Free-agent receiver Carter signs deal with Lions for a year
Duron Carter is a B.C. Lion.
The colourful receiver signed a one-year deal with B.C. on Wednesday, the second day of Canadian Football League free agency.
“Players of Duron’s remarkable ability are what make our league special and he’s going to be a very big piece of our offence in 2019,” B.C. general manager Ed Hervey said in a statement. “We had a lot of interest in him last year when he became available during the season and it’s great to finally get this deal done.”
The six-foot-five, 205-pound Carter split last season between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts, registering a combined 18 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Carter, a two-time CFL all-star, began his career in Canada with Montreal in 2013 and over five seasons has 276 catches for 4,150 yards and 27 TDs in 73 games.
“I am looking forward to making a fresh start on the West Coast,” said Carter. “Ed and I had a number of conversations last year before I signed in Toronto which really helped me in my decision to ultimately join him in B.C.
“The opportunity to play with Mike Reilly is obviously a big factor, too. Players want to have fun playing this game and it’s going to be a lot of fun in B.C. this year.”
Jennings joins Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks have signed quarterback Jonathon Jennings to a one-year contract.
Jennings has 980 completions for 12,497 yards and 66 TDs in 51 career games over four seasons with the B.C. Lions.
He had his most successful season in 2016, when the Columbus, Ohio, native threw for 5,226 yards and 27 touchdowns.
The move comes after former Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris signed with Edmonton on Tuesday, the opening day of free agency.
“We are very excited to add a player of Jonathon’s pedigree to our roster,” Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins said in a statement. “His experience and ability will add depth and competition to the Redblacks QB position.”
Jennings joins a group of quarterbacks in Ottawa that includes Dominique Davis, Danny Collins and Will Ardnt.
The Redblacks also signed Canadian offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon, American receiver Ryan Lankford, defensive back/returner Troy Stoudermire and Canadian linebacker Nicolas Boulay.
Gagnon spent the past three seasons with Montreal, which drafted him second overall in 2016. Lankford played the past two seasons with Winnipeg, while Stoudermire comes to Ottawa after spending last year in Calgary.
Boulay spent his first six
CFL seasons with Montreal, registering 33 tackles, 69 special-teams tackles and a forced fumble in 97 games.
Loffler joins Alouettes
All-star Canadian safety Taylor Loffler has signed with the Montreal Alouettes.
Loffler, a three-time CFL all-star from Kelowna, B.C., was taken in the third round, No. 19 overall, in the 2016 CFL draft by Winnipeg. Last season, the 26-year-old had 52 tackles, a fumble return and three interceptions in 16 games with the Bombers.
“We acquired one of the most sought after defensive players in free agency,” Alouettes GM Kavis Reed said in a statement. “We improved our defence a great deal with this acquisition.
“What Taylor has done by being selected a CFL all-star in his first three CFL seasons is quite phenomenal. He represents a great signing for our organization.”
Lemon, Sutton join Argos
Shawn Lemon is back with the Toronto Argonauts.
The veteran American defensive lineman signed with Toronto for reportedly one year Wednesday after becoming a CFL free agent Tuesday. Lemon had 11 sacks in 2018 after splitting the season between the Argos and B.C.
Lemon has also spent time in the CFL with Saskatchewan
(’11 and ’16), Edmonton (’12), Calgary (’13 and ’14) and Ottawa (’15). He was an East Division all-star in ’16 after registering a career-high 14 sacks and is a two-time Grey Cup champion.
The Argos also signed American defensive end Tobi Antigha, who spent the last two seasons with Saskatchewan. The 25-year-old had 21 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions, one of which was returned 52 yards for a TD, last year.
Later in the day, the Argos inked American defensive lineman Cory Johnson and running back Tyrell Sutton.