Hamilton Tiger-Cats wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez makes a touchdown reception behind B.C.Lions defensive back Dante Marsh (L) during the first half of their CFL football game in Hamilton, July 31, 2009. REUTERS/Mike CasseseMIKE CASSESE/Reuters
Wally Buono wasted little time Wednesday retaining two key members of his Grey Cup-winning team.
The B.C. Lions GM highlighted the opening day of CFL free agency by agreeing to terms with veteran defensive backs Dante Marsh and Ryan Phillips. Buono reached a deal with Marsh just before he was scheduled to become a free agent before coming to terms with Phillips roughly two hours after he entered free agency.
Marsh's contract is pending a physical following off-season shoulder surgery but Buono, who guided the Lions to the 2011 Grey Cup for his record-tying fifth championship as a CFL head coach, was pleased to get his two veterans back.
"Anytime you can hold on to your best players in the face of free agency it's a win for your club," Buono said. "Ryan has been very consistent during his time here in B.C. and he's a big part of a very solid foundation in our secondary.
"In Dante's case, we have reached an agreement that is subject to him receiving medical clearance to play. We're confident that hurdle will be cleared and we'll officially complete the transaction at that time."
The 29-year-old Phillips joined the Lions in 2005 and has been a member of two Grey Cup-winning teams (2006, 2011). The five-foot-10, 195-pound Phillips has appeared in 126 career games with B.C., registering 320 tackles and 31 interceptions, returning five for touchdowns, and is a two-time CFL all-star.
Marsh has spent his entire eight-year CFL career with B.C., also winning two Grey Cups (2006, 2011). The 30-year-old is a three-time West Division all-star and was named a CFL-all star last season for the first time.
CFL free agency kicked off at noon ET on Wednesday but the top two available players — slotback Andy Fantuz and offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte — remained unsigned Wednesday evening.
However they were certainly generating a lot of interest.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders were said to be in the running for Fantuz, the six-foot-four, 220-pound slotback who was the CFL's outstanding Canadian in 2010. Fantuz missed the first half of last season attending the Chicago Bears camp before suffering an ankle injury after returning to Regina.
Edmonton and Toronto were also said to be in the hunt for Fantuz, who is currently on vacation in Africa. But Eskimos GM Eric Tillman said Wednesday he was out of the running for Fantuz — leaving him free to pursue LaBatte. And with Fantuz expected to fetch between $175,000 and $200,000 on the open market, that would appear to be too rich for the Argos, who will have to pay quarterback Ricky Ray around $400,000 this season.
Also, Toronto would seem set at slotback with Canadian Andre Durie and newcomer Jason Barnes there.
Edmonton and Saskatchewan were reportedly both working hard to sign LaBatte. The six-foot-four, 323-pound native of Weyburn, Sask., has spent his entire CFL career with Winnipeg after being selected in the first round, sixth overall, by the Bombers in 2008 out of the University of Regina.
LaBatte was a CFL all-star in 2011 and helped Winnipeg reach the Grey Cup. The 25-year-old can play guard or centre although his preference is guard. Shoring up the offensive line is a definite need for the Riders, who released linemen Alex Gauthier and Marc Parenteau earlier this off-season and are still awaiting word from veteran Gene Makowsky on whether he'll return for an 18th CFL season.
If LaBatte opts for Saskatchewan, it seems he'll play guard after the Riders came to terms with Dominic Picard, a six-foot-two, 302-pound centre who spent the last three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts. Winnipeg was also interested in Picard, who began his CFL career with the Bombers in 2006.
But like Fantuz, LaBatte won't come cheap amid reports he's looking to make close to $200,000 annually.
Tackle Glenn January was the first free agent to come to terms, opting to return to Winnipeg. The six-foot-six, 297-pound American has spent the last three seasons with the Bombers and was an East Division all-star last season after missing all of 2010 with a torn pectoral muscle.
January became the second starting offensive lineman to remain with Winnipeg as Canadian Steve Morley re-signed Tuesday.
Earlier on Wednesday there were reports receiver Greg Carr had reached an agreement to return to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Carr, a second-year player who at six foot six creates huge matchup issues for opposing defences, apparently had a change of heart and was said to be negotiating a deal with Edmonton.
Toronto re-signed Canadian linebacker Jason Pottinger, 28, who had 34 tackles and a sack in nine games last year. The six-foot-two, 229-pound native of Whitby, Ont., has spent the last three seasons with the Argonauts after being selected second overall by B.C. in 2006 out of McMaster.
Edmonton landed two free agents in former Saskatchewan receiver Cary Koch and defensive tackle Don Oramasionwu, a six-foot-three, 255-pound Winnipeg native who spent three seasons with the Bombers. The six-foot, 198-pound Koch had 32 catches for 400 yards and three TDs in two campaigns with the Riders.
Cornerback Paul Waldu returned home to sign with Saskatchewan. The 27-year-old Regina native spent the last four years with the Montreal Alouettes after being selected in the fifth round, 36th overall, by the Riders in the 2006 CFL Canadian college draft while at the University of Saskatchewan.