CFL NOTEBOOK
WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with Canadian offensive lineman Pat Neufeld on Tuesday.
The six-foot-six, 311-pound Regina native was a CFL all-star last season at right guard although he also started at right tackle for the Bombers. He helped Winnipeg earn a second straight Grey Cup title.
Neufeld was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2010 CFL draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was dealt to Winnipeg in 2013.
Neufeld has appeared in 119 career CFL games, 82 with the Bombers.
—
REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed American offensive lineman Terran Vaughn to a contract extension Tuesday.
The six-foot-three, 305-pound Vaughn missed the 2021 season due to a shoulder injury.
He made 15 starts at left tackle for Saskatchewan in 2019 as the Riders allowed just 37 sacks while averaging 112.8 yards rushing per game.
Vaughn originally signed with Saskatchewan in September of 2017 before making his CFL debut June 15, 2018.
—
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Redblacks signed Canadian offensive lineman Jacob Ruby to a two-year deal Monday.
Ruby, 29, was a free agent. He was released by the Edmonton Elks in August for misrepresenting his COVID-19 vaccination status.
The league then followed up by telling its teams they couldn’t sign him for the rest of the ’21 campaign.
“I am extremely excited and proud to be an Ottawa Redblack,” Ruby said in a statement. “I want to thank (GM) Shawn Burke and (head) coach Paul LaPolice for making this decision an easy one.”
Ruby, from London, Ont., was drafted eighth overall by Montreal in 2015 out of the University of Richmond. He spent two seasons with the Alouettes before signing with Edmonton in July 2017.
The six-foot-seven, 325-pound Ruby has appeared in 63 career CFL games.
“Having skilled Canadians on the offensive line is critical in the CFL and we’re thrilled to be able to add a veteran presence like Jacob Ruby to our group,” Burke said. “Jacob brings size and experience to our front five and will be a great fit with what we’re building here.”
—
VANCOUVER – Defensive back T.J. Lee III signed a contract extension with the B.C. Lions on Tuesday.
Lee, the Lions’ long-serving player, was set to become a free agent Feb. 8.
Lee has appeared in 94 career games with B.C. He had a team-high four interceptions last year while adding 83 total tackles (71 on defence, 12 on special teams).
Lee was a West Division all-star in 2021 for the second time in his CFL career.
“I couldn’t imagine playing my 100th game in a uniform other than Lions orange,” Lee said in a statement. “This is the best situation for both me and my family and I can’t wait for the opportunity to help this defence build on some of the good things we did last season.
“Building that bond with returning players will equal more wins in important games.”
—
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman A.C. Leonard to a two-year contract extension.
Leonard (6’2-250) returns to the Saskatchewan Roughriders after a sensational 2021 season. A relentless pass rusher, the 29-year-old Florida native earned the CFL sack title, making a career-high 11 sacks in 11 regular-season games while adding 41 defensive tackles, six tackles for loss, two pass knockdowns, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Leonard also played in the West Semi-Final and West Final tallying another seven tackles and two pass knockdowns.
Leonard entered the league as a receiver with the B.C. Lions in 2015, after spending 2014 with the Minnesota Vikings. He switched to the defensive line when he came to the Roughriders in 2016. From there, Leonard developed into one of the league’s best defensive ends, going on to play 78 career games on defence, making 200 tackles, 36 sacks, one interception and five forced fumbles. He played the 2018 season with the Ottawa Redblacks and was named an East Division All-Star, before returning to Saskatchewan in 2019.
Leonard played two seasons at Tennessee State at receiver, where he registered 1,174 yards and 11 touchdowns on 85 receptions.
(With files from CP & Roughriders PR)
