I'm not sure which move surprised me move; trading Kongbo or signing LaFrance. Having said that BC was surprisingly thin with running options with only Mizzell and Mackie on the active roster and Williams and St.Pierre on the PR. St.Pierre was used more as a receiver than runner in college.Toppy Vann wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 10:37 amB.C. Lions sign former Riders’ running back Kienan LaFrance
Last season, the 32-year-old recorded nine carries for 39 yards, five receptions for 28 yards, and four special teams tackles.
LaFrance has become mostly a special teams player who once in a while gets drawn in for some reps on offense. Of those 2022 stats 6 of 9 carries and 3 of 4 catches came in a Wk 17 tilt when the Riders had to start LaFrance at tailback because Morrow and Hickson were both out. So thin were they at tailback the KR Mario Alford who is a receiver by trade was listed as the backup tailback and they go out and sign Shaq Cooper to be their starter for the next game.
The apex of LaFrance's career may well have been his stunning playoff performance for Ottawa way back in 2016. As for regular season it came in 2017 with the Riders when he had 68 carries and 14 catches for 396 yards in total offense. In his second stint with the Riders from 2019 until now he had only 18 carries and 13 catches for 182 yards in total offense over 33 games.
Overall a meh signing that nonetheless still fits a need for someone to be play some special teams and be a "break glass in case of emergency" mid-game option on offense.