Argos Acquire CFL All-Star Zeke Moreno from Blue Bombers
February 19, 2009 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release
Mississauga - The Toronto Argonauts continue to reload this off-season by acquiring two-time CFL All-Star linebacker Zeke Moreno, along with Winnipeg's best sixth round selection in the upcoming CFL Canadian Draft. In exchange, the Boatmen have sent non-import DE Riall Johnson to the Blue Bombers.
Commented Argonauts GM/Vice President, Football Operations, Adam Rita, "I feel very fortunate that we were able to get a player of Zeke Moreno's toughness, grit and aggressiveness. He has strong leadership skills, both on the field and in the locker room. Zeke is a proven player who had led the league in tackles for two seasons. We expect him to do the same with the Argos and be an anchor for our defence."
Moreno, who first joined the CFL as a member of the Ticats in 2007, is a proven CFL starter who has twice been named a CFL and East Division All-Star. He earned the nickname 'Zeke and Destroy' for his tenacious on-field pursuit and reliability as a tackler. As a rookie in 2007, he set the Tiger-Cats team record and led the CFL with 114 defensive tackles. He was traded to Winnipeg mid-way through the 2008 season and still finished the year as the CFL's top tackler with 97 defensive stops.
Remarked Moreno on coming to Toronto, "Believe it or not, my goal is not to play for every CFL team, although I'm almost halfway there - I plan to finish my career as an Argonaut. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. I'm blessed to be able to play this game that I love so much. I plan to bring all of the hard work and intensity I've shown throughout my career. Get ready Toronto - I'm so glad to be on board when we turn this thing around."
Moreno originally signed as a free agent with Hamilton in 2007 and was traded to Winnipeg, in exchange for the rights to non-import DT Cory Mace and a first round pick in the 2009 CFL Canadian Draft, after CFL week 10. He started at middle linebacker in the final eight regular season games and East Semi-Final for the Bombers. He was a three-year starter and team MVP as a senior for the formidable USC Trojans football programme. He also played four years in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers after being drafted by the club in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Moreno started 12 games in 2003 for San Diego at linebacker.
Zeke Moreno
6'2", 246 lbs.
Linebacker
Southern California
Born: October 10, 1978
Chula Vista, California
1st Year Argos / 3rd Year CFL Import
Acquired: Acquired in a trade from Winnipeg in exchange for non-import DE Riall Johnson and Winnipeg's best 6th Round pick in the 2009 CFL Canadian Draft.
2008: Started 18 regular season games with Hamilton and Winnipeg...Named CFL All-Star and East Division All-Star for second straight season...Led CFL for the second straight season with 97 defensive tackles...Traded to Winnipeg from Hamilton, along with a conditional draft pick in the CFL Canadian Draft, in exchange for the playing rights to DT Corey Mace and a 1st Round selection in the 2009 CFL Canadian Draft on September 9...Started 10 games for the Tiger-Cats...Was leading the CFL with 52 tackles at time of trade...Also had 2 QB sacks , 1 ST tackle and 1 INT for a 19-yard TD...Started 8 regular season games for Winnipeg...Made 45 DT and 1 QB sack...2008 Playoffs Started East Semi-Final for Winnipeg versus Edmonton.
2007: Started all 18 games as a CFL rookie...Named CFL All-Star and East Division All-Star for first time in his career...Led CFL with a Ticats team-record 114 defensive tackles...Made 12 ST tackles, 1 QB sack, two forced fumbles and 2 INT...Named Ticats team nominee for Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
2006: Signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans (NFL) on May 3...Attended training camp and released as a final cut...Signed as a free agent with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on December 19.
2005: Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) on October 11...Dressed in four gamed and released in November...Signed with the Miami Dolphins (NFL) and released.
2004: Dressed in 9 games at linebacker for the Chargers and recorded 12 DT...Released following the season.
2003: Started 12 of 16 games at middle linebacker making 96 tackles and 2 QB sacks.
2002: Dressed in all 16 games for San Diego and made 43 tackles and 1 INT.
2001: Drafted in the 5th Round (139th overall) by the San Diego Chargers (NFL) in the NFL Draft...Dressed in 16 games as a rookie.
College: Played four seasons at the University of Southern California (1997-00)...Three-year starter at middle linebacker...Started 36 of 47 games and recorded 285 career tackles, 9 QB sacks, 31 tackles for a loss and 5 interceptions with one touchdown...2000 Named All-American as a senior...Named team MVP and served as team captain.
Personal: For Ezekiel Aaron Moreno, football runs through his bloodline. Not only was his brother, Moses, a three-year starting quarterback (1995-97) at Colorado State who went on to play for both the San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears, but his mother, Arcinia Arenas, played fullback and linebacker with the Mighty Mommas in a San Diego women's tackle football league for one season when Zeke was young. He earned nearly every state, city and school football honour available as a star high school player at Castle Park H.S. in Chula Vista and was a standout baseball player. Zeke and his wife Christina live in San Diego and have a 3-year old son named Lorenzo.
Canadian Football League Stories from February 19, 2009
- All-Star Thompson Commits to Tiger-Cats - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Stamps Beef Up Defensive Line - Calgary Stampeders
- Blue Bombers Acquire Riall Johnson in Trade with Argonauts - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Argos Acquire CFL All-Star Zeke Moreno from Blue Bombers - Toronto Argonauts
- CFL Invites Canadians to Provide Input to Rules Committee - CFL
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