CFL West

The Canadian Football League's Edmonton Eskimos have reportedly agreed to expedite their name review and provide an update in that regard by the end of July, according to Phil Heidenreich of the Global News.

In a statement, Edmonton said it was taking "this issue seriously as has been demonstrated by the three years we've spent engaging in Canada's North and conducting research related to our name. We recognize that a lot has occurred since this information was gathered, and as a result, we are accelerating our ongoing process of review."

The team also said it was further consulting with the Inuit community, stakeholders and sponsors.

That came after insurance provider Belairdirect said Tuesday that it was rethinking its sponsorship of the team. The company released the following statement:

"For several years, we have been a sponsor of the Edmonton Eskimos. At Belairdirect, one of our core values is respect, which is founded on seeing diversity as a strength, being inclusive and collaborative. Guided by this value, in order for us to move forward and continue on with our partnership, we will need to see concrete action in the near future, including a commitment to a name change."

A number of other partners, including Maple Leaf Foods, Fisherman's Friend, Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd., Servus Credit Union and Tim Hortons, said they had been in contact with the team regarding the name review or supported the review.

Edmonton's potential name change comes at a time when various nicknames around sports have come under scrutiny or are being changed. Most notably, Washington's NFL team—which has long come under fire for having a racially offensive nickname—announced Monday it would officially be changing its moniker.

"That review has begun in earnest," the team said in a statement (h/t Homero De la Fuente and Wayne Sterling of CNN.com). "As part of this process, we want to keep our sponsors, fans and community apprised of our thinking as we go forward. Today, we are announcing we will be retiring the name and logo upon completion of this review."

Washington has not yet named a replacement nickname.

The CFL's Edmonton Eskimos released kick return specialist Christion Jones over homophobic tweets he posted last week.

"We stand with the LGBTQ2+ community and firmly condemn the language used by Christion Jones. There is no place for such commentary on our team," the Eskimos said in a statement announcing Jones' release.

The CFL also released a statement condemning Jones' comments:

“We in the CFL hold high the Diversity Is Strength banner. Our league makes no claim on perfection, but it does strive to be inclusive, to accept and indeed celebrate our differences, and to respect and honour human rights. There is no place in our league for commentary that disparages people on the basis of their religion, race, gender or sexual orientation. As Pride Month continues, we stand with the LGBTQ+ community. We all need to say no to hate and yes to love.”

Jones sent out tweets Friday saying a "man ain't suppose to be with a man. A women ain't suppose to be with another woman." When the tweets drew blowback, Jones said he "won't be changing how I feel anytime soon."

Jones apologized in a tweet Sunday. 

"From Janis Irwin. 'This is an opportunity for growth.' She is absolutely right. My words were deeply hurtful, painful and served zero purpose," Jones said. "I added to the struggle of a community, to live a life free of oppression of any kind. I sincerely apologize. I was wrong."

Jones played college football at Alabama and briefly spent time with the Miami Dolphins in 2015 and 2016 before joining the CFL. He played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders from 2017 to 2019 before being traded to Edmonton last August.

In 33 career games played, Jones has made eight receptions for 49 yards. He has added three punt returns for touchdowns. 

Terrell Owens held his own Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday. Then, a day later, he continued his attempt at a comeback.

Owens was among a group of players who worked out Sunday in Tennessee for Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones.

"I know I'm truly blessed and I can still play the game," Owens said, per Stephen Hargis of the Times Free Press. "What I did out there today is just a small little snippet of what I can do. I just appreciate Coach for the opportunity. I guess he wanted to assess and see where I am physically.

"It's key when you're trying out to put your best foot forward, and I'm very pleased with what they saw and what I did out there. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame and come back and play, why not me? I know I can do it; it's just a matter of someone giving me the opportunity."

Owens, 44, hasn't played football since the Seattle Seahawks released him in the 2012 preseason. He has been hinting at a possible comeback since 2015 and was part of the American Flag Football League launch last year. 

The Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL added Owens to their negotiation list in June before dropping him last month.

