Canadian Football League

Friday, December 09, 2005

Canadian Football League team loading up at the QB position

Former Boise State quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie signed Thursday with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.Dinwiddie, 25, joined the Alouettes' practice roster near the end of the 2005 season. Montreal also signed former Maryland quarterback Scott McBrien on Thursday.Other quarterbacks on the roster are Anthony Calvillo (Utah State), El Roberson (Kansas State) and Ted White (Howard).

Will Flutie return to Canadian Football League?


They first worked together for Donald Trump's New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 1985.
Twelve years later, they were reunited as Toronto Argos for what became a wildly successful championship ride.
Could Doug Flutie and John Jenkins get back together -- this time as quarterback and coach of the Ottawa Renegades -- in 2006?
If Flutie, the 43-year old backup with the New England Patriots, considers returning to Canada to finish his career as more than a clipboard holder, then yes, it is a distinct possibility.
"If Doug Flutie is interested, I think any GM or coach in the CFL would have an interest in him," 'Gades GM Forrest Gregg said yesterday. "If he was interested in coming back to this league, I promise you we would talk."
Jenkins was Toronto's offensive co-ordinator when Flutie ran-and-shot the Argos to a 15-3 season that saw him throw 47 touchdown passes and win the Grey Cup. That 1997 campaign was Flutie's last in the CFL, ending an eight-year run that earned him not just an eventual spot in the league's Hall of Fame but also recognition as one of the greatest QBs Canada has ever seen.
Gregg said he wouldn't be turned off by Flutie's age, and points to a certain 42-year-old most outstanding player in Toronto as reason why.
"Damon (Allen) had a pretty decent year, didn't he?," said Gregg. "I'm 72 and I still put in a good day of work. I feel at 43, (Flutie) can still play some football yet."
But the Renegades remain adamant about signing starting quarterback Kerry Joseph to a long-term deal.
"We're starting new, and we'd like to have a quarterback that's going to be here for two or three years," said Gregg.























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Flutie magic for 'Gades?
By DON BRENNAN -- Ottawa Sun




They first worked together for Donald Trump's New Jersey Generals of the USFL in 1985.
Twelve years later, they were reunited as Toronto Argos for what became a wildly successful championship ride.
Could Doug Flutie and John Jenkins get back together -- this time as quarterback and coach of the Ottawa Renegades -- in 2006?
If Flutie, the 43-year old backup with the New England Patriots, considers returning to Canada to finish his career as more than a clipboard holder, then yes, it is a distinct possibility.
"If Doug Flutie is interested, I think any GM or coach in the CFL would have an interest in him," 'Gades GM Forrest Gregg said yesterday. "If he was interested in coming back to this league, I promise you we would talk."
Jenkins was Toronto's offensive co-ordinator when Flutie ran-and-shot the Argos to a 15-3 season that saw him throw 47 touchdown passes and win the Grey Cup. That 1997 campaign was Flutie's last in the CFL, ending an eight-year run that earned him not just an eventual spot in the league's Hall of Fame but also recognition as one of the greatest QBs Canada has ever seen.
Gregg said he wouldn't be turned off by Flutie's age, and points to a certain 42-year-old most outstanding player in Toronto as reason why.
"Damon (Allen) had a pretty decent year, didn't he?," said Gregg. "I'm 72 and I still put in a good day of work. I feel at 43, (Flutie) can still play some football yet."
But the Renegades remain adamant about signing starting quarterback Kerry Joseph to a long-term deal.
"We're starting new, and we'd like to have a quarterback that's going to be here for two or three years," said Gregg.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Profile of Canadian Football League player

