Canadian Football League

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Former Canadian Football League player passes away

Rick Gilliam, a former offensive lineman at West Virginia University, died Wednesday at his home. He was 29.
Gilliam worked as a security officer for the Cumberland County government, which is based in Carlisle.
Gilliam won the state championship in wrestling in 1996 while a student at Big Spring High School in Newville.
He was "a giant teddy bear," his mother-in-law, Gretchen Naugle, said Friday. "He was pleasant to everybody - got along, very friendly. Just a gentle giant, a great son-in-law, and the love of my daughter's life."
Gilliam died suddenly and cardiac arrest was suspected, Naugle said. An autopsy on Friday may help determine the cause, she said.
Cumberland County deputy coroner Todd Eckenrode confirmed the death but said no other information was being released from his office.
West Virginia defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich recruited Gilliam, who lettered for the Mountaineers from 1997 to 2000.
"He was a tough, tough guy, but he was as nice a guy as comes down the pike," Kirelawich said.
Gilliam started 11 games at right guard in 1999 and 12 at center in 2000.
"I was there a long time and I had a million kids come and go, but Rick Gilliam stuck out," former WVU coach Don Nehlen told The Dominion Post in Morgantown, W.Va. "Maybe I had better players, I don't know, but as far as a guy everyone loved and respected, Rick Gilliam was up there with the best of them."
After college, Gilliam had brief stints with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League and the Indiana Firebirds of the Arena Football League, Naugle said.
Gilliam is survived by his wife, Kendra, their 9-month daughter, Mya, his parents and a sister.

Eskimos ink Canadian Football League all-star

The Edmonton Eskimos inked free agent defensive back Omarr Morgan on Saturday.
Terms of the deal with the three-time CFL all-star were not disclosed.
"We are excited to get one of the premier corners in the CFL," said Eskimo defensive co-ordinator Rick Campbell in a statement. "Omarr will be a big addition towards building a successful team in 2007."
Morgan has spent his entire seven-year CFL career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and is considered one of the best defensive players in the league.
Morgan recorded 52 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles and six knockdowns in 17 games for the Roughriders last season.
The Eskimos also announced the signing of defensive back Stanford Samuels on Saturday. In 29 games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over the last two seasons, Samuels had 89 defensive tackles, one quarterback sack and two forced fumbles.

Friday, February 16, 2007

First day in The Canadian Football League free agent sweepstakes has Calgary sign Ryan Thelwell

The Calgary Stampeders hit the ground running Friday as the CFL's free-agent shopping period began, signing receiver Ryan Thelwell and acquiring offensive lineman Garrick Jones and a first-round pick from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Stamps also hired Chuck McMann as receivers coach and Kris Sweet as offensive line coach while the Bombers re-signed defensive halfback Anthony Malbrough. Elsewhere, the Toronto Argonauts signed former NFL receivers Eugene Baker and Todd Devoe while Montreal Alouettes running back Eric Lapointe announced his retirement after eight CFL seasons.
Thelwell signed with the Stampeders after spending the first six years of his CFL career with the B.C. Lions.
"I'm very excited to sign with Calgary, to be joining a great organization and a chance to play with an outstanding team," said Thelwell. "I look forward to heading east as Calgary is such a beautiful city with tremendous fans."
Thelwell, a 33-year-old from London, Ont., was one of the biggest names on the free agent market. He made 53 catches for 625 yards last season as the B.C. Lions won the Grey Cup.
A two-time all-star, his best season came in 2005 when he set career highs with 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and seven touchdowns.
He became expendable in B.C., with the Lions looking to get younger in their receiving corps.
His signing came moments before the club announced its acquisition of Jones plus first-and fifth-round picks from the Blue Bombers for offensive lineman Alexandre Gauthier and a third-round pick.
Jones spent three seasons with the NFL's Houston Texans before joining the Bombers last Sept. 11.
"Any time you can acquire the third overall pick it helps to bolster your Canadian talent pool," said Stampeders general manager Jim Barker. "Garrick Jones has shown the ability to be a dominating left tackle in this league."
The Stamps also rounded out their coaching staff with McMann, who spent the past six years as head coach of the McGill Redmen, and Sweet, who spent the last season as an offensive line coach with the University of Columbus.
Malbrough led or tied for the lead among Winnipeg defenders in several categories this past season, including fumble recoveries (three) and pass knockdowns (six).
He also made 40 defensive tackles and one sack.
"Anthony Malbrough played a key role in our football club's defensive turnaround this past season," said Bombers GM Brendan Taman. "He is an experienced, poised veteran who makes big plays and has a calming influence on the entire defensive unit."
The Argos deepened their receiving corps with Baker and Devoe.
Baker spent last season with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury. He has also played with the Carolina Panthers and NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder.
Devoe spent the past two seasons with the Denver Broncos, seeing limited action. His first catch in 2005 was a 44-yard touchdown. He also spent time with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe.

