Esks will need Stamps to be a big factor if they are to match last year’s impressive season. New role for Stamps Times are changing for Fred Stamps. The wideout has new responsibilities on...

CFL

CFL: Argonauts Bid Farewell to Willie Pile

• Al Dannity
• May 30, 2012

After 5 seasons and over 400 tackles in the CFL, Willie Pile is hanging up his cleats. Al Dannity looks at yet another departure from Toronto as the Argos get ready for the 2012 season. Made for each other One of the most popular players to wear the double-blue has stepped down after five seasons...

CFL

CFL: Bombers Make No Big Moves and Focus On Youth

• Dale Perth
• May 30, 2012

Rookie training camp opens on Wednesday morning for the Blue Bombers, but Canad Inns Stadium isn’t the site of some reality-TV show named Extreme Makeover, Winnipeg Edition. There have been no huge signings and no Earth-shattering trades as have taken place with other teams — most notably in Edmonton, Hamilton and Toronto. General manager Joe...

CFL

CFL: Is Drew Tate the Answer in Calgary?

• Al Dannity
• May 25, 2012

Drew Tate has emerged as the undisputed starter for the Calgary Stampeders ahead of the 2012 CFL season. Al Dannity looks at whether Tate has what it takes to keep the job all through the year. Changing of the guard With Henry Burris gone from Calgary, it was time for a new man to take...

CFL

CFL: Milanovich Bringing Fighting Attitude to Argonauts

• Al Dannity
• May 16, 2012

The questions just keep on coming for Scott Milanovich as he prepares for his rookie year as head coach of the Toronto Argonauts. Al Dannity says the direct approach being applied by the Argos’ coach could have major benefits in the season ahead. Taking on the burden In order to get the best out of...

CFL

CFL: Lions CB Sanchez Has Retired… But For How Long?

• Joe LaTengo
• May 16, 2012

He excelled in the CFL as a rarity: a non-import cornerback. Davis Sanchez has announced his intention to retire after 13 professional campaigns, but you have to wonder how long such a unique asset will stay on the sidelines. Here’s what used to happen traditionally when someone says they’re going to retire: a party is...

CFL

CFL: Durant’s the Man in Saskatchewan

• Al Dannity
• May 11, 2012

Darian Durant has been proclaimed as starter for the Roughriders heading into the 2012 CFL season, despite the franchise’s moves to add depth under center. Al Dannity looks at how safe Durant’s position is and where the Riders are going in 2012. No controversy? Umm okay The list would make most fans salivate. Colt Brennan,...

CFL

CFL: Heenan goes #1 to Riders but No Marauders Picked in Draft

• Al Dannity
• May 4, 2012

As expected, Ben Heenan was the first overall selection in the 2012 CFL Draft but that was just one story on a day of intrigue. Al Dannity looks back on an eventful afternoon. The right call There was no mystery to the #1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Jim Hopson, president of the Saskatchewan...

CFL

CFL: Born In the USA, Lions’ Draft Pick Westerman Now A ‘Non-Import’

• Joe LaTengo
• May 4, 2012

It was a bold move by the B.C. Lions to grab one of the more coveted prospects in the CFL draft held on Thursday. The defending Grey Cup champions traded three picks to the Edmonton Eskimos to get the second overall pick. With that selection, general manager Wally Buono chose Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Jabar...

CFL

CFL: Are the Argos Really Grey Cup Contenders?

• Al Dannity
• May 2, 2012

Toronto’s efforts reloading for the 2012 CFL season have been well publicised but can all the new parts turn this unit into contenders for the 100th Grey Cup? Al Dannity examines a promising Argonauts team that has a lot of questions to answer. No shortage of pressure The Argos are expected to deliver every year...

CFL

CFL: Wilfrid Laurier Receiver Chambers Rises Up Draft Boards

• Al Dannity
• April 25, 2012

Wilfrid Laurier receiver Shamawd Chambers gave the Roughriders pause for thought ahead of the CFL Draft next month. Chambers was a standout performer at the CFL Evaluation Camp and the prospect could force his way into the conversation for #1 overall pick. More than an athlete The biggest trait scouts were salivating over after watching...