October 3, 2012

The Alouettes add six to practice roster

Bill Smith / Chicago Bears

MontrealAlouettes.com

MONTREAL – The Alouettes announced on Wednesday the signing of six players to the practice roster, including non-import defensive end Ivan Brown, Montreal’s fourth round selection in the 2009 CFL Canadian Draft. The other players who will be on the practice field as of Thursday include safety Winston Venable, defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu, cornerback Jordan Mabin, defensive tackle Aaron Lavarias, and receiver Tyron Carrier. Besides Brown, all players signed are imports.

Brown (6’2”, 240 lbs.) is a two-time Grey Cup champion with the Alouettes in 2009 and 2010 and rejoins the team after being claimed off Montreal’s practice roster by Hamilton last season. During his tenure with the Alouettes, the 27-year-old defensive end recorded four defensive tackles after spending the majority of his two seasons on the team’s practice roster. Following his departure from Montreal, the Regina native landed in Hamilton where he recorded two defensive tackles and eight special teams tackles last season. Brown also participated in the Alouettes’ training camp in 2011.

Venable (5’11”, 220 lbs.) signed with the Chicago Bears in 2011 as an undrafted free agent from Boise State University. The 25-year-old safety contributed on special teams during his time in Chicago, amassing ten special team tackles, good for fifth on the team. In 2011, Venable appeared in 12 games for the Bears, recording eight defensive tackles.

Ogbu (6’1, 300 lbs.) originally signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in July 2011 and spent time on their practice squad. The defensive tackle was later acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles. Ogbu was a four-year starter for the Penn State University Nittany Lions. The 25-year-old was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2010. He was tied for second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss.

Mabin (5’11”, 180 lbs.) joined the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. The 23-year-old cornerback played in 51 career games with the Northwestern Wildcats and led the Big Ten in passes defended in 2010. Mabin started all 13 games that year, ending his college career with 252 defensive tackles.

Lavarias (6’3, 250 lbs.) signed with the New England Patriots as a rookie free agent in 2011. The 24-year-old played his college football with the Idaho Vandals, tallying 30 tackles for a loss and 14 sacks during his four-year college career.

Carrier (5’8, 170 lbs.) posted 180 all-purpose yards against UCLA in 2011 to become the University of Houston Cougars’ all-time leader with 5,941 total yards. The 24-year-old receiver tallied 29 receiving touchdowns over his four-year collegiate career. Carrier gained over 1,000 yards receiving in two straight seasons in 2008 and in 2009.