Redblacks lose Reed, add two Canadians
Ottawa adds depth to defensive line
On a day when the Toronto Argos signed linebacker Taylor Reed, the Ottawa Redblacks added two national defensive linemen: Darryl Waud and Michael Klassen.
The Redblacks made a contract offer to the 26-year-old Reed, a starter since he landed in Ottawa late in the 2016 season, but after they failed to reach an agreement with him, signed former Alouette Kyries Hebert on Friday.
“We made a contract offer that we thought was fair, but it didn’t work out,” Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins said. “He contributed to this team for the year and a bit he was here. We wish him the best in his next stop.”
Desjardins said the Redblacks had an eye on Waud, a star at Western University, going into the CFL college draft in 2015.
“We went with Jake Harty instead,” Desjardins said, referring to the receiver taken 10th overall, two picks before Waud. “We were torn. He was in the mix, for sure.”
The Redblacks lost Harty as a free agent days ago. He signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Waud, 24, is coming off three seasons with the Argos, where he suited up for 25 games, recording 19 tackles and three sacks. Klassen, 26, is a five-year CFL veteran who has played in 62 games, recorded 58 defensive tackles, five specialteams tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles. The Calgary native spent last year with the Stampeders after four seasons with Montreal.
“They’re players who can help with the interior D -line,” Desjardins said. “There’s a chance we could start one. They will both have a chance. At worst, they’re there to be rotational guys. One of the things that was a draw for those guys was they knew there was going to be an honest opportunity to come in here and compete.
“(Waud) didn’t play a lot last year because he had a foot issue, but he proved what he could do in 2016. Klassen’s been around a little longer and has played under (Redblacks defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe), so there’s a bit of a fit there, too.”
Don’t look for any more big moves for the Redblacks.
“We’re probably done for now, unless something that’s very reasonable falls back to us,” Desjardins said. “But I don’t anticipate that to be the case.”
The Redblacks also announced on Tuesday the signings of international linebacker Sean Walters (West Virginia) and running back Marshaun Coprich (Illinois State).
Defensive lineman John Biewald, from Ottawa, signed with the Argos. He was in Redblacks training camp in 2017, but injured a knee in a pre-season game in Montreal.