THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — The Argos’ defence will be minus a pair of veterans when training camp opens Sunday, as international defensive lineman Andre Monroe and defensive back Devin Smith have announced their retirement.
Monroe joined the Argos in December in a trade with Saskatchewan that sent offensive lineman Jarriel King to the Riders, while Smith was set to enter his second season wearing Double Blue after last year recording 54 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries as a CFL rookie.
A native of Washington, D.C., Monroe had yet to play a game in his new colours but was expected to play a role on the team’s revamped defensive line. The 5-foot-11, 270-pound interior lineman enjoyed a strong debut season with the Riders, recording four sacks, 15 defensive tackles and a pair of forced fumbles in only eight games.
Smith, a 5-foot-10, 193-pound defensive back, joined the Argos last season after attending college at Wisconsin. The 25-year-old played a key role in the Argos’ defence last year, emerging as a regular starter in the secondary.
With rookie camp opening Wednesday, the Argos also announced a pair of signings in defensive lineman Ken Bishop and receiver Deontay Greenberry.
Bishop, a 6-foot-1, 306-pound native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (251st overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. He played two seasons at Northern Illinois after transferring from Ellsworth Community College.
The 2013 first-team All-MAC selection registered 125 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 27 games at NIU.
Greenberry is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Fresno, Calif., who recently attended rookie mini-camp with the Washington Redskins after spending the 2015 season with the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.
The University of Houston product caught 201 passes for 2,612 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons with the Cougars. He was named first-team AAC in 2013 and a Conference USA All-Freshman in 2012.
