It’s Wednesday morning, which means it’s time for another edition of Insider Talk.
This weekly column features a collection of anonymous quotes from people around the CFL. It’s a fun combination of facts, opinions, rumours, and more.
This week there’s a bit of a focus on quarterbacks and offensive linemen, which wasn’t planned — it just kind of happened. It’s fitting, though, considering they are the two most sought-after positions in free agency.
Enjoy and come back next week for another edition of Insider Talk.
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I expect Paul LaPolice to be coaching his wonder boy again (Chris Streveler) after that performance in Week 17 against the Rams. More practice reps wouldn’t have covered up his lack of arm talent.
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With (Dakoda) Shepley signing back with the (San Francisco) 49ers, there’s no way Saskatchewan doesn’t take an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft. They have no choice. They need the help.
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I can’t see Hamilton keeping Jeremiah Masoli and Dane Evans. If they can’t re-sign Masoli, they should trade his rights before free agency. If they re-sign Masoli, I think they’ll trade Evans.
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I think (Tevaun) Smith is better than (Lemar) Durant and he just re-signed with Edmonton for about $30,000 less than Durant’s getting.
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(National offensive lineman) Tyler Johnstone paid his own money to get a platelet injection and is apparently in stellar shape. If Montreal doesn’t re-sign him, going back to the west coast in B.C. makes sense.
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Zach Collaros wasn’t the reason Winnipeg won the Grey Cup, it was the team around him. Look at his passing numbers from the playoffs — tells you all you need to know.
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(2019 first-round NFL draft pick) Dwayne Haskins got cut (by Washington) because of off-field issues. If he didn’t take the NFL seriously, why would he take the CFL seriously?
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(Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ centre) Michael Couture is due a $50,000 roster bonus on February 1 and there’s no way he’s getting it. He’ll have to restructure to around what Dan Clark signed for (in Saskatchewan).
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The two best U Sports offensive linemen in the (2021 CFL) draft by far are the left tackle out of Calgary (Logan Bandy) and the Montreal guard (Pier-Olivier Lestage). There are some other good ones but there’s a pretty big drop off after those two.
