Vince Young Signs with CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders
Mar 8, 2017
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young is shown during warmups before the start of an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011, in Miami . (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)
Former Pro Bowl quarterback Vince Young has made his return to professional football, as he will sign with the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Roughriders announced they signed Young on Thursday after TMZ Sports was the first to report Wednesday that Young was flying to Canada to put the finishing touches on the deal.
Young confirmed to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle that he agreed to a one-year deal with an option for a second season.
Agent Leigh Steinberg announced Feb. 15 that he had taken on Young as a client in an effort to help him find a home with a team:
The 33-year-old last appeared in a regular-season NFL game when he started three contests for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.
The Tennessee Titans originally selected Young with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft after the Longhorns won the national championship.
Young was named the 2006 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the Titans to the playoffs in 2007, but his overall NFL numbers left plenty to be desired.
Although he posted a career record of 31-19, Young threw for just 8,964 yards, 46 touchdowns and 51 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,459 yards and 12 scores.
Following the 2011 campaign, Young spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers during the next two preseasons but failed to make the rosters.
He also had a brief offseason stint with the Cleveland Browns in 2014 before being released.
While a return to the NFL seems like a long shot, it isn't unprecedented for a quarterback to go from the NFL to the CFL and back again.
Doug Flutie did so, as he played for the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots before winning three Grey Cups and then returning to the NFL to become a Pro Bowler with the Bills.
In order to follow in Flutie's footsteps, Young must beat out Kevin Glenn and others to win the starting job in Saskatchewan.
Grey Cup 2016: Score, Recap and More from Stampeders vs. Redblacks
Nov 27, 2016
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Henry Burris #1 of the Ottawa Redblacks throws the ball during the first half of the 104th Grey Cup Championship Game against the Calgary Stampeders at BMO Field on November 27, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
After blowing a 20-point second-half lead, the Ottawa Redblacks bounced back in overtime to complete one of the biggest upsets in Grey Cup history.
The Calgary Stampeders stormed back from a 27-7 second-half deficit, including down 10 with two minutes remaining, to force overtime. However, the Redblacks maintained their composure to earn the go-ahead touchdown on this play, via TSN:
A defensive stop on the next possession helped Ottawa earn a 39-33 overtime victory, winning the franchise's first title.
Per Odds Shark, Calgary entered as a 9.5-point favorite after earning a 15-2-1 record during the regular season, but the Redblacks showed why a team plays the game with their impressive upset victory.
Andrew Bucholtz of Yahoo summed up the action in the game:
This game, man, this game. This is one of the best #GreyCup games I've ever seen. #CFL
Henry Burris was an absolute star for the Redblacks despite coming into the game with a knee injury. He finished with 461 passing yards and three passing touchdowns plus two rushing scores in the win. He was named MVP after the game, per the CFL's official Twitter account.
Kevin Smith of Global TV summed up the performance for the veteran:
Four different receivers had over 80 receiving yards, while Forrest Hightower came up big defensively with two interceptions.
Bo Levi Mitchell had 391 passing yards and two touchdowns for Calgary, but his three picks doomed the squad offensively.
Despite pregame expectations, the Redblacks seemed likely to pull away for a relatively easy win up 27-7 in the second half. The Stampeders then inched back with a field goal but earned a big momentum shift on this bizarre touchdown, via TSN:
Lemar Durant was untouched by the defenders and alertly scrambled into the end zone to cut the lead to 10.
Calgary kept the comeback going with a touchdown on the next drive. The one-yard run by Andrew Buckley into the end zone came after a Redblacks pass interference in the end zone. Even after a missed extra point, the squad remained in good position down only 27-23.
A fourth-quarter interception seemed destined to create the first lead change of the game, but Ottawa finally stopped the bleeding with a defensive stop. Six plays later, Burris was able to charge into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game.
However, the Stamps showed why they were the best team in the CFL this season by continuing to fight back. Rookie of the Year DaVaris Daniels took a jet sweep into the end zone to cut the lead to 33-30. After a successful onside kick, the squad tied things up with a field goal with nine seconds remaining.
