LALJI: HOWELL LEAVING RIDERS FOR BC

Markus Howell

TSN’s Farhan Lalji is reporting another assistant coach is leaving Riderville for the Lions Den.

Lalji said this weekend that receivers coach Markus Howell – who spent the past two years on Chris Jones’ staff in Saskatchewan – is to become the second coach in a week to jump ship from the Riders to the BC Lions.

Last week, Rider quarterbacks coach Jarious Jackson was named the Lions’ offensive coordinator.

Lalji Tweeted on Friday: “Howell had a good relationship with new Lions OC Jarious Jackson in Sask”.

Prior to his time with the Riders, Howell spent five seasons as the receivers coach with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Meanwhile Lalji said he expects Jon Jennings to be back as the BC’s starting quarterback in 2018. Jennings had until December 31 to “explore NFL options” but “that doesn’t appear to be happening”.

On another note, Argonauts quarterback James Franklin seems to be determined to head to free agency in February. A source said Friday that the Franklin camp is expecting to field offers from at least four CFL teams and that the NFL is still on the table as well.

RP
@rodpedersen