"I wanted to see him run a lot of different routes and work him out for a while to test his stamina," Jones said. "I know he can still fly on the track, but I wanted to see if he could consistently run his routes or if he got tired. I have tryouts whenever it's possible so that former college and pro athletes have the chance to prove themselves and see if they can improve our team. But I've never been faced with anything like this. I mean, he's 44 years old but still runs a 4.4-second 40."

Owens posted a video of him running a 4.43-second time in the 40-yard dash in June. That time would have ranked tied for sixth at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. 

Soon-to-be Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens is serious about continuing his professional football career in the CFL.

Owens' agent, Jason Staroszik, told TSN's Dave Naylor on Monday that T.O. "absolutely 100 percent" wants to play in the CFL.

According to ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert, Owens has opened a 10-day negotiating window with the Edmonton Eskimos.

If Owens and the Eskimos don't come to terms on a deal in 10 days, he will be released from their negotiation list and will be free to sign with any team.

Per Naylor, Staroszik added, "[Owens] still feels like he has some football years left in him. He just loves the game and wants to get back to playing whether it’s the CFL or NFL."

The 44-year-old Owens hasn't appeared in an NFL regular-season game since 2010 with the Cincinnati Bengals.

After spending some time in the Indoor Football League in 2011, Owens signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012.

The Seahawks released Owens prior to the start of the 2012 regular season, however.

Despite being out of the NFL for several years, Owens has been vocal about wanting to make a comeback.

In June, Owens tweeted at San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and pitched signing with the team to help aid quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in his development:

Thanks. I know Jimmy G is gonna need a big play receiver this year at some point. Let's make it happen. #StayReady #VetMin https://t.co/cuHToOZOfE

— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) June 2, 2018

Owens spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the Niners before enjoying stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Bengals.

T.O. is statistically one of the greatest wideouts in NFL history, as he ranks eighth all-time in receptions (1,078), second in receiving yards (15,934) and third in receiving touchdowns (153).

Owens was finally named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, but he announced on July 3 that he will not attend the induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.

Instead, Owens will give a speech at his alma mater, Tennessee-Chattanooga, on Aug. 4.

If Owens comes to terms on a deal with the Eskimos, he will be eligible to play in the CFL during the 2018 season, which is currently through its first five weeks.

Trent Richardson's NFL journey has morphed into somewhat of a nightmare over the past few seasons, but he'll hope to shed recent woes and transform into a steady contributor in a different league altogether after reportedly signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, according to SportsCentre. 

Richardson was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on a trial basis last April, but his short stint with the club was marred by a slew of injuries. 

Namely, Richardson was forced to sit out OTAs with a hamstring injury before it was revealed that he needed arthroscopic surgery on his knee to treat a pre-existing condition, according to the Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. 

The former No. 3 overall pick was promptly placed on the physically unable to perform list, and the Ravens cut ties with the enigmatic rusher less than two weeks later. 

Prior to his brief time with the Ravens, Richardson mustered a single solid season with the Cleveland Browns before he was dealt to the Indianapolis Colts in September 2013. Over the course of 15 appearances during his rookie campaign, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star rushed for 950 yards and 11 touchdowns. 

However, Richardson's yard-per-carry-average hovered at a meager 3.6 throughout his inaugural NFL campaign, and he hasn't topped that mediocre mark since.

After spending the 2014 season with the Colts, Richardson did not make a single regular-season appearance during the 2015 campaign after getting cut by the Oakland Raiders after preseason action concluded. 

Since then, Richardson has been on a quest to right his early-career wrongs and capture redemption in some form as his name has become synonymous with the term bust. 

"I didn't hit rock bottom, but I was right there to where it's like, OK, I get it," Richardson said of his time with the Raiders, per AL.com's Matt Zenitz. "To look my kids in the face after getting cut by Oakland and tell them I didn't have a job and to not know what was going to be my next turn, that really bit me in the butt."

Nothing has come easy for Richardson since he failed to live up to the hype with the Browns and, as his experiences with the Colts, Raiders and Ravens illustrated, opportunities are dwindling for the former collegiate darling. 

