Esks extend Sherritt’s contract
Free agent Bowman signs on with Bombers
The Edmonton Eskimos extended their contract with linebacker J.C. Sherritt through the 2019 season on Friday.
Sherritt appeared in only one game last season, recording a fumble before sustaining a season-ending injury in the seasonopening game.
A former Canadian Football League defensive player of the year in 2012, Sherritt has played in 91 career games in seven seasons with the Eskimos.
VITAL PART
“J.C. Sherritt is a vital part of this organization both on and off the field,” Eskimos general manager Brock Sunderland said in a media release. “His play on the field speaks for itself, and we’re a better defence with him in the lineup.”
Sunderland said Sherritt has aggressively fought through rehab and is excited to get back on the field in the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, free agent receiver Adarius Bowman has signed a oneyear contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The 32-year-old was cut on Monday by the Eskimos shortly before he was due to receive a $140,000 roster bonus.
Bowman spent the last seven seasons in Edmonton. He had 45 catches for 534 yards and five touchdowns over 12 regular-season games in 2017, and added five receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns in two playoff contests.
With the Bombers, Bowman will be reunited with offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice, who served as his offensive co-ordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2008.
Asked why he wanted to sign with Winnipeg, Bowman replied: “why not?”
“I definitely (wanted to be) around the offensive co-ordinator that I started my career with and it will be nice to finish it with him, so definitely excited to reunite with him,” Bowman said. “After that, it was very simple to me — great group of guys, explosive offence, great defence, a team that I see is going to compete for the Grey Cup."
The six-foot-three, 215-pound Bowman had a club-record 120 catches for a league-high 1,759 yards and nine TDs in 2016. Edmonton signed him to a contract extension through 2018 following the record year.