QB Ricky Ray signs with Jets
EDMONTON (CP) -- After leading Edmonton to the Grey Cup trophy last fall, quarterback Ricky Ray is heading to the NFL.
The Eskimos said Friday that Ray has signed with the New York Jets. The deadline for CFL players in their option year to sign with NFL clubs is Sunday.
"The Eskimo players and coaches take pride in helping Ricky fulfil his dream of playing in the NFL," Eskimos president and CEO Hugh Campbell said in a statement. "Ricky Ray is a tremendous young man with a bright future and we wish him great success."
The Jets did not immediately confirm the signing.
Ray, 24, attracted NFL attention after completing 348 of 515 pass attempts (67.6 per cent) for 4,640 yards with 35 touchdowns in 2003.
The Jets are looking for another quarterback to join Chad Pennington and Brooks Bollinger, with veteran Vinny Testaverde saying he is considering retirement rather than be relegated to No. 3 on the depth chart.
Ray, a six-foot-three 210-pounder out of Sacramento State, auditioned for the Jets two weeks ago.
The Edmonton Sun reported 14 NFL clubs watched Ray work out, with the Jets, Miami and Arizona offering contracts.
The Eskimos are expected to leave the door open for Ray's return should he fail to make the grade in the NFL.
Eskimos coach Tom Higgins, who won the league's coach of the year award Thursday, suggested Ray was largely responsible for his success as a coach.
"He played a huge role," said Higgins. "As your quarterback goes is often how your football team goes. But we have two other able quarterbacks. If he's not going to be here, somebody else is going to step in and take his place."
With Ray out of the mix until Labour Day at the earliest, the Esks can move former No. 1 Jason Maas back into a starter's role, with No. 3 Bart Hendricks moving into the backup role.
EDMONTON (CP) -- After leading Edmonton to the Grey Cup trophy last fall, quarterback Ricky Ray is heading to the NFL.
The Eskimos said Friday that Ray has signed with the New York Jets. The deadline for CFL players in their option year to sign with NFL clubs is Sunday.
"The Eskimo players and coaches take pride in helping Ricky fulfil his dream of playing in the NFL," Eskimos president and CEO Hugh Campbell said in a statement. "Ricky Ray is a tremendous young man with a bright future and we wish him great success."
The Jets did not immediately confirm the signing.
Ray, 24, attracted NFL attention after completing 348 of 515 pass attempts (67.6 per cent) for 4,640 yards with 35 touchdowns in 2003.
The Jets are looking for another quarterback to join Chad Pennington and Brooks Bollinger, with veteran Vinny Testaverde saying he is considering retirement rather than be relegated to No. 3 on the depth chart.
Ray, a six-foot-three 210-pounder out of Sacramento State, auditioned for the Jets two weeks ago.
The Edmonton Sun reported 14 NFL clubs watched Ray work out, with the Jets, Miami and Arizona offering contracts.
The Eskimos are expected to leave the door open for Ray's return should he fail to make the grade in the NFL.
Eskimos coach Tom Higgins, who won the league's coach of the year award Thursday, suggested Ray was largely responsible for his success as a coach.
"He played a huge role," said Higgins. "As your quarterback goes is often how your football team goes. But we have two other able quarterbacks. If he's not going to be here, somebody else is going to step in and take his place."
With Ray out of the mix until Labour Day at the earliest, the Esks can move former No. 1 Jason Maas back into a starter's role, with No. 3 Bart Hendricks moving into the backup role.
