Veteran receiver Parker released by Stampeders
Anthony Parker’s time with the Calgary Stampeders has come to an end.
The Canadian receiver was released Sunday after seven seasons with the Stampeders. Last week, Calgary landed former all-star Eric Rogers.
CFL teams had to reduce their rosters to 46 active players Sunday. Clubs could also carry as many as 10 additional performers on their practice roster.
“These are always very difficult decisions, especially when it’s someone who has been with the club for so long and has contributed so much on and off the field,” Calgary president/GM John Hufnagel said in a statement. “I thank Anthony for everything he has done for the football club and wish him all the best for the future whether he chooses to continue playing football or focus on his realestate career.”
Parker, 28, was selected in the first round, No. 3 overall by Calgary in the 2011 CFL draft. The six-foot-two, 215-pound Vancouver native registered 178 catches for 2,245 yards and 15 TDs in 108 regular-season games with the Stampeders and helped the club win the 2014 Grey Cup.
The Toronto Argonauts bolstered their secondary by acquiring veteran defensive back Abdul Kanneh from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for a 2019 eighth-round pick.
Injuries limited the five-foot-10, 175-pound Kanneh to seven games last season with Hamilton. He spent the previous three seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks and was named a league all-star in 2015 after registering a leaguebest six interceptions.
Kanneh helped Ottawa win the Grey Cup in 2015.
A quarterback was among the 16 players released by Hamilton but it wasn’t Johnny Manziel. The former Heisman Trophy winner was 12-of-20 passing for 88 yards and a TD and added 13 yards rushing in the Ticats’ 30-15 exhibition victory Saturday.
Manziel completed 9-of-12 pass attempts for 80 yards while running for 10 yards on two carries in Hamilton’s opening 36-18 exhibition loss to Toronto. The six-foot, 210-pound Manziel is expected to open the season as starter Jeremiah Masoli’s backup with veteran Vernon Adams Jr. — who the Ticats were reportedly close to trading last week — and youngster Dane Evans also on the roster.
The quarterback let go was Bryant Moniz. The six-foot, 205-pound former Hawaii star was 3-of-7 passing for 17 yards with an interception against Montreal.
Toronto was among a host of CFL teams that announced their final cuts Saturday.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders confirmed Sunday the release of veteran receivers Chad Owens, Bakari Grant and Canadian Rob Bagg. They also cut American offensive lineman Travis Bond, a former starter in Winnipeg who landed in Regina this offseason as a free agent.
The Riders also announced kicker Tyler Crapigna and offensive lineman Josiah St. John, both Canadians, will open the season on the six-game injured list.
Montreal initially announced that veteran offensive lineman Fulton Xavier was among its final cuts. But the Alouettes quickly issued a correction stating the six-foot-five, 290-pound left tackle hadn’t been released.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers let Canadian kicker Felix Menard-Briere go.
American kicker Sergio Castillo was among 10 players released by the Ottawa Redblacks. Castillo split the last three seasons with Winnipeg, Ottawa and Hamilton, making 39-of47 field goals (83 per cent) and posting a 45yard punting average.
The 2018 CFL season kicks off Thursday night with the Edmonton Eskimos visiting Winnipeg.