Samuels signs with Als

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This article was published 24/02/2009 (6389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

  Stanford Samuels has found work again — but it won’t be with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The versatile cornerback/halfback has signed a deal with the Montreal Alouettes after being released by the Bombers a couple of weeks ago — before he was due a bonus payment — and with the suggestion he may return to Winnipeg if the knee on which he had surgery in December had fully recovered. Instead, the 28-year-old Florida State product has hooked up with the East Division champion Als.

“He’s a key addition,” Alouette assistant GM Marcel Desjardins told The Montreal Gazette. “He gives us flexibility. He’s an outstanding player and we’re thrilled to have him.

“Our doctors looked at him and he’ll continue to be monitored. We’ve been told he’ll be fine (by camp) if things go according to plan.”
About his attitude: “We talked to him about that. People don’t know the circumstances. He admits he has matured.”

Samuels appeared in nine games for the Bombers last year after being picked up from the Edmonton Eskimos, registering 31 tackles while forcing two fumbles and picking off a pair of passes.

The Bombers did add a pair of imports today, signing defensive back Brandon Stewart and receiver Kyle Smith.

Stewart (6-1, 200, Eastern Arizona Junior College ) has CFL experience with the Calgary Stampeders, having attended their last two training camps and appearing in one regular-season game in 2007.

And Smith (6-0, 176, Youngstown State) is a CFL rookie who has had stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Georgia Force and Arizona Rattlers of the Arena League. Smith finished his days at Youngstown ranked ninth in career receptions with 101 and is the son of A.J. Smith, the GM of the San Diego Chargers.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca