MADANI: RIDERS TO ADD MESSAM
By: Arash Madani
Sportsnet.ca
Jerome Messam, the CFL’s top Canadian in 2011, will be signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, sources told Sportsnet.
Messam, who has been out of football since the Montreal Alouettes released him in training camp, will report to the defending Grey Cup champions on Tuesday. The Riders have a need for a Canadian running back, with veteran Neal Hughes now on the shelf for upwards of a month with injury.
Messam will likely spend this week on the practice roster while he learns George Cortez’s offence. He must pass his physical in Regina, one he is believed to be taking today, to make the move official.
The 29-year-old has been a pro football journeyman, since breaking into the CFL in 2010. After a year with the BC Lions, Messam was traded to Edmonton – where he had his breakout season in 2011.
The Brampton, Ont. native rushed for 1,057 yards and six touchdowns that year, and also caught 27 balls for 248 yards. At the time, he became only the third Canadian tailback since 1960 to rush for over 1,000 yards.
After that decorated 2011 campaign, Messam went to training camp with the Miami Dolphins, then returned to Edmonton before being dealt to the Alouettes.
Messam has been a regular on social media since this season began, while he watched from the couch, revealing thoughts on being away from the game. Just yesterday he tweeted “Week 2 in the books and still no looks… #positive & #patient”
The Messam signing is the second significant move made by the Roughriders since Saturday’s 48-15 loss in Toronto. On Monday, Saskatchewan traded cornerback Dwight Anderson to the Argonauts.
Well done, Riders! Another great signing. Hopefully he can contribute and be a good replacement for #32 Neil Hughes!
Mess am just tweeted that he's in. Glad to see him get a shot.
Good solid signing by the Riders….veteran o-line will keep him in check!
Sask Riders, powered by; rejects.
Wes Mantooth (aka Derek Myers) just put on twitter that this move was pure desperation on the Riders part. Like he's got a better idea? Nothing wrong with bringing in someone to challenge for the RB spot.
Going into the offseason the riders needed running backs, receivers, and a starting middle line backer. Going into game three nothing has changed, the RB has fumbilutis, no clear starting receiver or mlb. What happened over the offseason, ohh forgot to acknowledge that shoarmi is back.
Why not? Anyone?
It's Toston time.
Wes Mantooth!!!! BRILLIANT!!!
Wasn't he a problem on other teams?
Guess the Riders are starting to pay for their decision to reduce the number of Canadian starting positions and turning both DT spots into international (import) spots.
Wes Mantooth (aka Derek Myers) doesn’t know football. It isn’t a desperate move, name other Canadian (national) players that are free-agents and worth bringing in?
do people not realize they signed him to replace hughes as he is a canadian………..
"I will smash your face through a car wind-shield, then take your mother Dorothy Mantooth out to a nice seafood dinner and never call her again…."
I like the signing, at the very least it's a back up plan for Neil Hughes, at least in terms of how we manage the ratio….
Dan R.
Mr.Bighead NFL Messam, good on you Riders for adding this guy to your team dressing room. Hmmm, wonder how long it will take before……. the distraction …….. ?
He has the right passport, Is he worthy ?
Messam was signed as Hughes is injured. Signing a National to take the place of an injured National just makes sense. Besides Messam is a quality back who may be able to be a ratio charger as well.Who knows.
I like the move. What do you naysayers want? The Riders to throw up their hands and say we give up?
Go Riders
This naysayer wants a good ole bonofide quality Canadian, not a National.
Nayyyysayer !!!!!!!
If Charles starts at RB – that will be a bad bad move.
He is not good enough, never has been.
Neither Allen or Charles are good enough to be at RB.
What RB fumbles every game he played – is that a record, sometimes twice per game but saved by the whistle.
Chaeles has never been god enough to do the job.
Yes, Coach is blowing the RB position.
Coach? You must be mistaken, it's the gm's job to provide the coach with quality team talent. Coach is not blowing the RB position, the gm is blowing it with the players he Is signing and not finding. Don't be blaming the coaches, this is what they have to work with.
I am still holding my breath that Kory Sheets will emerge from the tunnel on Taylor Field this fall under a new long term contract. Until then, the operating word at tail back will be mediocre,like the team itself.
Kory Sheets, along with Weston Dressler will be Winnipeg or Ottawa bound if they return to the CFL, heck everyone will vie for their playing services excluding the Roughriders.
unmotivated and lazy from dashed nfl hopes,
Put Toston in – he was the best RB in pre-season by far.