RIDERS SIGN TWO RECEIVERS
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that import receiver Duke Calhoun and non-import receiver Guillaume Rioux have signed with the team. As per club policy financial details of the contracts were not released.
Calhoun (6’2 – 200) joins the Riders after spending parts of three seasons in the NFL. The Memphis, Tennessee native played two seasons with the New York Giants after originally signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2010. The 26-year old played nine regular season games for the Giants. He was forced to miss the entire 2012 season after suffering an injury at Oakland Raiders training camp.
Before going pro, Calhoun played four seasons at the University of Memphis totaling 212 receptions for 2,981 yards and 19 touchdowns in 49 career collegiate games.
Rioux (5’9 – 180) has signed with the Green and White after spending the previous five seasons at the University of Laval. The 25-year-old set a school record for career all-purpose yards, on his way to being named a 2013 league all-star and CIS All-Canadian. He is a three-time Vanier Cup champion.
Rioux looks like he has some good credentials, I am surprised that the Riders could pick him up before the draft.
Rod – how does this work?
Newt from YQR
How does it work?
He wasn’t drafted in the years he was eligible, or he was drafted and his rights weren’t retained by his draft team and that makes him a free agent.
Looks like he may have been draft elligible last year and wasn't selected. I believe you only get one shot to enter the draft.. then you're a free agent.
5'9" – he will have to be exceptional to make it at that height. He has the all purpose yards record at Laval so maybe looked at as a returner…still very long odds.
Calhoun looks decent. Tall and has been timed at 4.44 in the 40. May be a keeper.
Everyone is a "keeper" until training camp opens – and then the boys are separated from the men….
The Riders could have made two playoff teams out of the guys they had in camp last year and I don't anticipate the staff got stupid in a year. Look for 12 wins this year again – at least.
Everyone panics about having rookies in the lineup but forgets every team has 10-12 every year.
The Rioux kid looks to have excellent speed and elusiveness. Might be penciled in as special teams kick returner since Weston is gone.
Calhoun torn his ACL last August. Doesn't it take a year to recover?