As StatsCentre noted, this put the game in rare territory:
#Stampeders score 10 pts in final 1:46 to force OT for only the 3rd time in #GreyCup history. Others: 2005 (EDM def MTL), 1961 (WPG def HAM)
Even with the odds going against them, the Redblacks were able to score in the first portion of overtime. Three incomplete passes by Mitchell then helped Ottawa take home the coveted Grey Cup.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 27: Patrick Lavoie #81 of the Ottawa Redblacks scores a touchdown during the first half of the 104th Grey Cup Championship Game against the Calgary Stampeders at BMO Field on November 27, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn R
Burris was excellent in the game despite major question marks whether he would even be able to play Sunday night, as described by Gary Lawless of TSN:
Henry Burris @REDBLACKS qb took "a myriad of treatments," says GM Marcel Desjardins and had his knee frozen before coming to field @cfl#cfl
Despite this, he began the game as well as possible with a touchdown on the opening drive. Rahul Vaidyanath of the Epoch Times broke down the bizarre start:
so Burris goes from limping off field, his likelihood of playing being questioned, runs in #GreyCup 1st TD - impressive #Redblacks#CFL
Calgary responded with a Jerome Messam seven-yard receiving touchdown, but an Ottawa field goal helped the underdogs finish the first quarter with a 10-7 lead.
A jump pass by Burris helped extend the lead to 17-7, via TSN:
Losing receiver Marquay McDaniel to a shoulder injury further compounded the problems. Adding this to three first-half turnovers, and Calgary trailed 20-7 at halftime, Burris totaling 266 passing yards in the process.
The onslaught continued in the second half, with the Redblacks easily driving down the field on the first possession of the third quarter. Burris eventually found Brad Sinopoli, who backed into the end zone to help his team go up 27-7.
Kate Beirness of Sportscentre was one of many admitting her shock from the score:
Guilty ✋🏻.... thought the stamps would run away with this .... what a performance by Smilin Hank!!!!! Putting on a clinic!! #GreyCup
Calgary did not go away easily, though, which should have been expected after the year it had.
The Stampeders overcame the 20-point deficit to force overtime, but it was the Redblacks who were able to close out the win.
While Calgary seemed destined to start a dynasty, Ottawa shocked the world with its first championship in franchise history (not counting the Rough Riders). After falling short in the Grey Cup a year ago, the squad was able to improve upon its finish with an impressive run to the championship.
With plenty of talent and confidence, this squad could be back for more next season.
Postgame Reaction
Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of excitement in the Redblacks' locker room after the game as they celebrated their championship, via the CFL's Twitter account:
As for the 41-year-old quarterback, Burris clarified his situation coming into the game, per The Canadian Press (via Yahoo Sports):
There was almost a situation where I wasn't able to play today. My knee locked up on me before the game, I mean I wouldn't have been able to accept that.
But you know what? For all those haters out there, their organizations haven't won a Grey Cup in decades, but ours, in three years, here we are, Grey Cup champions.
As general manager Marcel Desjardins noted, "Hank led the way today," per CFL on TSN.
Burris is the oldest quarterback ever to win a Grey Cup, but he looked like a man in his prime during this impressive win.
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CFL Commissioner Comments on Johnny Manziel and Possibility of Joining League
Aug 25, 2016
Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel stands on the field during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Quarterback Johnny Manziel remains a free agent since his March release from the Cleveland Browns, but the Canadian Football League's commissioner made it clear he is open to welcoming Johnny Football north of the border.
According to ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert, Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge is in favor of such a move provided Manziel isn't a negative distraction: "We try not to speculate on situations like that, and I really can't speculate too much on hypotheticals. But I can tell you that what's paramount to us is ensuring the success of an athlete, while at the same time preserving and promoting the integrity of the league and the game."
The 23-year-old 2012 Heisman Trophy winner's off-field issues are well-documented, which led to his father, Paul Manziel, calling him a "druggie" and fearing for his life, per ESPN.com.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats own Manziel's exclusive negotiating rights, and Orridge doesn't intend to micromanage if they make an attempt to sign the former Texas A&M standout:
I rely primarily on the assessment of the team. It is their charge to evaluate the talent and to bring that talent forward. To be candid, if there is a situation that we believe warrants additional input, we certainly want to provide that to the team. We're obviously charged with making sure that the integrity of the league and the integrity of our brand is perpetuated.
Manziel didn't live up to his first-round draft status on the field during his two years with the Browns; he threw for 1,675 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The CFL does have a history of setting quarterbacks up for success in the NFL, however.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon lit up the league prior to joining the NFL, as did Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia. Doug Flutie comes to mind as well, though he originally played in the United States Football League before joining the NFL and CFL.
