Insider Talk is a bi-weekly staple on 3DownNation that includes anonymous quotes from people around the CFL — players, coaches, personnel people, executives, agents, etc. — 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 suspension of Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive lineman Garrett Marino, the trade of Nick Arbuckle to the Ottawa Redblacks, emerging star receiver Dalton Schoen, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats possibly bouncing back from their 0-4 record.
Enjoy this week’s quotes and come back in two weeks for another edition of Insider Talk.
***
(Riders’ defensive lineman) Garrett Marino is an absolute disgrace to our league. He’s dangerous and his coaches clearly aren’t able to control him. That hit on (Ottawa Redblacks’ quarterback Jeremiah) Masoli is going to cost that team wins, ticket sales, and it’ll probably cost some good coaches their jobs. This is pro football. We can’t have that garbage.
***
Nick Arbuckle can still be a good quarterback in this league, he just has to play within himself and stop acting like he’s got a huge arm. If they build game plans around him and he takes what the defence gives him, he’ll win some games in Ottawa.
***
It’s not uncommon for offensive linemen to dump guys after finishing their blocks. Lots of the all-time greats were known for doing it – Chris Walby, Brendon LaBatte, Bryan Chiu – a bunch of them. It’s unfortunate that (Riders’ defensive lineman Pete) Robertson got hurt and (Redblacks’ offensive lineman Dino) Boyd obviously deserved to be penalized, but it’s not that rare. What (Riders’ defensive lineman Garrett) Marino’s doing out there is completely different. He’s not finishing blocks. He’s obviously trying to take guys out.
***
(Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ rookie receiver) Dalton Schoen is the real deal. He doesn’t give his routes away in his stem and there’s a consistent speed and tempo that he plays at with very little variance. He’s a good player for them.
***
Maybe it’s time the CFLPA stops protecting losers who are out there trying to hurt other players. Prioritize your member whose season just got f***ed over. Forget about the idiot who’s trying to take out guys’ knees.
***
(Montreal Alouettes’ running back) Jeshrun Antwi is the perfect example of why more teams should start Canadian running backs. Is he as good as (William) Stanback? No, but it’s not like that offence has come to a screeching halt. He’s doing the job well.
***
I didn’t think Ottawa needed to make a trade for a quarterback, especially for one (head coach Paul) LaPolice moved on from two years ago. But then again, that team is desperate. They can’t afford to live through growing pains with (Caleb) Evans like they did last year. Those guys are coaching for their jobs.
***
Hamilton is going to win the East Division, especially now that Masoli is out. Those turnover issues won’t last forever and as soon as they’re fixed, that team is going to start stacking wins.
