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Re-signing Patrick Kabongo puts the Edmonton Eskimos closer to bringing back an offensive line that didn’t see a single member miss a snap over the course of the 2009 season.
“Our offensive unit will remain intact here and there’s always a couple moves that come during the off-season, but as far as contract-status is concerned they’re all locked up,” said Eskimos general manager Danny Maciocia.
The only question could be offensive right tackle Calvin Armstrong, who is entering the option year of his contract with the Eskimos after coming off a West Division all-star season.
“We’ve got some depth at that position with (Gord) Hinse, (Aaron) Rogers and (Greg) Wojt has made a full recovery from his (knee) injury so he’ll come in and compete for a job,” Maciocia said.
“We’ve got depth there and that’s huge because I’m hoping that we’re going to get another season where they’re not going to miss a snap or even a game but I think reality is you always h4ave to prepare that someone may miss a quarter or a game or a couple of games.”
That leaves a pair of free agents who remain unsigned: standout defensive end Kai Ellis and shutdown cornerback Byron Parker.
“With Kai we’re very close and I’m confident,” Maciocia said. “With Parker, I haven’t been in any conversations yet. We don’t know what’s going to happen there. I think it’s going to take itself into the new year.”
The league-wide salary cap and restrictions on the number of players allowed to attend training camp are constant priorities for CFL clubs in the off-season.
“We’re going to be at the cap, I mean it’s always a challenge,” Maciocia said. “We’ve got 70 players here, the reality is we’re not going to be able to keep them all. We’re going to have to make significant moves but we’re not going to mess around with the foundation and the nucleus.”
