Every CFL team has one. A Canadian player who has seemingly been around forever, doing his job well enough to stay but not spectacularly enough to get much attention.

When the Calgary Stampeders signed linebacker Marc Calixte, who makes his money covering kicks and punts, it was a good move for continuity. Calixte has been around long enough to have four different head coaches with the Stamps. He’s a bit of a surprise as the longest-serving player with the Stamps.

However, the Stamps aren’t alone in having a special-teamer as their longest-serving (continuously) player. But when it comes to longest-serving imports, those players are the stars. An import doesn’t stick around for a decade unless he’s one of the best in the league at his position.

So here is a breakdown of the longest-serving (LS) Canadian and import (with seasons in brackets) for each CFL team and a synopsis:

Calgary Stampeders
LS Canadian: LB Marc Calixte (9)
LS import: R Nik Lewis (8)
Calixte, who was a first-round pick in 2003, took over the honour when Jeff Pilon retired before the 2010 season, then had it all to himself when Wes Lysack left for free agency the following off-season. Lewis, who is the longest-serving import for several years, has put up a 1,000-yard season every year since arriving in 2004. If he keeps it up for a few more years, he should walk into the Hall of Fame.

B.C. Lions
LS Canadian: DL Brent Johnson, C Angus Reid (11)
LS Import: R Geroy Simon (11)
This trio came joined the Lions during the same season and became part of a core group that has won two Grey Cups. Johnson may retire, but Reid and Simon are going strong. Unless something catastrophic happens, Simon will become the CFL’s all-time leading receiver, passing Milt Stegall.

Edmonton Eskimos
LS Canadian: FB Mathieu Bertrand, R Andrew Nowacki (8)
LS import: R Fred Stamps (5)
The Eskimos have had a complete turnover the past two years with GM Eric Tillman taking over as GM. Bertrand and Nowacki both play roles in the Eskimos offence and have escaped the firing line. Stamps has developed into a star and became the team’s longest-tenured import when Ricky Ray was traded to Toronto. He assumes the leadership mantle.

Saskatchewan Roughriders
LS Canadian: OL Gene Makowsky (17)
LS import: QB Darian Durant (7)
There is an expectation that Makowsky will retire to focus full-time on being a member of the Legislative Assembly. He is already the Riders all-time leader in games played. If he does retire, linebacker Mike McCullough, who has spent 10 seasons in Regina, will take over the longest-serving title. Amazing, Durant is the longest-serving import but the first three years of his career were spent developing as a reserve player.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers
LS Canadian: LS Chris Cvetkovic (9)
LS import: R Terrence Edwards, RB Fred Reid (5)
Assuming Doug Brown officially announces his retirement, and the defensive tackle said all last year 2011 was his final season, then Cvetkovic takes over. There is no reason to think Cvetkovic won’t play a few more years as he’s one of the best in the league at his long-snapping job. Edwards and Reid are perennial contenders for yardage titles at their respective positions and they have formed the core of the offence the past few seasons.

Toronto Argonauts
LS Canadian: LB Kevin Eiben (11)
LS import: S Willie Pile (5)
Although Eiben spent the majority of the 2011 season on the injured list, there is no reason to believe he won’t return for a 12th campaign. The tackling machine has given the Argos ratio flexibility for years and is a valuable player on the roster. If Eiben doesn’t return, the next longest-tenured Canadian is running back Jeff Johnson, who will be coming back for an 11th season. Pile has emerged as the defensive leader for the Argos and found his spot as a safety.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats
LS Canadian: C Marwan Hage (8)
LS import: QB Quinton Porter, LB Markeith Knowlton (4)
The Sultan is one of the most important players to the Ticats success and he’s also one of the most popular players around the league. Hage will use 2012 to bounce back from a season-ending injury in 2011, but he’s firmly entrenched in his starting role. Surprisingly, Porter has been around even before the entire Kevin Glenn tenure, and he’s still not the starting quarterback. Chances are he will be eventually.

Montreal Alouettes
LS Canadian: OL Scott Flory (13)
LS import: QB Anthony Calvillo (14)
Along with defensive lineman Anwar Stewart, Flory and Calvillo are the only players left from the 2002 Grey Cup-winning Alouettes. Calvillo is the only full-time quarterback Flory has ever protected during his time with the Als. Even though he signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2004 — only to get cold feet and ask for a trade back to Montreal — his second tenure is still the longest among Canucks with the Als.

— Buz

Ten years is a long time to spend anywhere, but it’s an incredibly long tenure in the CFL.

The Calgary Stampeders announced Monday morning that linebacker/special teams ace Marc Calixte is avoiding free agency and has instead signed a contract extension.

