There was speculation a couple of years ago Bates would sign with the Riders when he was a free agent. At the time I was a bit surprised he re-signed in BC given their surplus of young talent at the guard position — namely Dean Valli and now Hameister-Reis. This will be Valli's 4th season with the team.Bates on the shopping block; B.C. said to be dangling veteran hoggie as trade bait
Lowell Ullrich
The Province
The man responsible for splitting the Grey Cup apart could be on the verge of a break-up with the Lions.
Three league sources said Tuesday the CFL team is actively shopping veteran Lions offensive lineman Kelly Bates, possibly in the hopes of snaring another defensive upgrade. So far, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders have reportedly shown the most interest, and of those two clubs, the Bombers have by far the most to give.
New Winnipeg coach Mike Kelly inherited a roster which includes middle linebacker Zeke Moreno, and with Barrin Simpson and recently re-signed defender Joe Lobendahn capable of filling the position, the Bombers wouldn't suffer drastically on their depth chart.
Moreno led the CFL last season with 97 tackles while splitting his time between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg, which acquired him when Simpson was lost to injury for the season. A source said Moreno is also drawing interest from Saskatchewan and the Toronto Argonauts.
Bates has heard the suggestions he may be on the move.
"It's a surprise to me that a guy who has been good in the community and been a long member of the Lions is being shopped around‚" said Bates, an eight-year Lions veteran who was a 2007 league all-star.
"I want to reserve judgment on the situation. But I understand the business."
The Bombers, who have called a news conference for this morning to discuss their recent player moves, also traded Monday to acquire linebacker/defensive back Siddeeq Shabazz from the Edmonton Eskimos.
Winnipeg lost three starters from its offensive front on the first day of free agency Monday and signed veteran offensive linemen Glenn January and Steven Morley.
B.C. lost left tackle Rob Murphy to the Argos as well Monday. However, coach Wally Buono has offensive-line roster depth in Dean Valli, who has been backing up the interior of the O-line for three seasons, and Jon Hameister-Reis.
Hameister-Reis has not played a down for the Lions since he was drafted two seasons ago, having suffered a pair of knee injuries, but has fully recovered.
Linebacker Anton McKenzie was the prize signing by the Lions from the Riders when free agency opened Monday but Buono admitted the club's linebacking roster was hardly set.
The Lions lost their seventh player off the 2008 roster as well Tuesday when, as expected, veteran special teams defensive lineman Matt Kirk signed with Hamilton. Kirk, from Kingston, Ont., played three seasons with the Lions, but had repeatedly stated he wanted to play for a team closer to home
The Bombers seem like a more realistic trading partner if the Lions are looking for LB depth given the Riders just lost 2 starters to free agency.
