By Richard Obrand
MontrealAlouettes.com
This Week in the CFL
Als lock up cornerback Estelle and receiver Bratton
It was a great start to the week for the Montreal Alouettes and their GM, Jim Popp, as they signed two key players to long-term contracts.
“We’ve solidified our core of players with successful off-season signings,” said Popp, shortly after announcing the return of cornerback Mark Estelle and receiver Brian Bratton.
“We have provided our organization with bright, grounded, high-character football talent. This is only the start of our preparation for 2009, and we will continue chasing free agents and building through the 2009 Canadian Draft. We are looking forward to an exciting season!”
A 2008 East Division All-Star, Estelle will look to build off of an impressive 2008 season in which he collected 54 tackles, forced one fumble and registered one interception. He signed for two years, plus an option.
Following Estelle’s signing, Popp announced that receiver/kick returned Brian Bratton has also signed a two-year contract plus an option with Montreal.
The 26-year old had a breakout year with the Alouettes, amassing 636 yard on 54 receptions with seven touchdowns.
‘’Brian has quickly become a dependable receiver and our ‘X-factor’ on offence,‘’ Popp said. ‘’He is a young rising star and we’re very happy he has decided to continue his career with us.”
Stegall retires
The 2009 CFL season will now serve as an open audition to take on the role as the league’s most dominant receiver, as Wednesday afternoon in Winnipeg, its all-time best called it quits.
After an illustrious 14-year career, Milt Stegall leaves the CFL as arguably the best receiver ever, and with five league and Blue Bomber records under his belt.
”Milt’s career has set so many new standards on and off the field. His professionalism and contribution to the Blue Bombers and the CFL will be very difficult to replace,” Winnipeg President and CEO Lyle Bauer said in a statement on TSN.ca.
The league’s 2002 Most Outstanding Player, Stegall holds the record for most touchdown catches with 144, receiving yards with 15,153 and total touchdowns with 147. He also holds the single-season record for touchdowns with 23.
”On a personal note I can’t express how appreciative we all are to Milt and his family for what they have contributed to the Blue Bombers, the CFL, and the province of Manitoba,” added Bauer.
Lumsden goes home
Running back Jesse Lumsden didn’t have to look far to find his new home, in fact, it was in his own backyard.
Tuesday, the Eskimos announced that Edmonton native Lumsden has agreed to a one-year contract plus an option for another year.
“To get a person of his calibre makes our offence even more potent,” Eskimo head coach Richie Hall told TSN.ca. “He has the ability to do a lot of different things.”
The oft-injured Lumsden returns home in hopes of playing a healthy full season with the Eskimos.
Last season saw the bruising back rush for 584 yards on 87 carries with five touchdowns with the Tiger-Cats.