The Laval, Que., native is the team’s longest-serving player having been with the team since getting drafted during the first round in 2003. He’s played 138 regular-season game and nine playoff games.

Although the 33-year-old could still fill in at linebacker in a pinch, his main job is covering on punts and kickoffs. He has 88 special-teams tackles in his career. In 2011, he missed the final 10 regular-season games with a torn arm tendon, but he returned for the playoffs.

This signing shows how much the Stamps value having a veteran out there in the sometimes complex CFL special teams.

“We don’t ever underestimate the importance and value of strength on special teams,” said Hufnagel. “Marc is as effective a special-teams player as you can find in the CFL and it’s great that he will be back for a 10th season.”

Calixte would like to leave the Stamps with a second Grey Cup ring. He was part of the 2008 championship team.

“I’m proud to have been a member of the Stampeders for my entire CFL career,” said Calixte. “I’m looking forward to my 10th season in Calgary and another opportunity to return to the Grey Cup game.”

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Mallett lands in the Hammer
The last time the Hamilton Tiger-Cats made a big splash signing a running back returning from the NFL, it didn’t work out so well. Of course, Martell Mallett has very little in common with Kenton Keith.

Mallett spent one season in the CFL with the B.C. Lions (2009) but has bounced around the NFL since then. In one season, he was the CFL’s most outstanding rookie in rushing for 1,280 yards.

The Ticats add Mallett to a running back group that is led by Avon Cobourne but also has Terry Grant, who is coming off a horrible broken ankle.

“Martell’s combination of size, speed and strength makes him a force to be reckoned with,” vice president of football operations Bob O’Billovich said. “He’s a very physical runner and a great receiver out of the backfield. Martell will provide our offence with another potent weapon.”

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Crowton takes over Bombers offence
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers finally have a new offensive co-ordinator and it’s not a name CFL fans will recognize, but it’s one U.S. college fans will know well.

Gary Crowton has been one of the NCAA’s top offensive coaches for the past decade and he comes to Winnipeg from the University of Maryland. Crowton was previously the offensive co-ordinator with LSU, where he helped the Tigers set 10 school records in 2007. Crowton has also been a head coach with BYU and Louisiana Tech.

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McKenzie sticking with Lions
Anton McKenzie was a huge free-agent signing with the B.C. Lions in 2009, but he didn’t want to make another move this time around.

McKenzie re-signed with the Lions Monday instead of going to free-agency a second time. McKenzie will be 31 when 2012 kicks off and it will be the former Saskatchewan Roughrider’s seventh CFL season.

“What makes Anton extremely valuable beyond his statistics is his ability to communicate with teammates and direct the defence on the fly,” Lions head coach Mike Benevides said. “His willingness to do whatever it takes and his quiet leadership are a big part of our team concept.”

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Nicholson out, Rudge in with Argos
Bob Nicholson has resigned as president and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts, who moved quickly to name his replacement. Former Canadian Olympic Committee CEO Chris Rudge, who was chairman of the 100th Grey Cup Festival, assumes the position of executive chairman and CEO of the Argos.

— Buz

Turnover will be the name of the game in 2012 for the Calgary Stampeders, at least in terms of the names on the roster. Chances are the offence will try to avoid the turnovers.

With all that’s happened with the Stampeders since the 2011 season ended, it’s clear this team had a much different core group of players than last year at this time. Henry Burris is gone, traded to Hamilton. Joffrey Reynolds was released, and he’s looking for somewhere to play.

The Stamps will hope this new group is championship worthy, but by the time the team does compete in another Grey Cup game, it will have many different faces from the last one.

Of the 42 players who suited up for the 2008 Grey Cup championship, only 11 remain with the Stampeders. Considering that four players from the Stamps and Montreal Alouettes who played in that game will be assistant coaches in the CFL this year, it’s shows how quickly things change in football.

The 11 remaining Stamps players are:
RB Jon Cornish
R Nik Lewis
R Ken-Yon Rambo
R Jabari Arthur
OL Dimitri Tsoumpas
DL Charleston Hughes
DL Justin Phillips
LS Randy Chevrier
LB Marc Calixte
LB Juwan Simpson
DB Brandon Smith

Defensive back Keon Raymond was on the team but didn’t dress in the 22-14 win over the Montreal Alouettes. The Stamps will part ways with punter Burke Dales and offensive lineman Tim O’Neill when they hit free-agency on Feb. 16.

The four players now working as assistant coaches are:
R Jeremaine Copeland (Hamilton, receivers)
DB/R Markus Howell (Winnipeg, defensive and special teams assistant)
DL DeVone Claybrooks (Calgary, defensive line)
QB Marcus Brady (Montreal, offensive co-ordinator)

— Buz

The early signs are Kevin Glenn is going to be a good fit with the Calgary Stampeders.

