FRIDAY CFL NOTEBOOK: STAMPS, ARGOS SWING TRADE, MASOLI TO OTTAWA
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts re-signed American defensive back Chris Edwards on Friday, and swung what could turn out to be a big trade with the Calgary Stampeders.
The six-foot-two, 217-pound Edwards earned CFL all-star honours last year.
Edwards has appeared in 67 career CFL games with Edmonton, B.C., and Toronto, recording 149 tackles, four sacks, seven interceptions and four forced fumbles while scoring three TDs.
Toronto also acquired the rights to Canadian defensive back Royce Metchie from the Calgary Stampeders for the rights to Canadian linebacker Cam Judge. Both players are scheduled to become CFL free agents Tuesday.
Metchie, 25, appeared in seven games with Calgary last season, registering 31 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. He’s the older brother of John Metchie III, a receiver at the University of Alabama.
Judge appeared in nine regular-season games last season, his first with Toronto. Judge had 13 tackles and one special-teams tackle with the Argos.
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3DownNation.com is reporting the Ottawa RedBlacks have agreed to terms with quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
The 33-year old San Francisco product was considered one of the CFL’s top pending free agents. He’s suited up for Edmonton and Hamilton since coming to the CFL in 2012.
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MONTREAL – The Montreal Alouettes signed American quarterback Dominique Davis to a one-year deal Friday.
Davis spent the last three seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks after starting his CFL career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2015-17). He has appeared in 88 career regular-season games, completing 316-of-503 passes (62.8 per cent) for 3,640 yards with 11 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
Davis, 32, has also rushed for 323 yards and 13 TDs on 104 carries.
Montreal also released American quarterback Matthew Shiltz, a four-year veteran who was slated to become a free agent Tuesday.
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The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American linebacker Larry Dean to a contract extension.
Dean (6’0-226lbs) has played in 72 CFL games over a career that has spanned five seasons and earned 365 defensive tackles, eight special teams tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, 16 pass knockdowns, five forced fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown. He’s also played in five playoff games.
Dean signed with the Roughriders during 2021 free agency and while an injury kept him off the field, he remained in Saskatchewan throughout the season to support his teammates and to rehabilitate his injury. Prior to coming to the Riders, he spent most of his career with the Tiger-Cats, except 2019 when he suited up for the Edmonton Elks.
Dean is a three-time divisional all-star (2017-19), was the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2018 and was Edmonton’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019.
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OTTAWA – Veteran offensive lineman Jon Gott signed a one-day contract with the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday to retire as a member of the CFL franchise.
“It just felt like the right time,” said Gott, who last played for Ottawa in 2018. “I’m pretty pumped for this team going into 2022 and I’m proud to be able to officially retire in a city that means so much to me.
“To the fans in Ottawa, RNation, you are the best in the league. I’m proud of what we accomplished together. I had a blast and I’m thankful to have played for the Redblacks.”
Gott spent 10 seasons in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders (2009-13) and Ottawa (2014-18). The Edmonton native was traded to Ottawa for the first pick of the ’14 CFL draft.
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CALGARY – The Calgary Stampeders re-signed Canadian receiver Richie Sindani on Friday.
The six-foot-two, 216-pound Regina native was slated to become a free agent Tuesday.
Sindani appeared in all 14 regular-season games last season, starting one. He had 26 receptions for 262 yards and two TDs.
The Stampeders selected Sindani in the eighth round of the ’17 CFL draft out of Calgary. He has registered 66 catches for 731 yards and two TDs in 47 career regular-season contests.
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TORONTO – The CFL’s board of governors will begin searching for a new chairman.
The league made the announcement Friday, adding the board is following a recommendation put forth by Dale Lastman, the current chairman. Lastman will remain in the post until his successor is appointed.
The CFL said a selection committee has been appointed that includes Greg Yuel (Saskatchewan Roughriders lead governor), John Ruddy (Ottawa Redblacks lead governor), Scott Mitchell (Hamilton Tiger-Cats governor) and Susan Jones Bouk, the CFL’s chief people officer.
The league has also retained Heidrick & Struggles, an executive search firm, to assist with the process.
“This process certainly has my support and I look forward to working with our next chair and our entire board as we build the future of our league together, ” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.
(Canadian Press)
