CFL
CFL.ca Staff
VANCOUVER — Two months after being cut loose by the Bombers, quarterback Joey Elliott has signed a contract with the BC Lions, the club announced today.
No stranger to competition in Winnipeg, Elliott will compete alongside Chris Hart, Jarrett Brown and Thomas DeMarco for a spot behind starter Travis Lulay. The trade of 2012 backup Mike Reilly to the Eskimos in February has made for open no. 2 and 3 spots on the Leos`depth chart.
Elliott spent three seasons with the Blue Bombers and dressed for 33 games in that span including nine as the team’s starter. Last season, the Purdue grad enjoyed his most productive year as a pro throwing for 2,101 yards and five touchdowns while completing 60.7% of his passes.
In Week 8 last season, Elliott had a brilliant game under centre for the Bombers, throwing for a whopping 406 yards against the Tiger-Cats. He nearly duplicated that performance in Week 15 against Montreal, as he led the Bombers to a 27-22 win over the Als, throwing for 335 yards and three touchdowns.
Both outings saw him earn Offensive Player of the Week honours.
“Joey brings quality playing experience to the table and this is a key signing for our club,” said Lions VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “He is going to make us better by raising the competition of our back-up quarterbacks heading into training camp.”
Originally joining the Bombers in July 2010, Elliott served as a back up to former Lions pivot Buck Pierce and notched a career outing last season throwing for 406 yards and a touchdown in a win over Hamilton on August 12th. He has also enjoyed two 300-yard passing efforts and six games of 200 or more passing yards in his nine career starts.
“Joey definitely strengthens our quarterback ranks and I’m very pleased to have him joining us,” said head coach Mike Benevides. “He’s played in some big games both at the college level and in the CFL and that kind of experience is difficult to find in a back-up quarterback.”
