Steve Morley will try to help Saskatchewan defend its Grey Cup title.

Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman acquired the six-foot-seven, 330-pound offensive tackle from Toronto for receiver Nathan Hoffart on Wednesday.

Argonauts rookie head coach Rich Stubler said money was a reason for the trade.

"We have made a decision to play import tackles on our offensive line this season with Mike Pearson, Jerome Davis and Glenn January all under contract," Stubler said. "This trade addresses a need for us with a Canadian speed receiver.

"This is also a fiscally responsible move as we continue to operate under the [CFL's $4.2 million salary cap]."

Some football observers believe Morley, drafted first overall by Calgary in the 2003 CFL Canadian college draft, underperformed in Toronto last season.

The native of Halifax appeared in eight games, starting one at offensive tackle.

"In terms of acquiring Steve, we are understandably excited," said Tillman. "He's a big, versatile offensive lineman and there's a reason he was the first player selected in the 2003 draft, as well as spending time in the National Football League."

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

He appeared in 11 games with the Stampeders as a rookie before heading to the NFL.

At St. Mary's University, Morley won four Atlantic Conference titles and two Vanier Cups with the Huskies.

"This trade will almost certainly prove to be a win-win scenario since both of these young men are capable of being multi-year starters," Tillman said. "In Nathan's case, he made our starting lineup last year, before tweaking his knee late in pre-season. He's 100 per cent now, and should be a very good player for the Argos.

The Riders selected the six-foot-three, 210-pound Hoffart, a Regina native, seventh overall in 2005.

Hoffart, who played at the University of Saskatchewan, missed all of the 2006 season due to injury but returned to the lineup last season and was a member of the Riders' Grey Cup-winning squad in November.

With files from the Canadian Press