Bombers sign RB Harris, receiver Smith and kicker Medlock

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/02/2016 (3721 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It took more than an hour for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to dip their toes into the free agent pool Tuesday, but that didn’t stop them from making a giant splash once all was said and done.

With more than 125 CFL players hitting the open market, general manager Kyle Walters entered the day with a detailed wish list, his mind and eyes wide open to improving a roster in desperate need of an upgrade after a 5-13 season the previous year.

They’d make big steps, signing the likes of running back Andrew Harris, a native of Winnipeg who finished just 20 yards short of the CFL rushing title last year as a member of the B.C. Lions. That came after they locked up the CFL’s most accurate foot in former Hamilton Tiger-Cat Justin Medlock, improving a kicking unit that seemingly cost Winnipeg in a number of tight games last season.

Then came an added boost to the receivers group with the signing of Ryan Smith, who is 24 and in just his second season in the CFL, finished the 2015 campaign nine yards short of the 1,000-yard mark, a feat not a single Bomber receiver accomplished last season. Smith complements the addition of Weston Dressler, another elite receiver and former teammate of Smith’s with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, whom the Bombers signed late last month.

“Ryan Smith was ranked very high on all free agent lists heading into today,” said Winnipeg GM Kyle Walters in a release. “He brings dynamic playmaking ability to the offence, and is a hard-nosed receiver. Ryan is the type of player we want in this organization, and we’re thrilled he’s decided to make Winnipeg his home.”

Then there was the addition of defensive tackle Keith Shologan.

The 30-year-old non-import brings consistency to the Bombers D-line and is fresh off a year with the Ottawa Redblacks where he registered a career-high seven sacks as an interior lineman.

But off all the notable signings, Harris, 28, was one of the biggest free agents heading into the day. He joins the Bombers after spending his entire six-year CFL career with the Lions where he amassed 4,259 yards rushing and 2,639 receiving for a combined total of 45 touchdowns. With a young daughter living in Winnipeg and his contract up with the Lions, rumours of Harris returning home began to surface frequently in the off-season. Now a deal is done, Harris is happy to be back home.

“It’s definitely a dream come true and something I’ve always envisioned,” Harris said in a conference call Tuesday afternoon. “It’s an exciting day for me and my family.”

Harris finished last season with 1,039 rushing yards and seven touchdowns to go with 53 receptions for 484 yards and two touchdowns. He’s certainly an upgrade in the backfield and with a Canadian passport, is that much more valuable to the Bombers’ offensive attack.

The 32-year-old Medlock joins the Bombers with the most accurate foot in the CFL, hitting 87.5 per cent of his kicks over his five years in the CFL. He was nearly perfect last season with the Ticats, hitting 42 of his 47 kicks, including just one miss on 29 attempts inside 40 yards.

“Justin Medlock is a massive addition to our roster, and obviously in particular to our kicking game,” said Walters, also in a release issued Tuesday. “His numbers throughout his career speak for themselves. He’s one of the most accurate kickers in the history of our league, and we’re really excited to add him to our organization.”

Medlock replaces Lirim Hajrullahu, who wasn’t offered a contract by the Bombers following a dismal 2015 campaign and has since signed with the Toronto Argonauts. Sergio Castillo replaced Hajrullahu late in the season and is still under contract with the Bombers, making his future with the team unclear.

The Bombers also made two smaller moves, including signing 25-year-old non-import running back Pascal Lochard, who played behind Harris with the Lions the past two seasons.

Finally, Winnipeg added veteran centre Jeff Keeping, who, at 33, still appears to have some miles left in him after spending 10 seasons with the Toronto Argonauts.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton