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 regarding the firing of Ottawa Redblacks’ general manager Marcel Desjardins, Nick Arbuckle’s trade to the Edmonton Elks, and Mike O’Shea being a “generational coaching talent.”
Enjoy this week’s quotes and come back next Wednesday for another edition of Insider Talk.
***
Wally Buono was really good at recognizing when a player’s best years were behind them and cutting them the moment they started to decline. He didn’t pay players based on what they had done for him previously. That’s what killed Marcel (Desjardins) in Ottawa. They’re paying their old guard too much when a lot of them simply aren’t the players they used to be.
***
The impression I got out of Toronto is they just felt Nick Arbuckle turned the ball over too much. In fairness to McLeod Bethel-Thompson, he’s been better at protecting the football outside of that Montreal game.
***
Marcel Desjardins made some bad moves, sure, but I’ll say this: he was a man of his word. When he said something, you could take it to the bank. Not all GMs are like that.
***
Mike O’Shea is a generational coaching talent. He knows how to lead men and people respect him. That’s what matters in a football coach. He’ll be remembered as one of the best all-time one day.
***
Do you think the Ticats regret taking Jake Burt first overall when Kian Schaffer-Baker, who played an hour north of them for years, is lighting it up in Saskatchewan?
***
(Edmonton Elks’ receiver) Derel Walker has got a ton of talent but his body language has been terrible for weeks now. He’s not blocking for his teammates. He looks disinterested. I don’t think he’s a tradeable asset because of that.
***
I think Ottawa will replace Desjardins with someone who has familiarity with (head coach Paul) LaPolice from Winnipeg — likely Danny McManus or Ted Goveia. Both would be good hires.
***
(Calgary Stampeders’ receiver Hergy) Mayala just doesn’t run well enough. He can separate initially but can’t maintain it as his route progresses. They’re doing him no favours playing him at Z (field-side wide receiver) either. He needs the waggle.
***
Did you see (Ottawa Redblacks’ quarterback Devlin) ‘Duck’ Hodges get chased down by Ja’Gared Davis at the end of that game? Either that guy hasn’t conditioned properly or he’s nowhere near as fast as I thought he was.