ALOUETTES RELEASE CATO, RIDERS NOT INTERESTED

MONTREAL – Quarterback Rakeem Cato was released by the Montreal Alouettes on Monday.

Cato began last season as a backup to Kevin Glenn but took over the starting job in September before losing the spot to rookie Vernon Adams. His 2016 campaign was marked by spats at practice with receivers Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford, who were later released.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Saskatchewan Roughriders said Monday afternoon they have no interest in pursuing the Marshall product.  The Riders signed Duron Carter last month.

The 24-year-old Cato played 22 games over two seasons in Montreal. He completed 291 of 432 passes for 3,570 yards, 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Liberty City, FL product was originally identified by the Roughriders and placed on their negotiation list before being dropped in May of 2015.

Cato would likely have dropped further down the Montreal depth chart this year with the Alouettes’ recent signing of veteran quarterback Darian Durant.

Also Monday, the Alouettes released little-used quarterback Shane Carden and import offensive lineman Michael Bamiro.

(With files from The Canadian Press)