Aug
Montreal parts ways with Cody
Courtesy Montreal Gazette:
Twenty-four hours after vowing to stay patient while on the Als’ practice roster, the organization lost patience with Tay Cody, releasing the veteran defensive back.
Cody was a victim of circumstance. The Als are deep at the position, with more than a dozen players in the secondary between the active and practice rosters, along with various injured lists. And with both Étienne Boulay and Matthieu Proulx having recovered from a calf and hamstring problems, respectively, there simply was no room for Cody.
“We had to make a decision. We have a number of guys in the secondary, and the coaches are more comfortable with the guys who have been here,” assistant general manager Marcel Desjardins explained.
Cody, a four-year CFL veteran, was signed by the Als as a free-agent from Hamilton last February, receiving a signing bonus of about $15,000 in the process. With Boulay, at the time, trying out for the New York Jets, there was a thought coming into training camp Cody could be Montreal’s starting safety.
But he failed to report and couldn’t be located. Cody eventually made his way to Montreal recently, explaining he had been beset by personal issues, although admitting he handled the situation poorly. He spent two games on the practice roster.
“Had he been here from Day 1, that would have been a huge thing,” Desjardins admitted. “He would have been a lot more familiar, would have received reps at camp while learning the system. He put himself behind the eight ball. That happens with guys who come in late.
“It’s not always the guys with the best pedigree who impress the coaches.”
On Tuesday, Cody told montrealgazette.com he wasn’t upset being overlooked for this week’s game, against B.C., after the Als had a potential opening in the secondary because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered by Randee Drew.
