The Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in CFL action on July 1st, 2017 at New Mosaic Stadium in Regina, SK.. Liam Richards/Electric Umbrella
Spencer Moore is sticking with the only CFL team he has known.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed the fullback/special-teamer to a two-year contract extension Tuesday. The deal was struck before the CFL’s free-agency period began at 11 a.m., but was announced later in the day.
The Roughriders also announced the signings of two other players Tuesday.
Regina-born offensive lineman Dan Clark signed a two-year contract extension with Saskatchewan roughly 90 minutes before he was to become a free agent. Then, a couple of hours after the market opened, Regina-born defensive tackle Zack Evans signed a one-year, free-agent contract with the Roughriders.
Evans spent the previous four seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks, who selected him from Saskatchewan in the expansion draft prior to the 2014 season.
Moore, a 27-year-old who hails from Hamilton, has spent all five of his seasons in the CFL with the Roughriders. Saskatchewan selected the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder in the fifth round (44th overall) of the 2013 draft out of McMaster University.
Last season, Moore had seven catches for 85 yards and 15 special-teams tackles in 18 regular-season games. He has 19 receptions for 164 yards and 34 special-teams stops in 63 career CFL regular-season games.
Saskatchewan has five free agents remaining: Defensive lineman Eddie Steele, offensive lineman Bruce Campbell, running back Greg Morris, linebacker Otha Foster III and punter/kicker Quinn van Gylswyk.
Three of Saskatchewan’s free agents signed elsewhere Tuesday.
Receiver Nic Demski, who spent his first three seasons with the Roughriders, signed with his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Demski was Saskatchewan’s first-round pick (sixth overall) in the 2015 draft out of the University of Manitoba.
Defensive end A.C. Leonard also changed teams, signing with Ottawa. Leonard played two seasons with the Roughriders after signing with them as a free agent prior to the 2016 campaign.
And defensive tackle Ese Mrabure signed with the Calgary Stampeders. The Toronto product spent two seasons with the Roughriders after joining them from the B.C. Lions.
Clark and Evans were teammates with the PFC’s Regina Thunder before playing together with the Roughriders.
Evans initially joined the Roughriders as a territorial junior in 2012 and played eight games with them in each of the 2012 and ’13 seasons. He was picked by Ottawa in the third round of the expansion draft and became a fixture on its defensive line.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder played 18 regular-season games for the Redblacks in 2017 and recorded 23 tackles and five sacks.
In 86 career regular-season games, Evans has registered 87 tackles, 22 sacks, one interception and one touchdown. The 27-year-old is a two-time Grey Cup champion, having won CFL titles with Saskatchewan in 2013 and Ottawa in 2016.
Clark was a member of the Thunder when he joined the Roughriders as a territorial junior in 2009. The 6-foot-2, 310-pound offensive lineman made his CFL debut with Saskatchewan in August of 2012 and since has played in 79 regular-season games, four playoff contests and the 2013 Grey Cup.
In 2017, Clark started the first six games of the regular season at centre before suffering an elbow injury that sidelined him for nine games. His injury forced the Roughriders to shuffle their O-line; Brendon LaBatte moved from left guard to centre, Derek Dennis shifted from left tackle to left guard and Bruce Campbell was inserted at left tackle.
Clark was activated off the injured list with three contests left in the regular season after Dennis sustained a back injury. Clark reclaimed his spot at centre and LaBatte returned to guard.
Clark is one of nine Roughriders who signed a new deal before free agency arrived. Receivers Devon Bailey, Duron Carter and Caleb Holley, offensive linemen LaBatte and Thaddeus Coleman, defensive end Willie Jefferson, defensive back Jovon Johnson and quarterback Brandon Bridge all agreed to extensions before their previous deals expired.
• The Roughriders announced Tuesday that they had released three international players, including two who were signed as free agents in 2017.
Dennis and linebacker/special-teamer Glenn Love were let go, as was defensive end Antonio Longino.
Dennis appeared in 15 regular-season games in 2017, while Glenn had 18 special-teams tackles and one defensive stop in his 11 games played. Longino appeared in five games and recorded eight defensive tackles, three special-teams stops and a quarterback pressure.
