Steinberg’s MMQB: Counting down the days

Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has one more big day to round out his first year on the job. Since being appointed in June of 2017, Ambrosie has gone through a full regular season, a Grey Cup week, and a Grey Cup bid, leaving out just one thing: the CFL Draft.

Well, that all changes on Thursday night, and Ambrosie is determined to make a good impression on one of the most important days on the CFL calendar.

Draft day

I had a chance to chat with Ambrosie when he rolled through Calgary for the 2019 Grey Cup announcement. I closed out the conversation talking about this year’s draft, and I thought his answer was really interesting.

“I’ve thought about it a lot,” Ambrosie told me. “Back in 1985, you know, I was the second pick overall in the college draft. I remember getting up that morning and (I was) so nervous and then getting the phone call from Calgary that they had made me their pick and how that felt. I think what I want to do is show up this year at the draft and make sure that every player has a world-class experience. That is a moment they will never forget.”

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Highly-touted prospect Dakoda Shepley has gotten some interest south of the border (UBC)

Ambrosie truly is a rare breed in the pro sports world, as most commissioners aren’t former players. To have a guy representing the owners while also having experienced it from the other side is a rare commodity. That really hit home for me talking to Ambrosie about his first draft.

Ambrosie was a highly-touted offensive lineman coming out of the University of Manitoba before going second overall to the Stamps in 1985. While the draft wasn’t anywhere near as big a spectacle then as it is now, he still knows how big a day it is for every player taken.

“I want to make sure that when I stand at the podium that I’m doing well for these young, amazing athletes,” Ambrosie said. “It is literally a moment they will never forget in their lifetime, and that’s what I’ve been thinking a lot about. I have to get a good night’s sleep the night before and I’ve got to bring my A game, because those young, fantastic players deserve no less from me.”

From positive rule changes to an innovative and transparent approach to the job, I think it’s safe to say Ambrosie’s first year on the job has been largely positive. Despite the nerves, Thursday’s draft might be one of the easiest days he’s had on the job, as the event really does take care of itself. But it serves as a nice way to ring in Ambrosie’s first year running the league.

Border shuffle

We have a much better idea of how things are going to shake down after the NFL Draft wrapped over the weekend. Fort Hays State defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd was the only Canadian taken (New York Jets, 3rd round, 72nd overall), but a bevy of players signed as undrafted free agents in the hours after.

Included in that mix are a number of top ranked prospects by the CFL Scouting Bureau, including top-ranked Ryan Hunter. The Bowling Green offensive lineman signed with Kansas City, joining fellow Canadian Laurent Duvernay-Tardif south of the border. As a result, Hunter will likely fall into the middle or late rounds of Thursday’s CFL Draft.

We’re looking at a similar scenario with another highly-ranked offensive linemen, too. UBC’s Dakoda Shepley signed with the Jets as well, likely dropping the Bureau’s third-ranked talent down the charts as well.

Things are far more up in the air for a number of other players who accepted mini-camp invites but did not sign contracts, including a trio of offensive linemen. Fifth-ranked David Knevel (Nebraska) will attend mini-camps with Oakland and New Orleans while sixth-ranked Mark Korte (Alberta) did the same thing with the Jets and Giants. Finally, Rice’s Peter Godber, ranked seventh, is heading to Houston’s minicamp.

Former top-ranked prospect David Knevel could be on his way up CFL Draft boards (University of Nebraska)

It wasn’t just offensive linemen getting interest, either. Ottawa Gee-Gees defensive back Jackson Bennett accepted a mini-camp invite with the Giants and Montreal receiver Regis Cibasu has done the same with the Chicago Bears.

Situations like the ones mentioned above present interesting scenarios for CFL teams. Mini-camp invites are by no means guaranteed to stick in the NFL and thus could be extremely worthwhile picks north of the border. However, as we talked about two weeks ago, teams have to gamble a little in the risk-reward game.

Here’s what we do know, though: Trey Rutherford seems locked in as a top pick on Thursday. TSN’s Farhan Lalji reports the Connecticut offensive lineman has declined NFL invites to focus on his CFL career. Knowing how valuable linemen are each year, it wouldn’t shock anyone if Rutherford goes first overall on Thursday night.

The Money List

The 2018 Money List is here and I certainly heard it on Twitter about our first pick last week. Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell got the nod at quarterback over Edmonton’s Mike Reilly and Toronto’s Ricky Ray, which not everyone agreed with. I stand by the decision, but I love the conversation and it’s why I love putting this list together.

The Money List is a list of the players I think are the best at their position right now, regardless of age or experience, if I’m building a team to win the Grey Cup right now. We’ve got our quarterback and this week we’re selecting his primary passing target.

Receiver: Greg Ellingson, Ottawa REDBLACKS

For my money, Ellingson has turned into the CFL’s most consistent receiver since arriving in Ottawa for the 2015 season. There’s nothing this guy can’t do at the position; he’s got speed to burn, is great in traffic and tight coverage, and is absolutely ruthless in the red zone. The CFL has some incredible receivers right now, but Ellingson has taken over the mantle as the league’s best.

The REDBLACKS made a huge splash at receiver prior to the 2015 season. They acquired Maurice Price from Calgary and signed Chris Williams, Ernest Jackson, and Brad Sinopoli in free agency. Ellingson was also a free agent signing that off-season, but flew a little more under the radar after two solid but inconspicuous seasons with Hamilton. Ellingson has done nothing but excel since arriving in Ottawa, though.

Greg Ellingson set career highs in yards, catches and touchdowns in his third season in Ottawa (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

Ellingson has been a top-seven receiver in the yardage department in all three of his years with the REDBLACKS and has seen his totals go up each year. But it was his 2017 season that really solidified his place among the CFL’s elite.

Ottawa said goodbye to both Williams and Jackson prior to last season, elevating Ellingson to the very top of the depth chart. I was very curious to see how he and Sinopoli would perform with more defensive attention paid to them, and they both excelled.

Ellingson had a career season and finished second in receiving yards with 1,459. Some guys struggle with a brighter spotlight and some make the most of the opportunity; Ellingson is clearly in the latter camp.

The cherry on top for this nod is Ellingson’s scoring ability. In his three years with Ottawa, Ellingson has 25 touchdowns, including a league-leading 12 in 2017. Only BC’s Emmanuel Arceneaux (his biggest competition for this selection) has more with 28 over that same span. Knowing how dangerous Ellingson is in the red zone really underlines how well-rounded a receiver he is.