charlio lemieux
12-02-05, 10:59 AM
HAMILTON (CP) - Confirming the CFL's worst-kept secret, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats acquired quarterback Jason Maas from the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday.
The Ticats also collected a sixth-round pick in the 2006 draft. Going to Edmonton are veteran quarterback Danny McManus, offensive lineman Tim Bakker, defensive back Imokhai Atogwe and the Ticats' first-round pick in the 2006 draft.
Maas had success with the Esks, including this season's playoffs, but was glued to the sidelines at Grey Cup as Ricky Ray led the team to victory.
"We're thrilled to add a player with Jason's ability," Hamilton GM Rob Katz said in a statement. "He's a leader on and off the field and should have a major impact on our team for years to come. It isn't often that you can bring in a quarterback that has proven himself already in this league and also possesses enormous growth potential."
The trade had been long rumoured, a fact the CFL attempted to address by issuing a statement Friday saying the deal was kosher.
Hamilton and Edmonton engineered a trade Oct. 5 that sent running back Troy Davis to the Eskimos and the Maas-McManus deal had been widely speculated as part of that exchange.
"On the basis of public and media speculation surrounding the rumoured player trade, the commissioner's office intervened to ensure that an announcement was not made prior to the league receiving and fully examining the details of the transaction," the league said.
"That review is now complete and it has been determined that the trade announced today was not part of any future considerations arrangement from the Oct. 5th transaction between the two clubs, and that both Edmonton and Hamilton have complied with league policies pertaining to player transfers."
Maas, a six-year CFL veteran, joined the Eskimos as a free agent in 2000.
In 108 career games with Edmonton, he completed 746 of 1,211 pass attempts for 11,250 yards and 65 touchdowns. He was a West Division all-star in 2001.
In 2004, the six-foot-two 211-pounder became just the second Eskimo to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a season.
McManus is a 16-year CFL veteran who played 280 games for Hamilton since signing as a free agent in 1998. As a Ticat, McManus completed 2,368 of his 3,624 pass attempts for 33,841 yards and 164 touchdowns.
Bakker joined the Ticats in 2004 as a free agent. The veteran offensive guard played 35 games for Hamilton in his two seasons with the club.
Atogwe signed with Hamilton in July 2005, making one defensive tackle and seven special teams tackles in eight games with the Ticats this season.
"Danny and I have been in Hamilton for eight years now and it's very difficult to lose a talent, a professional, and a friend like him," said Ron Lancaster, Hamilton's senior director of football operations. "Danny has done some truly wonderful things for this organization on and off the field. He has never asked to be recognized for his accomplishments and has quietly been the leader of the locker-room since the day he arrived."
Hamilton now holds eight draft picks, including the ninth, 10th and 12th overall selections, in the 2006 draft.
I know some people consider Maas to be better than the Grey Cup winner Ray, but the question is still there. Is this enough to make Hamilton competative again?
They have some good draft picks too.
The Ticats also collected a sixth-round pick in the 2006 draft. Going to Edmonton are veteran quarterback Danny McManus, offensive lineman Tim Bakker, defensive back Imokhai Atogwe and the Ticats' first-round pick in the 2006 draft.
Maas had success with the Esks, including this season's playoffs, but was glued to the sidelines at Grey Cup as Ricky Ray led the team to victory.
"We're thrilled to add a player with Jason's ability," Hamilton GM Rob Katz said in a statement. "He's a leader on and off the field and should have a major impact on our team for years to come. It isn't often that you can bring in a quarterback that has proven himself already in this league and also possesses enormous growth potential."
The trade had been long rumoured, a fact the CFL attempted to address by issuing a statement Friday saying the deal was kosher.
Hamilton and Edmonton engineered a trade Oct. 5 that sent running back Troy Davis to the Eskimos and the Maas-McManus deal had been widely speculated as part of that exchange.
"On the basis of public and media speculation surrounding the rumoured player trade, the commissioner's office intervened to ensure that an announcement was not made prior to the league receiving and fully examining the details of the transaction," the league said.
"That review is now complete and it has been determined that the trade announced today was not part of any future considerations arrangement from the Oct. 5th transaction between the two clubs, and that both Edmonton and Hamilton have complied with league policies pertaining to player transfers."
Maas, a six-year CFL veteran, joined the Eskimos as a free agent in 2000.
In 108 career games with Edmonton, he completed 746 of 1,211 pass attempts for 11,250 yards and 65 touchdowns. He was a West Division all-star in 2001.
In 2004, the six-foot-two 211-pounder became just the second Eskimo to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a season.
McManus is a 16-year CFL veteran who played 280 games for Hamilton since signing as a free agent in 1998. As a Ticat, McManus completed 2,368 of his 3,624 pass attempts for 33,841 yards and 164 touchdowns.
Bakker joined the Ticats in 2004 as a free agent. The veteran offensive guard played 35 games for Hamilton in his two seasons with the club.
Atogwe signed with Hamilton in July 2005, making one defensive tackle and seven special teams tackles in eight games with the Ticats this season.
"Danny and I have been in Hamilton for eight years now and it's very difficult to lose a talent, a professional, and a friend like him," said Ron Lancaster, Hamilton's senior director of football operations. "Danny has done some truly wonderful things for this organization on and off the field. He has never asked to be recognized for his accomplishments and has quietly been the leader of the locker-room since the day he arrived."
Hamilton now holds eight draft picks, including the ninth, 10th and 12th overall selections, in the 2006 draft.
I know some people consider Maas to be better than the Grey Cup winner Ray, but the question is still there. Is this enough to make Hamilton competative again?
They have some good draft picks too.