Football (US/Canada)
Changes to the upcoming season resulting from COVID-19 will have the largest impacts on 2020 CFL Draft prospects, who face insecurity after college.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Wednesday that non-essential travel between the United States and Canada will be halted to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the news may affect the 2020 CFL season, which is set to begin in under 100 days. New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and the CFL The new widespread travel […]
If not for a Grey Cup title sandwiched in between, the Toronto Argonauts last half-decade would have been disastrous. The Argos followed up their 27-24 triumph over the Calgary Stampeders in the 2017 Grey Cup with back-to-back 4-14 seasons, calling for a shakeup. Toronto Argonauts Busy Off-season Toronto’s first move was hiring Stamps’ quarterback coach […]
If you follow my CFL writing, you know I’m not afraid of suggesting as well as placing a gambling wager or two. Well, technically 439 wagers over the past three regular seasons. Gambling lesson number one: you have to spend money to make money. The proof is in the pudding for me; I’ve hit at […]
With the 2010s ending and a new decade beginning, I’m ranking the top CFL quarterbacks from the past 10 seasons of Canadian football. The Cream of the Crop 1. Bo Levi Mitchell Mitchell became the starter for the Calgary Stampeders in 2014 and led them to two Grey Cup titles. Each Grey Cup win he […]
The Saskatchewan Roughriders surprised many fans when they were able to hire Jason Maas. While his tenure as a head coach in Edmonton left much to be desired, his qualities of a coordinator were coveted by many. Many thought a reunion with Mike Reilly was in store in BC. However, Cody Fajardo will be the […]
In American sports, big threes are a common trait of a winning organization. To win, you need three players who together shape a team’s dominance and eventual playoff success. With just over 100 days until the kickoff of the 2020 CFL season, a big three of players isn’t forming within a team, but a big […]
Reigning CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Willie Jefferson is staying in Winnipeg. According to TSN’s Farhan Lalji, Jefferson took less money to re-sign with the Blue Bombers instead of Toronto’s offer of reportedly over $280,000 per season. TSN’s Dave Naylor added that Jefferson’s deal is for two years. Jefferson made 24 tackles and a career-high […]
Eight Winnipeg Blue Bombers are set to test the market as free agents tomorrow. Winnipeg has the fewest pending free agents, but have already lost and could lose more key players. Willie Jefferson is the biggest in-house name on Winnipeg’s to-do list, and arguably the biggest name on the entire league’s radar. Even if Jefferson […]
It’s amazing how fast things change in one year. In 2019, the Saskatchewan Roughriders free agency period was blanketed with a cloud of uncertainty. Chris Jones, the VP of Football Operations, Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator headed south to Cleveland for an opportunity in the NFL. Both of the Riders quarterbacks were free agents leaving […]
While awaiting the pre-game ceremony at the Dallas Stars–Winnipeg Jets game last December, I grinned knowing I had insider knowledge few others had: Chris Streveler would not be walking onto the ice in a fur coat. Streveler, along with Winnipeg Blue Bombers teammates Andrew Harris and Nic Demski were in the building for a celebratory […]
Matt Nichols entered the fateful 2019 season as the unquestioned leader of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He had 43 touchdown passes during the 2017 and 2018 seasons and threw for nearly 4,500 yards in 2017 with a 71 per cent completion percentage. He has proven that he is a capable CFL starter, but with the […]
Now that Matt Nichols is no longer a Winnipeg Blue Bomber, there are some distasteful, faulty narratives spreading about his four-and-a-half seasons in Winnipeg. When Winnipeg announced the re-signing of Zach Collaros, the writing was on the wall for Nichols. The team couldn’t afford both, and frankly, Winnipeg’s decision makes sense. While Collaros’ head injuries […]
Over 200 CFL players are set to hit the market and become free agents on February 11, meaning they’ll be new faces everywhere from B.C. to Ottawa. Last season Mike Reilly, Trevor Harris, Willie Jefferson, and Greg Ellingson were the biggest fish to move cities. But diamonds in the rough such as Cody Fajardo, Dylan […]
It’s been a month since the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hung up both their cleats and partying shoes, and free agency is now in sight with a massive uncertainty: who will quarterback the Bombers in 2020? Zach Collaros, Matt Nichols, and Chris Streveler all contributed under centre during the Bombers’ championship campaign last year. All three are […]
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Following up an icon on a sports team is no easy task. In the case of Edmonton starting pivot Trevor Harris, he is following up two different signal-callers that have been among the most accomplished in the history of the CFL. But more than just following up on Ricky Ray and Mike Reilly, Harris has […]
It’s been a month since the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hung up both their cleats and partying shoes, and free agency is now in sight with a massive uncertainty: who will quarterback the Bombers in 2020? Zach Collaros, Matt Nichols, and Chris Streveler all contributed under centre during the Bombers’ championship campaign last year. All three are […]
Last week, the Edmonton Eskimos looked like the team that started the season 6-2. Trevor Harris balled out, slinging the ball all over the field as he completed 36 of 39 passes for 421 yards in a game that set the record for most accurate playoff performance (92.3%). C.J. Gable didn’t have eye-popping numbers but […]
The Edmonton Eskimos started out the season hot at 6-2 but sputtered to an 8-10 finish. Still, it was good enough to get them to the playoffs after a one-year absence in 2018. They will go across the continent this weekend to face off against the Montreal Alouettes, who finished 10-8 and second in the […]
For B.C. Lions fans, 2011 was a year for the ages. Travis Lulay was emerging as a CFL star, BC Place was recently remodeled and the on-field product the organization presented was not only one of the most thrilling CFL teams in league history but a team that brought the Grey Cup back to Canada’s […]
That was quick. A little over nine months to be exact. That’s the amount of time that Johnny Manziel graced the CFL with his presence and called Canada his home. A remarkably short tenure by anyone’s definition, but in a lot of ways it felt so much longer than that. There was a lot of […]
Despite two-consecutive playoff appearances, including a home playoff game last season, Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive coordinator Richie Hall has faced heavy criticism for his starting 12-man unit’s play since Hall’s tenure began with Winnipeg three seasons ago. Winnipeg finished with a 12-6 record in 2017 which was good for second in the league but managed […]
The stars appear to be aligning themselves for the CFL to the most exposure it has in years, could 2018 be the biggest CFL season yet? Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has the CFL trending in the right direction and even bigger things are in store for 2018. A perfect mix of controversy and the right teams […]
About Author
Oliver Eastwood
Even though I've never lived in Canada, I've been a fan of the CFL since my grandfather introduced me to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats when I was ten years old. I got my start in CFL writing on my own blog, The End Zone, and now look forward to sharing my thoughts on Last Word on Canadian Football. I also love cycling, retro video gaming and chocolate, and live in Scotland with my family.