The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed another free agent as they addressed a vacancy in the secondary.
The Bombers announced Wednesday they’ve signed defensive back Winston Rose to a one-year contract.
Rose, 25, had a breakout campaign in his second season in the CFL. Last year with the B.C. Lions, Rose recorded five interceptions in 18 games at cornerback. He played four games for the Ottawa RedBlacks in 2017, and also spent a couple of months on the Toronto Argonauts’ practice roster in the 2016 season.
Rose also had stints with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts.
Rose can fill the void at cornerback after the release of veteran Chris Randle. Halfbacks Marcus Sayles and Brandon Alexander are signed for next season but they still have to fill the holes left by safety Taylor Loffler and cornerback Kevin Fogg.
READ MORE: Blue Bombers lose 4 starters, gain defensive end on first day of free agency
Two more of the Bombers’ free agents landed new contracts with other teams.
The Ottawa RedBlacks announced they’ve signed free agent receiver Ryan Lankford, and the Edmonton Eskimos secured offensive lineman Qadr Spooner.
Lankford agreed to a one-year contract with Ottawa.
He spent two seasons in Winnipeg, but the 27-year-old spent the majority of last season on their practice roster. Lankford appeared in just four games in the 2018 season where he made five catches for 91 yards with one touchdown. He also returned kickoffs and punts, and even filled in as the Bombers’ kicker/punter for one game last season.
Lankford also played two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders prior to joining the Bombers.
Spooner, 26, finished last season on the Bombers’ practice roster which automatically made him a free agent. He was selected by the Bombers in the second round, 15th overall in the 2017 CFL Draft. He only appeared in one game with the team and was suspended for two games last season by the CFL for violating the league and CFLPA drug policy.
READ MORE: Blue Bomber Qadr Spooner gets suspended for positive drug test
As of Thursday, the total number of Blue Bombers’ free agents inking contracts with other teams is six, including:
- offensive lineman Sukh Chungh was signed by the B.C. Lions
- defensive back Kevin Fogg joined the Toronto Argonauts
- linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox is now a member of the Edmonton Eskimos
- safety Taylor Loffler is headed to the Montreal Alouettes.
Former Blue Bombers defensive tackle Cory Johnson signed with the Toronto Argonauts on Wednesday, while one-time Bombers’ returner Troy Stoudermire joined the RedBlacks.
WATCH: ‘Other considerations’ at play in decisions made by CFL free agents
The Bombers still have seven free agents on the open market:
- receiver Weston Dressler
- running back Kienan LaFrance
- defensive back Brendan Morgan
- defensive tackle Drake Nevis
- defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo, and
- linebackers Frederic Plesius and Frank Renaud.
All of these remain without a contract.
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