Edem finally finds his way out west
B.C. inks two Ticats DBs and one-time Lion Nick Moore as Harris bolts to Winnipeg
Mike Edem has taken the long way to becoming a member of the B.C. Lions. The 26-year-old Canadian safety signed with the Lions Tuesday, the opening day of CFL free agency, after finishing last season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The University of Calgary product says he talked extensively with the Lions leading up to the 2013 CFL Draft. He felt he had developed a rapport with then-B.C. defensive backs coach Mark Washington and was certain the Lions were going to take him sixthoverall.The Montreal Alouettes, who Edem says he had spoken to only sparingly, picked him at No. 3.
Edem had a banner rookie season in Montreal in 2013 with 49 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. He seemed to fall out of favour after that, in part due to injuries, and was traded midway through last season to the TigerCats for a 2016 sixth-round pick and a conditional 2017 seventh rounder.
He signed a two-year deal with the Lions on Tuesday. Defensive back Brandon Stewart, an eight-year CFL veteran who also played in Hamilton last year, also signed a two-year deal with B.C. on Tuesday. Edem says he spoke with the 29-year-old Seattle native Tuesday and said, “We’re both excited to get started with B.C.”
B.C. has also come to terms on one-year deal with American slotback Nick Moore, 29, who had a 1,000-yard season with the Lions in 2013 and then signed as a free agent with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Westerville, Ohio, product had 76 catches for 899 yards with Winnipeg last season.
B.C. lost one of Tuesday’s big-ticket names to Winnipeg as Canadian running back Andrew Harris opted to return to his hometown club. B.C. coach and general manager Wally Buono had said earlier that his team didn’t plan on re-signing Harris, 28, who rushed for 1,039 yards last season with the Lions. He had been in the Lions’ fold since 2008.
As for Edem, he’s finishing off his communications degree at Calgary, but he’s looking forward to coming to the Lower Mainland in the near future and preparing for the 2016 campaign.
“I wanted to play for Mark Washington,” Edem said, pointing to the man who’s about to enter his third season as the team’s defensive coordinator.
“I was looking forward to getting drafted by B.C. in 2013 because I wanted to play for him then.
“Mark has a good reputation. He’s a good coach, but he’s also a good person. People can forget sometimes how important that is.”
Edem also says he’s keen to play alongside veteran Lions defensive back Ryan Phillips.
“He has the most picks of any active player,” Edem said of the 33-year-old Phillips, who has 46 interceptions over his 11-year career with B.C., “so he obviously has a thing or two that he can teach you.”