OUT OF THE TUNNEL: RANKING WEEK 1 OF CFL FREE AGENCY

Photo: Canadian Press

BY: RODPEDERSEN.COM STAFF

It was a whirlwind opening week of CFL free agency and no matter what the city, fans in 2019 will need to buy a program across CFL stadiums.

The thoughts of players staying out of the mix until a CBA is signed went out the window early with the loudest voice putting his name to a contract before free agency began. Mike Reilly was the first domino to fall and from there it was a cascade of names for the rest of the week.

Things have slowed down and it gives us a chance to catch our breath and see how things shook out after six days:

WEST DIVISION

SASKATCHEWAN:

They had a decent week but missing out on the quarterback sweepstakes hurt a bit. They went with Plan B and re-signed Zach Collaros to a one-year deal and named him the starting quarterback heading into training camp. They did make some noise by inking the top defensive tackle in the CFL, Micah Johnson from the Calgary Stampeders, but did take a huge hit by losing defensive end Willie Jefferson to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The terrible news of Jake Harty’s knee-injury rehabilitation taking a setback and Tre Mason probably missing the bulk of 2019 with a knee injury suffered at the end of 2018 really hurt the Riders as well.

They were patient and there are some solid names remaining and money in the bank.

Top signee: Micah Johnson

Underrated signee: A.C. Leonard – Will add to one of the best defensive lines in the CFL.

Biggest need: Backup quarterback

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WINNIPEG:

They re-signed most of their team but did lose some big names, especially those with Canadian passports. Sukh Chungh going to B.C. and Taylor Loffler heading to Montreal are two big holes to fill in the lineup. They did make waves by signing one of the best all-around defenders in the CFL, Willie Jefferson.

Top signee: Willie Jefferson

Underrated signee: Winston Rose – He had an under the radar solid season with the Lions. His five interceptions were tied for the league lead.

Biggest need: Offensive line

CALGARY:

The Stampeders did what they always do: stick to the game plan and don’t go overboard in the free agent market, re-sign their own at a decent price, and develop within. Re-signing Bo Levi Mitchell was by far their biggest get but they did take some hits. Losing Micah Johnson and Ja’Gared Davis left some pretty big holes on the defensive line. They only signed a free agent from another team in Courtney Stephen from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Top signee: Bo Levi Mitchell

Underrated signee: Sticking to the plan – It goes under the radar how patient Calgary is in regard to free agency. It seems to work.

Biggest need: Defensive line

EDMONTON:

The Eskimos are one of the two teams who made the biggest splash in the free agent pool. Losing Mike Reilly to the Lions was a big hit, but general manager Brock Sunderland didn’t wait long to fill the hole by signing Trevor Harris from Ottawa. Adding his teammate Greg Ellingson on the offensive side, as well as a pair of Hamilton Ti-Cat linebackers, Don Unamba and Larry Dean, will bolster this team.

They were very busy rebuilding their roster and it will be very interesting to see how things unfold in training camp for the Eskimos.

Top signee: Trevor Harris

Underrated signee: Anthony Orange – He was a 2018 all-star defensive back with the Lions.

Biggest need: To zip up the pocket book.

B.C:

The Wally Buono Era in Vancouver is officially over. It’s Ed Hervey’s world now and he was busy retooling the roster; the Lions being the other team making the biggest splash. Ed started by bringing in the biggest name in free agency, Mike Reilly, and what followed were current and former all-stars Sukh Chungh, Duron Carter, Aaron Grymes and John White.

Top signee: Mike Reilly

Underrated signee: Duron Carter – If (and this is a massive if) he can keep his emotions in control, he would be a key piece in what may be one of the top receiving cores in the CFL.

Biggest need: Defensive line

EAST DIVISION


TORONTO: 

They were very busy re-signing their own but also added some solid names especially to a defence that desperately needed to improve. After losing out in the Bo Levi Mitchell sweepstakes, it looks like they will be comfortable sticking with either James Franklin or McLeod Bethel-Thompson at quarterback. They did add a huge weapon for their offence at the end of the week with the signing of Derel Walker.

Top signee: Derel Walker

Underrated signee: Tobi Antigha – A do-it-all defender that will help fill a huge hole in the middle of the Argo defence.

Biggest need: They need to stop signing running backs. They currently have seven on their roster including newly minted Chris Rainey, Tyrell Sutton and Mercer Timmis.

HAMILTON:

They went the Calgary Stampeder route and were incredibly patient during the first week of free agency. With Jeremiah Massoli under contract, they were not interested in the quarterback madness so they were concentrating on filling some holes on defence.

Top signee: Ja’Gared Davis – Helps out a defensive line looking for an elite edge rusher.

Underrated signee – Rico Murray – The three-time east all-star returns to Hamilton in a late-week signing.

Biggest need – Linebacker

OTTAWA:

They took a beating on the offensive side of the football losing Trevor Harris and Greg Ellingson to the Edmonton Eskimos as well as the league’s second leading rusher, William Powell to the Riders. It looks like Ottawa is taking a different approach and not putting all of their cash into a quarterback and a couple of elite players and trying to spread the wealth by bringing in solid players and building within.

Top signee: Jonathan Jennings – He will battle Dominique Davis for the starting quarterback spot. Ottawa hopes he can regain his 2016 form.

Underrated signee: Philippe Gagnon – The former second overall pick will be a solid Canadian addition to the offensive line.

Biggest need: Defensive line


MONTREAL: 

This was an under-the-radar good week for the Alouettes. They didn’t panic and take the deep dive into free agency but did bring in some solid players in key positions. They signed what may be the top Canadian free agent in safety Taylor Loffler.

Top signee: Taylor Loffler

Underrated signee: John Bowman – They hope the future hall of famer has one more big year left in the tank.

Biggest need: Offensive line

This week we will find out who will host the 2020 Grey Cup. It feels like it is coming down to either Hamilton or Saskatchewan. I don’t think either will be upset if they don’t get the game because they would be next up in 2021.

From a league point of view, with back-to-back title games in the west (Edmonton in 2018 and Calgayr in 2019), it doesn’t make sense to make it three in a row.

So here is a bold prediction, Randy Ambrosie will announce both the 2020 and 2021 Grey Cups with Hamilton hosting first and then the big game will be at Saskatchewan’s Mosaic Stadium in 2021.