CFL NOTEBOOK

Dexter McCoil Sr. is calling it a career.

The Toronto Argonauts veteran linebacker announced his retirement Monday via Twitter.

“There is always a time where every good thing must come to an end,” McCoil wrote. “I can smile and be happy knowing I have no regrets in life, I’ve never quit anything in life, and I always had to earn everything the harder way with longer journeys. I can move on well knowing that I’ve exhausted every drop of me to the game of football and fulfilling many dreams that wondered in my head as a young boy.”

The six-foot-four, 220-pound McCoil spent time in the CFL with Edmonton (2014-15), Calgary Stampeders (2019) and Toronto last season. He was also with the NFL’s San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016-17, 2020) and San Francisco 49ers (2017-18) as well as the Los Angeles Kiss of the Arena Football League(2014) and XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks (2020).

—

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed national wide receiver Justin McInnis to a contract extension. 

McInnis (6’5-205) was selected by the Roughriders in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2019 CFL Draft. McInnis played six games in 2021 and made five receptions for 83 yards. In his rookie season, he played 14 games and made 10 receptions for 149 yards and 14.9-yard average per catch. That same season the Quebec native made a crucial 29-yard reception in Week 21 versus the Elks to help the Roughriders secure first place in the division for the first time since 2009. 

—

CALGARY – The Calgary Stampeders signed defensive tackles Mike Rose and Derek Wiggan to two-year contract extensions Monday.

Rose, an American, and Wiggan, a Canadian, were both slated to become CFL free agents next month.

“Derek and Mike have been a very effective tandem in the middle of our defensive line and I’m pleased that they have chosen to make this commitment to the Stampeders,” John Hufnagel, Calgary’s president/GM, said in a statement. Both players continue to get better, with Mike earning well-deserved CFL all-star recognition last season.”

The six-foot-two, 270-pound Rose had seven sacks, 24 tackles (three for a loss) and three knockdowns in 13 games last season. Rose has appeared in 33 career regular-season games with Calgary.

Wiggan, a six-foot-one, 294-pound Toronto native, has spent the last six seasons with Calgary. He had 32 tackles (three for a loss), two sacks and a forced fumble in 14 games last year when he was Calgary’s top Canadian nominee.

—

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts re-signed national kicker/punter Boris Bede and American receiver DaVaris Daniels on Monday.

Bede, a 32-year-old native of France, made 28-of-33 field goal attempts — including six from 50-plus yards — this season, his first with Toronto. The former Laval star also led the CFL in kickoffs (67.4 yards) while averaging 44.2 yards on punts.

Daniels, 29, had 51 catches for 597 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games this season, also his first in Toronto. He finished tied for first on the team in TD grabs, second in receptions and third in receiving yards.

Daniels was the CFL’s top rookie in 2016 while with Calgary. He won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders two years later.

(With files from CP/Riderville.com)