The Canadian Football League’s off-season is like a Joe Kapp right cross – unexpected and dramatic, while packing enough punch to knock a veteran to the floor.
The next few months should be filled with staggering developments as all eight teams start juggling their rosters and running coaches out of town. The ultimate goal is to rebuild and make a run at the 100th Grey Cup next November in Toronto. Hamilton head coach Marcel Bellefeuille has already been sent packing, Winnipeg offensive co-ordinator Jamie Berresi has been booted, Calgary defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones has bolted for Toronto and Montreal offensive co-ordinator Scott Milanovich has reunited with Argos GM Jim Barker. Consider the many other possibilities:
Buono steps aside: Newly crowned Grey Cup champ Wally Buono, who earned his fifth ring as a coach in Sunday’s win over Winnipeg, has likely coached his last game.
At 61, Buono appears ready to hand the Lions’ reins to a successor (possibly defensive co-ordinator Mike Benevides) and watch from the press box. Buono’s three-year contract expires in 2013, and when he signed the current deal he made it clear that he would not necessarily perform both roles before the contract expired.
Bombers look to strike first with Pierce: Winnipeg Blue Bombers GM Joe Mack will have his hands full this off-season with about a dozen unsigned free agents, including D-lineman Doug Brown who is expected to retire.
On top of Mack’s list is quarterback Buck Pierce, who proved his mettle by avoiding injuries to get his club to the Grey Cup game. Mack also has to be concerned with fielding a team that can fill the new 33,000-seat Winnipeg Stadium that opens in 2012.
Riders’ top coaching choice already spoken for: Kent Austin tops the Christmas Wish List of most Saskatchewan Roughriders fans, but he’s unlikely to accept the head coaching job in Regina.
Now head coach at Cornell University, Austin won a Grey Cup with the Riders in 2007 but finds himself a candidate for a head job with a top college and eventually the NFL. Having Austin return to Regina is a romantic notion for the Riders faithful, but he’s a longshot to return. GM Brendan Taman is more likely to offer the job to Calgary OC Dave Dickenson, but is Dickenson keen on the Queen City?
Scott jumps to Argos’ ship: Has Scott Milanovich lost his mind? Yes, the Montreal Alouettes 2011 offensive coordinator, who took over Toronto’s head coaching position Thursday, is old pals with Argos GM Jim Barker. But Toronto? Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse with one stroke of a pen. Making matters worse, Barker has already re-signed QB Steven Jyles, who can’t possibly be the starting quarterback next season.
Burris has suitors in Southern Ontario: Henry Burris, the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2010, could have options when it comes to finding a new team next season.
The obvious choice is Toronto, which needs a veteran quarterback like Angelo Mosca needs a good corner man. But Hamilton might also be in the market for a top pivot. Starter Kevin Glenn has been a disappointment in his three seasons in black and gold, even though he guided his team past Montreal in the East semifinal.
