Free-agent receiver Duron Carter signs one-year deal with B.C. Lions

“I am looking forward to making a fresh start on the West Coast,” said Carter. “Ed and I had a number of conversations last year before I signed in Toronto which really helped me in my decision to ultimately join him in B.C.

“The opportunity to play with Mike Reilly is obviously a big factor too. Players want to have fun playing this game and it’s going to be a lot of fun in B.C. this year.”

JENNINGS JOINS REDBLACKS

The Ottawa Redblacks have signed quarterback Jonathon Jennings to a one-year contract.

Jennings has 980 completions for 12,497 yards and 66 touchdowns in 51 career games over four seasons with the B.C. Lions.

He had his most successful season in 2016, when the Columbus, Ohio, native threw for 5,226 yards and 27 touchdowns.

The move comes after former Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris signed with Edmonton on Tuesday, the opening day of free agency.

“We are very excited to add a player of Jonathon’s pedigree to our roster,” Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins said in a statement. “His experience and ability will add depth and competition to the Redblacks QB position.”

Jennings joins a group of quarterbacks in Ottawa that includes Dominique Davis, Danny Collins and Will Ardnt.

The Redblacks also signed Canadian offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon, American receiver Ryan Lankford, defensive back/returner Troy Stoudermire and Canadian linebacker Nicolas Boulay.

Gagnon spent the past three seasons with Montreal, which drafted him second overall in 2016.

Lankford played the last two seasons with Winnipeg, while Stoudermire comes to Ottawa after spending last year in Calgary.

Boulay spent his first six CFL seasons with Montreal, registering 33 tackles, 69 special-teams tackles and a forced fumble in 97 games,

LOFFLER JOINS ALOUETTES

All-star Canadian safety Taylor Loffler has signed with the Montreal Alouettes.

Loffler, a three-time CFL all-star from Kelowna, B.C., was taken in the third round, No. 19 overall, in the 2016 CFL draft by Winnipeg. Last season, the 26-year-old 52 tackles, a fumble return and three interceptions in 16 games with the Bombers.

“We acquired one of the most sought after defensive players in free agency,” Alouettes GM Kavis Reed said in a statement. “We improved our defence a great deal with this acquisition.

“What Taylor has done by being selected a CFL all-star in first three CFL seasons is quite phenomenal. He represents a great signing for our organization.”

LEMON, SUTTON JOIN ARGOS

Shawn Lemon is back with the Toronto Argonauts.

The veteran American defensive lineman signed with Toronto for reportedly one year Wednesday after becoming a CFL free agent Tuesday. Lemon had 11 sacks in 2018 after splitting the season between the Argos and B.C.

Lemon has also spent time in the CFL with Saskatchewan (2011, 2016), Edmonton (2012), Calgary (2013, 2014) and Ottawa (2015). He was an East Division all-star in 2016 after registering a career-high 14 sacks and is a two-time Grey Cup champion.

The Argos also signed American defensive end Tobi Antigha, who spent the last two seasons with Saskatchewan. The 25-year-old had 21 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions, one of which was returned 52 yards for a touchdown, last year.

Later in the day, the Argos inked American defensive lineman Cory Johnson, who played for Winnipeg the past two seasons, running back Tyrell Sutton, who split last year between Montreal and B.C. Sutton ran for 685 yards and three TDs combined in 2018 while adding 35 catches for 341 yards, and linebacker Micah Awe, who has spent the past two seasons in B.C.

RIDERS SIGN VETERAN RECEIVER WATSON

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Canadian free-agent Cory Watson to a one-year contract.

The six-foot-three, 211-pound Watson spent last season with B.C., registering 38 catches for 406 yards and three TDs. Watson, 34, is entering his ninth CFL campaign having also spent time with Winnipeg and Edmonton.

The native of Dollard des Ormeaux, Que., earned a Grey Cup ring with Edmonton in 2015. In 133 career CFL games, Watson has 328 receptions for 3,737 yards and 16 TDs.

LIONS ADD RUNNING BACK

The B.C. Lions have signed American running back John White to a one-year deal.

The five-foot-eight, 185-pound White had 400 yards on 78 carries for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last year.

“John was another primary target of ours heading into this free agency period and we’re ecstatic to bring him into the fold,” Lions GM Ed Hervey said in a statement. “He runs with power, protects the passer when needed and can effectively catch the ball coming out of the backfield. Most importantly, John represents the kind of experience, depth and competition we want to have at every position on the field heading into training camp.”

Before joining Hamilton, White played four seasons for Edmonton.

The Lions also added a trio of Canadians — linebacker Terrell Davis, wide receiver Joshua Stanford and defensive back Josh Woodman.

Davis, a native of Victoria, B.C., played for Hamilton the last three years.

Stanford, from Mississauga, Ont., split time between Saskatchewan and Montreal last season. Woodman, of Chatham, Ont., comes to B.C. after a three-year run with Edmonton.

STAMPS RE-SIGN LAW

The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed American defensive lineman Cordarro Law.

Law made nine starts for the Stamps at defensive end last season and recorded 16 tackles. He started both post-season games and recorded five tackles en route to the Grey Cup.

“When he’s been on field during his time with the Stampeders, Cordarro has been a disruptive force,” Stampeders president/GM John Hufnagel said in a statement. “He’s an important part of our defence and I look forward to seeing him have a healthy and productive season in 2019.”

Over two stints in Calgary, Law has played 31 regular-season games and recorded 22 sacks.

TICATS INK CHAMBERS

Shamawd Chambers is returning to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Canadian receiver signed with the club on Wednesday after missing the 2018 season because of an ACL injury suffered in training camp.

Hamilton originally acquired the native of Markham, Ont., in a trade with Edmonton in 2017. Chambers was picked sixth overall by the Eskimos in the 2012 draft.

The Ticats then added American defensive lineman Ja’Gared Davis, previously of Calgary.

Davis, 28, started 17 games at defensive end for the Stampeders in 2018, posting career highs in defensive tackles (59), fumble recoveries (three) and interceptions (two) while adding seven sacks and two forced fumbles.

SPOONER JOINS ESKIMOS

The Edmonton Eskimos have signed Canadian offensive lineman Qadr Spooner to a one-year deal. He was taken in the second round, No. 15 overall, of the ’17 CFL draft by Winnipeg and played in one game the past season.

BOMBERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH ROSE

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have agreed to terms with American defensive back Winston Rose on a one-year contract.

Rose is entering his third CFL season. He played four games with Ottawa in 2017 before starting 15-of-18 regular-season games last year with the B.C. Lions as well as in the East Division semifinal.

The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Free-agent receiver Duron Carter signs one-year deal with B.C. Lions

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