New-look Argonauts add Copeland: CFL roundup

Contrary to popular belief, Toronto Argonauts management didn't wish to have receiver P.K. Sam on board, after all.

One day after re-signing Sam, Argos general manager Adam Rita dealt him to the Calgary Stampeders for fellow wideout Jeremaine Copeland on Wednesday.

Later in the day, the Argos learned that special-teams dynamo Dominique Dorsey had signed as a free agent with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed free-agent defensive backs Will Poole and Jason Shivers, who both spent last season with Toronto but reportedly weren't offered contracts from the Argos.

Copeland, who turns 33 on Friday, is coming off a career season in which he caught 81 passes for 1,257 yards — the second-highest of his nine Canadian Football League seasons — and 12 touchdowns on the way to being named a league and West Division all-star.

Copeland's most productive CFL season came in 2003 when he racked up 1,757 on 99 receptions for a 17.7-yard average.

"Jeremaine is a productive receiver who brings a presence to our receiving corps," said Rita in a statement. "I've won championships with him in three different cities and I don't believe there is a player in the world who is better with a ball in the air than Jeremaine."

Copeland is also familiar with new Argos head coach Jim Barker, who spent the past five seasons in Calgary as the Stampeders GM and most recently as their senior vice-president of football operations and director of player personnel.

They first teamed in 2001 in Los Angeles where they won the first and only XFL championship. The next season, Copeland and Barker helped lead the Montreal Alouettes to a Grey Cup title. In 2008, they hoisted Lord Earl Grey's mug in Calgary.

"Coach Barker is one person I do not mind following from team to team and riding for," said Copeland, a two-time CFL all-star. "I love him as a coach and a person and will always give my all for him.

"Toronto deserves to have a great CFL team. I believe I can contribute and help turn things around this year."

The Argos are coming off a 3-15 season in 2009 and ranked last in the eight-team league in many offensive categories including points scored (328), most yards total offence (5,087) and average gain per pass (6.6 yards).

Copeland brings a wealth of experience to Toronto, having only missed the playoffs once as a rookie in 2001. He has appeared in nine post-season games, starting in three Grey Cups.

Sam, 26, spent the past two seasons with the Argos, appearing in 15 regular-season games and catching 63 passes for 884 yards and five touchdowns.

"He definitely has shown signs that he could be a breakthrough player in 2010," Stampeders GM and head coach John Hufnagel said in a statement. "He has good size [six-foot-three, 210 pounds] and athleticism."

Last season, Sam caught 27 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns in nine contests.

"I'm really excited about the trade," he said. "I'm looking forward to going to [training] camp with a team that has won a lot of games the past few years and has a legitimate shot of getting back to the Grey Cup."

In other Argos news, the team has parted ways with assistant GM/director of player personnel Greg Mohns and scout Miles Gorrell.

Elsewhere in the CFL:

• The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the return of linebacker Tad Kornegay. He earned a West Division all-star nod after posting 74 defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles and three interceptions last season.
• The condition of one-time Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Cal Murphy is improving as he has been removed from life support. A spokesperson close to the family says the 78-year-old was conscious Tuesday night and talking, but remains in intensive care.