TORONTO — The 2020 CFL Draft has come and gone and 73 individuals have been welcomed into the league.
There was a shock start to the draft followed up by eight exciting rounds of picks.
Following the conclusion of the draft, CFL.ca’s Marshall Ferguson took the time to chat about some of the biggest talking points from Thursday night.
1. Leos make a move
The 2020 Draft opened up with a bang, as the Calgary Stampeders shipped the first overall pick and the 15th pick to the BC Lions in exchange for the third and 12th picks, respectively.
With that, the Leos were able to address their defensive needs, selecting East Carolina linebacker Jordan Williams with the first overall pick.
After Carter O’Donnell made the move to the NFL, the rankings were jumbled, leaving Williams and defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi Berglund as the presumptive top candidates to be taken at No. 1.
“I loved that BC was aggressive with the move. I think it was awesome way to kind of start off the draft with fireworks,” Ferguson. “So the aggression of BC and the self-awareness of Calgary and what they actually wanted to accomplish kind of stuck out to me.”
Calgary was able to move down to No. 3 and nab Adeyemi-Berglund at that spot. The Dartmouth, NS., native has shown tremendous ability as a pass-rusher during his time at Southeastern Louisiana and can step in right away and provide a solid National option on the defensive line for Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson.
“I thought that Calgary had a chance to be able to pair Nate Holly with Jordan Williams at middle and weakside linebacker,” Ferguson said. “That was something that I personally wouldn’t have been able to pass up but I’m not John Hufnagel, so he obviously knows what he wants to design and he knows what he needs to win in the Canadian Football League so he made the move down.”
With their swapped second-rounders, the Stamps were able to land UBC receiver Trivel Pinto while the Lions added a backup quarterback, taking Ohio’s Nathan Rourke at No. 15.
2. Surprises in the second round
Speaking of Pinto, he was projected to land in the fourth round, 24th overall, in Ferguson’s last mock draft. He went just outside the first round instead.
The standout from UBC served a suspension in 2019 for a banned substance. Despite that, his talent as a pass-catcher is undeniable. He can make people miss after the catch and his sub-4.5 40 time makes him one of the speediest receivers in the draft.
“I’m just really happy for him honestly,” Ferguson said. “Everybody makes mistakes but I don’t think that a mistake you make should mar your draft decision. I’m glad that CFl teams could see through that and see the person he is, the player he is and the calibre of athlete they were getting. It was good that he didn’t slide down the draft and I thought that it was really cool to see his reaction to getting picked and just how genuinely excited he was to have a home and to be a priority selection.”
Possibly the biggest surprise in the top half of the draft came a pick later when the Eskimos selected University of Ottawa defensive lineman Alain Pae.
During his post-draft availability, Eskimos general manager Brock Sunderland mentioned that three teams were hoping to invite the native of Prague, Czech Republic to their mini-camps and another wanted to sign him to their 90-man roster.
Because he obtained his National status at the beginning of April, he was able to enter the draft. He only played one year with the Gee-Gees, but Pae proved enough to be among the top 20 selections this year.
“He’s already developed a lot in a short period of time since coming over from the Czech Republic,” Ferguson said. “The one season of U SPORTS football — it was his baseline and not even close to his ceiling — and he was excellent. He can be a ratio-changer as a defensive end.”
Defensive lineman Alain Pae was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2020 CFL Draft. (University of Ottawa Athletics)
3. Standout Draft Classes
While it’s way too early to look at winners and losers from this class, there were a few teams that did stick out to Ferguson with solid classes.
The Double Blue were able to add early and often in the draft, holding the No. 2, 9 and 11 picks in the draft along with a territorial selection at 20.
They added to their new stable of National receivers, adding Virginia’s Dejon Brissett with the second selection. They bookended the round by addressing their offensive line, adding Regina blocker Theren Churchill. Toronto flipped to the defensive side of the ball in the second round, adding Carleton linebacker Jack Cassar and Laurier defensive lineman Sam Acheampong.
“The identified a need and they dealt with it at number two, then they get a big, angry, finishing offensive lineman at number nine,” Ferguson said. “They get a dominant special teamer and tackling machine with great size as a linebacker which is a bit rare national draft to get a linebacker with great size but jack Cassar has that at 11.
“Then they go and address another need which is definitely defensive line with a big long lanky defensive lineman with the territorial pick. Then they get even more size on the offensive line. It seemed like they kind of piled on and on and on and on, and accomplished things they wanted.”
