Moreno’s deal covers two years, plus an option while Williams signed for a year, plus an option.

“We’re looking forward to having those guys back in the fold,” Ticats general manager Bob O’Billovich said during a conference call. “They’re going to be important cogs in helping us to get on the winning track this year.”’

The moves were part of a busy day in the CFL.

The Toronto Argonauts dealt towering offensive lineman Steve Morley to the Saskatchewan Roughriders for slotback Nathan Hoffart in a deal involving Canadian-born players. And the Edmonton Eskimos released veteran receiver Pat Woodcock.

The Montreal Alouettes were also busy. They confirmed the signing of free-agent linebacker Reggie Hunt, a move that a source told The Canadian Press about Tuesday, and announced the addition of free-agent kick-returner Tony Tompkins. They also released veteran linebacker Tim Strickland and announced the retirement of defensive tackle Steve Charbonneau.

The six-foot-two, 246-pound Moreno made an immediate impact in Hamilton last year, his first in the CFL. The former USC Trojan was one of the few bright spots for a team that posted a league-worst 3-15 record, registering a league-leading 114 defensive tackles.

“This program has had a long tradition of excellence and we’re trying to get that back,” Moreno said. “It’s great that I can do this over the next couple of years and be part of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.”

Moreno said with one CFL season under his belt, he welcomes the opportunity to become a more vocal leader in 2008.

“It’s not something I’ve shied away from, I’ve pretty much had that role,” he said. “Now that I know what to expect from the core guys that we have and having a year under my belt, I think it will be more of me being a vocal a leader instead of just being a leader by my actions.”

Not surprising, Moreno was Hamilton’s nominee for the CFL’s outstanding defensive player as well as the league’s outstanding player award.

“He had a tremendous first season with us last year,” said head coach Charlie Taaffe. “He has certainly earned the respect of everyone in our organization and I know he’s a lot more comfortable in also now moving into a role of being one of the core leaders of our football team.”

Moreno, 29, was a three-year starter at USC, starting 36 of the 47 games he suited up for the Trojans. He registered 285 total tackles, nine sacks and five interceptions. He was an All-American selection as a senior in 2000 as well as a two-time All-Pac 10 Conference pick.

Moreno was a fifth-round pick of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers in 2001 and spent four seasons there. He also was with Houston (twice), Philadelphia and Miami before coming to the CFL.

Last season was Williams’ second with Hamilton. The six-foot-three, 190-pound quarterback began last year as the Ticats’ No. 3 quarterback behind starter Jason Maas and heralded rookie Timmy Chang.

But with injuries to Maas and later Casey Printers, Williams got a lot of playing time and quickly entrenched himself in the No. 2 role on the depth chart this season behind Printers. The 24-year-old completed 17-of-32 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns and also ran four times for 55 yards.

“I think he really established himself in proving he can play quarterback in this league,” Taaffe said of Williams. “As we all know, you need not just one quarterback that can function at this level and play with consistency.

“When you have a second quarterback that can play as well and you don’t lose anything that definitely brings a lot to the offensive football team.”

Williams played his college football at Appalachian State University (2002-‘05). He started 37 of 43 career games there, completing 589-of-947 passes for 7,759 yards with 59 touchdowns against just 22 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,911 yards on 464 carries and scored 22 touchdowns.

“I love the city of Hamilton, I love being with the Cats,” Williams said. “I just want to play my role in trying to turn this thing around.”

Hunt, 30, joins the Alouettes after six seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The six-foot, 220-pound linebacker was a four-time West Division all-star and a CFL all-star in 2003 and also helped the Riders capture the Grey Cup last season before becoming a free agent Saturday.

But to make room for him, the Alouettes released Strickland, 31, who spent six seasons in Montreal and for many years was the heart and soul of the club’s defence. Twice an East Division all-star, the five-foot-10, 188-pound Strickland missed 10 games with hamstring and shoulder injuries last season

Charbonneau leaves the CFL after 11 seasons, having earned two Grey Cup rings while with Edmonton.

“I have had a lot of fun throughout my football career but, at 34, I think it’s time for me to move on,” Charbonneau said.

The native of Cowansville, Que., was drafted by Montreal in ‘97 out of the University of New Hampshire and spent five seasons with the Als before being released in 2002 after refusing to take a pay cut. He signed with Edmonton and helped the team beat Montreal in the ‘03 Grey Cup game.

He was also part of Edmonton’s ‘05 Grey Cup-winning squad before ultimately returning to Montreal.

Like Charbonneau, Woodcock began his CFL career with Montreal and appeared in two Grey Cup games with the Als (‘02, ‘03) and was named the top Canadian after recording a Cup-record 99-yard TD catch in their 2002 win.

The five-foot-nine, 180-pound Ottawa native joined the Eskimos in 2006, but was plagued by knee and hamstring injuries last season that limited him to just three games.

The six-foot-seven, 325-pound Morley signed with Toronto as a free agent prior to the 2007 season. The native of Halifax appeared in eight games last year, starting one at offensive tackle.

Prior to joining the Argos, Morley spent time in the NFL with Green Bay and the New York Jets as well as with the Rhein Fire of the now defunct NFL Europe.

The Calgary Stampeders selected Morley first overall in the 2003 Canadian college draft out of Saint Mary’s. He appeared in 11 games with the Stampeders as a rookie before heading to the NFL.

The Riders selected the six-foot-three, 210-pound Hoffart, a Regina native, in the first round, seventh overall, in the 2005 Canadian college draft. Hoffart, who played collegiately at the University of Saskatchewan, missed all of the 2006 season due to injury but returned to the lineup this year and was a member of the Riders’ Grey Cup-winning squad in November.

Tompkins spent the first three years of his CFL career with Edmonton, being named the Eskimos’ top rookie during their 2005 Grey Cup championship season. He registered a Cup-record 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Montreal in the CFL title game.