CFL.ca
CFL.ca Staff
CALGARY — The defending Grey Cup Champion Calgary Stampeders added some insurance to their offensive backfield, acquiring running back Jerome Messam and a fifth round pick from the Saskatchewan Roughriders in exchange for national kicker Tyler Crapigna and a third round pick.
Both picks are in the 2016 CFL Draft.
The news comes on the same day the Riders shipped veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn to Montreal in exchange for a fifth round pick, as the Riders continue to shift assets after being eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16.
Messam, 30, is the CFL’s second-leading rusher with 826 yards on the ground this season and leads all backs with 1,280 yards from scrimmage. He’ll provide some much-needed insurance for running back Jon Cornish, a three-time Most Outstanding Canadian who’s missed time this season with a finger injury and will not suit up in Week 17 due to neck stiffness.
The Stampeders already boast the CFL’s fourth-ranked rushing attack and fourth-ranked offence overall, but Messam could provide a substantial boost for a team that is once again among the favourites to win the Grey Cup. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound back is a former Most Outstanding Canadian and is a top candidate for that honour again in 2015.
Calgary currently sits in a first-place tie with the Edmonton Eskimos, although the Esks hold the tie-breaker after clinching the season series win over the weekend.
More to come …