Along with the Williams pick, the Lions were also able to land Rourke and running back Kayden Johnson with their later picks, which impressed Ferguson.
Lastly, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were standouts on draft night. They were able to land offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey and double that up with defensive lineman Mason Bennett. They also added Tyler Ternowski and Acadia linebacker Bailey Feltmate to add to their depth.
“You can just see when they grab someone, it’s like ‘OK, that’s why they got them and that’s how they’re filling the need,’” Ferguson said. “Hamilton did a really good job — like Toronto — of identifying the needs and taking care of them with really talented players.”
4. Offensive linemen slide down the board
While the 2018 CFL Draft set a record for offensive lineman taken, this year was a bit of a different story.
Only four offensive linemen were selected in the first 20 picks, matching a 10-year low dating back to 2010.
There were still 15 individuals taken in total at the position, but the expected run of offensive linemen early in the draft never came.
Instead, teams opted to hold off on blocking talent through the first few rounds, leaving some big names for the taking at the back end.
“I don’t think it’s a terrible thing for the offensive line class. I think the defensive line and the athleticism of Canadians,” Ferguson said. “If they don’t pop off the tape and scream ‘I need to be drafted’ like Coulter Woodmansey did, then you wind up getting guys like Dylan Giffen, who’s a monster and top-rated in the scouting bureau, slides and slides because I think it’s easier to appreciate a defensive lineman on game tape.”
Names like Giffen and Chris Gangarossa wound up lasting longer than their initial draft projections, leaving teams with some solid choices near the end. They certainly won’t be complaining about their luck, however.
Ketel Asse was taken by the Ottawa REDBLACKS with the 65th overall pick in the 2020 CFL Draft. (Laval University)
5. Who was the biggest steal of the draft?
When it comes to late-round selections, there were a few head-scratching individuals that manage to slide down the board into the back half of the selections.
One of those individuals was Laval offensive lineman Ketel Asse. Considered to be one of the best linemen available by draft pundits, he managed to fall all the way into the final round. The Ottawa REDBLACKS jumped at the opportunity to select the talented tackle, swooping in to take him with the 65th overall pick.
The collective eyes of fans were also planted on Chase Claypool and Neville Gallimore. The pair of NFL draftees were expected to go late in the draft — if at all. The Saskatchewan Roughriders were in a position they couldn’t pass up and nabbed Gallimore with the 71st pick in the draft.
The pair of teams were able to find some great value at the tail end of the draft and it could pay off in spades if Asse works out and Gallimore makes his way to Riderville at some point.
But who offered the better value?
“I don’t know why he slid; I don’t get it,” Ferguson said of Asse. “But if he turns into the player that I thought he was at Laval, then he’s the steal of the draft. …In terms of a steal with value, Ketel Asse would probably be the one. For whatever reason, he fell and Ottawa took the chance.
“That being said, if Neville Gallimore ever shows up in the CFL and plays, he’s going to dominate.”
Roughriders fans will be hoping to see the standout from Oklahoma don the Green and White at some point down the road.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins will bring in another quarterback while starter Tua Tagovailoa deals with his latest concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
For now, Skylar Thompson will be considered the Dolphins’ starter while Tagovailoa is sidelined. Tagovailoa left Thursday night’s 31-10 loss to Buffalo in the third quarter with the third known concussion of his NFL career, all of them coming in the last 24 months.
“The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said the team has not made any decision about whether to place Tagovailoa on injured reserve. Tagovailoa was expected at the team facility on Friday to start the process of being evaluated in earnest.
“We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation,” McDaniel said, noting that the only opinions that will matter to the team will be the ones from Tagovailoa and the medical staff.
McDaniel added that he doesn’t see Tagovailoa playing in Miami’s next game at Seattle on Sept. 22.
“I have no idea and I’m not going to all of a sudden start making decisions that I don’t even see myself involved in the most important parts of,” McDaniel added. “All I’m telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad and be a dad this weekend. And then we’ll move from there. There won’t be any talk about where we’re going in that regard … none of that will happen without doctors’ expertise and the actual player.”
Tagovailoa was 17 for 25 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions — one of which was returned for a Buffalo score — when he got hurt. Thompson completed eight of 14 passes for 80 yards.
Thompson said he feels “fully equipped” to run the Dolphins’ offense.
“What’s going to lie ahead, who knows, but man, I’m confident, though,” Thompson said after Thursday’s game. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever’s to come. I’m going to prepare and work hard and do everything I can to lead this team and do my job.”
