ALLAN MAKI
From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published on Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2008 12:03AM EDT Last updated on Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2009 8:41PM EDT
The CFL trade that was then wasn't was finally completed yesterday, but with a switch.
In the end, import middle linebacker Zeke Moreno was shipped to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but not for import defensive end Tom Canada as originally scripted.
Instead, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will receive Winnipeg's first-round pick in the 2009 Canadian college draft plus the rights to non-import defensive lineman Corey Mace, who is currently on the Buffalo Bills' practice roster.
If Mace signs with Hamilton, the Blue Bombers would then receive a third-round draft pick as compensation.
"It sort of typifies our year," Blue Bombers' general manager Brendan Taman said when asked to explain how Monday's trade fell apart after Canada reported he was suffering from a spleen injury.
Canada was stunned when informed of Monday's deal and stated he wasn't sure if he would report to Hamilton. Later that evening, the veteran pass rusher went to a hospital to have his spleen examined.
"The examination is still ongoing," Taman said of Canada's medical status. "He has got an enlarged spleen. How it happened, when it happened, they're still determining that."
With Canada unable to play, the Blue Bombers and Ticats returned to the bargaining table to rework a deal that had already been announced. Taman said the conditions were hardly ideal: "After a long deliberation trying to keep the league happy, Hamilton happy, the coaches happy and the players happy, we did the best we could."
The Blue Bombers were in desperate need of a middle linebacker when Joe Lobendahn went down with a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Lobendahn was replacing Barrin Simpson, who was hurt in July. Taman spoke to Hamilton GM Bob O'Billovich and was surprised to hear Moreno was available.
Moreno led the CFL in tackles last season and was chosen a league all-star. The former University of Southern California standout has a league-high 52 tackles in 10 games this season.
As for Canada, he's likely to join the Blue Bombers' injured list. If he's placed on the nine-game injured list, he'll be out for the regular season.
Both the Blue Bombers and Ticats are 2-8 this season, the worst records in the CFL.
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