B.C. Lions 2007 Canadian Football League schedule

PRE SEASON Friday, June 15 vs. Saskatchewan 7:30pm Thursday, June 21 @ Edmonton 6:00pm REGULAR SEASON Thursday, June 28 @ Toronto 3:30pm FRIDAY, JULY 6 vs. EDMONTON 7:30pm Friday, July 13 @ Saskatchewan 7:00pm THURSDAY, JULY 19 vs. HAMILTON 7:30pm Saturday, July 28 @ Calgary 4:00pm THURSDAY, AUGUST 2 vs. SASKATCHEWAN 7:30pm FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 vs. WINNIPEG 7:30pm Friday, August 17 @ Calgary 7:00pm FRIDAY, AUGUST 31 vs. MONTREAL 7:30pm Sunday, September 9 @ MONTREAL 10:00am SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 vs. TORONTO 7:00pm Saturday, September 22 @ Saskatchewan 4:00pm SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 vs. CALGARY 7:00pm Friday, October 5 @ Winnipeg 5:00pm Saturday, October 13 @ Edmonton 12:00pm SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 vs. EDMONTON 7:00pm Friday, October 26 @ Hamilton 3:30pm SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 vs. CALGARY 7:00pm

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2007 Canadian Football League schedule

2007 WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS SCHEDULE
WEEK
DATE
TEAM
WPG TIME




PRE-SEASON







PA
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
HAMILTON VS WINNIPEG
7:00 P.M.
PB
Friday, June 22
Winnipeg @ Hamilton
6:00 p.m.




REGULAR SEASON







1
Thursday, June 28
Winnipeg @ Edmonton
8:30 p.m.
2
THURSDAY, JULY 5
MONTREAL VS WINNIPEG
7:00 P.M.
3
FRIDAY, JULY 13
EDMONTON VS WINNIPEG
6:00 P.M.
4
Thursday, July 19
Winnipeg @ Montreal
6:30 p.m.
5
FRIDAY, July 27
HAMILTON VS WINNIPEG
7:00 P.M.
6
Friday, Aug. 3
Winnipeg @ Hamilton
6:30 p.m.
7
Friday, Aug. 10
Winnipeg @ B.C.
9:30 p.m.
8
BYE WEEK


9
FRIDAY, AUG. 24
TORONTO VS WINNIPEG
7:00 P.M.
10
Sunday, Sept. 2
Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan
3:00 p.m.
11
SUNDAY, SEPT. 9
SASKATCHEWAN VS WINNIPEG
3:00 P.M.
12
Saturday, Sept. 15
Winnipeg @ Hamilton
6:00 p.m.
13
Sunday, Sept. 23
Winnipeg @ Toronto
3:00 p.m.
14
SATURDAY, SEPT. 29
HAMILTON VS WINNIPEG
6:00 P.M.
15
FRIDAY, OCT. 5
B.C. VS WINNIPEG
7:00 P.M.
16
Sunday, Oct. 14
Winnipeg @ Calgary
3:00 p.m.
17
FRIDAY, OCT. 19
CALGARY VS WINNIPEG
7:00 P.M.
18
Saturday, Oct. 27
Winnipeg @ Toronto
2:00 p.m.
19
FRIDAY, NOV. 2
MONTREAL VS WINNIPEG
7:00 P.M.

