Tag: CFL

Browns sign Canadian Football League standout defender

The Browns have added a former Toronto Argonaut to their roster

The Cleveland Browns are turning over every rock to add talent to their roster, signing star Toronto Argonauts defensive tackle Ralph Holley.

The Argonauts defender is coming off one of his best-performing seasons in the Canadian Football League, recording eight sacks during the 2024 season. Despite missing time, his sack total was still tied for first among all CFL defenders. Holley is also a member of the 2021 Western Michigan Broncos graduating class, where he accumulated 138 tackles and 19.5 sacks over four consistent seasons. The up-and-coming defensive tackle found his way to Canada’s football league after going undrafted in the 2022 NFL draft.

The length and total value of the contract have yet to be determined, but Holley will undoubtedly have to earn his spot in what should be a very competitive defensive line group. Signing with Cleveland earlier in the offseason may give him an advantage, as it allows him to prepare thoroughly for training camp.

Time will tell if this preparation gives him a leg up as he competes for a roster spot this upcoming season.

Saints work out CFL sacks leader, Grey Cup champion

The New Orleans Saints worked out CFL sacks leader and Grey Cup champion Ralph Holley. Here’s the scoop on the young defensive lineman:

The New Orleans Saints are already looking to add players to their 2025 roster just a couple days after their last season came to a close.

On Tuesday, the team worked out Toronto Argonauts defensive lineman Ralph Holley.

Holley, standing at 6-foot-1 and 285 pounds, tied for the CFL lead with eight sacks in his rookie season, helping his team to a Grey Cup victory. Holley spent his collegiate career at Western Michigan where he amassed 138 tackles, 45.5 for loss, and 20.5 sacks in five years. During his tenure, he earned first and second-team All-MAC honors as one of the top players in his conference.

In terms of Holley’s strengths, he comes as an extremely athletic player in the interior. Holley participated in Western Michigan’s pro day in 2022 where he  recorded a 4.99-second 40 yard dash, a 30-inch vertical jump and churned out 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. That made for an above-average 6.82 Relative Athletic Score, if you’re curious.

Holley is currently eligible to sign with the team even though he’s technically still under contract with the Argonauts’. Players in the CFL have about a month-long window where they are able to sign NFL contracts which usually opens in early January.

If all goes well, the Saints would be landing one of the CFL’s most coveted players to their defensive line room.

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Broncos worked out 12 players, including 3 WRs from the CFL

The Broncos worked out 12 players on Monday, including three wide receivers from the CFL.

The Denver Broncos brought in 12 players for workouts on Monday, including 11 players from the Canadian Football League, according to a report from KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Denver brought in three wide receivers, two offensive linemen, four linebackers and three defensive linemen. Of the 11 CFL players, four have spent time in the NFL: linebacker Isaac Darkangelo (Lions, Raiders), receiver Makai Polk (Ravens, Giants), defensive lineman Jonah Tavai (Seahawks) and Davion Taylor (Eagles, Bears, Cardinals).

Only one of the players, offensive lineman Spencer Rolland, is not a CFL player. Rolland was cut from the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad earlier this month. View the full list of Monday’s workout players below.

12 players worked out for Broncos

  1. WR AJou Ajou (6-2, 211 pounds)
  2. WR Ayden Eberhardt (6-2, 195 pounds)
  3. WR Makai Polk (6-3, 197 pounds)
  4. OL Logan Ferland (6-4, 275 pounds)
  5. OL Spencer Rolland (6-6, 306 pounds)
  6. LB A.J. Allen (6-1, 210 pounds)
  7. LB Michael Ayers (6-2, 220 pounds)
  8. LB Isaac Darkangelo (6-1, 230 pounds)
  9. LB Davion Taylor (6-1, 230 pounds)
  10. DL Brandon Barlow (6-4, 260 pounds)
  11. DL Elliott Brown (6-5, 225 pounds)
  12. DL Jonah Tavai (5-10, 283 pounds)

Denver is likely considering these players as candidates to sign reserve/future contracts at the end of the 2024 NFL season.

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Former Panthers QB signs with Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders

Former Panthers QB P.J. Walker is headed up north to the CFL.

An old friend has found a new home . . . a very new home.

On Tuesday, the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders announced they have signed former Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker. The 29-year-old will join the team as a member of their practice roster.

Walker first hit the pros following a four-year stay at Temple University from 2013 to 2016. The Elizabeth, N.J. native, who remains the program’s all-time leading passer, signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in the spring of 2017.

After bouncing back and forth between Indianapolis’ practice squad and free agency through the 2019 campaign, Walker really turned heads after joining the XFL in 2020. The COVID-shortened season saw him lead the Houston Roughnecks to a 5-0 record with 1,338 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.

That showing helped Walker back into the NFL, where the Panthers and his former Temple head coach Matt Rhule awaited him. He went on to play in 15 games for the Panthers between 2020 and 2022—amassing 1,461 passing yards, five touchdowns and 11 picks with seven starts.

Walker has since made stops with the Chicago Bears, the Cleveland Browns and, most recently, the Seattle Seahawks.

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Former CFL star lights up Raiders preseason finale, ‘moved the needle’ in bid to make roster

‘He’s got some juice, right?’ Raiders head coach as this former CFL star lit up Raiders preseason finale.

There are a lot of decisions to be made over the next few days with the cutdown deadline looming. One player who gave the Raiders coaches a lot to think about was Tyreik McCallister.

The 5-11, 180-pounder spent the past two seasons on and off the Broncos’ offseason roster and practice squad.

