Here’s a look at who went where on the first two days of CFL free agency, 2015 team in parenthesis.
EAST DIVISION
Ottawa
Trevor Harris, international QB, (Toronto)
Brendan Gillanders, national FB, (Toronto)
Arnaud Gascon-Nadon national DE, (Hamilton)
Analysis: Ottawa gets their quarterback of the future, but what does that mean for Henry Burris? And the RedBlacks bring a young, athletic local boy home in Gillanders. Gascon-Nadon could compete for a starting job at defensive end.
Hamilton
Ted Laurent, national DT, (Hamilton)
Andy Fantuz, national REC, (Hamilton)
Alex Hoffman-Ellis, international LB, (B.C.)
Demond Washington, international DB (Winnipeg)
Brian Simmons, international OL (Edmonton)
Analysis: For the Ticats, free agency was all about keeping “Big Ted” in black and gold. As long as Fantuz can stay healthy he’ll be worth the investment. Hoffman-Ellis provides depth and another option in the linebacking group. Washington’s a vet who can play halfback and return kicks while Simmons has started at both tackle and guard.
Montreal
Vaughn Martin, national DT, (NFL)
Jovon Johnson, international DB, (Ottawa)
Sam Giguere, national REC, (Montreal)
Winston Venable, international LB, (Montreal)
Kenny Stafford international REC, (Edmonton)
Analysis: Martin has some NFL experience but hasn’t played in a while and already 30: he could be a ratio-breaker but there’s some risk. Keeping Venable was important for the Als because he’s the heart-and-soul of their defence. Johnson upgrades the secondary instantly. And with Stafford, Montreal’s receiving corps gets a big-play threat to go with S.J. Green and Duron Carter.
Toronto
Brandon Whitaker, international RB, (Toronto)
Josh Bourke, national OL, (Montreal)
Corey Watman, national OL, (Saskatchewan)
Lirim Hajrullahu, national K, (Winnipeg)
Cory Greenwood, national LB, (Toronto)
Analysis: Teams can never have enough quality Canadian offensive linemen so the Argos went out and got the best ratio-breaking tackle in the league and a 26-year-old up-and-comer. Hajrullahu is an experienced Canadian but could be a drop off from Swayze Waters. Whitaker is a proven vet.
WEST DIVISION
Winnipeg
Andrew Harris, national RB, (B.C.)
Justin Medlock, international K, (Hamilton)
Keith Shologan, national DT, (Ottawa)
Pascal Lochard, national RB, (B.C.)
Jeff Keeping, national OL, (Toronto)
Ryan Smith, international REC, (Saskatchewan)
Euclid Cummings, international DT, (Toronto)
Analysis: More playmakers were added on offence to go with receiver Weston Dressler. Canadian talent and the interior defensive line were really upgraded by the Bombers in a single day.
Saskatchewan
Justin Capicciotti, national DE, (Ottawa)
Greg Jones, international LB, (Toronto)
Otha Foster, international DB, (Edmonton)
Kendial Lawrence, international RB/KR (Edmonton)
Curtis Steele, international RB (Toronto)
Ed Gainey, international DB, (Hamilton)
John Chiles, international REC, (NFL)
Jeremy Kelley, international REC, (NFL)
Graig Newman, national DB, (Winnipeg)
Andrew Jones, national OL, (Edmonton)
Shamawd Chambers, national REC, (Edmonton)
Dylan Ainsworth, national DL, (Saskatchewan)
Analysis: Chris Jones got busy on day two of free agency, bringing in a big-name Canadian in Capiciotti and slew of his former Eskimo players. The Riders are better (on paper at least) and the fan base is happy again.
B.C.
Jeremiah Johnson, international RB (Ottawa)
Levy Adcock, international OL (Saskatchewan)
Brandon Stewart, international DB, (Hamilton)
Mike Edem, national DB, (Hamilton)
Nick Moore, international REC, (Winnipeg)
Analysis: Johnson gives them a proven CFL starter in the battle to replace the departed Andrew Harris, Adcock could be a starter at tackle, Stewart’s a vet who can play several spots and good special teams. Edem fell of a cliff after his rookie season but could be starting safety. Moore should be a nice sidekick to the Manny Show,
Edmonton
J.C. Sherritt, international LB, (Edmonton)
John White, international RB, (Edmonton)
Analysis: Sherritt is the heart and soul of that defence and bringing him back helps stem the Saskie exodus. Despite a left Achilles tendon injury that kept him out for the entire 2015 season, White’s only 24 and possesses plenty of play-making ability.
Calgary
Bakari Grant, international REC, (Hamilton)
Taylor Reed, international LB, (Hamilton)
Analysis: Calgary GM John Hufnagel finally got in the game on day two with some veteran pick ups from Hamilton.
