As the CFL Free Agency opened yesterday an all-out frenzy happened: Winnipeg doled out the cash, while the biggest free agent, Ted Laurent, stayed right in Hamilton. As Wednesday rolled around many top names were still out there which made day two just as interesting as day one. After Winnipeg stole the show on Tuesday, Saskatchewan had the biggest piece of the cake.
Last Word on Sports breaks it down, and gives you a quick summary on all the day’s action.
CFL Free Agency Day Two: The Chris Jones Show
Roughriders sign Capicciotti, Gainey, Chambers, Foster and Lawrence
Saskatchewan was very quiet yesterday, which surprised many, but on day two Chris Jones and company made a splash. Jones recruited some of his former players in receiver Shamawd Chambers, defensive back Otha Foster, and dynamic kick returner and running back Kendial Lawrence.
Chambers brings a tall Canadian receiver to Saskatchewan. The Most Outstanding Canadian in the Grey Cup, Chambers followed his coach to his new look Riders.
Foster also leaves Edmonton and goes to play for his former coach in Saskatchewan. Foster who had two sacks and one interception, will help out a Roughriders secondary which got burned too often last season.
The biggest splash for Saskatchewan was signing ratio breaker and dynamic defensive end Capicciotti to a reported two-year deal. Capicciotti and former team mate Shawn Lemon will wreak havoc on offensive lines and quarterbacks around the league. Capicciotti’s sacks last year were a big factor in reaching the Grey Cup. He was a fan favourite in Ottawa, and there is no doubt Rider Nation will love him.
Lawrence will provide a dynamic kick returner along with Nic Demski. Saskatchewan also signed the defensive back Gainey, from the Tiger-Cats, to shore up their sub-par defence from 2015.
Calgary Improves with Multiple Signings
After the Calgary Stampeders lost Eric Rogers to the NFL, they quickly found his replacement. Calgary quickly signed receiver Bakari Grant from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Grant will improve the receiving corps for Bo Levi Mitchell. Mitchell’s favourite targets, Rogers and Fuller, may be leaving Cowtown, so expect Grant to be the number one guy for Mitchell in 2016.
Calgary also got better on the defensive side of the ball by signing former Tiger-Cat Tank Reed. The Stamps also announced the signing of Taylor Reed. Both Reeds will fill the holes left by Juwan Simpson and Keon Raymond.
Other Signings
Ted Laurent re-signs on a two-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Laurent was the biggest name on the market, and now is officially off the market and back home.
The Ottawa Redblacks remained active signing fullback and hometown boy Brendan Gillanders. General manager Marcel Desjardins also announced on Twitter the signing of defensive end Arnaud Gascon-Nadon.
The B.C. Lions also filled the running back vacancy by signing former Redblack Jeremiah Johnson.
Finally, the Alouettes inked defensive back Jovon Johnson and re-signed Dominique Ellis. Defensive end Vaughn Martin, a Western Ontario Mustangs product who has been in the NFL since 2009, will play in the CFL after signing a contract in Montreal.
