By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com
Als acquire Gavin Walls from Winnipeg
The Montreal Alouettes have acquired import defensive end Gavin Walls from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in exchange for non-import defensive end Stan van Sichem.
Click here to access the team’s official press release regarding the deal.
Riders make moves
As if their receiving corps wasn’t already dangerous, Wednesday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced that they have acquired import receiver Prechae Rodriguez from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in exchange for Canadian receiver Adam Nicolson, a third-round draft pick in the 2011 draft and the rights to a negotiation list player form the Roughriders.
Rodriguez heads to Saskatchewan following two productive seasons with the Tiger-Cats that saw him rack up 1,594 yards and ten touchdowns in 26 games.
The 25-year old, 6-foot-5, 208 lbs Florida native exploded onto the CFL scene in 2008, registering 70 catches for 1,099 yards and seven touchdowns in just 14 games, earning East Division top rookie honours in the process.
Meanwhile, Nicolson arrives in Hamilton after spending time in Saskatchewan and BC with the Lions.
“With the emergence of a few young receivers last season and the addition of Maurice Mann to our receiving corps, we felt that we could make this move to improve the other areas of our team,” said General Manager Bob O’Billovich in a statement. “Adam is a young Canadian receiver who has the ability to produce if given the opportunity and can also contribute on special teams.”
The Roughriders also announced that they have re-signed defensive lineman Marcus Adams; financial details of the contract were not disclosed.
Bombers switch pivots
After years of playing second fiddle to both Ricky Ray and Darian Durant, quarterback Steven Jyles may finally get his chance to start, this time in Winnipeg.
Tuesday, the Blue Bombers announced the signing of Jyles, 27, and the release of fellow quarterback Michael Bishop. “We’re very pleased to add depth to the quarterback position,” said Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice in a statement.
In seven games played with the Roughriders last season, Jyles threw for 290 yards and one touchdown.
DeAngelis heads home
One of the league’s most accurate kickers is heading to Hamilton. Monday, the Tiger-Cats dipped into the free-agent market, signing Niagara Falls, ON., native Sandro DeAngelis to a deal.
“We are pleased to improve our kicking game with the addition of the most accurate kicker in the history of this league,” said O’Billovich in a statement. “Throughout his career, Sandro has proven to be very consistent and has shown the ability to handle pressure.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him perform at a high level in Hamilton.” Last season, DeAngelis connected on 85.7 per cent of his field goal attempts while with the Stampeders.
The 28-year-old has been named a CFL All-Star three times and in 2006 received the league’s top special-teams player award.
