Insider Talk: Edmonton’s cap, Ottawa’s stasis & the best free agent signing

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

This week’s Insider Talk has returned to Wednesday after last week’s edition was bumped by a day for free agency.

This weekly feature on 3DownNation includes anonymous quotes from people around the CFL 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 didn’t spend very much in free agency, but why would we? Nobody knows when the season will start. If it starts after Labour Day, I want us to have enough cap space to add a guy or two who gets cut by the NFL.

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The best free agent signing was Evan Johnson to Saskatchewan. He fills their need (along the offensive line) and is from there, so he’ll probably never leave.

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(Canadian linebacker/defensive back) Chris Ackie is a great fit with the Alouettes. Barron Miles is going to do some really exciting stuff as the defensive coordinator in Montreal. I think he’ll play a lot of man (coverage) and really use guys like Ackie in lots of creative ways.

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It seems like every guy Edmonton re-signed except for Vontae Diggs got over $100,000. Updating my cap sheet for them is interesting. The math is ugly.

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(Ottawa Redblacks’ general manager) Marcel Desjardins has basically brought back the same roster he had last season. He blamed their record (3-15) on the coaches. If they’re good this year, he’ll be proven right. If they’re bad again, I guess it was his players after all.

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With (Shane) Bergman retiring, I don’t think Calgary has a choice — they need to take an o-lineman with their first pick (in the 2021 CFL draft). Fortunately for them, that local kid (left tackle Logan Bandy) is good.

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The Riders are acting like they couldn’t wait on Judge. (GM Jeremy) O’Day made a mistake by offering a massive pay cut off the top and swearing they had no money to spend.

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Of course you can build parts of your team through free agency. How did Winnipeg build their offensive line? How did Winnipeg make up their defence? That’s not a hard one to figure out.

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(Edmonton slotback) Greg Ellingson is still a top-five receiver in the CFL. I know that he’s getting a bit old, but the proof is in the pudding. He catches everything, he gets open, and he puts up 1,000 yards every year.