THEN AND NOWInjury cut short Wheaton's career with CowboysBy RICK HERRINStar-Telegram Staff Writer
Kenny Wheaton is gaining a fierce reputation in his attempt to get back to the NFL.
The ex-Cowboys defensive back has become a star for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League and is regarded as one of the league's most punishing hitters.
Wheaton, a third-round pick who played in Dallas from 1997-99, had a knee injury end his stint with the Cowboys and leave his career in limbo. But after a grueling two-year rehabilitation, Wheaton got his career back on track.
Wheaton, 30, just finished his third year in the CFL, shining on defense in a league made for offense. This season he was an East Division All-Star and led all defensive backs in tackles. He helped lead the Argonauts to the Grey Cup Championship in 2004.
What's it like playing in the CFL?
You have to put in a lot of film work. But what I found out is it's still just football. To me it's not farfetched from the NFL, other than the fact the field is wider and you play with an extra guy. It's a very exciting league, and it's a dream for quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs. It's a passing league, and if you call yourself a DB you will be tested.
Who is the most talented CFL player you have played against?
I have truly been surprised by the talent. I would have to say it's [wide receiver] Jason Tucker of Edmonton [formerly with TCU, Cowboys]. He's fast, he is consistent and has great hands and can run all the routes. His speed and consistency are what's scary.
How hard was it dealing with a knee injury that put you out of the NFL so early?
It was tough. ... I had never heard of anyone going in for a scope and not being able to exercise or run for almost two years. I went in to repair meniscus and came out and the doctor told me I had a nickel-size hole in my kneecap.
Do you think you will get another shot in the NFL?
I would love another chance. It's tough to watch because I truly believe, given a chance, I can play this game. If any NFL scout is watching, they will see that I can play. It's something I think about daily. I came out and I expected more out of myself, and I think the Cowboys did. It hurts to see guys you played against still playing [in the NFL] and you're not.
What impact did playing with Deion Sanders have on you?
Deion doesn't get the credit he deserves for how smart he was over the years. He used to watch film and break down what a wide receiver was going to do, and I have taken that from him. I am a student of the game, and I have taken that to the CFL, and it has helped a great deal.
IN THE KNOW
Kenny Wheaton
Position: Safety, cornerback
Career: Cowboys, 1997-99; Detroit Fury (Arena) 2002; Toronto Argonauts, 2003-current.
Highlights: CFL East Division All-Star in 2005. ... At 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, regarded as one of the league's top hitters. ... Set a CFL postseason record with 116-yard interception return in 2004. ... Led CFL defensive backs in tackles in 2005. ... Started in Grey Cup championship victory in 2004 and had seven tackles. ... Played in 15 games with Cowboys in 1998, had one interception and returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown. ... Cowboys' third-round draft pick in 1997.
Age: 30
Occupation: Starting defensive back for Toronto Argonauts.
Residence: Allen
Family: wife Franchell; daughter Kyndall (15 months

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Former Canadian Football League player's son leads team to 3A title

By Ben Reynolds Herald staff writer
TACOMA -- Does the name Sandusky sound familiar?
It should.
Rocki Sandusky, who caught five passes for 58 yards and two scores in Ferndale's 47-12 trouncing of Prosser in the 3A title game, is the son of former Othello High great Jim Sandusky.
Jim earned All-American honors at UNLV and San Diego State and played 14 seasons in the Canadian Football League and won two Grey Cups. He is now the coach at Lummi High, which reached the state semifinals before losing to LaCrosse-Washtucna 66-28.
It was Rocki's catch late in the first half -- a 46-yard strike from UW-bound Jake Locker, that pushed the lead to 20-0 and turned the game into a runaway.
What's for dinner: A can of raw oysters never tasted so good to the LaCrosse-Washtucna seniors.
As is custom after every win -- and it has been a record-tying 48 in row -- the Tigercats seniors downed their final can with Matt Martin slurping down the dregs after a 56-8 victory over Columbia-Hunters in the B-8 title game Friday night.
The title was L-W's fourth in a row and tied coach Jeff Nelson with Touchet High's Wayne Dickey for most B-8 state championships.
"This has been a just a great run," Nelson said.
The last two title games between these two teams have ended in the 45-point mercy rule. Last year, the Tigercats rallied from an early 12-0 deficit to win 60-12.
The closest the streak came to being endangered was earlier this season when they trailed South Wasco County in Maupin, Ore., by three touchdowns early.
But L-W was resilient and managed to pull out a 44-38 victory.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Teams looking to swap Canadian Football League QB's