Cris Carter's Son Duron Suspended 1 Game for Knocking Down Opposing Coach
Jul 4, 2016
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 30: Wide receiver Duron Carter #89 of the Montreal Alouettes misses a pass with defensive back Forrest Hightower #23 of the Ottawa Redblacks close behind during the CFL game at Percival Molson Stadium on June 30, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Duron Carter, son of Hall of Fame NFL receiver Cris Carter, was suspended for one game by the CFL for bumping into Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell during Montreal's 28-13 loss to Ottawa on Thursday, according to Gary Lawless of TSN.
"It's always disappointing to be suspended. An appeal has already been filed," said Carter, per Didier Ormejuste of RDS.
The league also fined Campbell an undisclosed amount for his role in the altercation, per Lawless.
The incident occurred after Carter caught a 10-yard touchdown pass despite taking an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Jermaine Robinson, which left Carter with a cut on his forehead.
"Carter then strode defiantly in front of the Redblacks’ bench, knocking down head coach Rick Campbell, who was several steps on the field and almost certainly embellished the situation," according to Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette. "Ottawa players intervened before numerous Als—including offensive line coach Kris Sweet—came to the rescue."
Per Zurkowsky, the team also fined Carter for his actions.
His teammates, meanwhile, had differing opinions on the incident.
“I thought what he did was selfish, childish and completely uncalled for,” one unnamed player told Zurkowsky, while another said, "From what I know of Carter, he never means any harm from his actions.”
Carter, 25, has 11 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown this season. In three seasons with Montreal, he's accumulated 135 catches for 2,071 yards and 13 scores as a vital part of the team's offense.
Cris Carter's Son Duron Ejected in CFL Game After Knocking Down Opposing Coach
Jun 30, 2016
MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 30: Wide receiver Duron Carter #89 of the Montreal Alouettes misses a pass with defensive back Forrest Hightower #23 of the Ottawa Redblacks close behind during the CFL game at Percival Molson Stadium on June 30, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Duron Carter, the son of NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, was ejected from a Canadian Football League game on June 30 after he knocked down Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell during a prolonged touchdown celebration.
TSN relayed video of the incident, which resulted in words being exchanged between the Montreal Alouettes wideout and members of the Redblacks:
Carter was eventually suspended one game for his actions on Monday, via Gary Lawless of TSN.
Montreal, which defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in its season opener on June 24, fell to Ottawa 28-13 Thursday evening and is now 1-1 on the season.
The Redblacks were led by a superlative showing from quarterback Trevor Harris, who completed 20 of 26 passes for 395 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Chris Williams, who erupted for 176 yards and two receiving touchdowns in the team's Week 1 win over the Edmonton Eskimos, posted seven catches for 187 yards and one touchdown while working as Harris' primary target.
Prior to his ejection, Carter tallied four catches for 63 yards and one score. The truncated performance came on the heels of a strong eight-catch, 96-yard outing in Week 1.
Vernon Adams to Montreal Alouettes: Latest Trade Details and Reaction
May 21, 2016
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
After all 32 NFL teams bypassed on signing him, former Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams has become a hot commodity in the CFL, as the Montreal Alouettes acquired him from the British Columbia Lions.
ESPN.com provided the statement from British Columbia general manager Wally Buono about dealing Adams:
Both sides negotiated in good faith, but in the end, it became clear that we weren't going to be able to meet Vernon's expectations as they relate to length of contract and remuneration. We've got very good depth at the quarterback position, so being able to turn this asset into a first-round pick in next year's CFL draft is a win for the Lions.
Adams expressed his excitement for a new opportunity in Montreal on Twitter:
Farhan Lalji of TSN reported May 17 that Adams received an offer from the Lions in the hopes of closing a deal before quarterback school begins Sunday.
Adams had been hoping to catch on with an NFL team after going undrafted last month. He has had a chip on his shoulder about the lack of interest from clubs, as he told Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle before the draft when no one brought him in for a private workout:
Yeah, you can say that [I have a chip on my shoulder]. But that doesn’t really matter. Whatever team I play for, whether it’s as a free agent or whatever, I’m going to go in there and work hard and they’re going to see. ...
There’s nothing else much I can say. I’m not going to grown any more. You’ve got to just watch the film from my sophomore year until my senior year.
The 23-year-old took part in a local workout with the Los Angeles Rams before the draft on April 19 and tryouts with Washington and the Seattle Seahawks during their rookie minicamps, but he didn't get a contract offer from any club.
In his one season at Oregon, Adams was outstanding. The Eastern Washington transfer threw for 2,643 yards and 26 touchdowns. He led the nation with a 10.2-yards-per-attempt average.
