The pieces are all in place for the expansion Ottawa football franchise– version No. 3 and still to be named –to at least have a chance to be competitive when it hits the field in 2013.
The Canadian Football League board of governors announced Jan. 19 a template by which the Ottawa Whatevers shouldn’t become the free space on the bingo card for other teams.
You’ll recall the last version of the Ottawa team, called the Renegades because they wanted to re-brand it with a bold, new name, debuted in 2002. General manager Eric Tillman was essentially given the dregs of other teams thanks to an expansion draft which did little to help build a competitive team, while head coach Joe Paopao had to find ways to turn these rejects into respectable players.
It wasn’t easy.
Moreover, the Renegades’ owners were not told that the so-called salary cap was nothing more than a phantom notion, which only made it more difficult for the football operations to compete financially. Eventually, the owners sold the franchise and later successfully sued the CFL for misrepresenting the salary cap.
Just four years after they began, the Renegades were history.
Under the new system, the Ottawa team will be able to select two quarterbacks, eight import players and 16 non-imports and will pick first in every round of the Canadian draft. It will also have a chance to build up a roster of four Canadian underclassmen from U.S. colleges in the 2012 Canadian draft.
Given that each team will only be allowed to protect one pivot compared to two the last time the Ottawa team was re-born, it should make a huge difference.
The Ottawa team will either get a chance at an up-and-coming quarterback or a veteran who might be high-priced, or past his prime. Either way, a creative general manager will know how to use the system to his advantage with trades. It’s a ways off, but we’re guessing the GM at the time will be Ottawa-based Dan Rambo and the head coach will be Danny Maciocia.
But we digress.
Each team will only be allowed to protect 10 of 19 imports in the first round and only six of 20 players in the first round of the non-import draft. In the second round, the existing teams can protect an additional six players. Given that teams must field a minimum of seven Canadian starters, by default the Ottawa team should get a starter from each of the other teams’ rosters in the first round.
The expansion team can also select a kicker or punter, but if it’s a Canadian it has to do in the first round.
What this all means is that the current CFL owners realize that saddling a start-up Ottawa team with a bunch of discarded players won’t help sell the franchise to the fans. Quarterbacks, Canadians and kickers (both of the field-goal variety or punters) are the key building blocks for success and the CFL has addressed this.
"I believe this approach reflects a league-wide awareness that this time it's imperative for Ottawa to be competitive from day one," Tillman said. "Back in 2002, the league mandate, which was articulated to us very clearly, was start slowly and build gradually over three years. We did that, winning four and seven the first two years, but unfortunately by year three the ownership divisions were so significant that the third-year mindset was operate on a bare-bones budget, make a big Grey Cup profit hosting the game, and then sell the team.
"The biggest losers, of course, were the fans in Ottawa. Once again, as had happened in the ‘90s, the fans got the short end of the stick," Tillman added. "For the good people in Ottawa who deserve a good team, and one which will be run professionally, I'm thrilled. This ownership group is strong, this new approach to building the team is smart and we're all excited about the future in Ottawa." Theoretically, the Ottawa team could get lucky and make it into the playoffs in a short time. It’s not like it’s impossible. The Carolina Panthers made it to the National Football League playoffs in only their second season, claiming a division title.
History suggests anything is possible, including an Ottawa team collapsing, but on the surface the rules established for 2013 are fair and reasonable.
FOLLOW THE BOUNCING LABINJO:
For someone who was once considered one of the top defensive players in the CFL, Mike Labinjo has fallen hard. He was a star for the Calgary Stampeders in their Grey Cup-winning season in 2008, but became injured, overweight and underused (and often a healthy scratch) in 2010.
A recent trade that sent him to Montreal was voided on Wednesday.
While no reason was given, a source told Sportsnet the Als backed off because of concerns about the tricep injury that limited Labinjo last year, and has since been operated on.
So he is back with the Stamps – for now, anyway. Sportsnet has learned Labinjo has an upcoming payment due, so don’t be surprised if Calgary releases him fairly soon.
The Als also released veteran centre Paul Lambert, whom a separate source said was due to salary-cap considerations.
AGENT LOSING CLIENTS: Mark Maren, a top agent in the CFL, is quickly losing clients following his recent arrest by American customs officials because he is wanted in Florida for fraud charges, a source tells Sportsnet.
WHAT ABOUT ETCH:
It’s strange how Gary Etcheverry has become an unwanted defensive co-ordinator in the CFL.
Etcheverry ran a defence and used formations in Saskatchewan that were considered quirky, different, unconventional to confuse the offence and create pressure. In many ways, it resembled the defence of the Philadelphia Eagles under the late Jim Johnson.
Considering Etcheverry’s defence limited the Montreal Alouettes’ high-flying offence to only two touchdowns in the 2010 Grey Cup, which Saskatchewan lost largely due to their inept offence, his situation is curious.
New Roughriders’ head coach Greg Marshall, a longtime defensive co-ordinator in the CFL with various teams and who uses a fairly straightforward defence, has already settled on former Edmonton head coach Richie Hall. His hiring, first reported by Sportsnet is scheduled to be announced soon.
Hall worked under Marshall in a previous stint in Regina.
Etcheverry’s defence produced the defensive rookie of the year in 2009 (rush end John Chick). Another rush end, Stevie Baggs, also flourished under Etcheverry after two largely unproductive stops with other teams.
Even without the two players, both of whom jumped to the NFL, Etcheverry did well with replacements, while also battling various player injuries.
The players bought into his system.
Hamilton hired Calgary defensive backs coach Cory Chamblin as its defensive co-ordinator, even though he hasn’t done it at the CFL level.
Etcheverry’s biggest drawback?
He marches to his own beat and represents himself in contract negotiations. He likes agents about as much as boring defences.
FANTUZ UPDATE: A source speculated that Roughriders’ receiver Andy Fantuz, who led the CFL in receiving yards last season and was voted the top Canadian, may choose to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Fantuz has had workouts with various teams and expects to make a decision in the next few weeks. He has been very careful not to tip his hand, although it’s basically a forgone conclusion he will not be back with Saskatchewan next season because he wants to pursue his NFL dream.
