Latest news with #NickArbuckle
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Majority of CFL teams have veteran experience at quarterback position
Toronto Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle (4) hoists the Grey Cup after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 111th Grey Cup in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn Nick Arbuckle is again proving the importance of quarterback depth in the CFL. Arbuckle is expected to be the starter Friday night when the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts visit the Montreal Alouettes. Incumbent Chad Kelly suffered a serious leg injury in last year's East Division final and was only recently cleared to practise. Kelly required surgery for a fractured tibia and fibula that occurred in Toronto's 30-28 win over Montreal. That thrust Arbuckle into Toronto's starting lineup for its Grey Cup showdown with Winnipeg and the veteran responded by earning MVP honours after passing for 252 yards and two TDs in the Argos' 41-24 victory. Kelly, the CFL's 2023 outstanding player, missed Toronto's entire pre-season and first nine regular-season games last year after being suspended by the league for violating its gender-based violence policy. Toronto went 5-4 before Kelly was reinstated with Cameron Dukes (4-4) and Arbuckle (1-0) under centre. Dukes was among the Argos' final cuts last weekend. Kelly has a stellar 20-5 record as a CFL starter, while Arbuckle has also made 25 career starts (10-15). But this development further illustrates the importance of quarterback depth for CFL teams. And it's a lesson many have taken to heart, as eight of the nine clubs have experienced backups on their roster. On Friday night, Davis Alexander will begin his first full season as Montreal's starter. But backing him up will be veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson, a two-time Grey Cup champion with Toronto (2017, '22) who started last season with Edmonton. Alexander, 26, was 4-0 last season for Montreal when veteran Cody Fajardo was injured. But he's entering just his fourth CFL season and first as the Als' starter. Bethel-Thompson has 60 career CFL starts under his belt (27-33). And in '22, he led the CFL in passing yards (4,731) and TDs (23) as Toronto went on to capture the Grey Cup. Dru Brown begins his second season as Ottawa's starter and sports a 10-7-1 record. Dustin Crum and Tyrie Adams are both behind him, each having started for the Redblacks, although Adams suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first — and only — CFL start in 2023. Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell returns after leading the CFL in passing (5,451 yards) and TDs (32) last year. When the Tiger-Cats open their season visiting the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, Mitchell, 35, will look to become the fastest player in league history to earn 100 career regular-season wins. A win in Calgary would come in Mitchell's 141st career start, ahead of Hall of Famers Ron Lancaster (149) and Tracy Ham (151). Injuries limited Mitchell to six games in 2023, when rookie Taylor Powell made nine starts and added another last year. Nathan Rourke begins the season as B.C.'s starter. The CFL's top Canadian in 2022 rejoined the Lions last year after NFL stints with Jacksonville, New England, the New York Giants and Atlanta, splitting time with veteran Vernon Adams Jr. B.C. dealt Adams Jr. to Calgary, then signed veteran Jeremiah Masoli, who has made 59 career CFL starts (28-31). Tre Ford, 27, begins his first full season as Edmonton's starter. The 2021 Hec Crighton Trophy winner from Niagara Falls, Ont., signed a three-year extension with the Elks after posting a 9-9 record since being taken in the first round of the 2022 CFL draft by the club. Edmonton dealt Bethel-Thompson's rights to Montreal for the rights to Fajardo, the 2023 Grey Cup MVP. Fajardo, 33, is younger than Bethel-Thompson (36) and sports a tidy 43-29-1 record as a CFL starter. Adams Jr. will be tasked with returning Calgary to the CFL playoffs after it missed the post-season last year for the first time since 2004. The 32-year-old enters his ninth season in Canada (38-22 as a starter). But behind Adams Jr. are first-year CFL players P.J. Walker and Josh Love. Walker joined the Stampeders late last season on the practice roster after appearing in 21 NFL games (nine starts) from 2020 to 2023. Trevor Harris, 39, returns under centre for Saskatchewan and enters his 13th CFL season. But injuries have limited Harris to just 17 regular-season starts over the last two years. Behind Harris is Jake Maier, who made 45 starts over four seasons with Calgary (18-26-1) before signing with Saskatchewan this off-season. Zach Collaros, also entering his 13th CFL season, looks to lead Winnipeg to a sixth straight Grey Cup appearance and third victory. The 36-year-old American recently signed a one-year extension with the Bombers. But veteran Chris Streveler is expected to start when Winnipeg opens its season hosting B.C. on June 12. The CFL suspended Collaros for one game last month for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Streveler, 30, suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 26-21 win over Saskatchewan on Sept. 7. He signed a one-year extension with the Bombers during the off-season and has made 13 career CFL starts (5-8). This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
