Insider Talk is a weekly feature on 3DownNation that features 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.
This week’s Insider Talk is full of discussion on player vaccinations, Edmonton and Toronto’s rescheduled game, Ottawa’s quarterback situation, and former Riders’ strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief signing in Edmonton.
Enjoy this week’s quotes and come back next Wednesday for another edition of Insider Talk.
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The CBA is up at the end of this season and I suspect the league will try to mandate player vaccinations as part of the new agreement. I don’t think the players’ association wants that, but they’re already facing an uphill battle coming out of the pandemic. Are vaccines the hill they really want to die on?
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Toronto got really lucky. They had a positive COVID case right after their game against Edmonton was postponed. The interruption quashed the story and may have even helped prevent spread on their team.
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Ottawa should trade for Jeremiah Masoli. I doubt Hamilton does it, but you never know. They’re going to lose him or Evans for free after the season anyway.
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There have absolutely been players released due at least in part to their unwillingness to get vaccinated. With that said, it’s pretty much impossible to prove that someone got cut because they’re not vaccinated. Teams can always chalk it up to something else.
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The Riders were in on (strong-side linebacker) Derrick Moncrief (who was recently released by the Los Angeles Rams). They just got outbid by Edmonton.
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Of course Edmonton and Toronto voted in favour of this ridiculous new schedule. Neither team was at 85 percent vaccination. They want to get paid.
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That American guard Hamilton is playing (John Yarbrough) is no better than the Canadians they have at that spot. I have no idea what they’re doing there.
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Dexter McCoil was a super underrated signing for Toronto. There are very few players with his combination of size and athleticism in the CFL.
