CFL.ca Staff
TORONTO — There have been plenty of new additions to CFL clubs today with teams able to expand their practice rosters. Each season, CFL practice rosters expand from a maximum of seven players (five import players) to a maximum of 12 players (ten import players) for 30 days, ending on Thursday, November 4. Here is a look at the moves from around the league.
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B.C. Lions |
The BC Lions announced today that five players have been added to the team’s practice roster.
The five players added Wednesday include linebacker E.J. Savannah from the University of Washington, defensive back Daylan Walker (Arkansas State) who went to camp with the Atlanta Falcons, defensive end Angelo Craig (University of Cincinnati) by way of the New England Patriots and defensive back Cam Nelson (Arizona) who was recently released from the Chicago Bears. The lone player added to the offensive side of the ball is receiver Nick Moore (Toledo) who was in camp with the Minnesota Vikings.
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Calgary Stampeders |
No moves as of yet.
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Edmonton Eskimos |
No moves as of yet.
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Saskatchewan Roughriders |
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed import defensive backs Nick Graham and Courtney Robinson to the practice roster.
Graham (5’10 – 191 lbs) spent time with the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL from 2007 through until late 2009. The 26-year-old played his college career at Tulsa. In 50 games played he tallied 180 tackles and seven interceptions. He was also named a two-time second team All-Conference USA selection.
Robinson (5’11 – 195 lbs) signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 but was later released. He most recently worked out with the Seattle Seahawks. The 23-year-old played three seasons at the University of Massachusetts where he had 101 tackles, 22 pass knockdowns, five interceptions and 2.5 sacks in 40 games played. He also had 58 kickoff returns for 1,388 yards and one touchdown. In his senior season, Robinson was named a first team All-Conference selection.
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Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have added import defensive back Johnny Sears and import defensive end Remond Willis to the practice roster.
Sears (6-0, 184, Eastern Michigan, DOB: March 16, 1987, in Fresno, California) was most recently with the Cincinnati Bengals but was among the team’s final cuts. In four preseason games, Sears registered six tackles. After transferring from Michigan to Eastern Michigan University, Sears started nine games at corner during his senior season and made 37 tackles and seven pass deflections while also blocking one punt. He was used primarily as a kick returner throughout his college career and he returned 33 kickoffs for 755 yards as a senior.
Willis (6-1, 253, Tennessee State, DOB: August 28, 1985, in Dexter, Missouri) attended training camp with Winnipeg earlier this year after previously attending training camp with the Calgary Stampeders last season. He played his college football at Tennessee State where in 2007 he led the club in tackles with 84, including 50 solo efforts. In 2008 for the Tigers, Willis started 10 games and made 55 tackles, including three tackles for loss and recovered two fumbles. He transferred to Tennessee State from Illinois, where in 2005 he was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-America and Freshman All-Big Ten teams.
The club has also released Jeremy Maddox from the practice roster.
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Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
No moves as of yet.
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Toronto Argonauts |
The Argos have added four import players, including one quarterback, to their practice roster arsenal. Former South Florida star QB Matt Grothe (PRO: Growth-EE), OL Andre Barbour, DB Damaso Munoz and DB Sean Smalls have all signed practice roster agreements and will join their new teammates at today’s practice.
Andre Barbour split his time in college between the University of North Carolina and Eastern Kentucky University. He played his final two college seasons for Eastern Kentucky where he was named the team’s starting right tackle for the final 17 games of his college career.
Matt Grothe won the starting quarterback job as a freshman at University of South Florida. By the time he was a junior, Grothe had set most of the school’s passing records and was busy surpassing his own records. The 24-year old missed most of his senior year rehabbing from an injury and most recently attended training camp with the UFL’s Florida Tuskers.
A Rutgers University product, DB Damaso Munoz had career totals of 195 tackles, two forced fumbles and three interceptions as the team’s starting strong-side linebacker. He played in the Scarlet Knight’s 2008 International Bowl win at Rogers Centre in Toronto and most recently attended training camp with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL.
A 6-foot, 1-inch, 210-pound defensive back, Sean Smalls was considered a top pro prospect while playing at the University of Massachusetts. He started 36 games in a row at cornerback in college and was named first-team all-conference as a junior and second-team all-conference as a sophomore.
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Montreal Alouettes |
The Montreal Alouettes have been added the following players to the practice roster:
Import DT Ty Steinkuhler
Import RB Tracy Ford
Import K/P Sam Swank
Import WR Brandon London
Import K/P Colt David
