RIDERS ACQUIRE EMRY FOR FOLEY
REGINA (CP) – The Saskatchewan Roughriders acquired middle linebacker Shea Emry from the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday in exchange for defensive end Ricky Foley.
Emry led Toronto with 72 defensive tackles last season. He also had five tackles for a loss, four pass knockdowns, one forced fumble and one sack over 18 regular-season games.
The six-foot 228-pounder is a seven-year CFL veteran. The Richmond, B.C., native was originally drafted by Montreal with the seventh overall pick in 2008. He spent six seasons with the Alouettes before signing with the Argonauts as a free agent last February.
Emry won the Grey Cup with the Alouettes in 2009 and ’10 and was a CFL all-star in 2012.
Foley, meanwhile, is a three-time Grey Cup champion. He was named top Canadian at the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 after helping the Argonauts beat Calgary in the title game at Rogers Centre.
“Ricky Foley has always been an athletic and hardworking football player who continues to produce on the field,” Argos general manager Jim Barker said in a release. “He puts tremendous pressure on opposing quarterbacks which is a skill we believe will complement our defence very well.
“Ricky has won championships on every team for which he has played in this league, and many of our fans will remember him to be a key contributor to our 100th Grey Cup win. Toronto is his hometown and we are happy to have him back in Double Blue.”
Foley, from Courtice, Ont., also won championships with the B.C. Lions in 2006 and Roughriders in 2013. He had 54 tackles, 12 sacks and one fumble recovery for Saskatchewan last season.
The nine-year veteran was drafted by the Lions with the fourth overall pick in 2006. The six-foot-three 256-pounder was named top Canadian in the CFL in 2009.
Getting Emry is huge but why at such a big cost? Foley is a beast that will be missed.
R in Saskatoon
Well…that caught me off guard. Not sure what to think…but there will be other opinions shortly I'm guessing.
Have to give a thumbs up to this trade
Easier to find canadian linebackers than it is to find canadian d-ends.
Hopefully the Riders can resign Sam Hurl and let the 2 compete for the starting job.
Not a very fair way to treat Foley, a player who just resigned to stay in Rider green. How many of the other free agents won't resign because of moves like this
Wishing Ricky Foley could stay but as always it is a business and management makes very tough decisions in order to better the team. Good Luck Ricky, you were everything we could have asked for in a player. You play with heart and loyalty to your team and we were a better team because of it. All the best in the future! To Shea Emry, welcome to our team, we look forward to watching you in a few short months.
Sorry to see Foley go but glad to see Emery here
OUCH! Ricky "THE PRO" Foley back in TO. Don't like it much obviously. Thanks for being a Rider Ricky, you will be missed.
Welcome Shea, hope you enjoy being a Rider as much as Ricky did.
After the loss of so many great players last year you think we would get use to this…. NOT!
GpS
At first glance, I was pissed by this move. But on reflection, we get a 28 year old Canadian for a 32 year old Canadian in a position we definitely needed to upgrade since the loss to Rey Williams and Butler. With hopefully another year out of Chick and hopefully another solid year out of George in the middle, this could help offset Foley's loss as the new guy on DE, whomever it may be, finds his way as the season progresses. The only real downside I see is Emery has a reputation for being dirty and taking stupid penalties.… Read more »
Foley will be missed "BIG TIME!" He loved being a Rider.
Thanks for your service to Rider fans everywhere!
Welcome to Shae!
Patrick
I agree with the last poster, kinda confusing, but we needed help in the MLB spot since Williams retired.
Emry was an overpriced free agent signing last year by the Argos. If you watched him play last season his best years are definitely behind him. This move definitely doesn't help free up any salary cap room to help the Riders sign any of their free agents …. especially Dressler.
Why why why??? Foley not only was a great player but a great community person. Didnt Emery get booted in a game here a couple years ago?
No worries there, cause we are not signing
Dressler!
Toronto Argonauts announce they have unloaded heavy laden cost contract in the process of fleecing Saskatchewan Roughriders gm Taman for Ricky Foley.
A bit of a shock, but the Riders did need to improve their line backing core. The Riders come out ahead in the age department. They still need to fill the void from Brian Peters departure to the NFL. I wonder who sill step up to fill the D-line spot left open now by the departure of Ricky Foley.
Thank you Ricky Foley a true Rider in the sense of the word. It was a great ride, you will be missed.
Can't wait for Rod's assessment of the trade. Of course he'll love it as the Riders appointed cabana boy is supposed to do.
Emery is a high end all-star calibre MLB but the price was very high. It's not only the age or technical things etc. It's also about character and being a part of the community fabric. Time will tell if this is a big gain or loss.
I smell something kinda fishy here.. at face value I'm more than disappointed by this as Ricky seeming bent over backwards to resign.. I value loyalty but hey N.E patriots don't and look where they are.. all about being the best. Not that you'll ever read this but loved tour time here Ricky! True pro and a true champ! You represented us well and I'll always be a fan of yours good man! Bring in the John Cornish look alike rider nation .. once we get past that he's a huge upgrade (sorry hurl. And peters) .. this dude can… Read more »
Foley was awesome…he resigned which ws great….he could of held out & signed with Toronto and we would of got nothin in return. Emery will have to perform to make this a positive. You never know what is done behind the scene. Salary is a costly that may affect signing free agents. Who out there do they key on to help the yteam weak areas….has the kicker signing eased the worry in the kicking game…not really but possible. We need at least 4 strong scouting finds and 4 solid free agent signings along with our star defensive player..he's a must!!!!