CFL NOTEBOOK
MONTREAL
– He’s been a player, an assistant coach and a head coach in the CFL. Now Kavis Reed will get to try his hand at being a general manager.
According to a league source, Reed will be unveiled on Wednesday as the Montreal Alouettes’ new GM, replacing Jim Popp, who was fired Nov. 7.
The move is somewhat surprising given Reed has no previous experience as a general manager. He served as Montreal’s assistant head coach and special-teams co-ordinator last season but has coached all three phases in the CFL and thus understands the nuances of the Canadian game.
Reed, who interviewed for the GM’s job Sunday, is familiar with the makeup of the CFL’s 44-man roster (21 international players, 20 nationals, three quarterbacks of any nationality and two reserve players). He’s also aware of having to start at least seven national – or Canadian – performers each game.
The 43-year-old native of Georgetown, S.C., also brings a player’s perspective to the job. Reed spent five seasons (1995-99) as a defensive back with the Edmonton Eskimos before being forced to retire due to a neck injury.
Reed began his CFL coaching career as Toronto’s special-teams co-ordinator and defensive backs coach and served as Edmonton’s head coach from 2011-13. Reed has also been an assistant with Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Hamilton and Winnipeg before joining the Alouettes’ staff in 2016.
OTTAWA
In 2016, Whyte ranked number one in the league in field goal percentage with 93.8% accuracy– the third highest single-season mark in CFL history and well above the league average of 82.7%. He was the sole kicker above 90% last season, making 45-of-48 field goal attempts.
— The Edmonton Eskimos have released the following players:
National defensive lineman Mathieu Boulay
International quarterback Thomas DeMarco
International defensive lineman Jason Vega
CALGARY
“After one season in Calgary, I quickly realized that this is a really good group of guys and a great organization and that’s why I wanted to come back,” said Thorn. “I love the family atmosphere with this team and that’s what really sold me on remaining with the Stamps. And Calgary is a great city, too.”
WINNIPEG
— The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has added national defensive back Justin Warden, national linebacker John Rush, and national defensive lineman Brandon Tennant.
Warden (6-2, 200, Bishop’s, September 26, 1990 in Ottawa, ON) was selected 46th overall by Winnipeg in the 2015 CFL Draft. He played in five games with Bishop’s in 2014, finishing with 41 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception. Warden played in one game with Winnipeg after signing in September last season, and finished the year on the club’s practice roster.
Rush (6-1, 220, Guelph, October 23, 1993, in Niagara Falls, ON) attended training camp with the club in 2016, and was the 2015 Presidents’ Trophy winner as the nation’s top CIS defensive player. He led all Canadian University players in 2015 with 60 tackles. Over his five years at Guelph, Rush accumulated 150 solo tackles, with assists on 129 more. He also tallied nine sacks, two forced fumbles and four interceptions.
Tennant (6-2, 305, Laval, July 2, 1991 in Lachine, QC) finished the season on the club’s practice roster after signing in early September. Tennant played in four games with Winnipeg in 2016, and was selected 59th overall by Saskatchewan in the 2015 CFL Draft. He recorded three tackles and one sack with the Riders, playing in eight games and starting five in 2015.
(With files from The Canadian Press and team websites)
Montreal = Dumpster fire wow
I don't understand how people like Kavis Reed keep landing on their feet.
Durant's agent just called and said,
You only have one reasonable spot to play. We should take the deal!
Thomas DeMarco, starting QB for your 2017 Riders.
So sorry for your signing of new GM Montreal. How many years before they fold now?
Consequences, there have to be consequences…….
Lol…crap you beat me to it!!!!
Can't count to 12 but gets to be a GM?? Maybe tell you just how high the bar is or isn't!
He cost the Roughriders a Grey Cup so they're welcome to him. But in the big picture I'm worried about the Allouettes franchise and if they fold the league itself.
Consequences
Kavis Reed must be the most livable guy in the history of the CFL. He has absolutely no track record of success in any role he has had. But still continues to land "promotions".
All I can say is WOW.
Did I miss something while he was in Regina, Edmonton et al??????
I KINDA HOPE FOR ANYONE BUT KAVIS, JUST SO THAT EVERYONE JUMPING THE GUN HAS TO EAT SOME CROW
13th Man instigator gets a job in the East Thank God.
he'll be fine because brendan taman will be his director of player personnel.
Nice to see the cfl teams really getting things ready for next year and improving their teams.
Too bad the riders and jones are such a confused and messed up group with no plan and no idea where they are going.
Kavis Reed a outstanding choice for a professional football franchise looking for a reboot to their on field product fortunes. Good solid hire on Montreal's part! Saskatchewan Roughriders totally missed the boat when they let him slip by.
Big Jim Dewy.
Whenever I think of Kavis Reed, I remember his "There will be consequences" speech while he was in Edmonton.
I sure hope he has settled down since then.
IMAGIRL
How's his fluency in french? Montreal's ave attendance will be worse than the 2016 of 20,378/game 60,000 at Big O for a soccer game tho
Kavis Reed??? Gm?? Hahahahahaha
He is perfect for the job. He is a yes man just what ownership wants. Why do you think Maccoia passed on it.
Bahahahabahhahaa consequences …you guys slay me
This guy has no reason alive to be a GM (no experience) His head coaching left a very sour taste in the Eskimos franchise and it took Chris Jones to clean up his disgusting mess up there.