RIDERS RE-SIGN BROWN
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that international linebacker Weldon Brown has signed an extension to remain with the team. As per club policy, financial details of the contract were not released.
Brown (5’10 – 185) will be entering his sixth CFL season and third year with the Roughriders after originally signing with the team as a free agent in February, 2013. Last season, the Louisiana Tech product registered 54 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a quarterback sack in 14 regular season games. He added five defensive tackles and an interception in the Western Semi-Final.
Brown originally entered the CFL in 2010 when he signed with Edmonton as a free agent. He spent three seasons with the Eskimos before joining the Riders ahead of the 2013 season. The 27-year-old has started 67 of 75 regular season games he has played, totaling 235 defensive tackles, eight interceptions and seven quarterback sacks. He won his first Grey Cup with the Riders in 2013.
** In a media availablility Thursday morning, Brown told reporters he very briefly considered going to free agency and seeing his worth on the open market but quickly decided Saskatchewan is where he wants to remain. He also said his family has made Regina its year-round home. Brown also said he’s comfortable with the direction of the team under Corey Chamblin and new Defensive Coordinator Greg Quick. He felt the defense last season was aggressive but possibly could be even moreso.
Rider GM Brendan Taman noted that Brown was one of their top defensive performers in 2014 and although his numbers may have dropped off somewhat from the 2013 campaign, that may be due to the fact Weldon played at an exceptional level during the Grey Cup championship season and set the bar for himself extremely high.
Taman also said talks continue with “The Big Three” of pending free agents: Weston Dressler, Ben Heenan and Tyron Brackenridge however no announcement on signings is imminent. Taman said those are the three everyone’s talking about however pending free agents Scott McHenry, Neal Hughes, Kevin Regimbald, Jerome Messam, etc. are just as important to him as the others.
** In a media availablility Thursday morning, Brown told reporters he very briefly considered going to free agency and seeing his worth on the open market but quickly decided Saskatchewan is where he wants to remain. He also said his family has made Regina its year-round home. Brown also said he’s comfortable with the direction of the team under Corey Chamblin and new Defensive Coordinator Greg Quick. He felt the defense last season was aggressive but possibly could be even moreso.
Rider GM Brendan Taman noted that Brown was one of their top defensive performers in 2014 and although his numbers may have dropped off somewhat from the 2013 campaign, that may be due to the fact Weldon played at an exceptional level during the Grey Cup championship season and set the bar for himself extremely high.
Taman also said talks continue with “The Big Three” of pending free agents: Weston Dressler, Ben Heenan and Tyron Brackenridge however no announcement on signings is imminent. Taman said those are the three everyone’s talking about however pending free agents Scott McHenry, Neal Hughes, Kevin Regimbald, Jerome Messam, etc. are just as important to him as the others.
Let be the first to say I like this signing.
Let "me" be the first to say I like this signing.
"me"
Great signing. I would love to see Messam be the next one
Great news !
Wonder if the Riders are forced into the Canadian at Safety if Weldon will be one of the Candidates. Don't really have too many candidates to replace Brackenridge…..our biggest challenge is getting these front line fee agents signed and with the numbers being thrown around, how many of these guys can we keep?
Weldon is an impoprt.
If TBrack chases the money and goes somewhere else, then we will look at starting a canadian at safety. Most likely this would be Matt Webster.
We might even decide to go the Webster way anyways as the Riders are already planning towards "what if Heenan leaves". If that happens, we will start two imports at tackle on the o-line.