Dominick Gravel/CFL.ca
TORONTO — After a couple of weeks on the open market, Bear Woods is joining familiar faces now with division rivals after being unexpectedly released by Montreal on May 29.
The Toronto Argonauts announced the signing of the all-star linebacker, reuniting Woods with former GM Jim Popp and head coach Marc Trestman. Toronto is a natural landing spot for the six-year defender, who now enters a linebacking corps in search of leadership.
Gone is Cory Greenwood (signed with Edmonton as free agent) and in is Woods and recent returnee Marcus Ball.
In a column filed in May to CFL.ca, senior writer Chris O’Leary said that Toronto was one of, if not the, best fits for Woods following his release.
“On the field, where the Argos had the worst run defence in the league last season (2,074 yards allowed/115.2 yards per game) and were near the bottom of almost ever defensive category, Woods would be an energized addition that could get in the face of the league’s top running backs after they grew accustomed to galloping up and down the field against them,” O’Leary wrote.
Related:
> O’Leary says Toronto Makes Sense for Woods
> Marcus Ball Back in Blue with Grey on his Mind
Woods played seven seasons for the Alouettes, making his debut with the team in the 2011 Eastern Semi-Final where he made five tackles.
In 40-career games with Montreal, the 30-year-old amassed 232 defensive tackles, including 15 sacks, while intercepting three passes. He was voted the East Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player twice in his career in 2014 and 2016.
Woods will be present but will not dress for the Argonauts’ pre-season opener vs. the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday night at BMO Field. The two-time CFL All-Star will don his notorious number 48 with the Double Blue while defensive end Evan Foster’s jersey number will change to 43.
