December 21, 2012

Garrett, Volny and Goltz re-up with Blue Bombers

BlueBombers.com Staff

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have re-signed import quarterback Justin Goltz, import running back Chris Garrett and non-import running back Carl Volny, the team announced today.  As per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.  All three players were slated to become free agents in February.

“We are very happy to have Justin, Chris and Carl locked up as we feel all three of them have bright futures ahead of them in this league,” said Vice-President and General Manager Joe Mack.  “Justin has been a part of our organization for the better part of three seasons and has progressed tremendously over that time.  We look forward to having him compete for a higher spot on our depth chart next season.  Chris was having a great training camp and preseason last year before suffering a devastating injury that kept him out for the entire season and we feel he has fully recovered and will look to have him return to the form he showed in 2011 when he was a key part of our offence.  Carl is a quality non-import player who has contributed to our team both on offence and on special teams.  We’re very happy to have all three players back in Blue and Gold.”

Goltz saw action in two games last season, completing four of eight passes for 39 yards.  Originally joining the Blue Bombers in October of 2010, Goltz has dressed for 28 games, as well as the 2011 East Final and 99th Grey Cup.  He has completed seven of 14 passes for 75 yards and one touchdown in his CFL career.

“I’m very happy to get this deal done so that I can remain with the organization that gave me a chance three years ago,” said Goltz.  “I can’t wait to get started on next season in our new stadium and I’m looking forward to competing in training camp.”

Goltz was a three-year starter at Occidental College and led his team to an undefeated record as a senior.  He completed 66% of his passes for 1,832 yards and 11 touchdowns against just three interceptions, while also adding 599 rushing yards en route to his team’s third SCIAC championship in four seasons.  He was named the 2008 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Garrett returned to Winnipeg in August of 2011 after being a late training camp cut earlier that season and became the team’s starting running back following an injury to Fred Reid.  In six regular season games, Garrett recorded 576 rushing yards on 92 carries, adding four touchdowns.  He cracked the 100-yard mark twice and also rumbled for 190 yards and a touchdown in the 2011 East Final.  Originally signing with the Blue Bombers in September of 2010, Garrett has recorded 111 carries for 689 yards and four touchdowns in his career.  He missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon.

“Last year was tough for me to have to sit out and watch as my teammates went to work every day and I knew there was nothing I could do to help them on the field,” said Garrett.  “I’m excited to get back to Winnipeg fully healthy and give this team another option and help them get back to the playoffs.”

Garrett was a standout returner with the Ohio Bobcats and finished his collegiate career with 43 punt returns for 450 yards and one touchdown as well as 82 kickoff returns for 2,185 yards and three touchdowns.  He was also a dominant running back and carried the ball 300 times for 1,346 yards and seven touchdowns over his four years.

Volny was drafted by the Blue Bombers in the fifth round (32nd overall) of the 2011 CFL Draft and has appeared in 20 games over the past two seasons, missing a portion after tearing his ACL in September of 2011.  He made his first professional start in the team’s final regular season game in 2012, carrying the ball 14 times for 64 yards, while also catching one pass for 14 yards.  Volny has recorded 34 carries for 155 yards and four receptions for 32 yards in two seasons.

“I am very grateful to the Blue Bomber organization for giving me an opportunity to play football professionally when they drafted me two years ago,” said Volny.  “The past two seasons have been tough rehabbing from injury, but I’m looking forward to coming back to camp healthy and ready to contribute in any way I can.”