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team’s game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.
The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would get “proper procedural evaluation” and “appropriate care” on Friday.
“The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel said. “We’ll get more information tomorrow and take it day by day from here.”
Some players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and said they were encouraged. Tagovailoa spoke with some players and then went home after the game, McDaniel said.
“I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him,” said quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury. “You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right.”
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL — and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, and that was the final score.
“If you know Tua outside of football, you can’t help but feel for him,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said on Amazon following the game. “He’s a great football player but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet. I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family, hoping everything’s OK. But it’s tough, man. This game of football that we play, it’s got its highs and it’s got its lows — and this is one of the lows.”
Tagovailoa’s college years and first three NFL seasons were marred by injury, though he positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023 as he led the Dolphins into the playoffs. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards last year.
When, or if, he can come back this season is anyone’s guess. Tagovailoa said in April 2023 that the concussions he had in the 2022 season left him contemplating his playing future. “I think I considered it for a time,” he said then, when asked if he considered stepping away from the game to protect himself.
McDaniel said it’s not his place to say if Tagovailoa should return to football. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate,” McDaniel said.
Tagovailoa was hurt Thursday on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.
Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.
Tagovailoa wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at him as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.
Tagovailoa appeared to be making a fist with his right hand as he lay on the ground. It was movement consistent with something that is referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury.
Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.
“I love Tua on and off the football field,” Bills edge Von Miller said. “I’m a huge fan of him. I can empathize and sympathize with him because I’ve been there. I wish him the best.”
Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.
He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.
The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.
Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.
His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season. After that, Tagovailoa began studying ways where he may be able to fall more safely and protect himself against further injury — including studying jiu-jitsu.
“I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands,” McDaniel said. “I’m just worried about the human being.”
TORSBY, Sweden (AP) — David Beckham and former England coach Roy Hodgson were among the soccer dignitaries who attended the funeral of Sven-Goran Eriksson on Friday in the Swedish manager’s small hometown of Torsby.
Eriksson’s wooden coffin was covered in white flowers and surrounded by six tall candles and other floral wreaths as the ceremony began inside the 600-seat Fryksande church.
“It is a day of grief but also a day of thankfulness,” the priest, Ingela Älvskog, told those in attendance.
Beckham, who arrived by private jet on Thursday, greeted Eriksson’s 95-year-old father Sven and other family members with hugs inside the church before the funeral started.
Eriksson became England’s first foreign-born coach when he led the national team from 2001-06, and made Beckham his captain.
Eriksson, who also won trophies at club level in Italy, Portugal and Sweden, died on Aug. 26 at the age of 76, eight months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had at most one year to live.
Some 200 seats in the neo-Gothic church from 1898 were reserved for his family, friends and players from his career in the football world, according to his agent. The remaining seats were open for the public, according to Eriksson’s wish, with a big screen set up outside the church where hundreds more gathered to watch the ceremony. The funeral was also broadcast live on some Swedish media websites.
The wooden coffin was wheeled in by pallbearers at the church Friday morning as fog wrapped Torsby — a town of about 4,000 people located about 310 kilometers (193 miles) west of Stockholm. Next to the casket was a photo of Eriksson on a small table. The floral wreaths included ones sent by FIFA and Lazio, the Italian team that Eriksson led to the Serie A title in 2000.
The ceremony began with somber piano and organ music, but later took on a more upbeat note with Swedish singer Charlotta Birgersson performing Elton John’s song “Candle In The Wind” and then “My Way” in a duet with Johan Birgersson, who later intoned the popular Italian song “Volare” after the family had gathered around the casket to lay flowers.
Beckham also visited Eriksson in Sweden in June to say goodbye. Others attending the funeral included the Swedish coach’s longtime partner Nancy Dell’Olio. Eriksson’s agent had said that guests from England, Italy and Spain were expected.
After the funeral, the casket was carried out of the church by eight men to the hearse. The guests then walked in a procession accompanying the coffin to a nearby museum where speeches and eulogies to the coach fondly known as “Svennis” were planned on an outdoor stage. A brass band played during the procession through Torsby, including the tune “You never walk alone” from the musical “Carousel” which has become the anthem of Liverpool, the club Eriksson supported since childhood.
The local soccer club Torsby IF, where Eriksson started his career in the 1960s, wrote on its webpage that “you also showed your greatness by always being yourself, the caring Svennis who talked to everyone and took the time, for big and small, asking how things were and how the football was going. We will miss you.”