QB depth stretches far across CFL as season kickoff looms
Nick Arbuckle is again proving the importance of quarterback depth in the CFL. Arbuckle is expected to be the starter Friday night when the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts visit the Montreal Alouettes. Incumbent Chad Kelly suffered a serious leg injury in last year's East Division final and was only recently cleared to practise. Kelly required surgery for a fractured tibia and fibula that occurred in Toronto's 30-28 win over Montreal. That thrust Arbuckle into Toronto's starting lineup for its Grey Cup showdown with Winnipeg and the veteran responded by earning MVP honours after passing for 252 yards and two TDs in the Argos' 41-24 victory. Kelly, the CFL's 2023 outstanding player, missed Toronto's entire pre-season and first nine regular-season games last year after being suspended by the league for violating its gender-based violence policy. Toronto went 5-4 before Kelly was reinstated with Cameron Dukes (4-4) and Arbuckle (1-0) under centre. Dukes was among the Argos' final cuts last weekend. Kelly has a stellar 20-5 record as a CFL starter, while Arbuckle has also made 25 career starts (10-15). But this development further illustrates the importance of quarterback depth for CFL teams. And it's a lesson many have taken to heart, as eight of the nine clubs have experienced backups on their roster. On Friday night, Davis Alexander will begin his first full season as Montreal's starter. But backing him up will be veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson, a two-time Grey Cup champion with Toronto (2017, '22) who started last season with Edmonton. Alexander, 26, was 4-0 last season for Montreal when veteran Cody Fajardo was injured. But he's entering just his fourth CFL season and first as the Als' starter. Bethel-Thompson has 60 career CFL starts under his belt (27-33). And in '22, he led the CFL in passing yards (4,731) and TDs (23) as Toronto went on to capture the Grey Cup. Dru Brown begins his second season as Ottawa's starter and sports a 10-7-1 record. Dustin Crum and Tyrie Adams are both behind him, each having started for the Redblacks, although Adams suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first — and only — CFL start in 2023. Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell returns after leading the CFL in passing (5,451 yards) and TDs (32) last year. When the Tiger-Cats open their season visiting the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, Mitchell, 35, will look to become the fastest player in league history to earn 100 career regular-season wins. A win in Calgary would come in Mitchell's 141st career start, ahead of Hall of Famers Ron Lancaster (149) and Tracy Ham (151). Injuries limited Mitchell to six games in 2023, when rookie Taylor Powell made nine starts and added another last year. Nathan Rourke begins the season as B.C.'s starter. The CFL's top Canadian in 2022 rejoined the Lions last year after NFL stints with Jacksonville, New England, the New York Giants and Atlanta, splitting time with veteran Vernon Adams Jr. B.C. dealt Adams to Calgary, then signed veteran Jeremiah Masoli, who has made 59 career CFL starts (28-31). Tre Ford, 27, begins his first full season as Edmonton's starter. The 2021 Hec Crighton Trophy winner from Niagara Falls, Ont., signed a three-year extension with the Elks after posting a 9-9 record since being taken in the first round of the 2022 CFL draft by the club. Edmonton dealt Bethel-Thompson's rights to Montreal for the rights to Fajardo, the 2023 Grey Cup MVP. Fajardo, 33, is younger than Bethel-Thompson (36) and sports a tidy 43-29-1 record as a CFL starter. Adams will be tasked with returning Calgary to the CFL playoffs after it missed the post-season last year for the first time since 2004. The 32-year-old enters his ninth season in Canada (38-22 as a starter). But behind Adams are first-year CFL players P.J. Walker and Josh Love. Walker joined the Stampeders late last season on the practice roster after appearing in 21 NFL games (nine starts) from 2020 to 2023. Trevor Harris, 39, returns under centre for Saskatchewan and enters his 13th CFL season. But injuries have limited Harris to just 17 regular-season starts over the last two years. Behind Harris is Jake Maier, who made 45 starts over four seasons with Calgary (18-26-1) before signing with Saskatchewan this off-season. Zach Collaros, also entering his 13th CFL season, looks to lead Winnipeg to a sixth straight Grey Cup appearance and third victory. The 36-year-old American recently signed a one-year extension with the Bombers. But veteran Chris Streveler is expected to start when Winnipeg opens its season hosting B.C. on June 12. The CFL suspended Collaros for one game last month for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Streveler, 30, suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 26-21 win over Saskatchewan on Sept. 7. He signed a one-year extension with the Bombers during the off-season and has made 13 career CFL starts (5-8).
