Thursday, September 6, 2007

It's Final! Former MEAC QB highest paid player in CFL


Photo: Quarter-back Casey Printers as former member of Kansas City Chiefs

Congratulations are in order for former Florida A&M University and MEAC quarterback Casey Printers. The former NFL quarterback returned to the CFL and inked a three year deal today, worth roughly $500,000 a season, with a fourth option year with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

"I'm well-compensated," Printers said at a news conference. "I don't know if I'm the highest-paid, but I am happy and that's the most important thing."

Casey Printers Joins Ti-Cats, Becomes CFL's Highest-Paid Player.

After assuming their perennial position at the bottom of the CFL's East Division for yet another year, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will try just about anything, and on Thursday that anything was throwing a whole bunch of money at Casey Printers.

The hard-luck club inked the former NFLer Thursday, with the two agreeing to terms on a three-year deal worth roughly $500,000 a season.

In U.S. football terms that might not be a lot of dough, but the deal makes Printers the highest-paid player in the CFL, surpassing Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Ricky Ray, who earns about $460,000.

Printers became a viable option for CFL clubs after the 26-year-old was released by the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the start of the NFL season. But in Canada Casey is still mighty, and there was no shortage of interest north of the border for the league's outstanding player in 2004.

Printers put up monster numbers that season, throwing for 5,088 yards and 35 touchdowns with the B.C. Lions.

Five CFL teams reportedly were interested in securing Printers, with Hamilton, Montreal and the Toronto Argonauts believed to be the frontrunners. Printers was reportedly ready to fly to Montreal and join the Als, but that was before the Ticats made him an offer he couldn't refuse, especially after spending last season on the Chiefs practice roster.

Coincidentally, Printers is the second ex-Chief to rejoin the CFL in the last week, after lanky slotback Marc Boerigter joined the Argos.

Printers said he thinks Hamilton was the best fit for him.

"The people here are hard-working, and that's the way I am," Printers said.

At first glance, the B.C. Lions seemed to be the most logical landing spot for Printers. However, he did ruffle the organization's feathers in '05 when there was a constant quarterback controversy regarding whether Printers or veteran Dave Dickenson would play. Also, Printers turned down a three-year, $1-million contract extension from the B.C. club before the start of the 2005 season, opting instead of leaving Vancouver in the off-season to sign a three-year deal with the Chiefs.

However, Printers never made an impact with the Chiefs, spending most of last year on the club's practice roster.

--Canadian Press, CityNews, ca and beepbeep

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