2007 Canadian Football League schedule for Hamilton

Pre-Season
Thursday, June 14 at Winnipeg – 8:00pmFriday, June 22 vs. Winnipeg – 7:00pmRegular Season
Saturday, June 30 at Calgary – 10:00pmSaturday, July 7 vs. Toronto – 7:00pmSaturday, July 14 vs. Montreal – 7:00pmThursday, July 19 at B.C. – 10:30pmFriday, July 27 at Winnipeg – 8:00pmFriday, August 3 vs. Winnipeg – 7:30pmSaturday, August 11 at Edmonton – 9:30pmSaturday, August 25 at Montreal – 7:00pmMonday, September 3 vs. Toronto – 1:00pmSaturday, September 8 at Toronto – 3:00pmSaturday, September 15 vs. Winnipeg – 7:00pmFriday, September 21 vs. Calgary – 7:30pmSaturday, September 29 at Winnipeg – 7:00pmMonday, October 8 at Montreal – 1:00pmSunday, October 14 vs. Saskatchewan – 1:00pmSunday, October 21 at Saskatchewan – 6:00pmFriday, October 26 vs. B.C. – 6:30pmSaturday, November 3 vs. Edmonton – 7:00pm

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Sakatchewan 2007 Canadian Football League schedule

2007 SCHEDULE
(Sask. time)
DATE GAME TIME TV
PRE-SEASON
Friday, June 15 Saskatchewan @ B.C. 8:30 PM
Friday, June 22 Calgary @ Saskatchewan 7:00 PM
REGULAR SEASON
Friday, June 29 Saskatchewan @ Montreal 5:30 PM
Sunday, July 8 Calgary @ Saskatchewan 5:00 PM
Friday, July 13 B.C. @ Saskatchewan 8:00 PM
Friday, July 20 Saskatchewan @ Edmonton 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 28 Edmonton @ Saskatchewan 1:30 PM
Thursday, August 2 Saskatchewan @ B.C. 8:30 PM
Friday, August 10 Saskatchewan @ Toronto 5:30 PM
Saturday, August 18 Edmonton @ Saskatchewan 8:00 PM
Sunday, September 2 Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan 2:00 PM
Sunday, September 9 Saskatchewan @ Winnipeg 2:00 PM
Saturday, September 15 Saskatchewan @ Calgary 2:00 PM
Saturday, September 22 B.C. @ Saskatchewan 5:00 PM
Saturday, September 29 Montreal @ Saskatchewan 2:00 PM
Monday, October 8 Saskatchewan @ Calgary 2:00 PM
Sunday, October 14 Saskatchewan @ Hamilton 11:00 AM
Sunday, October 21 Hamilton @ Saskatchewan 4:00 PM
Friday, October 26 Saskatchewan @ Edmonton 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 3 Toronto @ Saskatchewan 2:00 PM

