THE CANADIAN PRESS
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Ron Flemons and Bryan Crawford have avoided CFL free agency, re-signing with the Toronto Argonauts through the 2013 season.
“These two signings are critical to our organization moving forward,” Argos head coach and GM Jim Barker said Tuesday in a release. “Both bring leadership and experience and play the game at a very high level. I’m glad both Ron and Bryan will be wearing Double Blue next year, rather than our team having to play against them.”
Flemons, a defensive end, was the team’s outstanding defensive player last season, setting career highs in defensive tackles (53), sacks (8) and fumble recoveries with four (4) for 54 yards.
Flemons’ four fumble recoveries tied him for second-most by an Argos player in a season, and his six passes defended tied him for the 2010 team lead.
“I’m excited to be back in a Toronto Argonauts uniform,” Flemons said. “I feel like we made a lot of progress last year and I’m excited to build on that progress in 2011 and become a Grey Cup calibre team.”
Crawford, the Argos’ special teams captain and Hamilton native, has played in 94 regular-season games for Toronto since he was drafted in 2005.
The running back challenged for the CFL lead in special teams tackles in each of his last four seasons and led the league with 26 tackles in 2010. With two more special teams tackles, he’ll tie Mike O’Shea (124) for the Argos’ all-time team lead.
“Being drafted by Toronto and having worn Double Blue for my entire career there was no other organization I could have envisioned myself playing for,” Crawford said.
