RIDERS FREE AGENCY – THE LATEST
We are five days into the CFL’s first-ever Free Agent Negotiation Window and a lot has been accomplished by the Jolly Green Giants.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have retained linebacker Cameron Judge, punter Jon Ryan, defensive back Ed Gainey, fullback Albert Awachie and offensive tackle Tacoby Cofield with five days to go before the opening of Free Agency.
We’ve said all off-season that all the Roughriders need to do is retain their 20-something free agents and they’ll be a contender for the 2020 Grey Cup, which Saskatchewan is hosting on November 22. Coming off a 13-5, first-place season in 2019, their roster is stacked.
Now, with free agency looming and the window starting to close, Rider Priders are getting antsy that the biggest names have yet to sign.
WR Shaq Evans had a career-best 1,334 yards receiving in 2019, and we’re told he wants to be paid like it on his next deal. The Inglewood, CA product now has ties to Regina, but money talks and since he’s regarded as potentially the best receiver in the CFL, he could very well go elsewhere if he gets the offer he’s looking for.
The Riders think highly of Evans, but I’m told dollars are starting to get tight and that’s why this deal hasn’t been consummated yet. (Although every report indicates the two sides are close, and a deal could be announced at anytime). The word in the league is the Riders’ offer doesn’t match what Evans wants, and may not even be at market value. Other buzz suggests the Riders are in on free agent WR DeVier Posey, who was released by Montreal last week. I’m told if they can’t get something done with Evans, we should expect Posey in Green & White.
Hard decisions have been made already and that includes the team moving on from popular WR Naaman Roosevelt. The Buffalo product has been with the Riders since 2015 (an original find of the Taman/Chamblin/Smith regime) and has been through all the ups and downs of the franchise over the past five seasons. However we’re told the Riders aren’t expected to bring him back in 2020.
Things get foggy around the defensive line. DT Micah Johnson was the highest-paid defensive player in the CFL in 2019 at $250,000 but the insiders say the Riders would like to cut that wage in 2020. Saskatchewan was regarded as having the top D-line in the CFL last season (save for perhaps Winnipeg) but Johnson didn’t necessarily live up to his price tag. Meanwhile linemate Charleston Hughes led the CFL in sacks, again, and wouldn’t be faulted for thinking he should be the highest-paid defensive player in the CFL given his stats.
LB Solomon Elimimian led the Riders in tackles last season and is looking to get PAID. Among the teams looking to land “Solly” are Ottawa, Edmonton, and of course Saskatchewan.
Over in Winnipeg, reigning CFL Defensive Player of the Year Willie Jefferson is listening to offers and is looking to land a contract in the mid-$200,000’s range. TSN reports Willie earned $210,000 last season and obviously earned all of that. He may be the biggest game-changing player in the entire CFL. Insider Dave Naylor reports five of nine CFL teams have contacted Jefferson during this free agency window, however Saskatchewan isn’t one of them.
And finally, I’m told we can expect the Riders to announce the hiring of Ben Olson as their new defensive line coach. He most recently has been with McNeese St. Here’s his bio from the Cowboys website https://mcneesesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/ben-olson/1432.
Stay tuned,
RP
@rodpedersen
(Photo: Hannah Souster)
Hey Rod, this is the kind of article we look for. Good inside information on what we do not normally hear. Anyone can update us on what the latest news is on who has signed , etc etc, we can read that information on a number of sites. But this is the kind of stuff no one else publishes what you have written on this article. Keep it up, get us the inside goods not the normal updates like everyone else. It separates your site from the rest.
I’m trying! It’s not as easy as it seems.
use your high profile connections to get us the good stuff. Perhaps even a little charm doesnt hurt……..ha ha ha ha
I don’t disagree with your comments in general but the roster being stacked I’m not sure of – Evans & Johnson are 2 guys getting serious offers. Best DL in the league last year probably was Hamilton, talent wise. Wynn/Laurent were far superior to Johnson/Evans. I would take Davis any day over Hughes, who is 7 years older. Take Johnson, below average season or not, out of the equation & our DL needs some serious upgrades. The fact Hughes did very little the last 2 years in the final 3rd of the seasons is problematic. Edmonton, for one, has Sewell,… Read more »
Rider management has done nothing but ride the coattails of the Chris Jones team build and those guys are old and decrepit in their play. Time to turn the page and add another chapter otherwise Mr Everything Chris Jones will have to come back and cut everyone who keeps milking Roughrider management who tend to hang on for way too long. Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Franchise well known in football circles where if your at the end of your playing career, go see the Roughriders they’ll pay you big bucks for nothing based on past accomplishments. Let’s see the Roughriders actually… Read more »
There’s no getting around the Riders having to replace some older players with a bunch of starters up there in age. You can rebuild quickly in the CFL through free agency but it’s expensive. The core OL has Clark & LaBatte who have played together in Regina 8 years. LaBatte is starting to get injured more & has about 200 games including playoffs under his belt. Coleman formed a trio with the latter 2 the last 4 years & Blake’s been there a couple of years. They’re 35 & 34 this season. It looks like there’ll be younger players with… Read more »
Today’s headline on cfl.ca courtesy Pinball. “We have 2 Top 10 Quarterbacks”. Not so great if you’re in a 9 team league. No offense intended, Pinball.
Observed,
Saskatchewan Roughriders have returned to their pre-day Chris Jones ways. It won’t be long before the CFL basement comes by saying hello again you dummies, when will you hillbillies ever get it? This is professional sports, not your ma and pa farm where you hand out important jobs based on he deserves it.
Shaq Evans is back – great news.
A little courtesy spray of Febreze once in awhile ? ? ?would surely go a long way in that Rod Pedersen Show bunker, Sol Elimimian needs to hit the road along with Micah Johnson.
Saskatchewan Roughriders,
K/P Zack Mederios available. RB Chris Rainy available.
DB Jonathan Mincey available. QB Jim Franklin available.
Sign em up!