REDBLACKS Signings For The Week of Dec. 5th to 9th

Catching up to the week's events. The REDBLACKS have a massive free agent list but they trimmed it down a bit during the week. All graphics lifted from the team's Twitter account and far superior to anything I could create. 

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced, today, that they have re-signed four-time CFL All-Star American punter Richie Leone.

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue playing for the REDBLACKS,” said Leone.  “This will be my fifth season in the nation’s capital, and RNation should expect big things from us; there will be a lot to cheer for on the banks of the Rideau Canal come 2023.”

Leone, 30, is a veteran of six CFL seasons, and has spent the last four with the REDBLACKS. The Roswell, Georgia native racked up 4,315 net yards, last season, averaging 40.7 yards per punt: the second-highest marker of his CFL career.

A critical component of Ottawa's perennial standouts on special teams, Leone has earned Divisional All-Star honours five times (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021) and league All-Star recognition four times (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021). Before arriving in Ottawa, he made his CFL debut with the BC Lions in 2015, where he played for two seasons.

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have re-signed national defensive back Ty Cranston, the team announced today.

“I’m very excited to be re-signing with Ottawa, and continuing my career with the REDBLACKS. Ottawa has become my home over the past 10 years and I’m excited to work to rebuild the strong REDBLACKS legacy that I’ve witnessed throughout my time in Ottawa,” Cranston said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Coach Dyce, and reuniting with Khari Jones and Barron Miles. All three are coaches I greatly respect, and have lots to offer this team and the city moving forward.”

Cranston, 28, arrived to Ottawa during the 2022 offseason, after having spent three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. In his first campaign with the REDBLACKS, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native suited up in 17 games, finishing tied for fifth in the CFL with 17 special teams tackles, and adding three more on defence.

A product of the University of Ottawa, Cranston was selected in the seventh round, 56th overall, by the Als in the 2017 CFL Draft.

Those 17 special teams tackles were a team best.

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS announced, today, that they have reached an agreement with Lewis Ward, keeping the record-setting kicker in the nation's capital through the 2024 CFL season.

"I'm extremely excited to be back in Ottawa for another two years, to help us get back to the level that we expect," said Ward. "We have great people in this building, we have a lot of talent here, and we have the leadership of Coach Dyce. I’ve been blessed to have him as my special teams coach, and I’m excited to be here for the next couple of years."

Ward, 30, signed with the REDBLACKS on January 3, 2018, after going undrafted the year prior. Following a first season that saw him named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie, Ward went on to set the professional football record for consecutive field goals made (69), and also holds the CFL single-season record with a 98.1 made field goal percentage in 2018.

Born in England, and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Ward matched the second-best field goal percentage of his career in 2022, converting 49 kicks on 57 attempts. 

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have re-signed national fullback Marco Dubois through the 2023 CFL season, the team announced today.

"Coming back to Ottawa was an easy choice for me; the city, the fans and the whole organization has been great to me since I got drafted in 2018," said Dubois. "It is an honour to play for the REDBLACKS and to continue playing for Bob Dyce. We will give everything we've got to bring back the winning culture that RNation deserves. Can't wait to be back home on Bank Street!"

Dubois, 27, was drafted in the second round, 13th overall by the REDBLACKS in 2018. The Lasalle, Quebec native saw one of the best seasons of his CFL career during 2022, making four catches for 70 yards, including a career-long 54 yard reception in the season opener at Winnipeg.

On special teams, Dubois also chipped nine tackles through 18 games.

Dubois is actually 28 years old, for what that's worth. Or if he's 27, his date of birth is wrong on the website.

The team also locked in 2022 draft pick Daniel Valente from Western Ontario but I don't believe they included him in an announcement. Valente earned the Ontario Conference's President's Award this past season as the outstanding stand up defensive player. He had 16 tackles, five interceptions and a sack for Western in 2022.

Two other draft picks from earlier this year were signed up for 2023 as well in linebacker Subomi Oyesoro (Calgary) and fullback Connor Ross (St. Francis Xavier). This took place on November 21st. I assumed it would be announced at some point but that has yet to happen.

Two other 2022 camp attendees are going to give it another shot in 2023. They are Guelph's Eric Starczala on the offensive line and Shaiheem Charles-Brown on the defensive line. I suspect that entire bunch will get a generic "group" announcement at some point down the road. Maybe.