TAJ WON’T PLAY THIS WEEK
The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club has been advised that Taj Smith has been charged with violating a condition of release stemming from an incident last August.
Therefore, he will not play Thursday's game in Winnipeg as the Club continues to monitor and review this situation.
If he violated his probation as reported then this has to be one of the stupidest, most selfish things he could do to the team. Biggest game of the year coming up and he goes and cripples the offense. Unbelievable.
That is not going to be good for the Riders unless other receivers step up. Very disappointing.
If the Riders lose this game, Smith should be sent down the Road. Once an offender , always an offender.
The conditions of his release should be public knowledge. I suspect that he went to a night club with some teammates. The Riders need to evaluate his future with the team which seems nearing an end, sadly.
you want to make a statement about accountability cut him never mind benching a rb for fumbling a ball.
Who replaces Taj? Can Kory Williams play that position?
BTW I agree with poster #1 very selfish and immature to violate a condition of release knowing that it could harm your team.
So quick to judge … with no information let alone facts. I see some double standards. The same people who expect players to be model citizens ('for the kids') don't react when hearing pundits say 'OK to break the rules as long as you get away with it'. Wait on judgement folks.
This guy has gotten off very easy so far, with delayed trails and exemptions to go home in the off-season and still able to play for the riders. Its about time he was held accountable. If it was you or me in the same situation we would have been in court already and possibly charged. They don't wait until the season is over for us. CC has shown no matter how great you are if you're a burden to the team your out.
Taj has not been found guilty of anything and the other two involved in the "incident" had charges withdrawn. Was he stupid to violate a condition – yes but let the courts decide if he is guilty of anything. The "system" has to move quicker to get all charges to trial, not just this case but every situation. One year to get an assault charge to trial is about 10 months too long. The lawyers seem to work the system so they get more appearances and more $$$$ in fees.
I like Taj, from what I know of him, which is very limited. But how can he be this stupid? I'm guessing he was supposed to avoid night clubs and or booze. I knew this road trip was going to result in a player doing something dumb. You just can't trust that 60 or so 20 something jocks are going to behave themselves on the road for that long.
I understand that Taj has not been convicted of anything just yet. However the Crown must have something in order for the original charge to stick. Then Taj is given a chance to go back to work, keep his nose clean and prove he is a smart professional football player. Then he does this… No doubt in Ottawa the evening after the game. How immature. Im with some of these other comments. Bench him until this is over. You cant count on the guy for anything
Yup it is the lawyers fault for delaying trials and Taj getting charged. BTW courts generally do not waste the time of the innocent. Will this be the last hangover from the D A reign of stupidity?
do him a favour cut him. he can club it up all he wants and we will be rid of a distraction.
Hey Roddy, According to James Dudko, Featured Columnist of Kansas City Chiefs Bleacher Report, Weston Dressler will be among first wave of cuts. Maybe he comes back to Riders to take up slack created by Taj Smith debacle and to fill other obvious receiving holes.
Rod, Saskatoon
Who replaces Taj? I’d like to see Schilenz put into Taj’s spot and let Smith, Swain and Getz play the 3 inside spots when the Riders go 5 receivers.
Good thing we still have one receiver ready to go named Smith,plus the new guy named Depalma deserves a shot.
Dressler is listed 5th in the wr spot. He’s not in the top 6 spots, so it’s looking like he may be part of the cuts.
Boy could the Riders use him right now!
Sheets is also 5th on the depth chart right now, and barring injury won’t crack the top 3.