Argonauts sign four NFL Europe players
Published on March 18, 2004 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release
Toronto â The Toronto Argonauts are scouring the globe to find the strongest team for the upcoming 2004 season. NFL Europe's David Costa, Derrick Ham, James Rooths and Troy Grant will suit up in the Double Blue this spring.
David Costa will join the Argonauts' Offensive Line from the 2003 NFL Europe Scottish Claymores where he was All NFL Europe as an Offensive Tackle. Costa was The Claymores' first selection in the 2003 NFL Allocated Player draft. He was originally signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a rookie free agent in April 2001 where he played 14 regular season games and an NFC Wild Card game. Costa was waived by the 49ers at the end of their training camp in 2002 and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2003, before being allocated to Europe. In college, Costa was a four year performer at Wisconsin, starting in 41 games.
Originally allocated to NFL Europe by the Washington Redskins in 2000, Defensive End Derrick Ham returned to the Rhein Fire for a second time in 2003 in the first round of the free agent draft. Ham earned All-NFLEL honours on both occasions, recording 14 tackles and a team-leading 9 sacks in 2000 and 17 tackles and 4 sacks in 2003. The Miami graduate spent time with the 2002 Washington Redskins and the 2003 Oakland Raiders. At Miami, Ham started 11 games as a senior and recorded 45 tackles, playing in 37 games over four years with The Hurricanes.
Cornerback James Rooths played with NFL Europe's Scottish Claymores for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. In 2003, he recorded 27 tackles, 4 punt returns for 6 yards, 12 kickoff returns for 285 yards (23.8 average) and 1 sack for the team. In 2002, he was the league leader for average yards on a kickoff return with 28.6. Rooths was originally signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent in April 2001. He joined the Green Bay Packers' practice squad later in 2001 before re-joining the Jets' active roster by the end of that year. Rooths spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003, before being allocated to NFL Europe. In college, Rooths played for Shepherd, setting an NCAA all-division record for single season (5) and career punt returns for touchdowns with 10.
Troy Grant was selected by the Amsterdam Admirals in the 12th round of the 2003 free agent draft, recording 29 tackles for the team. The cornerback had previously played for the Barcelona Dragons in 2002, recording 28 tackles and 1 interception for 33 yards. Grant was originally allocated to NFL Europe by the Indianapolis Colts in 2002. He signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2001, before being released by the team in September 2001. Grant's college years were spent playing for Tennessee Tech where he was named first team All-Ohio Valley Conference.
The Toronto Argonauts are North America's oldest professional football club, having celebrated their 130th anniversary in 2003. The Toronto Argonauts have 14 Grey Cup championships to their credit.
Canadian Football League Stories from March 18, 2004
- Argonauts sign four NFL Europe players - Toronto Argonauts
- Renegades set coaching staff for 2004 season - Ottawa Renegades
- Riders re-sign Eddie Davis - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Renegades announce Grey Cup ticket blitz - Ottawa Renegades
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