Eskimos add QB, defensive end to roster
American-born Franklin and Roberts to show wares in camp
With Canadian Football League training camps just over a month from opening, the Edmonton Eskimos’ roster is beginning to take shape.
The Eskimos announced the signing of a pair of American-bred players in quarterback James Franklin and defensive end R.J. Roberts on Tuesday.
Franklin’s signing makes official what many have known for weeks. The former Missouri Tigers pivot wrote on Twitter in April that he had signed with the Esks. A physically imposing pocket-passer at six-foottwo and 225 pounds, he was a three-year starter for the Tigers. Through 42 games he completed 586 of 943 passes for 6,962 yards, throwing 51 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. He also ran for 1,729 yards and 21 touchdowns on 450 career carries. He spent time with the NFL’s Detroit Lions last summer.
Eskimos general manager Ed Hervey wants to create competition across the board at training camp and Roberts, who is six-foot-four and 255 pounds, will certainly add fuel to that campfire. The 25-year-old played 23 games over three seasons with the Troy Trojans (from 200709). He spent 2013 in the Arena Football League with the Tampa Bay Storm and had 27 tackles (20 solo), three quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 10 games.
Roberts showed well at the Eskimos’ mini-camp last week at Vero Beach, Fla., contributing to a fast and physical D-line presence, despite players not wearing pads or helmets (save for quarterbacks) for the duration of the camp.
Edmonton is expected to make more roster announcements throughout this week. coleary@edmontonjournal.com Twitter.com/ @oleayrchris Facebook.com/