RIDERS RELEASE HEENAN FOR NFL
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced on Monday they have released non-import offensive lineman Ben Heenan allowing him the opportunity to pursue National Football League interests.
After being the #1 overall pick in the 2012 CFL Canadian College Draft out of the University of Saskatchewan, the Grand Coulee, SK product has been the Riders’ starting right tackle for the past three seasons. However Heenan is due to become a free agent on February 10 and his intention has always been to pursue an NFL opportunity when his contract with Saskatchewan expires.
Heenan’s Vancouver-based agent Dan Vertlieb told 620 CKRM on Monday that a deal with an NFL team has yet to be finalized, however it’s close to being done. With that news, the Riders released Heenan eight days ahead of CFL free agency. Both Vertlieb and Heenan declined to disclose with which NFL team they are negotiating.
Roughriders head coach Corey Chamblin appeared on CKRM’s SportsCage on Monday and said losing Heenan doesn’t throw a wrench into the team’s plans for 2015.
“Not at all. From the day Ben planned on becoming a free agent, I planned on him not coming back,” Chamblin said. “We talked about being aggressive and keeping other CFL teams from him. By him being that marquee Canadian tackle, it was easier for me to plan without him because there’s not that many Canadian tackles. That way if he came back, it would’ve been a bonus.
“It’s a positive for him, even for our organization helping guys achieve the next level. From my standpoint, he’s gone. If we get him back that’s a plus but we have to build it without him.”
Chamblin was asked how the club plans to make the Canadian ratio work with the loss of Heenan.
“We’re not done with our ratio,” Chamblin continued. “We’ve added Cory Watson, guys like that. There’s still guys that we’re looking at to see how we’ll do the ratio. There’s an idea we’d like to get to and there’s a few Canadian starters we’re looking at to make sure we get to a flexible ratio. Is it a nose tackle? Free safety? Canadian tailback? It’s about what’s going to give us the best chance to win on game day.”
A blessing in disguise. This guy is not a starting calibre player and might never be. He's out of shape. He needs to lose a little weight and gain some muscle.
Best of luck. Hope you make it, but if you don't please come back to riderville
What kind of a blessing are you talking about? If he doesn't make it in the NFL, he is a FREE AGENT and will be able to negotiate with any CFL Team . I don't think that is a blessing (from a Rider perspective at least.)
He's not a starting calibre player. That's the blessing.
too basd he's going, but he's gotta give it a shot. He's not NFL calibre and will get eaten up reaw, but he's gotta find that out.
best of luck.
Myself I don't get it. Watching the super bowl yesterday some LB's are his size or bigger (height plus weight). Plus faster, stronger…. This is like me getting a tryout for the CFL.
Miami dolphins needs some help on the o-line and people tell me that Miami is much nicer then Regina!
Ps: Rod you shouldn't text and drive, caught you today on broad & dewdney under the bridge around 3:00..
He also cut my city bus at the same part by the hotel/tims lol
I wish him luck. You never know until you try.
I hope to see him in green again some day.
Newt from YQR
Good luck Ben. We'll be waiting if you can't catch on down south.
To the first poster, you're an idiot. Pretty big balls to write something like that anonymously…..
BR
The Ben haters are a small crew of idiots that I suspect are really Eskimo fans.
to the guy saying there is lbs that are bigger than him. sure there might be a handful that are taller than 6'4" but there has never been a LB in any league that was heavier than 310 pounds. Plus he will be playing inside at guard his natural position that he never really got to play here. So my point is maybe he won't be too bad
Ben will make it down there. He is very teachable, has great technique, is still young.
The trainers down there will get his diet/training up to exactly what they want.
Looks great on our provincial football teams: from minor ball to university to pro.
Rob in Stoon
He was a turnstile most of last year.
Shocking how few see Heenan's talent. He was called upon to play tackle due to injuries and flourished. Still very young, he will likely stick. Too bad for us, great for him.
DJR
I do believe his rookie year was better than his last but he still has an outside chance in the NFL
Didn't he lead the team in holding penalties?
Ben was getting looks when he was at the U of S. Best O lineman to come out of Saskatoon and no slight to Gene. Ball players are getting better. Congrats Big Dog.
The Ben haters are a small crew of Idiots that I suspect are really Rider fans.
"Holding, Saskatchewan number 65. 10 yard penalty…" Heenan's football career in a nutshell.
This is a blessing in disguise for the Riders! Ben is a first rate person and great player – but adding his salary would be a detriment to the make up of the team. The money is better spent on either a) Brett Jones as centre is a higher need position or b) the money divided up to add a couple players at other positions.
Either way – all the best to Ben!
Re: Your poll I don't understand this. You have a two and a half hour "sports" show every day. You do not have a two and a half hour "Riders" show. You talk and react about the stories of the day. I personally think its dumb when you talk football on a hockey Wednesday and hockey on a Football Friday, but that's me. There are many WHL, NHL, baseball, golf, curling and golf fans out there who would like to hear their sport discussed from time to time. At the end of the day, the decision is up to the… Read more »