DRESSLER SIGNS FUTURES CONTRACT WITH CHIEFS
BY TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star
One of the Canadian Football League’s top players is officially headed to Kansas City.
The Chiefs signed wide receiver Weston Dressler to a reserve-futures contract Tuesday, a few days after he was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and declared that he had reached an agreement with a NFL team.
Saskatchewan assistant general manager Jeremy O’Day said Dressler, 28, who caught 442 passes for 6,531 yards and 43 touchdowns during his six-year career with the Roughriders and worked out for the Chiefs in early January, will be missed.
“He just felt the opportunity was a good fit for him and he didn’t want to explore anywhere else,” O’Day said. “He felt (his new team) was being very upfront with him. Weston just wants a fair opportunity to make a chance for a roster.”
O’Day said Dressler, who starred at North Dakota and is listed at 5 feet 7 and 179 pounds, never got a hard look from the NFL out of college because of his stature. But thanks to recent rule changes, NFL offenses attack the middle of the field more than ever, putting a premium on sure-handed receivers who can create separation.
“Weston is a true slot receiver and return guy,” O’Day said. “That’s what he did with us for a number of years.”
This season, Dressler helped the Roughriders win the Grey Cup championship by catching 70 passes for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns.
“He’s not your prototypical big NFL receiver, but he’s very savvy and crafty in his route running and that’s what’s given him a lot of success out there,” O’Day said. “I don’t think you’ll find a tougher guy … when he does get hurt, he plays through those injuries, and he doesn’t want to come out of games and he doesn’t want to miss practice.”
It remains to be seen whether Dressler’s CFL success will translate to the NFL. The Chiefs would like to retain slot receiver Dexter McCluster, a free agent who made his first Pro Bowl this season as a punt returner, but their cap situation is tight for 2014 and McCluster could command a deal on the open market that’s worth more than they’re willing to pay.
If McCluster does not return — free agency starts March 11 — the Chiefs will also need a punt returner. Dressler only returned nine punts for 100 yards this year, but has returned 92 punts for 907 yards in his career. That’s 9.9 yards per return, a little shy of McCluster’s 11.8 average in 2013.
“Part of the reason we didn’t have him back there more was because we didn’t want to get him hurt,” O’Day said. “But he made some huge returns for us. He was definitely our best punt catcher and has the ability to return it as well.”
O’Day said Dressler wasn’t supposed to become a free agent until Feb. 15, but the Roughriders — who were grateful for his contributions — decided to let him out of his contract early so he could pursue his NFL dream.
“We didn’t want him to leave,” O’Day said. “But we wish him the best. He is a quality person, and I give the team that gives him a chance some credit because he’s succeeded in the things he’s tried.”
To reach Terez A. Paylor, call 816-234-4489 or send email to tpaylor@kcstar.com. Follow him at twitter.com/TerezPaylor.
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/04/4798242/new-chiefs-receiver-weston-dressler.html#storylink=cpy
I truly hope Weston cracks the starting line up and plays on a regular basis. To see him sit on a P.R. would just be a shame. Yes, yes, yes we know the money is good even on a P.R. However Dressler needs to be on the field making plays. Im sure even Weston would rather be a very well paid top notch CFL reciever than an NFL P.R. spot.
What is a reserve-futures contract???
Old Cuss
While I was critical of wesston being a bit arrogant a few weeks back, I commend him for taking a 'foot in the door' contract and for being willing to give it a shot. His chances are, at best, outside looking in. With that, I also just watched the movie Invincible, and anything is possible.
If I was a betting man, I wouldn't bet on him. With that, I sure as hell would never bet against him.
Good for him. At least he has the courage to try.
Good luck Weston! We wish you well but we'll miss you. You are welcome back in green & white if things don't work out in KC
Ok, so here's my thoughts if you have the patience. Weston Dressler and current Chiefs slotback Dexter McCluster are same size, same speed, both return kicks, Dressler has better hands and much better yards after catch, McCluster is a little tougher in traffic. I've watched every McCluster game and every Roughrider game this year. These guys are basically the same player. This looks like a salary cap move. My hunch is McCluster is not going to be re-signed unless Chiefs can get him cheap. I'm guessing he'll get $12 – 18M for 4 somewhere (Devon Hester Bears, another Pro Bowl… Read more »
Man, I sure have mixed emotions on this. I would be happy for Dressler if he makes the Chiefs and fulfills his dream but my selfish side says I hope he doesn't make it and returns to the Riders. We will miss him if he goes.
Just read that Dressler will be paid $420k, but I think he has to make the team to get it, otherwise he basically gets beer money for coming.
Seems unfair, if he makes the team, he probably takes Dexter McCluster's job so you could argue he's worth a lot more.
McCluster got $5.3M for 4 with 3.1M guaranteed as a rookie.
He's clearly chasing his dream. Gotta love that.
Yah, because 5000 a week to run scout team would be a pretty bad job….lol
Well said Tim from Kansas. You made some good points. And as a Rider season ticket holder I am really hoping WD makes an impact with the Chiefs, although selfishly I was hoping he would of stayed here. Just curious, you said you watched every game WD played this passed season, which channel were you watching and what is your opinion on the Canadian version of football. I enjoy both and am a big Packer fan. Sorry about that. I was also hoping the Chiefs could advance deeper into the playoffs if not make it to the big game. But… Read more »
Dave, Rider games were streamed on ESPN3 and a few games on cable, NBC Sports network. This was the first time in 20 years I could watch pretty much any game I wanted. I could write another story about what I think the CFL needs to do to get better exposure down here. Another day on that one. Nobody understands CFL here in flyover country. I know all about CFL, I grew up in P.A., lived in Regina for a number of years, been a Rider fan all my life. Now I go to several Chiefs games a year, season… Read more »
Thanks Tim. And yes we will try and stay warm, even though it was -30 last night. Good thing Rod keeps you up to date. Dave
P.S. No football now for a few months which sucks! But at least now we can watch Olympic hockey & curling.