Insider Talk: CFL Draft reaction, Edmonton’s finances, XFL chatter

Courtesy Alberta Golden Bears

Insider Talk is back following a one-week hiatus due to the 2021 CFL Draft.

This exclusive weekly feature on 3DownNation includes anonymous quotes from people around the CFL — players, coaches, personnel experts, and agents — regarding the latest news around the league. It’s a combination of insight, analysis, rumours, and friendly gossip.

Enjoy this week’s quotes and come back next Wednesday for another edition of Insider Talk.

***

Edmonton can say all they want about coveting (No. 5 overall 2021 CFL Draft selection) Cole Nelson, but the reality is they could have easily taken him in the fourth round. He could be a good player for them, but that’s still a blatant mismanagement of draft capital.

***

(No. 1 overall 2021 CFL Draft pick) Jake Burt is very talented and versatile. There’s no way he runs 4.4 or 4.5 like some people are saying — if so, he’d still be in the NFL. He runs about 4.75, which is still fast enough to produce if you stick him at slotback. He’s no slower than Andy Fantuz, Brad Sinopoli or Drew Wolitarsky.

***

I can’t believe Ottawa and B.C. both passed on (University of Virginia receiver) Terrell Jana twice. He fits Ottawa’s biggest need and he was born in Burnaby.

***

I saw that article on your site saying that Edmonton has something like $15 million they didn’t touch during the pandemic. Isn’t it interesting that we supposedly need the XFL to survive, yet that’s how much The Rock paid to buy that entire league?

***

I was more than happy to take a future in the first round because it saves us a roster spot. I like the Canadians we have now and if camp is shortened or the preseason is cancelled, it’s better to ride with veterans anyway. I’m glad we stocked the cupboard for 2022 and beyond.

***

I was very angry when Edmonton selected Cole Nelson in the first round. It wasn’t because we wanted him — we wouldn’t have taken him until the sixth round — but because it meant a player who was deserving of being a first-round pick didn’t get that recognition.

***

The irony in Montreal is, frankly, hilarious. The personnel department scoops up all these French-Canadians in free agency and the draft to appeal to the local market, yet their owner wants to merge with the XFL and dress a bunch of random NFL cast-offs that nobody has ever heard of. Figure that one out.

***

(2021 second-round pick) Alonzo Addae is going to be the best Canadian defensive back in the CFL when he comes up here. He’s like (Hamilton Tiger-Cats safety) Tunde Adeleke but with better ball skills.

***

I’m not surprised that Hamilton passed on Terrell Jana at No. 1. I wouldn’t have taken him there either. He’s simply not athletic enough to merit that selection.

John Hodge is a Canadian football reporter based in Winnipeg.