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This article was published 06/06/2010 (5951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

4There is intrigue here in Winnipeg and curiosity in B.C.

Shoot, there’s even optimism in Toronto.

The CFL really gets down to business this morning with the opening of main training camps all across the map.

With that in mind, Free Press football writer Ed Tait offers a brief primer on the Bombers’ seven rivals as the three-down football season begins in earnest:

WEST DIVISION

B.C. LIONS

WHERE: Hillside Stadium, Kamloops B.C.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: The starting tailback job is open for the second consecutive June — Stefan Logan bolted for the Steelers in 2009 and this winter Martell Mallett exited for the Eagles. The main contenders are ex-Argo Jamal Roberston and Canadians Jamall Lee and Andrew Harris. The Lions underwent a significant makeover with QB Buck Pierce now here in Winnipeg, LB Javier Glatt (Edmonton), OL Jason Jimenez (Hamilton), DB LaVar Glover (Winnipeg), DL Nautyn McKay-Loescher, QB Zac Champion and RB Ian Smart all released with DB Jerome Dennis traded to Hamilton and DE Ricky Foley, WR Ryan Grice-Mullen and FB Rolly Lumbala all in the NFL.

QB DEPTH CHART: 1. Casey Printers; 2. Jarious Jackson; 3. Travis Lulay; 4. Kyle Parrish.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

WHERE: McMahon Stadium, Calgary

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Some holes to fill along the O-line with Dimitri Tsoumpas in Miami and Jeff Pilon having retired. Can the Stamps get production out of Matt Sheridan and Dan Comiskey, two huge hogs dusted off over the winter? Sandro DeAngelis bolted for Hamilton in free agency, leaving the placekicking chores to draft pick Rob Maver or Warren Kean.

QB DEPTH CHART: 1. Henry Burris; 2. Drew Tate; 3. Barrick Nealy; 4. Dennis Brown; 5. Michael Desormeaux.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

WHERE: Clarke Field, Edmonton

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Relatively quiet off-season in the Alberta capital. Dumped Jesse Lumsden, but Arkee Whitlock has already established himself as the No. 1 running back. Esks are rebuilding their secondary with the additions of Lenny Walls (Winnipeg); Chris Thompson (Hamilton) and free agent Lawrence Gordon.

QB DEPTH CHART: 1. Ricky Ray; 2. Jason Maas; 3. Jared Zabransky.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

WHERE: Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field, Regina.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Ton of changes in Riderville. Lots of talent, question is how quickly Ken Miller and his new coaching staff can get this crew revved up again. New faces include WR Prechae Rodriguez and a pile of ex-Bombers, including OL Dan Goodspeed, LB Barrin Simpson, OL Kelly Bates, QB Ryan Dinwiddie, RB Lavarus Giles and new offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry. Riders need to find replacements at DE with Stevie Baggs (Arizona) and John Chick (Indianapolis) both in the NFL.

QB DEPTH CHART: 1. Darian Durant; 2. Cole Bergquist; 3. Ryan Dinwiddie; 4. Kent Smith; 5. Todd Reesing.

EAST DIVISION

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

WHERE: Ronald V. Joyce Stadium, McMaster University, Hamilton.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Can the Tabbies push the Als for first in the East? Lots of roster upgrades, including the addition of Sandro DeAngelis, OL Jason Jimenez, WR Maurice Mann and DBs Jerome Dennis, Will Poole and Jason Shivers. Juicy storyline is who emerges from camp as the starting QB, Kevin Glenn or Quinton Porter.

QB DEPTH CHART: 1. Kevin Glenn; 2. Quinton Porter 3. Adam Tafralis; 4. Jason Boltus.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

WHERE: Bishop’s University, Lennoxville, Que.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Not a whole lot of pressing storylines heading into camp, but the Als do need to replace defensive tackle Keron Williams, CB Davis Sanchez (both of whom signed in B.C.) and return star Larry Taylor, now with the New York Jets.

QB DEPTH CHART: 1. Anthony Calvillo; 2. Adrian McPherson; 3. Chris Leak; 4. Cody Pickett; 5. Marc-Olivier Brouillette.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

WHERE: University of Toronto at Mississauga, Ont.

CAMP CONFIDENTIAL: Huge changes in The Big Smoke, led by new owner David Braley, new president Bob Nicholson and new head coach Jim Barker. The BIG question as camp opens is who plays quarterback? Barker has five names in camp, the most-experienced in the CFL game being Canadian Danny Brannagan, who starred at Queen’s. So much work to do, so little time before the Boatmen open on Canada Day against Calgary.

QB DEPTH CHART: 1. Dalton Bell; 2. Gibran Hamdan; 3. Cleo Lemon; 4. Ken Dorsey; 5. Danny Brannagan.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca