Canadian wideout jumps ship on Argos
Wide receiver Watt joins Ticats while Adams, Brown move on via free agency
The Toronto Argonauts have lost at least three players — and likely four — to other CFL teams on the first day of free agency, including two pieces to their receiving corps.
Canadian wide receiver Spencer Watt signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and deep threat Darvin Adams and defensive lineman Ivan Brown latched on with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Argos also reportedly lost offensive lineman Sir Vincent Rogers to Ottawa, but nothing had been finalized late Tuesday, although Rogers was receiving tweets of congratulations from his Argo teammates and retweeting those messages.
The Argos also announced the release of offensive lineman Scott Mitchell (destination unknown) and the re-signing of linebacker Herve Tonye-Tonye.
The Argos were the biggest losers on the day, while the Bombers were the most active in restocking their roster.
Winnipeg sought to bolster its offensive line with the additions of Marc Dile from Hamilton and Stanley Bryant from Calgary. They also signed linebacker Samuel Hurl from Saskatchewan.
The Redblacks improved their receiving corps considerably by adding Ernest Jackson from the B.C. Lions and Brad Sinopoli from Calgary, although Sinopoli’s signing hadn’t been confirmed by the CFL as of Tuesday night.
An unconfirmed report also had the Redblacks trying to lure wide receiver Greg Ellingson from the Ticats.
Even without Ellingson, Ottawa’s air attack has been cranked up.
Jackson was second on the team in receiving with 813 yards last season. He and Sinopoli, a Peterborough native who is a big target at six-foot-four and 215 pounds, will be solid targets for QB Henry Burris as the second-year Redblacks seek to improve on a league-worst 2-16 record.
For the Argos, the departures of Watt and Adams marked another step in what will be a reshaping of the Argos’ receiving corps. Earlier this season, wide receiver John Chiles signed with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
The six-foot, 180-pound Watt tweeted out the news of his signing with Hamilton, thanking general manager Jim Barker, the coaching staff, the players and the fans.
“Wish I could have started and finished my career in Toronto,” he tweeted. “It was a tough decision.”
Backup Toronto quarterback Tre- vor Harris tweeted out to Watt that he was sorry to see him go, but happy for his future.
The arch-rival Tiger-Cats have been rather adept at plucking free agents from the Argos. Last season, Hamilton signed former Argo Zach Collaros to be their starting quarterback and he led them to the Grey Cup championship game.
Watt said he is excited to be reunited with Collaros.
“It doesn’t matter where you are on the field, he’ll find you,” Watt told Spectator reporter Drew Edwards, who reported Watts will make $120,000 per season on a two-year deal.
“I just thought it was a good fit in terms of their needs at Canadian receiver and my experience with Zach,” Watt said. “It’s going to be weird switching to the black and gold, but as soon as I step on the field, it will be all business.”