By reworking his contract to fit under the salary cap, Glenn is also showing he has enthusiasm for being in Calgary, despite getting designated the backup quarterback going into training camp.

The Stamps announced Glenn’s restructured deal Thursday — something that was likely worked out before the trade with Hamilton took place. It’s a good move for both parties. The Stamps secure a veteran backup at a backup’s salary, and Glenn gets the chance to compete for the starting job with someone going into their first full year as the No. 1 man.

Obviously, the Stamps would love not to play Glenn this season because it would mean that Drew Tate is doing well, but there is no question Glenn could give them a chance to win if he’s pressed into action. What Glenn will be looked for is his leadership, and the first step was restructuring his contract.

“I’m excited to be a Stampeder and I look forward to this next chapter in my career,” Glenn said. “I can’t wait to get to work with my new teammates.”

Tate’s contract extension was made official Wednesday, and the fourth-year Stamps QB is looking forward to meeting and working with Glenn. The 32-year-old is well liked among teammates.

It could be that he’s truly a team player, something that’s often stated but not as common as you would think. If Tate works out as the No. 1 man, Glenn could be his sidekick for years to come.

“This restructured deal gives Kevin an opportunity to finish his career here in Calgary,” Stamps GM-head coach John Hufnagel said.

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There might be a few West Division offensive players sending thank-you notes to the Minnesota Vikings in the next few months.

The Vikings have signed B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian to a free-agent deal, taking out the hardest-hitter in the CFL (as voted on by players in the TSN poll).

The 25-year-old University of Hawaii product signed a two-year deal with the Vikings, the same team that snagged Mannie Arceneaux from the Lions a year ago. Elimimian burst onto the scene in 2010, winning the CFL’s rookie of the year award while establishing himself as a tackling machine.

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A couple of moves with defensive backs in Ontario. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have announced that Canadian cornerback Ryan Hinds has signed a contract extension. Hinds spent the past two seasons with the Ticats, developing into a starter and helping them with their ratio.

Meanwhile, the Argos have released defensive back Lin-J Shell, who started 53 games over three seasons. Argos GM Jim Barker said Shell didn’t fit their new defensive scheme and this move frees money up under the salary cap.

— Buz

Out with the old, in with the nucleus.

Now that the Calgary Stampeders officially cut ties running back Joffrey Reynolds following the trade of Henry Burris to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the team made Drew Tate’s contract extension official Wednesday.

It just so happens the news came down a couple of hours after former Stampeders receiver Jeremaine Copeland retired as an active player from the Toronto Argonauts and joined the Tiger-Cats coaching staff to work with the receivers.

Tate’s deal was reported in December but the Stamps didn’t want to make the new official until they made moves on their former core players. We are now entering a new era with the Stampeders, with Tate as the No. 1 pivot, Jon Cornish replacing Reynolds as the running back and several young faces in key places.

Tate can now get ready for a full season as the main man, and he’s about to start a training regimen to get ready.

“I’m really excited, and not just because of the changes,” Tate said. “I’m just excited personally for the opportunity I have. You play the game so much and you work so hard, and it’s finally here. You just want to take advantage of it.”

Tate will get to work with veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn as his main backup, and he isn’t worried about being pushed by the former Tiger-Cat, Blue Bomber and Roughrider.

“Honestly my first year in the league (Saskatchewan 2007) when we went to the Grey Cup and played them, had he not gotten hurt, the outcome of the game might have been different,” Tate said about the game the Blue Bombers lost after Glenn broke his arm in the East final.

“He had a great year that year. Just from talking to guys on our team, we thought he was one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the league. He is a really good quarterback. It’s awesome he’s on our team now. It’s only going to make us better. It should make for a great competition so that’s great.”

You could probably start calling the Tiger-Cats the Hamilton Stampeders. Now that Copeland has joined the team as a coach, the Ticats have three of the key members of the Stampedes 2008 Grey Cup victory. George Cortez is the head coach and Burris the starting quarterback. Cortez was the offensive co-ordinator in 2008 with the Stamps when Burris had his greatest season, and Copeland was a key leader on the offence.

“During his playing career, Jeremaine was more than just a great athlete,” Cortez said. “His preparation and attention to detail in the meeting room was unmatched. We’re confident that those qualities, along with his familiarity with our offence, will make Jeremaine an asset to our team.”

The Ticats also announced that Doug Sams will be their quarterbacks coach and Doug Malone will coach the offensive line. Cortez will call the plays and act as the offensive co-ordinator.

— Buz