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Argonauts bring back local product Andre Durie, which is a good move both on and off the field

Andrew Bucholtz

The Toronto Argonauts' top receiver in 2013 will be sticking around. On Monday, Canadian slotback Andre Durie signed an extension that will keep him with the club through the 2016 season. That's positive on-field news for the Argos, as Durie led the team with 986 receiving yards this past season, making 92 catches, averaging 10.7 yards per catch and adding three touchdowns. It's also beneficial from an off-field standpoint, as it lets the team retain a local product (Durie grew up in Mississauga and went to school at Toronto's York University) who's spent his entire seven-year CFL career with the Argonauts and has been a key presence for them in the community.

Durie has had a remarkable CFL career and has become one of the league's top Canadian players, even if he doesn't always get the attention of other star non-imports. Part of that's because of how his college career ended: he tore multiple ligaments in his left knee in 2005 and sat out the rest of his college career, going undrafted and only making the Argos as a free agent in 2007. That saw him play mostly as a special-teams guy for his first couple of seasons. After that, he was used mostly as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, which showcased his talents but didn't allow him to put up massive raw numbers. The shift to slotback he made in 2012 has paid huge benefits for him. Durie was effective as a running back/receiver in 2010 and 2011, catching 54 passes each year and recording over 600 receiving yards in each, but the switch to a more traditional receiving position allowed him to get on the field more, and the results have been impressive.

Durie caught 70 balls for 842 yards (12.0 yards per catch) in 2012 while helping the Argos to the Grey Cup and added five touchdowns before hauling in 92 for 986 yards this year. That was the CFL's eighth-highest total, and the second-highest total by a Canadian (behind Saskatchewan's Chris Getzzlaf). Durie is still officially listed as a running back/slotback by the team, and he'll occasionally line up in the backfield and make big plays from there, but the Argonauts have put him in position to catch passes much more often in the last couple of years, and that's worked out exceptionally well for them.

Durie is also a great ambassador for the team in the community. He's worked with Community Living Mississauga throughout his time with the Argos, including during the season. After the team's Grey Cup win in 2012, he brought the trophy to Mississauga to share it with members of that organization:

When he's not playing football, Durie works as a personal support worker for Community Living Mississauga, helping people with intellectual disabilities learn to do everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, banking and cooking.

"One of the little things you can do is just bring (the Grey Cup) to the people who care about you and supported you throughout your career," said Durie, who joined the Argos in 2007. "I couldn't do this without them."

The Argonauts couldn't find a lot of their success without Durie, either, as he's been a crucial part of their offensive rise over the last couple of seasons. At 32, he should have some good years left too. It looks like a smart move by Toronto to extend him; he wasn't listed as a pending free agent, but he's a guy they'll want to ensure stays around. If Durie can keep playing at the level he has been lately, this deal could be a great one for the Argos.