Renegades open free agency with signing of Ed Hervey
February 17, 2005 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Ottawa Renegades News Release
OTTAWA – The Ottawa Renegades Football Club opened the 2005 CFL free agency period with speed and significance. The team announced Thursday that it has come to terms with Ed Hervey for a two-year contract (plus an option).
Hervey, a career Edmonton Eskimos standout, committed to the Renegades a day after free agents from throughout the CFL were eligible to sign with other teams.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Ed’s ability and we are excited to see him play. We feel any time Ed touches the ball, he creates field position instantly,” said Joe Paopao, Head Coach and General Manager of the Renegades. “We think with the addition of Ed, we have solidified our receiving corps. He has the ability to stretch the field, along with fellow receivers Pat Woodcock, Jason Armstead and, of course, Yo Murphy.”
A product of the University of Southern California, the 31-year-old native of Houston spent each of his first six seasons in the CFL with the Eskimos. Widely considered as the fastest player in the CFL and regarded as one of the top deep threats in the league, Hervey has enjoyed two seasons with over 1,000-yards receiving throughout the last four years. He finished with 1,022 yards and eight touchdowns in 2003 – the same year he made the CFL All-Star team. During his West Division All-Star campaign in 2001, he hauled in 79 balls for 1,447 yards and 12 touchdowns – the latter two being second best in the CFL.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Hervey also has a knack for reaching the end zone. The former All-American track star, who scored two touchdowns in a game on three separate occasions in 2003, has recorded 40 touchdowns in his illustrious career. His last game as an Eskimo – a playoff loss to Saskatchewan – saw Hervey grab 14 balls for 173 yards.
Landing one of the most sought-after receivers in free agency was important for the Renegades, who were in constant negotiations with Hervey and his representatives – deep into Wednesday night.
“We re-visited with Ed’s agent and we were told that we weren’t the highest bidder among all the teams,” said Paopao. “But Ed is excited about what we are doing here on offence and having the chance to play with a quarterback like Kerry Joseph, who will air it out deep for us. That is something that Ed definitely wanted.”
Hervey has played in two Grey Cup games, winning the 2003 championship a year after being a finalist with Edmonton.
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Closer look at Ed Hervey
Position: Receiver
Nationality: American
Height/Weight: 6-2, 195
School: USC
Birthday/Birthplace: April 4, 1973 (31), Houston
Acquired: Free Agent, February 16, 2005
Yrs CFL/Yrs Renegades: 7th/1st
CFL Games/Renegades Games: 92/0
Playoff games: 6
Grey Cup appearances: 2 (Edmonton 2002, 2003)
Previous CFL Teams: Edmonton 1999-2004
PROFESSIONAL: Played his first six seasons in the CFL with the Eskimos, winning a Grey Cup ring in 2003. Has amassed over 5,000 receiving yards, 40 touchdowns and two All-Star selections. Widely considered as the fastest player in the CFL and regarded as one of the top deep threats in the league.
2004: Caught 53 balls for 629 yards and six touchdowns, despite missing five games due to injury. In the EskimosÂ’ lone playoff game, he hauled in 14 receptions for 173 yardsÂ… 2003: Was the EsksÂ’ second leading receiver with 72 receptions for 1022 yards and 8 TDs. EdÂ’s consistent play earned him a spot on the 2003 CFL All-Star team. Best performance(s): 4 receptions for 99 yards Week 2 vs. Calgary; 5 receptions for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns Week 5 vs Hamilton; 8 receptions for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns Week 13 @ B.C.; 3 receptions for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns Week 14 vs. Ottawa. CFL West Final: Led Eskimo receivers with 5 receptions for 122 yards. Grey Cup: 3 receptions for 48 yards... 2002: 50 receptions for 817 yards and 7 TDs in 18 regular season games, third best on the Eskimos. Best performance(s): 5 receptions for 129 yards and 2 TDs Week #5 vs. BC. 7 receptions for 105 yards Week #11 vs. Calgary; 3 receptions for 117 yards Week #16 vs. Montreal; 7 receptions for 90 yards and 1 TD Week #18 @ Winnipeg. CFL West Final: Ed was EdmontonÂ’s leading receiver with 5 receptions for 87 yards. Grey Cup: 2 receptions for 31 yards and 1 TD... 2001: Hervey enjoyed a breakout season and was awarded with a spot on the CFL West Division All-Star team. Established a reputation as one of the best wide receivers in the CFL with a breakthrough year. Caught 79 passes (5th in CFL) for 1447 yards (2nd in CFL), averaging 18.3 yards per reception. Finished 2nd in CFL in touchdown catches with 12. Had a season high 8 catches for 176 yards and 3 TDÂ’s vs. B.C. in Week #6. Named CFL Offensive Player of the Week after catching four passes for 170 yards and two TDs in Edmonton's 33-23 win over Calgary on July 20. Had 100 or more yards receiving in a game seven times in 2001. CFL West Final: Ed was the Eskimos leading receiver in Western Final vs. Calgary, with 6 catches for 124 yards and 2 TDÂ’sÂ… 2000: Had 51 receptions for 697 yards (average: 13.7 per catch, longest: 51 yards) and two TDs. Two missed field goal returns for 87 yards. Best performances: July 14 vs. Hamilton 4 receptions for 76 yards and one TD. Five catches for 53 yards September 16th @ B.C. Ed was Edmonton's leading receiver in CFL West Division Semi-Final with 6 receptions for 72 yardsÂ… 1999: Second among Eskimos with 48 pass receptions for 665 yards and 5 touchdowns.
College/Personal: Had 21 receptions for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns at USC after transferring from Pasadena City College. As a senior at USC, Ed was an All-American in the 200 metres, 4x100- and 4x400-metre relays and ran the 200 in 20.40 seconds and the 400 in 45.41 seconds. Makes his off-season home in Las Vegas.
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Canadian Football League Stories from February 17, 2005
- Stamps sign former first overall pick - Calgary Stampeders
- Stamps ink top defensive back - Calgary Stampeders
- CFL top receiver signs with Stamps - Calgary Stampeders
- Eskimos sign promising Canadian receiver - Edmonton Elks
- Eiben will wear double blue for the long haul - Toronto Argonauts
- Marcus Crandell visits Montreal - Montreal Alouettes
- Hervey not headed to Ottawa - Ottawa Renegades
- Hervey re-signs with Eskimos - Edmonton Elks
- Triple threat in Toronto to stay - Toronto Argonauts
- Renegades mascot Ruffy to help Heart and Stroke Foundation - Ottawa Renegades
- Renegades open free agency with signing of Ed Hervey - Ottawa Renegades
- Luke Fritz will be back - Montreal Alouettes
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