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- General
- Toronto Star
Majority of CFL teams have veteran experience at quarterback position
Nick Arbuckle is again proving the importance of quarterback depth in the CFL. Arbuckle is expected to be the starter Friday night when the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts visit the Montreal Alouettes. Incumbent Chad Kelly suffered a serious leg injury in last year's East Division final and was only recently cleared to practise.
Toronto Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Grey Cup MVP Arbuckle in competition for backup Argos QB job
Published May 11, 2025 • 4 minute read Toronto Argonauts quarterback Nick Arbuckle (4) lifts the Grey Cup after defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in CFL football action at the 111th Grey Cup in Vancouver on Sunday, November 17, 2024. Photo by Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS GUELPH — Being the Grey Cup MVP has earned Nick Arbuckle the chance to compete for his job with the Toronto Argonauts. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Like all CFL teams, Toronto opened its training camp Sunday. Afterwards, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie declared the backup job behind incumbent Chad Kelly will be an open competition between Arbuckle and third-year pro Cameron Dukes. That's somewhat surprising given Toronto looked to Arbuckle to start in the Grey Cup after Kelly suffered a broken ankle in its 30-28 East Division final win over the Montreal Alouettes. The 6-foot-1, 213-pound Arbuckle threw for 252 yards and two TDs to lead the Argos past Winnipeg 41-24, securing MVP honours in his first CFL championship appearance. It was a heady ending to a season that Arbuckle began by exploring his options outside football after remaining unsigned in free agency. He finally joined Toronto on May 19 after the CFL suspended Kelly for the entire pre-season and at least the first nine regular-season games for violating its gender-based violence policy. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Last year was last year,' said Arbuckle, who signed an extension with Toronto in the off-season. 'I think I celebrated that for about a week and brought the Grey Cup to my daughter's school and made her a hero with all of her friends. 'But after that week was over, it was back to training and preparing for what's to come next because if anything, winning last year makes winning this year even harder. You can't just rest upon what you've done before.' Read More Kelly, the CFL's outstanding player in 2023, was on the field Sunday but wore a baseball cap instead of a helmet. He sustained fractures to both his tibia and fibula in the East final and required surgery. While Kelly is expected to make a full recovery, Dinwiddie said the quarterback still hasn't received clearance to resume football activities. And Kelly might not be ready for Toronto's season opener June 6 in Montreal. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Two weeks from now I'll have a better answer for you,' Dinwiddie said. 'I'd say it's probably 50-50 at this stage. 'I don't want to rush him back and we lose him for the whole year. We have to be smart with that … we've got to understand we might have some growing pains without him but I'm not rushing him back.' If Kelly isn't ready to play, both Arbuckle and Dukes started games for Toronto last year. And the offence returns nine of the 11 other Grey Cup starters, including veteran receivers DaVaris Daniels and Damonte Coxie, running back Ka'Deem Carey and tackle Ryan Hunter, the CFL's top lineman last year. 'It's a lot of guys who've been in this offence before, been in the system,' Arbuckle said. 'We have three quarterbacks who've all started and won football games … it's really cool as an offence to have all that from the get-go. 'I have no idea what's going on with that (Kelly's) situation, I just approach every day the same way. I will be ready regardless.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dukes made eight starts (4-4 record) during Kelly's absence last season with Arbuckle making the other, a win. After being reinstated, Kelly led Toronto to a 10-8 record and second spot in the East Division behind Montreal (12-5-1). Toronto advanced to the East final with a 58-38 semifinal victory over Ottawa. However, Arbuckle said being with Toronto from the start of camp is very beneficial. 