WINNIPEG – After missing out on three of the big names in this year’s CFL free agency, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a splash by signing receiver Nick Moore from the BC Lions. The 27-year-old was third in league receiving last season with 1105 yards and six touchdowns.
“Nick proved his worth as one of the best receivers in our league last season,” said Bombers’ General Manager Kyle Walters. “He will be a great addition to our offence. We are very excited to bring him on board.”
“This is a big move for our offence, as not only a veteran presence, but an immediate play maker who can help groom some of our rookie receivers,” said Bombers’ Head Coach Mike O’Shea. “Nick was someone our offensive staff really wanted. I’m thrilled we were able to bring him in.”
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Josh Bourke, Shea Emry and Craig Butler were the three most coveted players on the opening day of CFL free agency. The Bombers made a run for at least one of them. Bourke re-signed with the Montreal Alouettes just moments after free agency began. Emry jumped ship from the Als to the Toronto Argonauts. Butler has yet to sign a contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Lions thought to be in the running.
The Bombers though weren’t left completely out in the cold. Winnipeg signed former Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Graig Newman and also brought back receiver Rory Kohlert. Kohlert re-joins the Bombers, signing a three-year contract after he was selected by the Ottawa RedBlacks in the expansion draft. The 26-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Blue and Gold. In 2013, he had 45 catches for 493 yards and three touchdowns.
“Rory is a solid, dependable Canadian receiver,” said Bombers General Manager Kyle Walters. “We are very happy he chose to return to Winnipeg. He was really coming into his own in 2013 and we look forward to even better things moving forward.”
The deal with Newman has yet to be announced by the Bombers but he tweeted at the team’s punter Mike Renaud, asking if he can wear the number nine. Newman played two seasons with Saskatchewan. He played mostly on special teams where he recorded 26 tackles. Newman also has six tackles and a sack on defense.
Interestingly, only one of the Bombers eleven Free Agents have signed with other teams with defensive back Brandon Stewart inking a deal with Hamilton.
The CFL also announced they’ve fined Bombers’ defensive tackle Bryant Turner an undisclosed amount for an inappropriate tweet referencing NFL prospect Michael Sam who recently announced he is gay .
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