The Argos have announced the release of American defensive backs Jeff Richards and Crezdon Butler. Just days before the CFL Draft, as teams draw closer to the start of training camp and the preseason.

The Argos Release Of Jeff Richards And Crezdon Butler

CFL Veteran DBs Jeff Richards (31) and Crezdon Butler (35) in May, have fallen victim to the numbers game in Toronto. The Argonauts had 94 players under contract before their releases, 20 of them defensive backs.

As a result, the writing was on the wall for two of Toronto’s most experienced and respected defensive backs. The offseason additions under new defensive coordinator Corey Mace of D’aShaun Amos, and Royce Metchie, among others, made Richards and Butler expendable.

Not only have the Boatmen added more defensive backs this offseason. But the standout performances of 2021 American arrivals, Jalen Collins, Jamal Peters, and Treston Decoud, who all played at an extremely high-level last season, have also contributed to today’s transaction.

The Argos might not be done letting go of veteran players recently because of roster constraints and the salary cap. Toronto let go of WR/KR Daniel Braverman, who also encountered the same roster jam issues, Richards and Butler have. But most prominently, The Boatmen parted ways with longtime Double Blue OT Jamal Campbell.

An essentially new coaching staff put together by head coach Ryan Dinwiddie has also changed the game for many of Toronto’s holdover players from a year ago. Typically, when there is turnover on a coaching staff, it trickles down to the roster as well.

Despite their veteran status and age, both Jeff Richards and Crezdon Butler shouldn’t have difficulty landing on their feet, should they decide to continue playing. The two veterans are very versatile players who have shown the capability of playing a multitude of positions on the back end of a secondary.

Butler is coming off a season where he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles and one interception. Richards also played in 13 contests, registering 42 tackles and one interception.

ARGONAUTS WELCOME DEIDRE DONALDSON AS PART OF CFL’S WOMEN IN FOOTBALL PROGRAM

On Friday, the Toronto Argonauts announced that Deidre Donaldson would be joining them as a part of the CFL’s Women In Football program.

The Argos released the following press release below, along with comments from Deidre Donaldson on her opportunity to work with the Double Blue.

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club welcomes Deidre Donaldson as part of the CFL’s Women in Football Program presented by KPMG LLP. The program aims to open doors for women in the sport of football and provide a meaningful and immersive educational experience. Donaldson will work within the Argos football operations department for a four-week development opportunity starting with the opening of training camp on May 15^th.

“I am so excited and grateful to be joining the Toronto Argonauts!” exclaimed Donaldson. “I believe the Women in Football Program is very progressive and just the beginning of great things to come for all women looking to grow within the industry. I want to give a special thank you to the Argos organization for investing in me, and I can’t wait to learn from the best!”

Donaldson attended Brock University, where she graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Sport Management with a Minor in French. She is currently a Mid-Atlantic area scout for All 22 – The Global Scouting Network and has scouting certification from The Scouting Academy and CFL scouting certification from The Global Scouting Network. The Brampton native currently works as an Athletics Coordinator at the Athlete Institute, where she develops, implements, and oversees youth camps and elite sports programs. She worked as a video assistant during the 2021 Spring League, recording practices and games and coordinating film expectations with coaches and management daily.

Donaldson’s football experience doesn’t end there, as she was an Assistant Recruiting Coordinator for the Varsity Blues football team at The University of Toronto from July 2019 to February 2020, where her responsibilities included: preparing unofficial gameday visits, reviewing film, inputting scouting reports, and attending high school games to aid in recruiting. The Brock alum has refereed men’s flag football since 2018, served as Team Manager/Recruiting Assistant for the Brock Badgers women’s basketball team while in school, and coached minor league football teams in Mississauga and Brampton.

“We are thrilled to have Deidre be a part of the Argos front office next month,” said Boatmen Assistant General Manager Vince Magri. “Her experience and education in football and sport make her a fantastic fit for our organization. We believe the Women in Football Program is important to make our sport, our league, and its teams as inclusive and diverse as possible.”