Former Ottawa Rough Riders quarterback Russ Jackson holds up the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa October 24, 2012. (REUTERS/Chris Wattie)
OTTAWA - Ottawa’s deal with the CFL for its 2014 return may not be as sweet as advertised, but on paper it is better than the arrangement the Renegades got for their 2002 reincarnation.
Unless the CFL adjusts its current expansion draft rules, Ottawa will not wind up with enough Canadian starting-calibre players this time around.
What Ottawa should get is a quality quarterback — which the Renegades did not get out of the 2002 expansion draft. Each team is allowed to protect just one QB. So if B.C. protects Travis Lulay, the Argos keep Ricky Ray and down the line, there should be a quality backup available. That should improve Ottawa’s changes of finding a guy who can start, but it’s no sure thing. Maybe Ottawa gets a Mike Reilly, Bo Levi Mitchell or Kevin Glenn. Here’s what I don’t like: If Ottawa selects a QB, that team then gets to protect two additional Canadians.
