JONES: "WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT ST. JOHN"
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| Riders Coach & GM Chris Jones speaks with reporters on Friday at the U of S |
SASKATOON – Offensive lineman Josiah St. John continues to be a no-show at the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp.
And it doesn’t look like the former Oklahoma Sooners star will be coming any time soon.
St. John, a native of Ajax, Ont., who was selected first overall by Saskatchewan in last month’s CFL draft, has reportedly asked to be traded by the Riders as the two sides have hit a snag in contract talks.
Chris Jones, the Riders head coach/GM, refused to discuss St. John’s situation Friday.
“We’re not talking about St. John,” he said. “We’re talking about the people that are here.”
Saskatchewan reportedly offered St. John a two-year deal that would pay him $52,000 in his first season and $53,000 in 2017. That was after Jonathan Hardaway, St. John’s agent, is said to have asked for a three-year deal totalling $400,000. That would make him the highest-paid CFL draft pick in history.
Last year centre Alex Mateas – who went first overall last year to Ottawa – and guard Sukh Chungh – who was drafted second by Winnipeg – reportedly signed deals that included base salaries of approximately $80,000 along with bonuses. The Roughriders are said to have initially offered St. John a contract in the same neighbourhood as last year’s top picks.
The six-foot-six, 300 pound St. John spent two seasons with the Sooners.
“We’re not worried about that,” Rider quarterback Darian Durant said when asked about the squabble. “That’s the business side of things. Each and every guy in that locker room has been through the business side of football. That’s not our concern.
“We have to make sure we’re ready to play. We have a preseason game in eight days so our focus is getting better each and everyday in practice. If he wants to be here, he’ll be here.”
(With files from Canadian Press)
"I will not talk with you about our failed strategy for this year's draft".
Will anybody pay him that kind of money? If so trade this cry baby and get something of value for him. Not worth the drama or money for a player that has proved ZERO at the professional level.
For cripes sakes Rod, why are you perpetuating the saga of the Rider's lowball counter offer? That was a response to the outlandish demand from their camp!
Our three year proposal of approx 80 per hasn't been taken off the table.
Fully support Jones/Murphy on this one.
The riders want to pay 30% than last year? Kinda see the agent's point, more so with a first overall because you have a chance to talk to the agent before you drafted him to gauge interest at the bargain basement price you were hoping to pay. I haven't been an anti new regime but this is being bungled if you think any agent is going to tell his client to sign for 30% less than player a year ago.
I THOUGHT I HAD READ SOMEWHERE THAT WE WERE WILLING TO DO ONE YEAR AT CLOSE TO THE 80?
IF THE BAR HAS BEEN BUMPED UP TO 80, 50 IS PROBLY ON THE LOW SIDE, BUT EXPECTING 130 SEEMS KINDA GOOFY.
The kid is writing his own obituary. You can't miss a development year and not expect everybody else to blow by you.
I'm not sure I want him in the locker room anyway.
"We're not talking about St. John,' – we are going to stick our heads in the sand instead…….
no respect for jones when he was in edmonton and even less now
Pre-draft News Release…
"What will the Saskatchewan Roughriders do with this years draft? Who will they pick? Or will they consider to trade the pick away? All these questions to be resolved on Draft Day… The Rider Nation is eagerly awaiting how the new management team of the Saskatchewan Roughriders will handle this number one draft position… "
———–
Post-draft News Release…
"Did the Saskatchewan Roughriders just blow their number one draft all together?
Chris Jones, do you have any comment? Jones: "I said NO COMMENT!".
Hmmmmm…
I can't believe people's inability to read an article. Anon #1 and #4's comments prove that. Read the article again before you post dumb comments. In the world of business you throw a number out there. The Agent then comes back with his number. That took place. Riders started at the minimum and the Agent came back with numbers unheard of. So the Riders countered with a Match to last year's number one at $80K. Who by the way started several games. STJohn will not be a starter this year and maybe not even year two. So the Riders offer… Read more »
Due diligence was done. Initial offer discussed with Riders top 3 possible choices was the 3 yr at 80 per. No agents refused that offer at the time. Then after draft agent asked for 400 over 3 yrs with some guaranteed money. Riders said no, other option is take a lesser offer of a 1 + 1. This allows the player to get to free agency sooner. Pretty standard. The kid and his agent are rolling the dice, maybe hoping for an NFL offer. It's just business all around, no hate for anyone needed.
Sigh. People, people, people. Rod didn't explain it very well. The riders initially offered at the $80k range, well in line with last year, which is a level that won't completely blow up the salary cap.
Hardaway came back with his request for $130k+. That's hilarious.
The riders had a good chuckle at that and offered $52k/$53k as a rebuttal.
The kid won't get $90k to play in the CFL this year. I know that.
I'm astounded that the trolls continue to have their stupidity published***!!! For an idiot to say they strategy was bad is so ridiculous it reeks mental illness. This St John kid would have ended up the highest paid player in this CFL draft this year. He would have been given a chance to prove if he was capable of of playing in the CFL. It pretty clear nobody in the NFL wanted him, and he's hurting his stock there and here every day with this action. A couple of other guys have tried that here before with the Riders, and… Read more »
ok… now the Canadian Press on TSN.ca/cfl is stating that the Riders have only offered the 52K and 53K respectively. While StJohns agent wants the $80K that last years number 1 and number 2 picks were paid. There is zero mention of this $400K over three years.
So who the hell is telling the truth?
rod didn't explain it well because he does not have the depth to explain anything. we hate him in Saskatoon too and the sooner he packs up and goes back to regina the better.
To all,
Sign some sort of name to your comment so the rest of us can reply back to what you say…
Backyard
Dont worry Anon Rod hater. When the Regina Roughriders leave your little City and come back to their home. Thats when Rod will be leaving too. Trust everyone when we say that if the Riders were not trying to be supportive and share the team. No one from Regina media would want to be anywhere near there.
Trolls are trolls no matter where they"re from,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, luckily they're closer to the North Battleford Mental Hospital. Their furlough's have expired. Time to get back,,,the North Saskatchewan bridge awaits..
The actions of this St. John kid and his agent have effectively ruined his possible career. This far more than business because this kid hasn't proven he can play anywhere as of yet. A vet can maybe get away with this to a point but not a raw rookie. If he signs and shows up, the fans will not warm up to him, the media will be unmerciful and his performance will likely pale to where he should be. He will hang around long enough to go to free agency, and back to Toronto. However all the other teams will… Read more »
I’m sure the Riders and St. John will come to an agreement once his agent realizes he did the foreign exchange calculation the wrong way….
Can someone please source this initial request of 3 years/400k? Those numbers appear nowhere and everyone else is reporting the 2 year low ball. I dunt believe that at all.