Als 'looking to future,' trade veteran Vaughn
Slotback will be reunited with Maas, the Tiger-Cats' latest quarterback

HERB ZURKOWSKY
The Gazette
Saturday, April 22, 2006

The dismantling of the Grey Cup finalists continues. The Alouettes yesterday traded veteran slotback Terry Vaughn to Hamilton for a conditional choice in the 2007 college draft.

The move came 24 hours after Montreal dispatched defensive- backs Kelly Malveaux and Almondo Curry to Winnipeg and Saskatchewan, respectively.

The Als received quarterback Nealon Greene from the Roughriders. And, two months ago, defensive-back Reggie Durden and defensive-tackle Robert Brown were traded to Edmonton for cornerback Davis Sanchez.

"Call it what you want," Als general manager Jim Popp said. "We're looking toward the future and making moves for the future. We did it now instead of at training camp."

The Als won't get much in return for Vaughn, 34, who has exceeded 1,000 yards in each of his 11 CFL seasons. The Tiger-Cats will relinquish their fourth-round draft choice if Vaughn makes the team; a fifth-rounder should he not. His trade hardly comes as a surprise.

Montreal, and its pass-first offence, has had four 1,000-yard receivers in each of the last two seasons. It has become quite apparent over time that the parts are interchangeable. With that philosophy in mind, it made little sense to retain an aging receiver who probably commands a salary in excess of $150,000, albeit one who caught 93 passes for 1,113 yards last season, while scoring eight touchdowns.

The Als are deep at slotback, led by veteran Ben Cahoon. Dave Stala is an emerging star, Thyron Anderson returned last season after being released by New Orleans, and Terrence Edwards showed promise down the stretch.

Vaughn said he was forced to make some financial concessions for the trade to be completed.

"Montreal wasn't able to keep me because of my contract," he said from Chandler, Ariz.

Vaughn, who also has played with Calgary and Edmonton, will be reunited with Jason Maas, the Cats' new QB. Hamilton has overhauled its offence, adding Maas, the former Eskimo, running-backs Corey Holmes and Josh Ranek, along with former Als receiver Kwame Cavil.

"They have guys who can make plays," Vaughn said. "Hamilton could be the most-improved team."

Meanwhile, the Als yesterday also announced the signing of import free-agent defensive-tackle Jerome Haywood. The 5-foot-10, 280-pounder had four quarterback sacks and 42 tackles with Ottawa last season. He spent four seasons with the Renegades and has 17 career sacks.

"He's a short guy, but he's physically strong, gets leverage underneath and drives you back," Popp said. "He's extremely disruptive on the field and pushes the interior of the pocket."

Haywood signed for two years and an option.

Note - Popp said the Als are contemplating not inviting veteran receiver Demetris Bendross, a free-agent signing this winter, to training camp. The 29-year-old is playing in the Arena Football League and could miss the start of camp.

© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006