In between, he spent a season in the CFL with the Hamilton Tigercats where he averaged 25.3 yards per kick return on 41 returns with 426 yards of offense and two touchdowns.

This past January he was signed to a reserve/future contract and coming into camp was seen as a longshot to make the roster. His shot got a lot shorter tonight.

First up, he took a punt in the second quarter and went took it 81 yards for a touchdown.

Then later in the game, he made an outstanding adjustment on a pass over the middle that was behind him to come back, pluck it out of the air and score with it. The defender had no idea what happened or how he did it.

 

“He’s got some juice, right?” said head coach Antonio Pierce after the game. “Came from the CFL and played running back, never played wide receiver, you can see that transition into the offseason program.”

“We’ve been seeing it in practice, but today he took it to another level. Took one to the crib and a hell of a catch and adjustment on the reception. And even just covering kicks. He moved the needle tonight.”

Even with his eye popping plays in this game, McAllister has some guys ahead of him who could make it difficult for him to sneak onto the roster. Namely Tre Tucker and DJ Turner, both of whom have already earned their spots and both of whom also return punts.

But you never know what can happen. At very least, the Raiders may see the value in keeping him around on the practice squad.

Ex-Broncos QB Chad Kelly given ‘last chance’ in the CFL

Former Broncos quarterback Chad Kelly has been give a ‘last chance’ in the CFL after returning from a nine-game suspension.

The Canadian Football League reinstated quarterback Chad Kelly on Sunday, with stipulations. The CFL said this will be Kelly’s “last chance.”

After reinstating Kelly following a nine-game suspension, the league said the quarterback must meet “a number of ongoing conditions” to remain in the CFL. Here is the league’s full statement:

Kelly won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022 and then won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award in 2023. The Argonauts, who have started the 2024 season with a 5-4 record without Kelly, also released a statement:

The team’s statement included a message from Kelly:

I am sorry for my actions and the impact it has had on many people personally, the Toronto Argonauts and the CFL. I recognize that this is just one step in the process of bettering myself, but it is an important one, and I am committed to doing what is needed to be a better teammate, colleague and person.

With that commitment in mind, I have accepted the League’s conditions of reinstatement, including its ‘Last Chance Agreement.’

Kelly, 30, was cut by the Denver Broncos after he was arrested on suspension of criminal trespassing in 2018. He later spent two years with the Indianapolis Colts from 2019-2020 and then moved to the CFL in 2022. The Argonauts have nine games remaining in the regular season.

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Kenneth George Jr. records three tackles against Edmonton

Former Vol records three tackles in CFL game on Saturday.

Edmonton defeated Hamilton, 47-22, in a Canadian Football League game Saturday at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario.

Former Vol defensive back Kenneth George Jr. recorded three tackles for the Tiger-Cats (2-8).

George Jr. played for the Vols from 2018-21 under head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel.

He transferred to Tennessee from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

George Jr. appeared in 33 games, including 10 starts, at Tennessee. He totaled 52 tackles, 10 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

In two seasons with Hamilton, George Jr. has recorded 82 tackles, four interceptions, one sack, four interceptions and one fumble recovery.

In 2024, the former Vol has appeared in 10 games and recorded 39 tackles and two interceptions.

James Letcher Jr. returns missed FG 128 yards for Alouettes touchdown

James Letcher returned a missed field goal 128 yards for a Montreal TD

This return of a missed field goal might have gone through different area codes. James Letcher Jr. of the Montreal Alouettes caught a Brett Lauther field goal attempt in the back of the end zone on Friday night.

The third of four missed field goals by Saskatchewan’s kicker proved incredibly costly. Rather than concede a rouge — one point — Letcher got on his horse and never stopped in the fourth quarter.

One hundred and twenty-eight yards later, Letcher had given the Alouettes the lead. After the PAT, it was 20-17 for Montreal, which went on to win the game, 27-24.

The return didn’t set a team record. Trent Guy returned a missed field goal 129 yards in a 2012 win over the Toronto Argonauts.

And there is video proof:

Kenneth George Jr. records two tackles against Montreal

Former Vol totals two tackles for Hamilton in loss to Montreal.

Montreal defeated Hamilton, 33-23, in a Canadian Football League game Saturday at Percival Molson Stadium in Montreal, Quebec.

Former Vol defensive back Kenneth George Jr. recorded two tackles for the Tiger-Cats (2-7).

George Jr. played for the Vols from 2018-21 under head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel.

He transferred to Tennessee from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

George Jr. appeared in 33 games, including 10 starts, at Tennessee. He totaled 52 tackles, 10 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

In two seasons with Hamilton, George Jr. has appeared in 46 games. He has recorded 79 tackles, four interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery.

In 2024, the former Vol has appeared in nine games and recorded 33 tackles and two interceptions.

Gerry Angus-USA TODAY Sports

Kenneth George Jr. records four tackles against Edmonton

Former Vol records four tackles in CFL win.

Hamilton defeated Edmonton, 44-28, in a Canadian Football League game at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.

Former Vol defensive back Kenneth George Jr. recorded four tackles for the Tiger-Cats (2-5), who won its second consecutive game after opening the 2024 season 0-5.

George Jr. played for the Vols from 2018-21 under head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel.

He transferred to Tennessee from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

George Jr. appeared in 33 games, including 10 starts, at Tennessee. He totaled 52 tackles, 10 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

In two seasons with Hamilton, George Jr. has appeared in 44 games. He has recorded 74 tackles, three interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery.

In 2024, the former Vol has appeared in seven games and recorded 28 tackles and one interception.

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports