Parker heads West, Davis goes East

Two standout defensive players are changing conferences.

Former Toronto Argonauts defensive back Byron Parker has joined the B.C. Lions, while former Edmonton Eskimos linebacker Rod Davis signed with the Montreal Alouettes. Both signings occurred late Wednesday.

Parker has spent six of his seven years in the CFL with the Argos. Parker was dealt to the Eskimmos in 2009 and spent the better part of the season out West before being re-acquired by the Argos.

The 30-year-old was a stalwart defensive standout in the Toronto secondary. Last season Parker had 50 tackles, five interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. In his CFL career the Madisonville, Ky., native has 198 tackles, 28 INTs and 9 TDs.

Davis had a career-high 79 tackles and 5 sacks last year with the Eskimos. Before coming to the CFL in 2009, the 30-year-old spent time in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers, as well as one season with the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.