THE CANADIAN PRESS
WINNIPEG — Former CFL rushing champion Joe Smith was among 12 players released Thursday by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
CFL teams had to reduce their rosters to 46 players by 3 p.m. ET on Thursday. Clubs can also place up to seven players on their practice rosters as well.
Smith began his CFL career with the B.C. Lions in 2006, replacing Antonio Warren in the starting lineup. That season, he ran for 887 yards and nine TDs in helping B.C. win the Grey Cup.
The following season, Smith led the CFL in rushing with a club-record 1,510 yards and 18 TDs and was named a league all-star. But the Lions dealt Smith to Winnipeg on Sept. 1, 2008 for tailback Charles Roberts.
Smith combined Fred Reid to give Winnipeg a two-pronged rushing attack. Reid’s speedy, slashing running style seemed to be a nice complement to Smith’s physical, straight-ahead approach.
The Blue Bombers also released offensive lineman Matt O’Meara, a four-year veteran who saw playing time last year at guard when starters Kyle Koch and Brendon LaBatte were injured.
Also let go were defensive backs Patrick Body, Ronyell Whitaker, Jasper Johnson and Nick Kordic, receiver Terry Firr, offensive linemen Jean-Francois Morin-Roberge and Thaddeus Coleman, defensive ends Montez Murphy and Chase Ortiz and linebacker Neil Ternovatsky.