So if he can't make the most of his next stop, Richardson's ability to latch on with another club in more than an emergency capacity could be in peril. 

Canadian Football League wide receiver Vidal Hazelton scored a touchdown for his Edmonton Eskimos on Friday in a 33-28 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, only to have a pesky advertisement spoil his celebration.

After catching a pass from quarterback Mike Reilly in the back of the end zone, Hazelton went to jump over a sign. He fell short, but later laughed off the blunder on Instagram.

"I'm doing squats and box jumps all week," Hazelton wrote. "I thought i was gone clear the jump."

He didn't look fazed in the moment either, returning to his feet and posing as if that was all part of the plan. Maybe it was, as he campaigned Booster Juice to sponsor him so he can clear the sign next time.

[Vidal Hazelton, h/t The Comeback]

Former NFL quarterback Vince Young suffered a torn hamstring that will force him to miss the start of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' CFL season, according to ESPN.com. 

Young is expected to be out four to six weeks. 

In March, the Roughriders signed the former Texas Longhorns standout to a two-year deal with a second-year option. 

"I wouldn't say a comeback. I'd just say an opportunity," Young said upon signing, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "I always wanted to play football again, but didn't know how it was going to happen. God always works in mysterious ways."

Now 34 years old and six years removed from his last NFL appearance, Young is likely to miss at least the first three games of the CFL season.

The Roughriders will open their 2017 campaign June 22 against the Montreal Alouettes. 

Former Pro Bowl quarterback Vince Young has made his return to professional football, as he will sign with the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Roughriders announced they signed Young on Thursday after TMZ Sports was the first to report Wednesday that Young was flying to Canada to put the finishing touches on the deal.

Young confirmed to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that he agreed to a one-year deal with an option for a second season.

Agent Leigh Steinberg announced Feb. 15 that he had taken on Young as a client in an effort to help him find a home with a team:

#VinceYoung Welcome new client @VinceYoung10 who has dream of playing more football,being role model @Longhorn_FB @LonghornNetwork

— Leigh Steinberg (@leighsteinberg) February 15, 2017

Former Texas Longhorns head coach and current ESPN analyst Mack Brown sent his support to his former quarterback via Twitter:

Congrats to VY. The CFL better get ready. The man knows how to win. Can't wait to watch him play again! So proud of Vince. pic.twitter.com/7Wf0AQisby

— Mack Brown (@CoachMackBrown) March 9, 2017

The 33-year-old last appeared in a regular-season NFL game when he started three contests for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.

The Tennessee Titans originally selected Young with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft after the Longhorns won the national championship.

Young was named the 2006 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the Titans to the playoffs in 2007, but his overall NFL numbers left plenty to be desired.

Although he posted a career record of 31-19, Young threw for just 8,964 yards, 46 touchdowns and 51 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,459 yards and 12 scores.

Following the 2011 campaign, Young spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers during the next two preseasons but failed to make the rosters.

He also had a brief offseason stint with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 before being released.

While a return to the NFL seems like a long shot, it isn't unprecedented for a quarterback to go from the NFL to the CFL and back again.

Doug Flutie did so, as he played for the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots before winning three Grey Cups and then returning to the NFL to become a Pro Bowler with the Bills.

In order to follow in Flutie's footsteps, Young must beat out Kevin Glenn and others to win the starting job in Saskatchewan.

In my humble opinion, one of the big differences between how Canadian football and American football are played is the way quarterbacks do their jobs. With the longer, wider field, if a QB finds an opening, he's going for a run. And those runs rarely end with him sliding feet-first to avoid the hit.

Bo Levi Mitchell of the Calgary Stampeders is a perfect example.

As the starter for the Stamps this year, Mitchell is making a case for consideration as the CFL's MVP. He's currently third in passing (2,426 yards), second in touchdown passes (15) and first in QB rating (100.5). 

Mitchell has also set a CFL record as of Saturday's decisive 41-34 win over the Edmonton Eskimos—he has now started his career with a 12-1 record, which no one has ever done. Not Warren Moon, not Ron Lancaster, not Joe Thiesmann, not Doug Flutie and not Jeff Garcia.

