Riders Graham Bell

Graham Bell

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have re-signed non-import fullback Graeme Bell to a new contract. Financial details of the signing were not released.

Bell came to the Riders last off-season in a trade with the Edmonton Eskimos. In 2011, he played in all 18 regular season games for the Green and White and added five special team tackles and one kick-off return for 12 yards.

Since joining the CFL in 2005 after signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent where he spent three seasons before playing in Edmonton for two. over the course of his career the Saskatchewan product has played in 82 regular season games and tallied 59 special team tackles, 18 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown, six receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown. Bell has also played in three playoff games where he added two special team tackles and one reception for 13 yards.


The Roughriders also announced today that they have signed import quarterbacks Colt Brennan and Drew Willy to contracts. Financial details of the signings were not released.

Brennan (6’3 – 207 lbs) was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2007 during his senior season at Hawaii. In his three years at the school, Brennan broke a number of records including the NCAA Division I record for most touchdowns in a single season with 58 and NCAA record for highest pass completion percentage (70.4%). He holds a total of 31 NCAA Division I records. His other honours included being named the WAC Offensive Player of the Year twice and was named to the First-team All-WAC in two consecutive seasons. After his time with Hawaii, the 28-year old was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft making him the tenth quarterback to be selected in the draft. Brennan went on to lead NFL rookies in touchdown passes in the 2008 pre-season where he completed 36 of 53 pass attempts for 411 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The following season he was placed on the injured reserve due to a season ending hamstring and hip injury. In 2010 he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens but was later released.

Willy (6’3 – 215 lbs) played at the University of Buffalo and went on to become the most prolific passer in Buffalo football history. As a four-year starter, he set school records for completions (849), attempts (1,322), passing yards (8,748), touchdowns (52), total offense (8,639), and completion percentage (64.2). During the final 20 games of his college career, Willy threw 36 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. After going as undrafted free agent in 2009, the 25-year-old initially signed with the Baltimore Ravens. After being released in August he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts and added to the active roster and then added to the team’s practice squad. After being released in 2010, Willy spent time with the UFL’s Las Vegas Locomotives before being signed by the New York Jets in January, 2011. He was released in September but immediately signed to the San Diego Chargers practice roster the following day.