Glatt, Bates find new CFL homes

Former B.C. Lions linebacker Javy Glatt was out of work less than two weeks before latching on with a West Division rival on Wednesday.

The Edmonton Eskimos signed the Canadian Football League free agent, who was released by the Lions on Jan. 29 after five seasons.

Glatt, 28, was a West all-star in 2008 and appeared in 117 games over seven seasons with B.C., posting 362 defensive tackles and nine interceptions.

Meanwhile, offensive lineman Kelly Bates, a former teammate of Glatt's in Vancouver, signed on with Saskatchewan on Wednesday.

The six-foot-three, 310-pounder will be entering his ninth season in 2010. A native of Humboldt, Sask., Bates played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last season after spending the first seven years of his CFL career in B.C. The 34-year-old appeared in 115 regular-season games with the Lions and was named a CFL all-star in 2007.

Bates, a University of Saskatchewan product, was originally selected by B.C. in the 4th round (32nd overall) of the 2001 CFL Draft. In other Riders news, import offensive linemen Bobby Harris and Antonio Hall along with import defensive back Denatay Heard were released.

The CFL free-agent season opens Feb. 16.