By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Former USF quarterback Matt Grothe was released by the CFL's Toronto Argonauts on Thursday, less than a week before rookies are scheduled to report for preseason training camp.
Grothe, signed to Toronto's practice roster at the end of last season, was facing a numbers crunch in Toronto -- even after his release, the Argonauts have five quarterbacks on roster, most with CFL experience.
"We believe that with the four quarterbacks returning and a young prospect in B.J. Hall, there would not be enough reps for Matt Grothe to effectively compete, and we felt it was in his best interests to release him at this time," Toronto general manager and head coach Jim Barker said in a statement.
Grothe has fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his college career just three games into his senior season, but Thursday's release is another setback in his pro career. Grothe earned an invitation to the Bucs' rookie minicamp last summer but wasn't signed, then was cut in preseason by the UFL's Florida Tuskers before signing with the Argonauts. He has been working out in his hometown of Lakeland and working as a substitute teacher at his alma mater, Lake Gibson High School.
Grothe holds the Big East record for career total offense, finishing his USF career with 10,875 yards -- 8,669 passing and 2,206 rushing.