Insider Talk: Roosevelt’s release, Vaughn’s shoulder, Hamilton’s left tackle

Photo courtesy: Dominick Gravel/Montreal Alouettes

This week’s Insider Talk is full of discussion about Montreal releasing two-time 1,000-yard receiver Naaman Roosevelt, the status of Saskatchewan’s offensive line, and Hamilton needing to replace Ryker Mathews at left tackle.

Insider Talk includes anonymous quotes from people around the CFL — players, coaches, personnel people, executives, 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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(Naaman) Roosevelt was signed after Quan Bray was released. Bray’s back now, he’s making a little less money than Roosevelt, he’s younger than Roosevelt, and he’s signed for longer than Roosevelt. I’m not surprised he got cut.

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What Derek Dennis should have done was report to training camp in Edmonton in phenomenal shape and won a starting job at tackle. It’s a lot easier to renegotiate your contract after you’ve won a job and your team has cut your competition.

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I heard that (recently-retired Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive tackle) Cyrus Kouandjio showed up to training camp at 380 pounds. I’m guessing that’s why he was having knee pain.

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What the hell was Montreal doing drafting Benoit Marion in the third round (in the 2020 CFL Draft) if they weren’t confident he’d make their roster? He didn’t even make it to final cuts. They passed on a lot of good players to take him.

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The Riders can’t afford to lose (left tackle) Terran Vaughn to shoulder surgery. If he’s out, Cody Fajardo is going to be running for his life.

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(CFL commissioner) Randy (Ambrosie)’s been awfully quiet since this XFL business blew over, don’t you think? The league is about to play its first game in forever. Shouldn’t our commissioner be leading the charge?

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I would be surprised if Naaman Roosevelt didn’t end up with the Ottawa Redblacks.

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You media guys haven’t made enough of the Ticats losing Ryker Mathews (to the B.C. Lions in free agency). They have a gaping hole at left tackle.

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