The arrival of the holidays likely means limited movement across the CFL, at least for a couple of weeks. But if last year is any indication, expect plenty of movement immediately after.
With names like Duron Carter, Darian Durant and James Franklin all being talked about this off-season, Jamie Nye offers nine moves that need to happen in the coming months. Or, at least, nine moves that would make perfect sense:
Duron Carter to Saskatchewan
Duron Carter is a big name that shouldn’t be forgotten on the free agent market (MontrealAlouettes.com)
During his time in Saskatchewan, Chris Jones has shown the ability to ignore the baggage a player has and just pay attention to what that player brings to the field. Duron Carter has the speed and size that Jones loves in a receiver. Add Carter playing in front a rabid fan base like the Saskatchewan Roughriders and you’ve got the makings of some must see TV.
Carter and Naaman Roosevelt would be a dual threat like the Eskimos have enjoyed with Derel Walker and Adarius Bowman.
One problem: The Riders have a deep talent pool of young receivers.
Darian Durant to Montreal
Where Darian Durant lands is one of the off-season’s biggest questions (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Add a stalemate in negotiations with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the current management team in Montreal and you get a lot of chatter that makes sense.
Kavis Reed was a coach in Saskatchewan when Darian Durant made his rise to one of the top quarterbacks in the game and in 2015, Durant was more than impressed with Jacques Chapdelaine and the offence he was bringing into Saskatchewan.
Reed joined my radio show, ‘the Green Zone’, in Saskatchewan and was clear the Alouettes like their young quarterbacks but are looking to augment the position in order to win right now. Darian Durant would ‘augment’ their QB depth chart quite a lot.
One problem: The Riders still have two months to sign him.
Greg Ellingson/Ernest Jackson/Chris Williams to Edmonton
Could one of the REDBLACKS’ big three reunite with Jason Maas? (CFL.ca)
Pick one, any one. They’re all free agents and with Derel Walker looking at the National Football League and the likelihood of him finding work in the NFL, the former offensive coordinator of the REDBLACKS is all of a sudden looking for some international receiving talent.
Ottawa needs to be smart with its lengthy list of free agent receivers and will have to make some tough salary cap decisions and someone is going to come free. Jason Maas would love to see his general manager sign one but after winning the Grey Cup, what is the price?
One problem: The price of these 1,000-yard receivers will be hard to swallow and Brandon Zylstra may be the next one.
Tyler Holmes to Ottawa
Offensive guard Tyler Holmes will be in demand should he hit free agency (Geoff Robins/CFL.ca)
If there is one spot the REDBLACKS could improve on from their Grey Cup Championship team it’s the offensive line. SirVincent Rogers’ injury didn’t help any but Tyler Holmes would be a nice addition to the interior of the offensive line.
When it comes to a repeat, having the best offensive line goes a long way to saving the hits taken by the 42-year old Henry Burris or ‘the next one’ Trevor Harris.
Holmes may also have the ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ mentality.
One problem: Toronto isn’t going to want a rebuild by filling holes on its offensive line.
Emanuel Davis to Toronto
Emanuel Davis could test free agency for the second straight season (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
The Toronto Argonauts gave up T.J. Heath in a trade to pull in Drew Willy from the Toronto Argonauts. Heath was the Argos’ best defensive back and the Argos would take a big step forward and help out the back end of the defence by getting a deal done with Emanuel Davis.
Davis had 10 interceptions and four touchdowns in his last two seasons as he’s becoming a seasoned vet and one of the most respected halfbacks in the league. Add to that a new defensive coordinator is now going to be arriving in Hamilton, maybe Davis wants to take a look around.
Davis took a look at free agency last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to take a look again this year.
One problem: You think Eric Tillman and Kent Austin will want to lose a player with 10 interceptions in the last two years? Not bloody likely.
A Muamba family reunion
Adding pending free agent Cauchy Muamba (right) would improve the Riders’ ratio (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
The Saskatchewan Roughriders need serious help with their ratio. It was a revolving door of Canadians playing the safety spot so why not add Cauchy Muamba to the mix?
He’s played in Chris Jones’ system and after not starting that many games with a new defensive coordinator in Edmonton, maybe Muamba wants to return to familiarity.
With his brother Henoc also in Saskatchewan, why not make it a family affair?
One problem: I actually don’t see much of a problem.
James Franklin traded
James Franklin continues to be a hot topic heading into this year’s off-season (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
This is the move that seems inevitable to some and extremely unlike to others. It depends on how you analyze the Edmonton quarterback position. If you think the team is all-in with Mike Reilly, you’re likely thinking Franklin will bring in so much that GM Ed Hervey has to pull the trigger.
If you’re thinking the Eskimos view Franklin as the future and their next guy, you may believe there is a better chance they move on from Reilly before they’d move away from James Franklin.
But there could be many fits. Montreal, as stated above, is trying to augment the QB spot. Drew Willy isn’t the guaranteed guy in Toronto and of course Saskatchewan has been rumoured to have made a few calls about the young quarterback since Jones took over.
One problem: As stated, who is saying Edmonton actually has any interest in letting him go?
Chris Van Zeyl to Saskatchewan
Teams could be lined up for the services of a veteran tackle in Chris Van Zeyl (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
Sorry to come back to Saskatchewan again, but the Riders need a lot! Chris Van Zeyl would be a huge addition to the Roughriders after they dressed two Canadian offensive linemen at times this season, completely wreaking havoc with their ratio.
If Van Zeyl can lock down the right side of the offensive line, the Roughriders could get back to a four Canadian offensive line, something they haven’t enjoyed since they won the Grey Cup in 2013.
One problem: The Riders will be in a long line looking at the Argos veteran.
Shamawd Chambers to Hamilton
It could be one and done for national Shamawd Chambers in Saskatchewan (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)
With Andy Fantuz coming down with a major knee injury near the end of the season, the Canadian depth may be an issue for the Tiger-Cats this off-season with a few as potential free agents.
Chambers hasn’t been able to find the potential that many projected coming out of college. He was in the first overall pick conversation when the Eskimos selected him. Injuries have been the major reason.
Eric Tillman was the man who drafted Shamawd Chambers back in 2012 and may want to give him a chance to become the 1,000-yard receiver he envisioned four years ago.
Chambers may like the idea of being much closer to home after his entire career has been out West.
One problem: Toronto may be even more interested with fewer Canadian receivers on the roster.