CFL free agency: Saskatchewan Roughriders make big splash on Day 2

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were extremely busy signing players and making tradeson the second day of CFL free agency.

The Roughriders showed they are trying tobolster their defence, signing linebacker Greg Jones, and defensive backs Otha Foster andEd Gainey.

The Riders also added receiver/running back/receiver Kendial Lawrence, and running back Curtis Steelein free agency.

As well, the Riders made a trade with the Toronto Argonauts to acquire offensive linemanBruce Campbell.

While number of players signed is significant,Riders head coach Chris Jones said he is not worried about making a splash.

"That's up for you all to decide how big a splash we make. We know what we need and we know that we're going to keep working to put good football players out there because when you get good football players in place, then it makes the coaches look real smart," he said.

Jones added that bolstering the defence was vital.

"You got to play defence in order to win championships. And I mean, everywhere we've been, we've been able to play good D. And so adding these guys to what we already have is a plus," he said.

3 defenders bring experience, depth

The six-foot, 242-pound Jones spent the past two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts. Last year, the 27-year-old started all 18 regular-season games and registered a team-high 98 tackles.

Jones was also a member of the New York Giants when they won the 2011 Super Bowl.

• Roundup: CFL free agency

Gainey afive-foot-11, 195-pounddefensive backspent the past two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after beginning his CFL career in Montreal.

The 25-year-old Gaineyhas played in 43 career games, registering69 tackles, 25 specialteams tackles, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

OthaFoster, 27, spent the past two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos, including the team's Grey Cup championship last season.

In 2015, the American defensive backrecorded 57 tackles and had one interception for a touchdown.

Riders get offensive with former Eskimos

The Roughriders also announced the signing of Canadian receiver Shamawd Chambers. The six-foot-three, 219-pound native of Markham, Ont., spent the past four seasons with the Eskimos and was named the top Canadian in the club's Grey Cup win last November against Ottawa.

Chambers has played in 50 career regular-season games,hauling in112 receptions for 1,234 yards and seven TDs.

KendialLawrence, another former Eskimo, followed suit andsigned with the Riders as a free agent. The five-foot-nine, 195-pound Lawrence spent the past two seasons in Edmonton after beginning his CFL career in Hamilton. He finished second in the CFL in punt return yards in 2015.

Riders sign Steele,trade Argos forCampbell

Just after noon on Wednesday, the Riders announced a trade with the Toronto Argonauts to acquire American offensive linemanBruce Campbell.

In exchange for Campbell, Saskatchewan sent Torontotheir fourth round draft pick(27th overall) and the rights to a negotiation list player.

Campbell started 15 regular season games, as well as the east semifinalwith the Argos last season. Before joining Toronto, the 27-year-old was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

"We are happy to add an experienced offensive lineman to our roster,"Riders general manager and head coachChris Jones said in a news release."Bruce is one of the most athletic players at his position and has a chance to be an impact left tackle in our league."

The team also signed Americanrunning back Curtis Steele. The 28-year-old spent the past three seasons in Toronto.

Steele's best season came in 2014 when he rushed for 541 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 35 receptions for 309 yards and one touchdown.

Doughty,Early released

Saskatchewan also released linebacker Jake Doughty and punter Ray Early, both Americans.

Doughty had 30 tackles and three special-teams tackles in seven games last season, his first with the Riders, while Early boasted a 45-yard average in dressing for all of the club's 18 regular-season games.