Renegades Ink Veterans Kerry Joseph and Korey Banks and Veterans Murphy, Scott and Sutherland
February 21, 2006 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
Renegades Executive Vice President Forrest Gregg released signing information on a host of Renegades including team leader and Quarterback; Kerry Joseph, Wide receiver Yo Murphy and Offensive Lineman Mike Sutherland, all starters from the 2005 team. Defensively Gregg announced the signing of two defensive tackles: Charles Howard, Florida State University and Canary Knight, University of Alabama who will join 2005 Veteran Johnny Scott on the Renegades Defensive Line. Linebacker Donnavan Carter was also confirmed as signing boosting the number of newly signed players to nine.
The Renegades Executive Forrest Gregg threw down a "Full House" like a Classic Riverboat Gambler today revealing the front office strategy. Gregg reiterated the theme of signing current talent to long term deals and creating roster stability. In an interview last week Greg was cagey in his responses choosing to let the club release the information on its own timeline. The new moves also showcase the work of John Jenkins and his stable of pro football scouts; most notably defensive buzz saws Charles Howard, Florida State University (Atlantic Coast Conference) and Canary Knight, University of Alabama (South Eastern Conference) who will elevate the level of talent on the defense front. John Jenkins Stated: "This is a huge step forward in revealing the direction of our 2006 program, including the scope and power of this talented scouting machine in locating top football talent and in how we rebuild this program and create a very competitive atmosphere in Ottawa".
When asked how the team will handle the loss of recent Free Agents, Jenkins responded: "We are working very diligently right now and have been since late 2005 with our American Workouts and are very confident about the level of talent we are finding and who will be in training camp this May. In this business players will seek greener pastures; the team must and will continue to function, moving forward with players who are excited to be here in Ottawa. These are men who coming into the program are very pumped about being Renegades and committed to changing the status quo; both players and coaches who have a common goal in succeeding and winning here where others have failed. And that is a very powerful combination."
Forrest Gregg also noted the new additions to the offensive unit of Anthony "Tiger' Jones; the University of Louisville product, a highly touted speedster the Cardinal wide receiver has very good size at 5-11, 190. Michael Scott, an American kicker with extensive professional indoor and outdoor experience joins the special teams; Scott is expected to create good competition in training camp. Both Jenkins and Gregg would not be persuaded to comment on future additions through these American workouts but it seemed by their demeanor that more player acquisitions would be coming and they would be impact players.
Forrest Gregg reiterated: "John Jenkins is extremely hard working and with his scouting team he will produce football talent." As a scouting group at Calgary Gregg noted that Jenkins and his current scouting staff brought to the CFL Nikolas Lewis, the CFL Rookie of the Year. "Today's group of top player signings should signal what our 2006 direction is, substantially upgrading the coaching staff and creating competition within the team, and to have one common goal; a winning program.
The media coverage of last week seemed to have generated a lot of negative feedback; "BUT it demonstrates there is a huge passion for football here in Ottawa, and the challenge, our management and team challenge is to harness that, through results on the football field and create a new positive passion and with winning that will happen. How much better is fan passion rather than apathy? Furthermore if people want to take us for granted and discount the program and the team all the better while we continue to take care of our business and move forward with building a team. While I would love to think this perception, of stumbling along in the darkness, which is held by our fans is also the perception of our CFL peers I would seriously doubt that this is the case. Todays showcase of signed players both returning and incoming should and will demonstrate where we are heading.
Canadian Football League Stories from February 21, 2006
- Renegades Ink Veterans Kerry Joseph and Korey Banks and Veterans Murphy, Scott and Sutherland - Ottawa Renegades
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