2007 Canadian Football League schedule for Calgary

PRE-SEASON Friday, June 15 Edmonton @ Calgary 7:30 PMFriday, June 22 Calgary @ Saskatchewan 7:00 PMREGULAR SEASON Saturday, June 30 Hamilton @ Calgary 8:00 PMSunday, July 8 Calgary @ Saskatchewan 5:00 PMThursday, July 12 Calgary @ Toronto 5:00 PMSaturday, July 21 Toronto @ Calgary 5:00 PM Saturday, July 28 B.C. @ Calgary 5:00 PMSaturday, August 4 Calgary @ Edmonton 5:00 PMThursday, August 9 Calgary @ Montreal 5:30 PMFriday, August 17 B.C. @ Calgary 8:00 PMBYE WEEKMonday, September 3 Edmonton @ Calgary 2:00 PMFriday, September 7 Calgary @ Edmonton 7:00 PMSaturday, September 15 Saskatchewan @ Calgary 2:00 PMFriday, September 21 Calgary @ Hamilton 5:30 PMSaturday, September 29 Calgary @ B.C. 8:00 PMMonday, October 8 Saskatchewan @ Calgary 2:00 PMSunday, October 14 Winnipeg @ Calgary 2:00 PMFriday, October 19 Calgary @ Winnipeg 6:00 PMSaturday, October 27 Montreal @ Calgary 5:00 PMSaturday, November 3 Calgary @ B.C. 8:00 PM

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

2006 Canadian Football League Players Association All-Star Team

2006 CFLPA All-Star team.
OFFENCE
POS
PLAYER
TEAM
#
YEARS
QB
HENRY BURRIS
CGY STAMPEDERS
1ST
2006
TACKLE
GENE MAKOWSKY
SSK ROUGHRIDERS
2ND
2006, ‘05
TACKLE
BERNARD WILLIAMS
TOR ARGONAUTS
1ST
2006
GUARD
DAN COMISKEY
EDM ESKIMOS
4TH
2006, ’05, ’04, ‘03
GUARD
SCOTT FLORY
MTL ALOUETTES
2ND
2006, 05
CENTRE
BRYAN CHIU
MTL ALOUETTES
5TH
2006, ’05, ’03, ’02, ‘01
RB
JOFFREY REYNOLDS
CGY STAMPEDERS
1ST
2006
FB
CHRIS SZARKA
SSK ROUGHRIDERS
2ND
2006, ‘05
SB
GEROY SIMON
B.C. LIONS
3RD
2006, ’04, ‘03
SB
MILTON STEGALL
WPG BLUE BOMBERS
7TH
’06,05,02,01,00,99, 97
REC
ARLAND BRUCE
TOR ARGONAUTS
3RD
2006, ’05, ‘02
REC
KERRY WATKINS
MTL ALOUETTES
2ND
2006, ‘05


WEST
6



EAST
6

DEFENCE
POS
PLAYER
TEAM
#
YEARS
DE
BRENT JOHNSON
BC LIONS
2ND
2006, ‘05
DE
FRED PERRY
SSK ROUGHRIDERS
1ST
2006
DT
DOUG BROWN
WPG BLUE BOMBERS
1ST
2006
DT
TYRONE WILLIAMS
BC LIONS
1ST
2006
LB
BARRIN SIMPSON
WPG BLUE BOMBERS>
5TH
2006, ’05, ’04, ’03, ‘02
LB
OTIS FLOYD JR.
BC LIONS
1ST
2006
LB
BRIAN CLARK
CGY STAMPEDERS
1ST
2006
S
BARRON MILES
BC LIONS
5TH
2006, ’03, ’02, ’00, ‘99
CB
TAY CODY
HAM TIGERCATS
1ST
2006
CB
OMARR MORGAN
SSK ROUGHRIDERS
6TH
’06,05,04,03,02,01
HB
KOREY BANKS
BC LIONS
2ND
2006, ’05
HB
EDDIE DAVIS
SSK ROUGHRIDERS
3RD
2006, ’05, ‘03


WEST
9



EAST
3

SPECIAL TEAMS
POS
PLAYER
TEAM
#
YEARS
PK
SANDRO DEANGELIS
CGY STAMPEDERS
1ST
2006
P
DAMON DUVAL
MTL ALOUETTES
2ND
2006, ‘05
ST
SANDRO DEANGELIS
CGY STAMPEDERS
1ST
2006


WEST
2



EAST
1

HEAD COACH
POS
PLAYER
TEAM
#
YEARS
HC
WALLY BUONO
BC LIONS
1ST
2006


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