Another facet where he has excelled this year has been running the ball. He has rushed 25 times for 186 yards and four touchdowns, in spite of the fact that backup QB Drew Tate has been handling most of the short-yardage duties this season.

Part of what Mitchell is doing when running the ball—what many CFL quarterbacks do—is putting his head down and going for the extra yardage while scrambling, rather than wimping out and trotting to the sidelines or sliding when the defense gets close.

This was the case once again on Saturday in Edmonton.

In the third quarter, with Calgary already up 24-10, Mitchell took the snap on Edmonton's 20-yard line. Seeing no open receivers, Mitchell scrambled through a seam in the pocket. Slipping a tackle at the line of scrimmage, he scampered forward, beating three more Eskimos by juking and powering forward before finally diving at the goal line to sneak the ball past the goal-line pylon for the major.

See the play on CFL.ca here. 

And that's not the first time this year Mitchell has powered through the defense for a touchdown. Check out this play on a faked field goal where Mitchell takes the snap, sprints left around the O-line and takes three pretty good shots on his 10-yard run to the end zone.

And that, to me, is just classic CFL-style football.

In spite of the fact that the league has always played a pass-first style, in spite of how critical it is to have a quality passer under centre to win games, QBs in the CFL game are rarely pure pocket passers. If you can't scramble and use the big field to your advantage, this is not the league for you.

Bo Levi Mitchell seems to have that part of the Canadian game pretty well figured out.

Follow me on Twitter @calgaryjimbo

The Saskatchewan Roughriders scored 24 second-quarter points to build up a huge lead and never looked back en route to a lop-sided 45-23 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 101st Grey Cup.

Playing in front of a sold-out hometown crowd of 44,910 fans, a first-quarter touchdown pass from Darian Durant to Geroy Simon put the Riders ahead early, and it was a lead they would never relinquish.

It could very easily have gone the other way, however. On their first possession, Durant fumbled while getting sacked, but he was able to recover the ball.

In their next offensive possession, a few plays prior to the touchdown pass, Durant was flushed out of the pocket and fumbled the ball while scrambling. The ball took a wild hop and dropped into the hands of Roughriders running back Kory Sheets who extended run for a 42-yard gain on the play, putting the green-and-white in scoring position.

Had either of those first two fumbles resulted in a turnover, the Tiger-Cats may have been able to take advantage and put more early points on the board. And in fact, Hamilton's field goal late in the second quarter came swiftly on the heels of a third Durant fumble which the Ti-Cats were able to recover.

Instead, Hamilton was unable to recover those early fumbles and, aside from a field goal on their first possession, they found their offense neutralized for most of the game. 

Part of the issue was their running game. After a couple of unsuccessful runs by C.J. Gable in the first quarter, the Ti-Cats almost completely abandoned their ground attack, forcing quarterback Henry Burris to throw repeatedly against pressure in the pocket and coverage waiting for the ball in the secondary. 

Burris was subsequently sacked three times, fumbled the ball twice (with one lost) and threw an interception while only completing 20 passes on 43 attempts.

Aside from the early struggles to hang on to the ball, Durant settled in for a very solid game, completing 17 of 24 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 26 yards along the way.

Durant played all three playoff games this season without throwing a single interception. His steady play has resulted in his first Grey Cup victory in three tries.

Sheets had a record-setting night running the ball for Saskatchewan. His 197 yards of rushing are a new Grey Cup record and, along with two touchdowns, earned him the game MVP. 

Hometown hero and Roughriders slotback Chris Getzlaf was named the Most Valuable Canadian for the game on the strength of his three catches for 78 yards. Getzlaf was born and raised in Regina along with his younger brother Ryan, who plays hockey for the Anaheim Ducks.

Wind was a major factor in the game as well. Of the 68 points scored in the game, 48 were scored when the offense had the wind at their back.

The win is Saskatchewan's fourth in team history and their first while playing at home, making it special for the Riders faithful.

Follow me on Twitter @calgaryjimbo