'The biggest plus is having the camaraderie with the players and being able to build that from the start rather than coming in halfway through it all,' he said. 'The system and schemes were very familiar to me (last year) and I felt like I could've run the offence in a game from the day I got here. 'But it was learning a lot of new faces and new names and just kind of building those relationships … now we're kind of starting from scratch all together.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And after coming so close last year to being done with football, Arbuckle is relishing the opportunity to participate in another training camp. 'I've been looking forward to this day for months,' he said. 'Thinking last year I might not be able to play football again made me understand just how much of a blessing it is to still be able to come out here at (age) 31. 'It's a kids game and we get to play it.' NOTES: Toronto signed Canadian defensive lineman Jeremiah Ojo on Sunday. The Argos took the 6-foot-2, 246-pound Ojo in the first round, No. 7 overall, in the 2025 CFL draft. Receiver Vyncint Smith and linebacker Brian Holloway, both Americans, were released. Defensive lineman Andre Carter and defensive back Jai Nunn-Liddell, also both Americans, and global kicker Alfredo Gachuz-Lozada were placed on the suspended list. Health Toronto & GTA Sports Crime Toronto Maple Leafs
National Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Grey Cup MVP Arbuckle in competition for backup Argos QB job
Article content GUELPH — Being the Grey Cup MVP has earned Nick Arbuckle the chance to compete for his job with the Toronto Argonauts. Article content Article content Like all CFL teams, Toronto opened its training camp Sunday. Afterwards, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie declared the backup job behind incumbent Chad Kelly will be an open competition between Arbuckle and third-year pro Cameron Dukes. Article content That's somewhat surprising given Toronto looked to Arbuckle to start in the Grey Cup after Kelly suffered a broken ankle in its 30-28 East Division final win over the Montreal Alouettes. The 6-foot-1, 213-pound Arbuckle threw for 252 yards and two TDs to lead the Argos past Winnipeg 41-24, securing MVP honours in his first CFL championship appearance. Article content It was a heady ending to a season that Arbuckle began by exploring his options outside football after remaining unsigned in free agency. He finally joined Toronto on May 19 after the CFL suspended Kelly for the entire pre-season and at least the first nine regular-season games for violating its gender-based violence policy. Article content 'Last year was last year,' said Arbuckle, who signed an extension with Toronto in the off-season. 'I think I celebrated that for about a week and brought the Grey Cup to my daughter's school and made her a hero with all of her friends. Article content 'But after that week was over, it was back to training and preparing for what's to come next because if anything, winning last year makes winning this year even harder. You can't just rest upon what you've done before.' Article content Kelly, the CFL's outstanding player in 2023, was on the field Sunday but wore a baseball cap instead of a helmet. He sustained fractures to both his tibia and fibula in the East final and required surgery. Article content While Kelly is expected to make a full recovery, Dinwiddie said the quarterback still hasn't received clearance to resume football activities. And Kelly might not be ready for Toronto's season opener June 6 in Montreal. Article content Article content 'Two weeks from now I'll have a better answer for you,' Dinwiddie said. 'I'd say it's probably 50-50 at this stage. Article content 'I don't want to rush him back and we lose him for the whole year. We have to be smart with that … we've got to understand we might have some growing pains without him but I'm not rushing him back.' Article content If Kelly isn't ready to play, both Arbuckle and Dukes started games for Toronto last year. And the offence returns nine of the 11 other Grey Cup starters, including veteran receivers DaVaris Daniels and Damonte Coxie, running back Ka'Deem Carey and tackle Ryan Hunter, the CFL's top lineman last year. Article content 'It's a lot of guys who've been in this offence before, been in the system,' Arbuckle said. 'We have three quarterbacks who've all started and won football games … it's really cool as an offence to have all that from the get-go.
