Eskimos look to repeat as Grey Cup champs

East Division

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Ticats will begin play minus their offensive leader as quarterback Zach Collaros continues to recover from last year's season-ending knee injury. It's unclear when Collaros will return, leaving the No. 1 job to either Jeff Mathews or Jeremiah Masoli. Whoever starts will line up behind a solid offensive line and have dependable Luke Tasker anchoring a receiving corps that also features former Argo Chad Owens. Hamilton's strength is a stout defence, anchored by linebacker Simoni Lawrence and tackle Ted Laurent. Brandon Banks remains a dangerous returner but the loss of punter-kicker Jason Medlock (Winnipeg) hurts.

Montreal Alouettes

The hope is veteran Kevin Glenn can offer much-needed stability at quarterback. Seven different players were under centre last year as Montreal (6-12) missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Receiver Duron Carter's return gives the Alouettes another big-play receiver to complement S.J. Green. Offensive consistency would help take pressure off a defence that last year was often overworked. Linebacker Chip Cox (CFL's top defensive player in '13) and defensive lineman John Bowman (league-best 19 sacks) are the unit's stalwarts. GM Jim Popp returns as head coach after going 3-6 last year as Tom Higgins' replacement and has a 19-27 overall coaching record.

Ottawa Redblacks

Henry Burris, the '15 CFL MVP, returns to headline a potent offence but the unit will be minus offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas, now Edmonton's head coach. Jaime Elizondo, Toronto's receivers coach last season, replaces Maas with plenty of weapons at his disposal, including Burris and a receiving corps that had four 1,000-yard performers last year. But questions exist on defence as Ottawa lost Canadian defensive linemen Justin Capiccotti (Saskatchewan) and Keith Shologan (Winnipeg), defensive back Jovon Johnson (Montreal) and linebacker James Green (Calgary) in free agency. The defending East champions also won't have the element of surprise in their favour this year.

Toronto Argonauts

The good news is veteran starter Ricky Ray is pain-free after missing most of 2015 recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. It's crucial for Ray to remain healthy because Trevor Harris, who led Toronto to nine wins over 16 starts last year, is now in Ottawa. A young receiving corps anchored by sophomores Vidal Hazelton and Tori Gurley should benefit from a healthy Ray and veteran slotback Andre Durie. The addition of respected defensive co-ordinator Rich Stubler should immediately enhance the Argos' unit but former Winnipeg kicker/punter Lirim Hajrullahu has big shoes to fill with the departure of Swayze Waters (Carolina, NFL).

West Division

B.C. Lions

Wally Buono, who holds the CFL record for career coaching wins, returns to B.C.'s sidelines. Buono relinquished coaching duties in 2011 after the Lions' Grey Cup win, concentrating full-time on his GM post. He replaces Jeff Tedford, who resigned after registering a 7-11 record last year. Jonathon Jennings begins his first full season as the starter after posting a 3-3 mark last year with a 66-per-cent completion average, 2,004 yards and 15 TDs. But stalwart running back Andrew Harris is gone, signing this off-season with home-town Winnipeg. Linebacker Solomon Elimimian, the CFL's top player in 2014, is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury.

Calgary Stampeders

Former offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson takes over as coach as GM John Hufnagel has added the president's job to his resume. All-star tailback Jon Cornish has retired but fellow Canadian Jerome Messam is a former 1,000-yard rusher. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has quickly become one of the CFL's top quarterbacks. DeVone Claybanks replaces the departed Rich Stubler (Toronto) as defensive co-ordinator and inherits a unit that allowed a league-low 16.1 offensive points last year but will be minus linebacker Juwan Simpson (released), defensive back Keon Raymond (Toronto) and defensive lineman Freddie Bishop III (New York Jets, NFL).

Edmonton Eskimos

The Eskimos will defend their title with a new head coach. Former Edmonton quarterback Jason Maas replaces Chris Jones, now Saskatchewan's head coach/GM. Quarterback Mike Reilly is the club's offensive leader as the Esks won their final 10 games after Reilly returned from injury. Adarius Bowman was the CFL's receiving leader last year but Shamawd Chambers — the top Canadian in last year's Grey Cup — followed Jones to Regina. Defensive linemen Almondo Sewell and Odell Willis anchor a solid front but gone are linebackers Dexter McCoil (San Diego, NFL) and Otha Foster (Saskatchewan) and defensive back Aaron Grymes (Philadelphia, NFL).

Saskatchewan Roughriders

Jones' hiring made huge headlines but the biggest key to Saskatchewan's turnaround from a 3-15 record will be the health of starter Darian Durant, who has suffered season-ending injuries the last two years. However, Durant won't have either Weston Dressler (Winnipeg) or Chris Getzlaf (Edmonton) to play catch with. Jones' forte is defence and that, along with the off-season additions of defensive linemen Justin Capiccotti and Shawn Lemon (both Ottawa), running backs Kendial Lawrence (Edmonton) and Curtis Steele (Toronto) and linebacker Greg Jones (Toronto) will definitely help. But veteran lineman John Chick is now with Hamilton after being released during the off-season.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Winnipeg needs starter Drew Willy to remain healthy to reach the CFL playoffs for the first time in five years. The Bombers won just two games after Willy suffered a season-ending knee injury last August. GM Kyle Walters and head coach Mike O'Shea are both under the gun as they're in the final year of their respective deals. Walters was very active in free agency, boosting his Canadian content by adding running backs Harris and Pascal Lochard, defensive tackle Keith Shologan and offensive lineman Jeff Keeping while also signing Americans Medlock, defensive tackle Euclid Cummings and receiver Ryan Smith.