Adams was likely overlooked because of his height. He was listed at 5'11" and 200 pounds during the NFL combine.
The best thing he can do to keep his NFL dream alive is get some professional tape in the CFL. Montreal clearly wants him after trading a first-round pick, though he will have to fight Kevin Glenn to be the Alouettes starter when preseason games start June 8.
Aaron Rodgers' Brother Jordan Reportedly Will Compete on 'The Bachelorette'
Mar 5, 2016
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 31: Jordan Rodgers #11 of the Vanderbilt Commodores looks on after the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 31, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt won 38-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Perhaps in an attempt to get out of his brother’s shadow with his Canadian Football League career over, Jordan Rodgers will be one of the contestants on the 12th season of TheBachelorette, per Nicholas Hautman of Us Weekly.
Rodgers, the younger brother of two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, won't be the first sibling of a prominent quarterback to appear on the show.
Josh Murray, who won TheBachelorette in 2014, is the brother of former Georgia Bulldogs star Aaron Murray.
The younger Rodgers played two seasons at Vanderbilt and started his senior year, winning his final six games to lead the Commodores to their second straight bowl game for the first time in school history. That year, he threw for 2,539 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions.
After college, Rodgers spent 12 months on the practices squads of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins. He then spent the 2014 season with the CFL’s B.C. Lions before retiring in May.
His brother is dating Hollywood superstar Olivia Munn, and perhaps he’ll have some pull as a former quarterback.
Duron Carter to Montreal Alouettes: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction
Jan 25, 2016
Indianapolis Colts' Duron Carter makes a catch during NFL football training camp Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, in Anderson, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The Montreal Alouettesannounced Monday that wide receiver Duron Carter would return to the team after he spent the 2015 season with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.
"We welcome Duron back to the Alouettes family. His ability to make big plays will add unlimited potential to our new revamped offense," said Alouettes head coach and general manager Jim Popp in a statement.
Carter is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter and signed a one-year deal to come back to Montreal. The 24-year-old didn't play in the regular season for the Colts this past year. He posted a 75-catch season in 2014 with the Alouettes.
Didier Ormejuste of Reseau des sports made a reasonable inference regarding Carter's future based on the short duration of his contract:
Duron Carter signed a one-year deal. He will probably take another shot at the NFL after the season. #Alouettes#CFL
Listed by Montreal at 6'5" and 205 pounds, Carter boasts tremendous ball skills, a huge catch radius and exceptional speed for his size. He couldn't quite transition to the highest level of football but still has time to hone his craft and make it in the NFL someday.
Per ESPN.com's Pat McManamon, Carter drew interest from suitors such as the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers and Washington before ultimately settling in Indianapolis.
Buried on a depth chart that featured T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, rookie first-round pick Phillip Dorsett and veteran star Andre Johnson, opportunities were limited for Carter to showcase his skills. He didn't make it off the practice squad.
Carter posted on Twitter about a rather simple rationale behind his decision to play in Canada this next season:
The CFL is a solid training ground for Carter to continue building his confidence and fostering his progress. After a humbling, stumbling odyssey through his college career that initially began at Ohio State, it's of little surprise Carter has yet to realize his full potential.
Returning to an organization he's familiar with and where he's had success before positions Carter for a big 2016 campaign. If he can establish himself as one of the CFL's elite receivers, his NFL prospects will only be bolstered.
Still only scratching the surface of his upside, Carter is going to be a player to keep in mind when NFL free agency hits next offseason. He could well parlay a nice season with the Alouettes into a big payday.
CFL Grey Cup 2015: Score, Recap and More from Redblacks vs. Eskimos
Nov 29, 2015
WINNIPEG, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Mike Reilly #13 of the Edmonton Eskimos fires a pass to Adarius Bowman #4 before getting hit by Justin Capicciotti #93 of the Ottawa Redblacks during the first half of Grey Cup 103 at Investors Group Field on November 29, 2015 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Trevor Hagan/Getty Images)
A one-yard run by backup quarterback Jordan Lynch with three minutes, 17 seconds left in the game won the 103rd Grey Cup for the Edmonton Eskimos over the Ottawa Redblacks, 26-20, on Sunday night.
It was the 14th Grey Cup victory for the Eskimos, who have been competing for the trophy since 1949.
Barstool Sports' Dan Katz shared a replay of the winning touchdown, which was Lynch's only snap of the game:
In order to get the Grey Cup, the Eskimos had to go through the league's most outstanding player, Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris, who had just 220 yards and two touchdowns.
