Renegades Complete Blockbuster Trade
Published on January 13, 2004 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA â The Ottawa Renegades have completed a blockbuster trade, the largest in franchise history, involving eight players and one draft selection.
The Renegades acquired from the Calgary Stampeders import defensive back Anthony Malbrough, import middle linebacker / defensive end Kai Ellis, the negotiation rights to non-import placekicker Sandro Sciortino, the negotiation rights to import defensive tackle Jerry Johnson and the second overall pick (first round) in the 2004 CFL Canadian College Draft.
In exchange, the Renegades sent to Calgary import linebacker John Grace, import offensive tackle Seth Dittman, import defensive lineman Fred Perry and import quarterback Romaro Miller.
Eric Tillman, general manager of the Renegades, made the following statement on the trade:
""Let me begin by thanking Seth, John, Fred and Romaro for their contributions to our club, both on and off the field. All four are quality people and enjoyed tremendous respect among our coaching staff.
"As for the trade, in our opinion, it is a win-win scenario. Understandably, Calgary is happy. In âRo', they're getting a good young quarterback and three solid veterans in John, Fred and Seth.
"For us, it's a much more complicated deal. But when viewed in its totality, the trade clearly has significant benefits, both short-term and long-term. Not only have we acquired five very talented young players, but, of equal importance, this deal gives us tremendous salary cap flexibility which will allow us to sign two or three critical free agents.
"Regarding the specifics of the trade, the obvious part is that in Kai and Anthony, we're getting two excellent young players with very significant upsides.
"In Sandro, we receive a rock-solid insurance policy for Lawrence Tynes, and a potential ratio-changer because Sandro is Canadian.
"Jerry Johnson brings both size and experience to an area, the defensive line, that continues to be an off-season priority for us.
"Then, of course, with the draft choice, we will now have two of the first three selections in what should be a very strong Canadian draft this spring.
"As we have stated many times, we believe the backbone of the best teams in our league is a strong Canadian content."
Malbrough (5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Texas Tech) is considered to be one of the best cover defensive backs in the league. The 27-year-old two-year CFL veteran attended the training camp of the Cleveland Browns in 2001 and played for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe.
Ellis (6-foot-4, 248 pounds, University of Washington) was a standout player at City College of San Francisco where he was named the national defensive player of the year during his school's run to an American junior college championship. Ellis is 23 years old, from Kent, Washington.
Sciortino (6-feet, 215 pounds, Boston College) is a native of Markham, Ontario who was chosen in the second round (12th overall) by the Stampeders during last year's CFL Canadian College Draft. Sciortino is a three-year starter at Boston College, including the last two seasons in which he handled the kick-off, point-after and field goal-kicking duties and is recognized for exceptional leg strength. During the recent NCAA season, he kicked 20 field goals, setting a Boston College single-season record. Sciortino is an academic all-BIG EAST athlete who kicked a 26-yard game-winning field goal against Notre Dame last year.
Johnson (6-foot-1, 290 pounds, Florida State) is 26 years old. He spent three seasons (2000, 2001, 2002) with the Denver Broncos of the NFL, which included practice roster and nine games active.
The Renegades will have the second and third overall picks of the 2004 CFL Canadian College Draft, scheduled for late April.
Canadian Football League Stories from January 13, 2004
- Renegades Complete Blockbuster Trade - Ottawa Renegades
- More Player Signings by Renegades - Ottawa Renegades
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