Montreal Alouettes get running back William Stanback to return after NFL look

Dec 14, 2020 | 8:48 AM

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes have signed star running back William Stanback to a two-year contract.

Stanback returns to the Alouettes after getting cut by the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders in training camp this year.

The six-foot, 233-pound Stanback was third in the CFL with 1,048 rushing yards in 2019 and led the league with an average of 6.2 yards per carry.

The 26-year-old native of Hempstead, N.Y., was named a CFL all-star in 2019.

The 2020 CFL season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league hopes to resume play in spring 2021.

“We are extremely happy that William chose to return to Montreal and be a part of the nucleus of our players for the upcoming seasons,” Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia said in a statement. 

“His return will allow us to continue offering our fans exciting and spectacular football, all while bolstering our offence with a good dose of talent and energy.”

The Alouettes also signed American defensive lineman Chris Favoroso to a two-year deal.

ROUGHRIDERS GM, COACH GET EXTENSIONS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed vice president of football operations/general manager Jeremy O’Day and head coach Craig Dickenson to two-year contract extensions.

O’Day and Dickenson guided the Roughriders to a first-place finish in the West Division in 2019.

“Jeremy has showed tremendous dedication to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and his leadership, especially through the challenges of 2020, has been outstanding,” Roughriders president/CEO Craig Reynolds said in a statement.

Dickenson was named CFL coach of the year last year.

“In his first season as head coach, Craig did an exceptional job leading and supporting our players on and off the field and the results speak for themselves,” O’Day said.

Offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas and defensive co-ordinator Jason Shivers also have signed extensions through 2022.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 14, 2020.

The Canadian Press