Edmonton's Mike Reilly outplayed his counterpart, throwing for 269 yards and a pair of scores while adding 66 yards on the ground.
All season, Ottawa was able to move the ball through the air. For the first time in team history, it saw four receivers go over 1,000 yards, while Burris led the CFL with 5,703 passing yards.
On Sunday night, Burris hit five different receivers during the Redblacks' first drive, eating up 70 yards in 2:40, which Patrick Lavoie capped off with a three-yard touchdown reception.
Ottawa got the ball right back after recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff at the Edmonton 40-yard line. The Redblacks marched down the field, and Burris hit Earnest Jackson to make it 13-0.
New York Islanders defenseman Calvin de Haan loved what he was seeing:
Edmonton's offense finally got the ball down by two scores against the league's best defense.
After a field goal drew the Eskimos within 10 and the defense picked Burris off, Reilly hit Adarius Bowman for a 23-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone to help make it a 13-10 game.
The scoring screeched to a halt in the second quarter as a Redblacks field goal and an Eskimos single put the game at 16-11 in the final minutes. But a touchdown pass to Akeem Shavers with 12 seconds left gave the Eskimos a one-point lead heading into halftime.
Ottawa took a 19-17 lead with a field goal with seven minutes left in the third quarter, and Edmonton cut it to one with a punt single. A punt single from Ottawa made it 20-18 with nine minutes to go in the game.
After the teams traded punts, two pass-interference calls helped Edmonton drive deep into Redblacks territory before Lynch scored from less than a yard out with 3:17 left. A successful two-point conversion put the Eskimos up by six.
Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch enjoyed the game's finale:
CFL Grey Cup 2015: Date, Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and Preview
Nov 28, 2015
REGINA, SK - OCTOBER 24: Mike Reilly #13 hands the ball to Shakir Bell #33 of the Edmonton Eskimos in the game between the Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders in week 18 of the 2015 CFL season at Mosaic Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. (Photo by Brent Just/Getty Images)
For the sixth year in a row, the Canadian Football League is assured of a new champion as the Edmonton Eskimos and Ottawa Redblacks meet in the 103rd Grey Cup featuring a classic battle of CFL old and new.
Edmonton, a staple in the CFL since its founding in 1949, is seeking its 14th title in team history, currently second-most among the league. But the Eskimos haven’t played for the Grey Cup since 2005—by far its lengthiest drought. They’ve righted the ship and enter the championship round as the hottest team as winners of nine straight.
The Redblacks, Ottawa’s third CFL team and a newcomer established in 2010, remarkably reached the Grey Cup in just its second full season. After starting the year 4-5, the Redblacks have since won nine of their past 11 behind CFL Most Outstanding Player, quarterback Henry Burris.
Here is a look at the matchup between the two hottest teams peaking at the right time.
Edmonton swept Ottawa in the regular season by a combined score of 69-29, but these are completely different squads than those that met during Weeks 3 and 4 in early July.
The Eskimos were without quarterback Mike Reilly, who was in the midst of a two-month hiatus with a torn PCL suffered in the season opener. They’re undefeated since his return.
Edmonton also boasts the league’s top defense, allowing just 18.9 points per game. But red-hot Burris will pose their most challenging threat yet, as he led the league with 5,703 pass yards; 1,152 ahead of second-place Bo Levi Mitchell of the Calgary Stampeders, who was also runner-up for Most Outstanding Player. Burris’ 481 completions were a CFL record, according to the Associated Press.
Burris and Reilly shook hands and posed in good fun earlier this week ahead of the pivotal matchup, courtesy of the Redblacks:
Edmonton is favored by a touchdown, per Odds Shark. That is likely due in part to their success over Ottawa earlier this season and also for playing in the more competitive Western Conference. But Malcolm Kelly of CBC Sports highlighted a few causes for why the East was quietly better than the West in 2015, and as such, the Redblacks should be taken seriously:
Eastern Division clubs were better than their West counterparts for the first time since Mufasa was a cub, going 22-18 overall.
…
Ottawa won a somewhat stronger division than Edmonton did. East offences, by points, were about the same (makes one almost insensitive with shock), while the defences were slightly better.
All this means you should not take Ottawa lightly for any reason: Not for its expansionist history, nor for its place in the East Division.
According to CBC News, the game finally sold out Friday, and the 36,634 on hand at the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in store for a great showing.
All stats and info via CFL.CA unless otherwise specified.
