CFL

CFL free agency roundup: Redblacks sign veteran QB Jonathon Jennings

The Ottawa Redblacks have signed quarterback Jonathon Jennings to a one-year contract. The move comes after former Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris signed with Edmonton on Tuesday, the opening day of free agency.

Team lost 4 offensive starters shortly after the market opened on Tuesday

Quarterback Jonathon Jennings has signed a one-year deal with the Redblacks. Jennings will be filling the void left by Trevor Harris, who signed with Edmonton shortly after the CFL free-agent season opened on Tuesday. (Peter Power/The Canadian Press)

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," said Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins said in a statement. "His experience and ability will add depth and competition to the Redblacks QB position."

Redblacks sign 3 others

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 and defensive back/returner Troy Stoudermire on Wednesday.

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.

Duron Carter excited for 'fresh start' in B.C.

Duron Carter is a B.C. Lion.

The colourful receiver signed a one-year deal with B.C. on Wednesday, the second day of CFL free agency.

"Players of Duron's remarkable ability are what make our league special and he's going to be a very big piece of our offence in 2019," GM Ed Hervey said in a statement. "We had a lot of interest in him last year when he became available during the season and it's great to finally get this deal done."

Former Argonauts wide receiver Duron Carter, left, has signed a one-year deal with the Lions. The two-time all-star split last season between Saskatchewan and Toronto, registering a combined 18 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns. (Cole Burston/Canadian Press/File)
The six-foot-five, 205-pound Carter split last season between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts, registering a combined 18 catches for 230 yards and two TDs. Carter, a two-time CFL all-star, began his career in Canada with Montreal in 2013 and over five seasons has has 276 catches for 4,150 yards and 27 TDs in 73 games.

"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."

Also Wednesday, the Lions 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," 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. 

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, and 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.

Riders sign Canadian Cory 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 the B.C. Lions, 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.

Stamps re-sign D-lineman 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.

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.