DAY 3 CFL FREE AGENCY RECAP: SIMONI RETURNING TO STEELTOWN

HAMILTON, ON – Veteran linebacker Simoni Lawrence is staying put.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Thursday that they’ve re-signed the 34-year-old American, who became a free agent Tuesday.

“Simoni is someone I’ve had the pleasure of knowing since 2013,” said Hamilton head coach/president of football operations Orlondo Steinauer. “He is a terrific individual with a proven track record of exceptional playmaking.

“It is obvious that Simoni, is a remarkable contributor to the organization both on and off the field. We are excited that Simoni has decided to remain a Hamilton Tiger-Cat for a 10th season.”

The six-foot-one, 231-pound Lawrence had 41 tackles in nine regular-season contests last year for the Ticats.

A three-time CFL all-star, Lawrence has appeared in 151 career CFL regular-season contests, amassing 650 total tackles (27 for a loss), 30 sacks, 14 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries and 10 forced fumbles.

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REGINA – The Saskatchewan Roughriders re-signed Canadian linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed on Thursday.

The six-foot, 223-pound Winnipeg native returns for a third season with Saskatchewan. Herdman-Reed, 28, has two tackles and 10 special-teams tackles in 14 regular-season games last year with the Riders.

Herdman-Reed began his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts (2017-2019), registering 43 tackles, 26 special-teams tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 40 regular-season games.

He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2020, but the CFL didn’t play that season due to the global pandemic.

Herdman-Reed played collegiately at Simon Fraser, appearing in 40 games over four seasons. He had 220 tackles (33 for loss), six sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries, returning one for a TD.

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EDMONTON – The Edmonton Elks signed Canadian kicker Michael Domagala and American linebacker Tobi Antigha on Thursday.

Domagala, of St. Catharines, Ont., spent the last two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He averaged 44.8 yards per punt and 66.6 yards on kickoffs while making 12-of-16 field goals last season.

Antigha had 18 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble in 12 regular-season games last year with Edmonton. The 29-year-old has also spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2017-2018), Toronto Argonauts (2019) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2021).

The Elks also signed American quarterback Felix Harper. The former Alcorn State star signed with the Montreal Alouettes last September but didn’t appear in any games.

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TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts continue to give veteran starter McLeod Bethel-Thompson time to ponder his football future.

Bethel-Thompson became a CFL free agent Tuesday and has yet to re-sign with the defending Grey Cup champions. The 34-year-old American did say, though, following Toronto’s 24-23 championship win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in November that being away from his wife and young daughter was difficult and family considerations would figure prominently in his off-season considerations.

On Thursday, Argos head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said the club is taking a wait-and-see approach with Bethel-Thompson.

“We’ll see, we’re being pretty patient with him,” Dinwiddie told reporters. “I don’t know exactly how it’s going to play out.

“He’s got some things going on in the (United) States and his wife has some great opportunities (with) her job. He might stay there and support her … he’s thinking some of those things over, we’re trying to be (as) comfortable as we can be and give him time.”

Bethel-Thompson’s wife, Chinaka Hodge, works as a senior writer/ producer with Marvel Studios and is helming the upcoming Ironheart series on Disney Plus.

But Dinwiddie did concede time is of the essence.

“Yeah, there will be a timeline on it,” he said. “It’s got to happen here pretty soon if we make that decision and he makes that decision.

“We’ve been doing our research so we’re ready to go if he retires or wants to come back.”

(Canadian Press/Photo:Hamilton Tiger-Cats)