This week’s Insider Talk is full of discussion about Calgary’s receivers, the possibility of holding an American draft, and whether the 2021 CFL season will be sloppy football.
Insider Talk 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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We’re going to have sloppy football this year. Too many retirements and no preseason. Shame on the CFL owners for not doing a bubble last year — such a short-sighted move that would have prevented so many retirements. The on-field product is going to be ugly this summer.
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The Riders are in trouble if (Cody) Fajardo gets hurt. Isaac Harker could be good one day, but he’s not ready to be a starter. His delivery is too slow.
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Calgary really needs Josh Huff and Hergy Mayala to produce. That receiving corps is suddenly really thin.
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Terrell Jana was one of the draft’s top three pro-ready players and Ottawa passed on him twice. I bet they wouldn’t have done that if they knew (Brad) Sinopoli was going to retire.
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We should have an annual American draft. Negotiation lists are outdated and only serve teams that don’t want to do all the scouting that an American draft would require. No competent GM would be afraid of drafting Americans into our league.
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I heard the two other teams that were in on (freshly-signed Toronto Argonauts’ receiver) Ricky Collins Jr. were Calgary and Ottawa.
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Brendon LaBatte’s not the league’s best guard anymore, but he’d probably be the league’s best centre if he played there full-time. Saskatchewan will miss him.
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When you run the analytics, there’s very little difference between a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick (in the CFL Draft). You’re getting depth guys and special teamers. That’s why there’s so much pressure in rounds one and two — that’s where you need to find your starters.
