Looking for three times the amount of player they had last season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the signing of veteran Canadian offensive lineman Philip Blake to a one-year deal Thursday.
A 38-year-old Toronto product and Baylor grad, Blake suited up for just six games for the Green and White in 2023 after recovering from an injury sustained in the pre-season, helping the Riders earn nearly 400 rushing yards following his return. Following is the news release from the Roughriders…..
DATE: January 25, 2024
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR24-013
CANADIAN OL PHILIP BLAKE RETURNS TO RIDERS IN 2024
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed National offensive lineman Philip Blake to a one-year contract extension.
Blake (6’3-310) suited up for six games for the Roughriders in 2023 after recovering from an injury sustained in the preseason. An instant boost to the offensive line, Blake helped running backs Jamal Morrow and Frankie Hickson earn nearly 400 yards rushing after his return to the lineup.
Blake became a Grey Cup Champion after a strong 2022 season along the Toronto Argonauts offensive line. He appeared in 17 regular season games, as well as the East Final and Grey Cup and helped the Argos’ running backs rush for more than 1,000 yards combined and quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thomas lead the league in passing yards on route to a Grey Cup win against Winnipeg. Blake initially signed with the Argos in 2020 and went on to play 11 games in 2021.
Prior to the Argos, Blake played five seasons in the CFL, including 11 games with the Roughriders (2018-19) and 57 games with the Montreal Alouettes (2015-18). Blake was selected by the Alouettes in the third round, 23rd overall, of the 2011 CFL Draft and by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round, 108th overall, in the 2012 NFL Draft. He spent time with the Broncos and the Cardinals before signing with the Alouettes in 2015.
Blake played 38 collegiate games at Baylor University (2009-11), starting in all of them, and lined up at both right tackle and centre. He was named First Team All-Big-12 as a senior.
