Bob O’Billovich was certainly busy the first full day of CFL free agency.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats general manager dipped into the free-agent waters Wednesday to sign veteran tailback Avon Cobourne, the 2010 Grey Cup MVP, and defensive back Daniel Francis.
Later, a CFL source requesting anonymity said the Ticats had agreed to terms with linebacker Rey Williams and veteran offensive lineman Wayne Smith, who spent the last four years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders after being selected first overall by the Ticats in 2004.
The five-foot-eight, 205-pound Cobourne joins the Ticats after spending the last five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. Cobourne, who turns 32 next month, ran for 3,301 yards in 71 regular-season games and added 1,714 yards receiving.
Cobourne also scored 32 touchdowns and was a big part of the Alouettes club that has won the last two Grey Cups.
“Avon is a proven, hard-nosed, all-around running back that will add a dimension of toughness to our offence,” O’Billovich said.
“He was a big part of Montreal’s championship teams, and we look forward to him bringing that winning attitude into our locker-room.”
Cobourne’s arrival likely spells the end of DeAndra’ Cobb’s two-year tenure in Hamilton despite consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.
The five-foot-11, 175-pound Francis spent the previous two seasons with Saskatchewan. He had 53 defensive tackles, 10 special-teams tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last season.
“Daniel is a versatile defensive back capable of playing a few different positions,” O’Billovich said. “We expect him to make an immediate contribution to our team.”
The Grey Cup-champion Alouettes shored up their secondary with the addition of all-star cornerback Dwight Anderson. The 29-year-old had 49 tackles with a league-leading five interceptions returned for 246 yards and two touchdowns last season with Calgary.
“We are excited to give Dwight an opportunity to come in and compete,” Alouettes GM Jim Popp said.
“He has been one of the top DB’s in the league over the last couple of years.
“He is fearless in his approach and plays a physical style game. He can help bring our already good secondary, to another level.”
Anderson said he was grateful for his time in Calgary, which included a Grey Cup championship in 2008 and a West Division all-star appearance in 2009 when he was also the Stampeders defensive player of the year.
“I feel like I have done what is best for my career, my family and myself,” he said. “I look forward to being in a new city and furthering my goal of winning another championship.”
Calgary dipped into the free-agent waters to bolster its secondary by signing defensive back Geoff Tisdale, who led Hamilton last season with four interceptions and eight pass knockdowns.
“I’m excited to add Geoff to our team,” Stampeders head coach and GM John Hufnagel said.
“He’s a young, fast playmaker who has 11 interceptions and has demonstrated excellent man-to-man coverage skills over his three seasons in the Canadian Football League.”
Tisdale, 24, recorded 128 defensive tackles, including three tackles for loss, 11 interceptions, 24 pass knockdowns and two fumble recoveries in three seasons with Hamilton.
Calgary also added non-import linebacker Tim St. Pierre, a 24-year-old Hamilton native who had 13 special-teams tackles and one defensive tackle in 17 games with Edmonton last season.
The B.C. Lions signed defensive lineman Eric Taylor to a three-year deal. The 29-year-old import had 17 tackles and three sacks in 13 games with the Toronto Argonauts last season.
“Eric is a big, physical player who will add toughness and experience to a very good young defence,” Lions coach/GM Wally Buono said.
“He will definitely strengthen our defensive front and add flexibility to our scheme.”
The six-foot-two, 309-pound Taylor began his CFL career in 2008 with Edmonton, appearing in 19 games over two seasons before being traded to Toronto.
The Argos reportedly have signed veteran safety Wes Lysack. Lysack spent the last five seasons with Calgary, winning a Grey Cup title with the club in 2008.