HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Wednesday they’ve re-signed veteran defensive lineman Ted Laurent and offensive lineman Brian Simmons to two-year deals.
Laurent, 28, was one of the top names available on the free-agent market. The six-foot-one, 303-pound Laurent, who grew up in Montreal, was a CFL all-star the last two seasons with Hamilton.
"Ted has been a huge part of our defence the last two seasons and was a priority for our club as free agency opened Tuesday," Kent Austin, Hamilton’s vice-president of football operations, general manager and head coach, said in a statement. "He is a complete player that is able to defend against the run and collapse the pocket on the quarterback.
"We’re extremely excited to have one of the best players in the league back in Hamilton."
Laurent has appeared in 81 regular-season games with Edmonton (2011-’13) and Hamilton, having recorded 123 tackles, 23 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Hamilton also agreed to terms with free-agent defensive back/kick-returner Demond Washington, a former Winnipeg Blue Bomber. The move was warmly welcomed by Ticats special-teams co-ordinator Jeff Reinebold.
"Welcome young warrior! You’re joining an unselfish group of men – looking forward to what you bring!" Reinebold tweeted.
Simmons, 30, played one game at right tackle for Hamilton last year before being dealt to Edmonton for a conditional 2017 seventh-round pick. Simmons didn’t play for the Eskimos.
The six-foot-five, 310-pound Simmons played in 61 career games over five seasons with Hamilton.
