Blue looking to hand out more than one second chance

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This article was published 02/09/2009 (5930 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PACMAN Jones may not be the only troubled former NFLer in a Bombers uniform this weekend as rumours continue to swirl that the club is close to terms with former Detroit Lions receiver Charles Rogers.

Rodgers was selected second overall by the Detroit Lions in the 2003 NFL Entry Draft and then spent parts of three seasons with the club before being released prior to the 2006 season.

Rogers broke his collarbone in his rookie season with the Lions, again in 2004 and then was suspended for four games in the 2005 season after a third violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

“Charles is one of our neg-list players and we don’t talk about our neg-list players,” Bombers coach Mike Kelly said, when asked about the receiver Tuesday. “Everybody can look up Charles. He’s a talented player and a big target and has been a productive player.”

Rogers was charged with assault in September 2008 but the charges were later dropped. He was sentenced in December 2008 to attend sobriety court or be jailed after violating probation. He tested positive for the painkiller Vicodin in March 2009 and was jailed.

In three NFL seasons, Rogers totalled 36 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns. He is 28 years old and is listed as 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds.

Kelly on Armstead

THE Bombers released kick returner Jason Armstead this spring when he ran into legal troubles in the U.S. Armstead was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday and Kelly was asked why he chose to pass on the talented return man.

“We evaluate players on their merit,” the coach said. “Each one is evaluated differently and it was my decision that we didn’t want to bring him back.”