January 5, 2015

Picard released by Riders, signs with Bombers

CFL.ca

CFL.ca Staff

REGINA — Shortly after being released by the Roughriders on Tuesday, veteran centre Dominic Picard has found a new home in Winnipeg with the Blue Bombers.

Picard joins the Bombers after spending three seasons with the Riders. The Sainte-Foy, QC native started all but one game last season for Saskatchewan after helping them capture the Grey Cup with a dominant run game the year before, opening holes for RB Kory Sheets.

“This is a player with great experience in the CFL,” said General Manager Kyle Walters in a statement.

“He is a tough, hard-nosed football player, and we are excited to bring him into the Bombers organization.”

The 32-year-old centre broke into the CFL from Laval after being drafted in the third round of the 2006 CFL Draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  After three seasons with the Bombers, Picard signed as a free agent with Toronto where he started at centre from 2009 to 2011.

In addition to the Picard release, the Riders also announced that national receiver Alex Anthony and national linebacker Ryan Wellman have re-signed with the team, while linebacker Tristan Black was released. As per club policy, financial details of the contracts were not released.

Anthony will be entering his third year with the Roughriders after originally being selected by the team in the 5th round (39th overall) of the 2013 CFL Draft. Through his first two seasons, the 23-year-old has appeared in four games as a backup receiver registering two receptions for 13 yards.

Wellman will rejoin the Riders for his second CFL season. The University of Regina product got into five regular season games during his 2014 rookie campaign. The 24-year-old saw action mainly on special teams where recorded two tackles.

The Picard signing was the second major transaction made by the Blue Bombers on Tuesday after re-upping defensive back and kick returner Demond Washington.  He was set to become a free agent next month.