Roughriders send popular Holmes packing

Corey Holmes, who turned in some gutsy performances during last year's Grey Cup run with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, is out of work.

The veteran kick returner/running back was released Tuesday but general manager Eric Tillman suggested Holmes could resurface in the 2008 Canadian Football League season.

"The door is certainly open for him to come back," Tillman told reporters. "But, if he chooses to go elsewhere for financial reasons or for any other reasons of his own choosing, he will always have a unique and special place in Saskatchewan history."

Holmes, 31, is the Roughriders all-time leader in kickoff return yards with 3,493 and punt return yards with 3,296.

The five-foot-eight, 190-pounder played with an ailing shoulder in last year's playoffs but filled in admirably for injured starting running back Wes Cates.

"This is a very difficult move for all of us," said Tillman. "Corey Holmes is the epitome of class. However, this was a step we had to take.

"With the re-signing of Wes Cates, if Corey were to come back, his role would be that of a complimentary back and special teams player … We simply can't afford to pay well over six figures to a non-starting player."

Holmes, who played in Regina from 2001-2005, re-joined the team last August in a three-player trade with Hamilton.

He responded by finishing as the CFL's second-ranked kick returner (1,008 yards) and helped the Riders post a 12-6 record following three consecutive 9-9 seasons.

He also dressed in both the West semifinal and final games and returned nine punts for 83 yards in Saskatchewan's 23-19 win over Winnipeg in the 95th Grey Cup in Toronto on Nov. 25.

In CFL news Wednesday, import defensive back Lawrence Gordon re-signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for two years.

The native of Hallandale, Fla., posted 51 defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles, two interceptions and five pass knockdowns in 18 games last season.

"Lawrence is a young, talented, veteran DB [defensive back] with a very good skills and an understanding of the CFL game," said Tiger-Cats general manager Bob O'Billovich in a statement. "He's got a very good mix of speed, instinct and athleticism that will help him continue to be a contributor on our defence."