CFL NOTEBOOK
MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes have restructured the contract of starting quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., and re-signed top receiver Eugene Lewis to a one-year deal.
The Alouettes say Adams’ new deal allows them to retain some talent on their roster.
Adams’ contract runs through 2022.
Lewis led the Alouettes with 1,133 receiving yards on 72 receptions last year. He scored five touchdowns and was named a CFL East all-star.
The Alouettes also signed veteran offensive lineman Tony Washington to a one-year deal.
Washington will be entering his 10th CFL season in 2021.
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NEW YORK – The New York Jets released kicker Sergio Castillo on Tuesday after he missed three of his four field-goal attempts at Seattle last Sunday.
Castillo had been filling in for Sam Ficken, who’s on injured reserve with a strained groin but could be cleared to practice this week. The Jets also claimed kicker Chase McLaughlin off waivers from Jacksonville on Monday, signalling Castillo’s likely departure.
The 30-year-old Castillo was signed to the Jets’ practice squad on Oct. 14 and to the active roster two weeks later when Ficken initially injured his groin. Castillo went 6 for 7 on field goals – with the only miss a blocked kick – and made all four of his extra points in three games before Ficken returned.
But Ficken was re-injured and Castillo stepped in again, but struggled in the past three games. He missed four of six field-goal tries, including attempts from 37, 41 and 43 yards in the 40-3 loss to the Seahawks, and was 2 for 3 on extra points. In six games overall with the Jets, Castillo was 8 for 13 on field goals.
Castillo went six years between NFL chances and his journey was one of the few feel-good stories during the winless Jets’ dismal season. He was signed by Atlanta as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M in 2014, but was cut during training camp. Castillo had stints in the CFL, XFL and Alliance of American Football and was cut eight times before getting the opportunity with the Jets.
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VANCOUVER – The BC Lions Football Club has signed QB Will Arndt (A) to a contract extension for 2021. Arndt was eligible to become a free agent in February.
“Will is a player with tremendous upside,” said Lions co-GM and head coach Rick Campbell.
“Having seen his development from the time he came to Ottawa, he is only going to get better as he gains more experience.”
Arndt- Originally joined the Lions in early 2020 following a stint with the Ottawa REDBLACKS where he completed 103 passes for 940 yards and six touchdowns after being named the starter for the final four games of 2019.
The 27-year old set multiple program records in his four years at Western Connecticut State including career passing yards (7,940), total offence (9,248 yards), and passing touchdowns for a career (73).
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REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Canadian defensive back Mike Edem and long snapper Jorgen Hus to one-year contract extensions. Both men were eligible to be free agents on February 9, 2020.
Edem was selected by the Montreal Alouettes in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 2013 CFL Draft. After three seasons in Montreal, Edem was acquired by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in October of 2015. He went on to spend 2016 with the B.C. Lions before joining the Riders via trade in spring of 2017.
Through seven CFL seasons and 111 games, Edem has collected 239 defensive tackles, 57 special-teams tackles, eight interceptions and eight quarterback sacks. He was also named an East Division All-Star in 2013.
Jorgen Hus has played in 81 career games for the Green and White making 15 career special teams tackles and one defensive tackle. He is entering his sixth CFL season, all of which have been with the Riders. The 31-year-old Saskatoon native was initially selected by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2013 CFL Draft, but the Riders acquired his rights prior to his 2015 signing. Before returning home to Saskatchewan, Hus (6’1–230lbs) spent time in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.
Off the field, Hus is committed to the province he grew up in and works closely with the Red Cross and the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation.
(With files from CP, Lions/Riders PR)
