Football: Former Lancer Franklin traded to Stampeders in 5-man swap

Someone out in Calgary likes Arjei Franklin — and someone up there must like the former Windsor Lancers receiver, since he's getting out of the gong show which is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers:

"The Calgary Stampeders acquired receivers Romby Bryant and Arjei Franklin from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a blockbuster deal Sunday for receivers Jabari Arthur and Titus Ryan, plus defensive lineman Odell Willis.

Calgary also gets a third-round pick in 2010 and the rights to an unnamed negotiation-list player, while fourth and sixth round picks in 2010 also went to Winnipeg."

The CFL beat writers in each city, as well as globesports.com's David Naylor at From The Sidelines, can field this one. As soon as it hit the news the Stampeders had lost their best Canadian pass receiver, Ryan Thelwell, for the season, one had to figure the wheels would be in motion.

Franklin had 49 catches for 566 yards last season, but that was before current Bombers coach Mike Kelly invented football.

Related:
Stamps trade for Bombers' receivers; Calgary's receiving corps takes another big hit, so replacements brought in (CBC.ca)
Bombers trade Bryant, Franklin to Stampeders (Ed Tait, Winnipeg Free Press)