Lions continue to add linemen
B.C.’s focus remains on interior players with signing of Figueroa, Lewis
B.C. Lions general manager Ed Hervey is a man of his word.
When he was hired, he promised to reshape this CFL team from the core — on the offensive and defensive lines — by adding grit and physicality.
Check and check.
Of the team’s last 15 transactions at the start of the day, 11 involved linemen, including offensive linemen Jeremy Lewis and Joel Figueroa, signed Tuesday on the opening day of CFL free agency. Both players will occupy international roster spots.
That makes it six O-linemen either signed or re-signed in the past two weeks and seven defensive linemen signed since the start of January.
The 6-6, 320-pound Figueroa comes to B.C. after spending his last two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos, and has played 44 regular season games and eight playoff games in his five pro seasons.
“Joel brings a level of physicality and the kind of gritty attitude that we need to add to our offensive line,” Hervey said in a release. “He’s absolutely committed to doing everything it takes to protect the quarterback.”
Lewis is entering his fifth CFL season, spending 2017 in Montreal and the three years before that with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He and Figueroa played together in Hamilton in 2014 and 2015, and their NCAA careers overlapped at the University of Miami.
“Jeremy is another experienced and physical offensive tackle who brings an edge to the position,” Hervey said. “He’s going to give us some needed depth and will absolutely compete for a starting spot in camp.”
Also signing Tuesday was defensive tackle Euclid Cummings, formerly of the Eskimos. He recorded 21 defensive tackles, eight sacks and three forced fumbles with the Esks last season. In 53 career games he’s recorded 62 tackles and 19 sacks.
“Euclid is a young, up-and-coming lineman who definitely has the ability and potential to be one of the most dominant interior players in the league,” Hervey said of the Georgia Tech product, who began his career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2014 and played two seasons there before moving to Winnipeg in 2016.
“He’s equally skilled at playing the run and getting to the quarterback and never takes a play off.” Other signings Tuesday:
Fourth-year defensive back A.J. Jefferson signed a one-year deal with the team. The six-foot, 190-pounder has played 32 regular-season games, one with Ottawa and two with Toronto, recording 95 tackles and six interceptions.
“A.J. is another veteran defensive back who brings a lot of tools to our team,” said Hervey. “He’s a skilled guy who understands the nuances of the corner position in our league. He’s also demonstrated the ability to make plays on the ball, which is something we definitely need more of this season.”
Another Eskimo joined the team as 5-11, 190-pound defensive back Garry Peters was added to the secondary. The Clemson product recorded 35 tackles in eight games with the Eskimos last season.
“Garry is a skilled defensive back who can play both the corner and halfback spots,” Hervey said of the 26-year-old, who played 19 games over two seasons with Edmonton, recording 59 defensive tackles and eight more on special teams.
“He’s young, physical and gives defensive coordinator Mark Washington some options and depth in the secondary.”
Canadian linebacker Mitch Barnett and defensive back Dominique Termansen, both former UBC Thunderbirds, were also added to the roster.
The 6-1, 212-pound Barnett, the son of former Lions defensive back Bruce Barnett, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 CFL Draft by the Tiger-Cats, and played in 29 games over two seasons, racking up 10 special teams stops and a pair of defensive tackles.
The 5-11, 175-pound Termansen, a North Vancouver native, was signed as a free agent by the Montreal Alouettes in 2016. He had five special teams tackles, four defensive stops and an interception over 27 games.
“Mitch and Dominique help improve our Canadian depth and have demonstrated the ability to play starting positions on defence,” said Hervey.
“They love the physicality of their positions and they’ll make us notably better on special teams.”