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Monday, January 21, 2013

Alouettes Sign Bruce, Parker and Porter



The Montreal Alouettes announced the signings of a trio of free agents Monday, adding quarterback Quinton Porter, defensive back Byron Parker as well as receiver Arland Bruce III to their roster.

Porter and Bruce signed three-year deals while Parker signed a two-year contract.

“We welcome Arland, Byron and Quinton to the Alouettes. We have added three solid professionals to our organization today,” said Alouettes General Manager Jim Popp.

Porter (6’5, 225 lbs.) was an on-and-off starter with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats over five seasons starting in 2008. In 2012, the former Boston College grad was used sparingly while backing up QB Henry Burris, seeing action primarily in short yardage situations. During his tenure in Steeltown, Porter completed 358 of 562 passes (63.7%) for 4,095 yards with 21 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

“Quinton has been on my radar screen for sometime,” said Popp. “We feel his potential can reach great heights and we look forward in getting him into the Alouettes system.”

The Portland, ME native has shown his versatility over the years, rushing for 919 career yards and 15 touchdowns on 169 carries. The 30-year-old also threw for over 1,000 yards in his first two CFL seasons while sporting a completion rate of over 60 per cent on three separate occasions.

Parker (6'0, 220 lbs.) returns to the CFL’s East Division following a one-year stint with the B.C. Lions in 2012. Last year, the 31-year-old appeared in all 18 regular-season games for the Lions, recording 38 defensive tackles and one interception, which he returned for 37 yards. The Madisonville, KY native was acquired by the Alouettes as a free agent after the Lions released him last Friday.

“Byron comes in as one of the top DBs in the CFL over the last decade,” declared Popp. “We welcome his leadership and ability to make big plays.”

Parker is a nine-year CFL veteran, having tallied 236 career defensive tackles and 29 interceptions with Toronto, Edmonton and B.C. since 2005. Parker’s breakout campaign came in 2011 when he recorded a career-best 50 defensive tackles.

Most of his success came during his seven seasons with the Argos where he was named a CFL All-Star in 2006, 2007 and 2011. He holds the CFL record for career interceptions returned for touchdowns (9) and interception return yards in a single season (348).

Bruce (5'9, 194 lbs.), has spent 11 seasons in the CFL with Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton and B.C. and has generated more than 10,000 receiving yards and 89 touchdowns. Last season saw the 34-year-old Olathe, KS native snag 43 passes for 603 yards and five touchdowns.

“Arland offers us a solid playmaker and legitimate game changer," said Popp. "He is one of those players that makes the other team a little nervous when he is on the field.”

Bruce eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark six times in his career. He is a two-time Grey Cup winner (2004 and 2011) and was selected as a CFL All-Star in 2006, 2009, and 2010 while also being a five-time East Division All-Star.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Taman obviously took the weekend off. Did he even consider Bruce?

Anonymous said...

Mitch, did the Riders make Bruce and/or Parker an offer and if not, why?

Anonymous said...

Why? I think it's more like why bother! They're has beens.

Anonymous said...

Ta Man, take a week-end off ? No, just a hesitant Inept so called gm of a CFL professional football franchise which will be hosting the Grey Cup this year. No urgency to explore all available options for success and a coveted championship.