Toronto Argonauts' Tori Gurley, right, fights off B.C. Lions' Brandon Stewart after making a reception during the second half of a CFL football game in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday July 7, 2016. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed American receiver Tori Gurley on Thursday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Republished October 06, 2016 - 2:58 PM
Original Publication Date October 06, 2016 - 7:40 AM
WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed American receiver Tori Gurley on Thursday.
The six-foot-four, 230-pound Gurley was released earlier this week by the Toronto Argonauts, along with fellow receivers Vidal Hazelton, Kevin Elliott and Phil Bates.
"It's an experienced piece although he's young in terms of the CFL," Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said. "He's had some production so that kind of experience is a good piece to add around this time of year."
Hazelton and Elliott have also found new homes, agreeing to terms with Edmonton and Hamilton respectively.
Gurley had 36 catches for 509 yards and three TDs in 10 games with Toronto this season. He had 58 receptions for 791 yards and was tied for the CFL lead with 10 touchdowns last season.
Prior to joining Toronto, Gurley spent four seasons in the NFL with Green Bay, Buffalo. Cleveland, Oakland, Minnesota, San Diego and Tampa Bay.
All four players were former starters with the Argos but reportedly weren't always good teammates. O'Shea said the Bombers did their due diligence regarding Gurley and felt secure in signing him.
"I'm confident in the guys we have in our room and I'm confident in the fact that when guys get here and they see the way we conduct business and the types of guys we have that they want to fit in," O'Shea said. " I'm quite confident that if he doesn't want to we'll know very quickly and that will be our answer."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016