Redblacks cut roster down to size
While chopping down a roster to meet CFL requirements heading into the regular season is never easy for Ottawa Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins, it’s the players who have been released who feel the real sting.
The Redblacks announced on Sunday morning they had released 25 players and that another, receiver Jamal Kett, had retired.
Gone are receivers Daniel Adams, Tori Gurley, Dave Johnson, Vernon Johnson, Bilal Marshall and Riley Wilson; defensive backs Javier Arenas, Armageddon Draughn, Adrian James and Doug Moss; defensive linemen John Biewald, Mathieu Dupuis, Adrian Hubbard, Darryl Paulo, Greg Townsend and Mike Wakefield; offensive linemen Randy Beardy, Pierce Burton, Jordan Filippelli, Daniel Hayes, Lene Maiava; running backs Shakir Bell and Ed Ilnicki; linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis and quarterback Austin Trainor.
Kept and put on the team’s practice squad were: Defensive backs Sherrod Baltimore and Corey Tindal, linebacker Kevin Brown, quarterback Danny Collins, defensive lineman Avery Ellis, receivers Austen Hartley and Dominique Rhymes, linebacker Kevin Jackson, offensive linemen Eric Lofton and Ryan Schmidt.
“The process of making the decisions wasn’t too, too difficult,” said Desjardins. “We had a very good idea going into the last preseason game what we were going to do. The tough part is telling guys, certainly players who are vets, that we don’t have a job for them.
“Guys sometimes see it coming, other guys maybe don’t see it coming but they’re pros, they understand we’re making decisions we feel are right — they may disagree, but at least they’re professional about it.”
Speaking about Bell, who rushed for 1,058 yards in 15 games over two seasons in Edmonton, and Gurley, who had 791 yards in receptions with 10 touchdowns in Toronto in 2015 with current Redblacks QB Trevor Harris throwing him the ball, Desjardins explained: “In Shakir’s case, I know it’s a small sample but there were concerns with ball security (he fumbled twice Thursday night vs. Montreal).
“Also, how were we going to find a way to get him on the roster? Kind of similar with Gurley, he wasn’t going to be on the roster if everybody else was healthy. So does having him around stunt the development of the younger receivers we have here — (Josh) Stangby, Rhymes, etc. That was part of that decision-making process as well.”
A surprise on the list was Arenas, a former second-round NFL Draft pick who looked like he may slot in as a returner.
“In terms of players in the secondary, we liked Tindal and Baltimore, younger guys with more upside,” said Desjardins. “We don’t know if Arenas would have accepted a practice roster spot anyway.”
Put on the retired list, Kett could return.
“He has a knee issue and needs surgery,” said Desjardins. “It’s not season-ending, but he’ll be out for an extended period of time. Midway through the season or whenever he’s healthy, we’ll revisit things, see where we’re at and see where he’s at. He’s eligible to return later in the year because he retired prior to the first regular-season game. We still own his rights. It’s his decision.”
The Redblacks return to the practice field Monday and it’s full steam ahead for the team’s regular-season opener Friday vs. the Calgary Stampeders (a Grey Cup rematch) at TD Place.