'Gades not looking to deal KerryOttawa GM would like to keep QB, but will listen to offers
By DON BRENNAN -- Ottawa Sun




WHILE the Renegades are still offering Kerry Joseph a long term deal, they are now also officially open to offers for their No. 1 quarterback.
"I'm not soliciting a trade," GM Forrest Gregg said yesterday, asked about the possibility of dealing the three-year starter, "but if anybody has an interest and they want to call, I'd listen.
"I'd like to have Kerry back, and signed to a new contract. Would we take him back (to play out his option)? That's possible ... a lot of things can happen. But it wouldn't be as good a situation as I'd like. You spend time developing people, putting them in a system and letting them play, and then they're gone.
"I'll listen to offers, but my ambition is to get him signed."
Gregg confirmed he's had preliminary discussions with the Saskatchewan Roughriders that -- according to former GM-turned-Sportsnet football insider Eric Tillman -- have reached the serious stage. While the website report says a proposed deal would see Ottawa trade Joseph for starting Canadian-safety Scott Gordon, either quarterback Nealon Greene or veteran offensive lineman Fred Childress and Saskatchewan's first two picks in the upcoming Canadian college draft, Gregg denied specific players had been mentioned.
"(Team president) Lonie (Glieberman) was approached at Grey Cup by (Saskatchewan GM) Roy Shivers, he and Roy talked about something and he told Roy to call me," said Gregg. "Roy did. We talked, but that's as far as it went.
"(Shivers) was upset that this got out, as I was. We were doing preliminaries."
As reported in the Sun months ago, Joseph is set to earn a base salary of $310,000 in 2006, with bonuses that could push him close to the $400,000 range. That would also make him one of the higher paid quarterbacks in the league, a lofty status considering his modest accomplishments thus far.
Last season, Joseph became just the third quarterback in CFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and throw for 4,000 in the same season. But he also threw 23 interceptions (second most in the league) and just 25 touchdown passes, while posting an 86.7 efficiency rating -- fourth lowest in the league.
While Greene is just 29, a great running quarterback and has experience with new Ottawa coach John Jenkins' offence (in Toronto), he lost his starting job with the Roughriders last season to Marcus Crandell.
Should he be traded to the Renegades, it's believed they'd want to bring in another, higher level QB to compete with him and Brad Banks for the starter's job.
Gordon, who grew up in Ottawa, would give the Renegades an upgrade at the safety position, currently held by import Quincy Coleman. Childress, who is considered a physical player, started his CFL career in Shreveport under Gregg.
NFL OPTIONS
Trading Joseph likely wouldn't be the preference of Jenkins, who feels the 32-year old can be a star with some technique adjustments. There's speculation Joseph wants to explore any NFL options, however, which is why he hasn't yet opted for the security Ottawa is offering.
Interestingly, a younger (25) Renegade with more realistic chances of playing down south is linebacker Kyries Hebert, and it's believed he is close to signing a four or five-year contract with Ottawa.
"My No. 1 priority is to get the quarterback issue settled," said Gregg. "Just so we know what we have to work with."
Meanwhile, Gregg confirmed the Tillman report by saying the Renegades have "an interest" in signing 76-year-old Rod Rust to join their coaching staff, presumably as defensive co-ordinator. Rust was the Blue Bombers' defensive co-ordinator last season before having to leave the team for personal matters. In his 44 years of coaching, Rust has been defensive co-ordinator for five NFL teams as well as the head coach of the New England Patriots. He also has plenty of CFL experience, including a stint (2001) as coach of the Montreal Alouettes


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