February 17, 2017

Meet the Argos CFL Free Agency signings

Winston Venable (31) of the Montreal Alouettes during the CFL / TSN shoot in Mississauga, ON. Tuesday, April 19, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras)

2017_Signing_TW-MathewsJeff Mathews (02/14/17) is a 6-4, 229-pound quarterback with two years of CFL experience under his belt. In 35 career games, five of which he’s started, the Cornell grad has completed 116-of-171 passes (67.8%) for 1,497 yards and seven touchdowns. He graduated from Cornell holding 47 school records and 18 Ivy-League records for passing and total offence.

2017_Signing_TW_VenableWinston Venable (02/15/17) is a 5-11, 220-pound linebacker who is well-known around the CFL as a punishing tackler and defensive playmaker. The 2015 CFL All-Star is coming off of a career-high seven sacks in 2016 to go along with 88 defensive tackles and a forced fumble. The former Boise State Bronco will enter 2017 as a strong candidate to lead the Argos in defensive tackles.

2017_Signing_TW_Finley Jeff Finley (02/15/17) is a 6-3, 260-pound defensive lineman with three pro seasons under his belt in Montreal. The former third-round CFL Draft pick has tallied seven defensive tackles and three special teams tackles in 20 career regular season games.

 

2017_Signing_TW_Tuck-1James Tuck (02/16/17) is a 6-0, 230-pound native of Aurora, Ontario, who’s spent the last three seasons splitting time between defensive end and fullback. A versatile tool in all three phases of the game, Tuck comes to Toronto with 29 regular season games played. In four seasons at York University, he recorded 107 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks and three forced fumbles en route to back-to-back defensive MVP awards.

2017_Signing_TW_DyakowskiPeter Dyakowski (02/16/17) brings 10 years of CFL experience and instantly adds an increased veteran presence on the Argos offensive line. With 148 regular season games and 12 post-season games under his belt, the 2012 East Division All-Star has seen it all in the league. The 6-3, 325-pound guard was originally selected by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the second round of the 2006 CFL Draft after four seasons at LSU.

2017_Signing_TW_FullerJeff Fuller (02/16/17) is a 6-4, 223-pound wideout with 93 receptions for 1,285 yards and eight touchdowns in 26 career games split between Calgary and Saskatchewan. The Texas A&M product capped off his collegiate career with school single-season records in touchdowns (12), receptions (72) and receiving yards (1,066). He is the school’s all-time leader in touchdowns (34) and ranks second in both receptions and receiving yards.

2017_Signing_TW_WebsterMatt Webster (02/17/17) is a 5-11, 195-pound defensive back who was originally drafted in the fifth round (39th overall) of the 2014 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 36 career CFL games, the Queen’s product has tallied 32 defensive tackles and 21 special teams tackles. He was sparsely used by the Riders in 2016 but had his most productive season the previous year, with 30 total tackles in 17 games.

2017_Signing_TW_BlackMatt Black (02/17/17) has donned the Argos Double Blue for all eight seasons of his CFL career after being selected by the club in the sixth round of the 2009 CFL Draft. He put together his most productive season in 2016, tallying 44 defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, one interception and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

2017_Signing_TW_SearsJrJohnny Sears Jr. (02/18/17) arrives in Toronto with seven years of CFL experience and a hard-hitting reputation. The 6-1, 193-pound native of Fresno, California, has racked up 168 total tackles, two sacks, eight interceptions and three forced fumbles in 45 career games North of the border.

2017_Signing_TW_PadenKhalil Paden (02/21/17) has not been afforded a lot of opportunity in the CFL but he’s been productive when given a chance. The 26-year old receiver joins the Argonauts with 39 receptions for 636 yards and a touchdown in parts of three seasons with the Redblacks. In his senior year at Northern Arizona, the Granada Hills, California, native led the team in receptions (61), receiving yards (991) and touchdowns (8).