News from the Grid-Iron
December 12, 2000
(Edmonton) After recovering from a career threatening injury, linebacker A.J. Gass has
re-signed with the Edmonton Eskimos.
The third year Eskimo suffered a blood clot in his hand during a game July 21st vs Winnipeg and was sidelined for 11 weeks. He returned to the lineup October 15th vs Calgary.
Gass signed as a free agent with Edmonton in 1998 after a standout career at Fresno State University. He enjoyed his best season as a pro in 1999 with 57 defensive tackles, 12 special teams tackles and 1 quarterback sack.
Eskimo General Manager Tom Higgins says " A.J. Gass is a big impact special teams player and he worked very hard to overcome a serious injury last season".
Tuesday, December 12, 2000
CFL, Puma Canada reach multiyear deal
TORONTO (CP) -- The CFL and sportswear company Puma Canada have signed a multiyear deal.
In addition to providing official jerseys, Puma will also be the exclusive supplier other CFL apparel.
"We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Puma," CFL commissioner Michael Lysko said. "Puma is an integral part of our overall licensing program and we look forward to building the awareness of both our brands through this relationship."
Puma, founded in Germany in 1948, provides athletic footwear, apparel and accessories in more than 80 countries.
Tuesday, December 12, 2000
Carter puts his cleats in the closet
By CON GRIWKOWSKY -- Edmonton Sun
Grant Carter may still have some football left in him.
But he's smart enough to know when to get on with the rest of his life.
Just weeks short of his 30th birthday, Carter decided to call it a career on his own terms. He filed his retirement papers with the CFL yesterday.
"I'm just getting out while I'm still in one piece and I have my health,'' said Carter, who led a somewhat charmed seven-year pro career.
He'd never missed a game due to injury and was one of only three Esks defenders who played all 18 regular-season games.
Carter walks away having accomplished all a player can ask for, from both personal and team viewpoints.
"One of the main reasons I feel confident about my decision is I feel good about what I've done in my seven years,'' said Carter.
SOME GREAT TEAMS
"I've been an all-star (CFL, 1996; CFL East in 1996 and 1998), I've been part of some great teams, including the one here.I've won the Grey Cup (with Baltimore in 1995). I feel I've accomplished what I set out to do and I'm walking out injury-free.''
Carter has an opportunity to start a post-game career that will keep him in touch with football.
He's landed a job as executive manager of the sports performance division of the Security First National Bank in Atlanta. Basically, it's a financial advisor role in a program tailored to the needs of pro athletes, whose peak earning years are compacted into a short period of time.
Carter joined the Eskimos in 1999 after he was handed a release after playing six games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Carter always suspected the release was more contract than performance-related and he proved it in his final CFL days with the Green and Gold.
This past season, Carter was asked to play middle linebacker after six seasons as one of the CFL's top rush ends.
Although Carter struggled in the CFL West semi-final against eventual Grey Cup champion B.C. Lions, his last pro year will stick out as one of his most unique.
"It's going to be one of the best memories I'll have,'' said Carter. "Some of the memories will be really special, like beating Calgary back-to-back, the Hamilton game - those were really special. The fact I was able to go to a different position and play well is one thing that I can look back on.''
THE XFL IS OUT
Carter did not rule out a possibility that he may come out of retirement some time in the future, but he made it clear yesterday's announcement was not a ploy to pave his way into the XFL.
"Never say never,'' he said about the first point. "Even if I would make a comeback, I wouldn't play in the XFL. I have no interest in that league.''
What Carter's departure means is that the Esks search for a middle linebacker to replace Willie Pless is still on.
A good possibility is fourth-year player A.J. Gass, who's both started and backed up in the spot the last two seasons. Gass, 25, missed more than half the 2000 season with a blood clotting problem that the Esks feared could be career-threatening.
"It's taken care of - it doesn't seem to be bothering me any more,'' said Gass from his off-season home yesterday.
Gass was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15, but has agreed to terms of a one year plus option deal.
Tuesday, December 5, 2000
Hail! Eskimos sign Hardy
By CON GRIWKOWSKY -- Edmonton Sun
No man is an island.
So, before leaving for his off-season adventure on Vancouver Island last night, Eskimos safety Chris Hardy signed on for another tour of duty.
His signing signals just how serious the Esks are about not losing players to the free-agent market.
Like receiver Ed Hervey, who signed a new deal last Thursday, Hardy was eligible for free agency Feb. 15 after playing out his option year.
Going into the 2000 season, Hardy's future with the team was uncertain as head coach Don Matthews pondered starting an all-import secondary.
Hardy, one of the most gifted athletes ever produced in the Edmonton area and the Esks' second-year starting safety, shook off his sophomore jinx to enjoy his most productive season ever.
Even though he missed several late-season games due to injury, he led the team with six interceptions.
Hardy, 28, will start his fifth CFL season with the Eskimos, the only pro team he's ever played for.
Friday, December 1, 2000
Esks snag a receiver for 2001
By CON GRIWKOWSKY -- Edmonton Sun
The Edmonton Eskimos built the first brick in a big off-season job of reconstructing their receiving crew yesterday.
When the team met for the last time after its loss to the eventual Grey Cup champion B.C. Lions, it became apparent the receiving crew would be priority No. 1.
Ed Hervey was one of four players playing out their option year and eligible for free agency Feb. 15.
Yesterday, the wideout with world-class speed signed a new deal that will make him an Eskimo for the third straight season. Although terms of the deal were not announced, the new contract is believed to be for one year plus an option.
Hervey was the team's leading receiver in the Esks' semifinal loss, snagging six balls.
Rick Walters, Terry Vaughn and Donnie Ashley are also eligible for free agency, but only Vaughn has indicated he'll explore other options.
Vaughn, a six-year CFL West all star, stated that his preference would be to play for a U.S.-based team, possibly in the NFL or even the XFL.
Since Walters is an Edmonton-trained player, the likelihood of his return is much greater.
Ashley's situation is the most fascinating. With the retirement of Henry (Gizmo) Williams, Ashley appears to have the inside track on being the designated replacement.
But that's not a slam-dunk.
Vaughn's imminent departure means there's room for one more slotback capable of being a return man.
Fred Bailey would fit that bill, but he's currently under contract to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Bailey was first plucked off the Riders practice roster in mid-August of 1999 and became the team's starting weak-side slotback until his progress was hampered when he broke his leg in the Labour Day game.
Bailey built a new home in Edmonton during last off-season based on the positive reception he got here from both management and fans.
Unfortunately, while head coach Don Matthews was juggling his lineup during an injury-riddled season, Bailey found himself on the practice roster.
When an opportunity presented itself to start in Saskatchewan, Bailey left the team.
Bailey attended the Grey Cup festivities in Calgary and during a brief conversation at the Spirit of Edmonton room, indicated he'd be more than interested in returning here.
How exactly that might happen is unclear.
Bailey could ask the Roughriders to release him from the option year of his contract. Failing that, if the Eskimos were really interested in obtaining Bailey's services, they could engineer a trade, offering a player from the talent pool they'd built up during their injury-riddled season.
At the very least, that would allow the Eskimos two CFL veterans, Bailey and Ashley, to compete for the slotback/returner jobs.
