Capital connection locked up for Renegades defensive line
February 18, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA â The Ottawa Renegades announced Friday the signing of three defensive linemen, two of whom hail from the nation's capital and will be returning to their hometown to play professional football.
Defensive linemen Cameron Legault and Marc Pilon, who were both born and raised in Ottawa, will return to the Capital as the latest players to sign with the Renegades. Both were members of the Western Division champion B.C. Lions during the 2004 season, finalists in the 92nd Grey Cup.
The Renegades also announced the signing of another former B.C. Lions standout. Defensive lineman Ray Jacobs, who was named to the West Division All-Star team in 2003, inked a one-year deal (plus an option) to play in Ottawa.
"We are pleased to have these gentlemen on board with us and we feel they will be an upgrade to our defensive line," said Joe Paopao, Head Coach and General Manager of the Renegades. "We believe these guys are at the stage of their careers, where we believe they will be ready to be major contributors."
Legault, entering his seventh year in the CFL, played the last five in B.C. after spending his rookie season with the Calgary Stampeders. But the 30-year-old's roots are entrenched in Ottawa. His pre-game ritual remains speaking to his mother before taking the field, he is one of the few Carleton University Ravens football products left in the CFL (including present Renegade Jason Kralt) and is ready to make an impact with the Renegades with his 6'3", 255-pound frame.
Pilon, who attended St. Pius X high school, heads into his sixth year in the league after four solid years at Syracuse University. Now with his fourth CFL team (Calgary, Edmonton, B.C.), Pilon celebrates his 29th birthday Friday â the same day he officially became a Renegade. Ironically enough, Pilon was coached by present Renegades defensive coordinator Greg Marshall at his football camp (the Marshall-Smith camp) in 1991 while Pilon was a youngster. Pilon's mother, Rosalie Carroll, also taught with Marshall at St. Pat's Intermediate School in the 1990s.
"Getting a chance to come and play at home is something I have always wanted," said Pilon. "And to get to play for Coach Marshall again is great. He is one of the main reasons I signed here. He is just a great coach and a great person."
Jacobs, meanwhile, had an outstanding 2003 season before taking 2004 off â after a solid year, where he amassed 30 defensive tackles and a team-high 10 sacks with B.C. Following his college days, where he was a four-year starter with University of North Carolina, the 32-year-old spent four years in Calgary, then a season in each of Saskatchewan and B.C.
The three players played together in Calgary in 1999, while Pilon and Jacobs remained Stampeders in 2000 and 2001 before heading to Vancouver where they re-united with Legault. The trio's position coach with the Lions, Richard Harris, now has the same role with the Renegades.
Canadian Football League Stories from February 18, 2005
- Stamps sign four more - Calgary Stampeders
- Bombers score with speed - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Capital connection locked up for Renegades defensive line - Ottawa Renegades
- Michael Jenkins chooses Montreal - Montreal Alouettes
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