Insider Talk: Canadian coaches, draft steals, CFL start date

This week’s Insider Talk is full of discussion about the future of Canadian coaches, the CFL’s projected August 5 start date, and the aftermath of 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.

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Everyone’s talking about Canadian players getting pushed out if we merge with the XFL. What about us coaches and personnel guys? You think a team in Houston or Tampa Bay is going to hire a Canadian head coach or general manager? Never. They’ll hire their own and a lot of Canadian teams will follow suit if we’re playing four-down ball.

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There are a ton of plug-and-play American offensive linemen on the market right now with no AAF or XFL to compete with. Teams who didn’t take an offensive lineman (in the 2021 CFL Draft) can change their ratio pretty easily.

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I know (Deshawn) Stevens just got offered by Texas State, but if he signs with the Redblacks this year then he’s a big steal. He’s better than any of the ‘now’ players in this year’s draft.

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If it was just us in our province, I’d say I’m 100 percent confident in that (start date on August 5). But on a national level? I don’t know. We’re the last to be told anything anyway.

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I think (Saskatchewan Roughriders’ second-round draft pick) Terrell Jana will be a 1,000-yard receiver in the CFL. He’s really special.

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The tricky part about drafting a Canadian safety is they’re going to need to tell four American defensive backs what to do. That’s not easy. Talent is still key, obviously, but I also want to see someone who is smart, confident, and won’t shy away from holding veterans accountable.

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I know (B.C. Lions’ draft pick) Alaric Jackson’s pro day was pretty mediocre by NCAA standards but he’ll still have a long career in the NFL. I’m not sure we’ll ever see him in Canada.

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I think the sky’s the limit for (Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ draft pick) Deane Leonard. He’s six-foot-two, runs well, and is playing in the SEC. Sure, he’s still got lots to learn, but I could easily see him making the NFL.

John Hodge
John Hodge is a Canadian football reporter based in Winnipeg.