Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich speaks with Toronto Argonauts slotback Chad Owens (2) during second half CFL football action against the Montreal Alouettesin Hamilton, Ont., on October 23, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power
February 11, 2016 - 2:32 PM
Moments after losing Canadian defensive lineman Brian Bulcke to Toronto, Kent Austin delivered a timely counter-punch to the arch-rival Argonauts.
The Hamilton head coach/GM agreed to terms with former Argos standout Chad Owens on a one-year deal Thursday, less than an hour after Bulcke agreed to go to Toronto following three seasons with the Tiger-Cats.
Owens' contract details weren't available, but Toronto GM Jim Barker had said it would be financially challenging to re-sign the former CFL outstanding player.
"There's nothing we can do about it," Barker said Thursday regarding the prospect of losing a veteran in free agency. "It's going to happen every year."
Toronto also lost free-agent kicker/punter Swayze Waters to the NFL's Carolina Panthers but gained Calgary Stampeders defensive back Keon Raymond on the third day of CFL free agency.
With Bulcke gone, Hamilton re-signed Canadian free-agent defensive lineman Michael Atkinson to a two-year agreement.
For years, Owens was the face of the Argos. The five-foot-nine, 180-pound dynamo was named the CFL's outstanding player in 2012 after registering 94 catches for 1,328 yards and six touchdowns and amassing a record 3,840 all-purpose yards.
And the 33-year-old Hawaiian capped that season off by helping Toronto win the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre. He signed a lucrative contract extension in June 2013 reportedly worth $225,000 annually and last year moved his family from Hawaii to live full-time in southern Ontario.
But after missing just two games his first three years in Toronto, Owens has been sidelined for 17 regular-season games the last three seasons. In 2015, he finished with 55 catches for 570 yards and two touchdowns over 13 contests.
Owens remained Toronto's leading punt returner — 37 returns, 12.6-yard average, one TD — but CFL rookie A.J. Jefferson (26 returns, 12.5-yard average, one touchdown) also performed admirably.
Shortly after agreeing to join the Ticats, Owens graciously thanked Argos fans for their support.
"There isn't enough words to express the gratitude I have for the Toronto Argonauts," Owens tweeted. "Teammates, coaches, and fans, it may seem that I've given you so much, but actually you've given my family and I so much more!
"It would've been nice to finish what we started together and paddle my last canoe in double blue, but life has a way of teaching us lessons on a daily and we must acknowledge these lessons, learn from them and ultimately become better people from them."
Owens began his CFL career with Montreal in 2009 before being traded to Toronto in June 2010. He wasted little time making an impact with the Argos, capturing the league's top special-teams player award that season.
But Owens was more than just a dynamic returner. A four-time league all-star over his six seasons in Toronto, Owens also had 445 catches for 5,164 yards and 20 TDs. Owens cracked the 1,000-yard plateau just once but had 979 and 989 yards receiving in 2013 and '14, respectively.
Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray, who re-signed with Toronto in December, developed a solid on-field rapport with Owens over their four seasons together. But Ray missed 16 starts last year recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and Trevor Harris seemed to mesh with Toronto's young receiving corps led by Vidal Hazelton (70 catches, 803 yards, six touchdowns) and Tori Gurley (58 catches, 791 yards, 10 TDs).
Hamilton needed receiving help after losing free-agent Bakari Grant to Calgary and speedy Terrell Sinkfield Jr. to the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Owens joins a receiving corps led by Luke Tasker (76 catches, 1,066 yards, six TDs) and Andy Fantuz (42 catches, 432 yards, two TDs) and could give Hamilton a solid 1-2 special-teams punch with dangerous returner Brandon Banks.
Owens will see a familiar face at quarterback — former Argo Zach Collaros, who wasted little time extending the welcome mat to Owens.
"Welcome to the dark side my friend! .. you're going to love it here!" Collaros tweeted.
Bulcke, 28, of Windsor, Ont., fills a need for Toronto, which lost American defensive lineman Euclid Cummings in free agency to Winnipeg. Also, Canadian-born tackle Cleyon Laing and international end Tristan Okpalaugo are both exploring NFL opportunities.
The six-foot-four, 285-pound Bulcke is coming off a season-ending knee injury. Bulcke played in eight games in 2014 before his campaign ended prematurely with a biceps tear.
Bulcke was dominant in 2013, his first season with Hamilton, registering career highs in tackles (24), sacks (three) and fumble recoveries (three). Bulcke played collegiately at Stanford.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016