LOOKING FOR A RING
Jovon Johnson returns to Riders
Jovon Johnson has one enduring regret from his lone CFL season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The newly signed defensive back wishes he hadn’t sold the championship ring with which he was presented after the Riders defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 in the 2007 Grey Cup game.
“I’ve regretted selling (the ring) since the day I sold it,’’ Johnson, who rejoined the Roughriders on Monday, said after his first practice as a second-time member of the team. “I want to talk to some people in the organization to see if there is some way of getting it back, because I do want it back.’’
Johnson was placed on the practice roster for the 2007 Grey Cup game and was eventually presented with a championship ring. He then sold the ring on eBay for $10,000 because he didn’t feel he was part of the team. He was also upset by the fact that active players received $16,000 for winning the Grey Cup and he earned $500 on the practice roster.
He is now back with the Riders after being released by the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday. The CFL schedule has worked out in a manner that he will now face his former team on Thursday when the Riders visit the Alouettes in the league’s regular-season opener.
“It’s ironic that we play Montreal in the first game of the season and I’m truly looking forward to it,’’ said the 33-year-old Johnson. “I had been there for the last three weeks and last year … I’m looking forward to the challenge and I know what they bring to the table. Hopefully I can go out and make some plays.’’
Riders quarterback Kevin Glenn has already spent time talking to Johnson about Montreal’s defence in advance of Thursday’s game.
“Of course I’m going to get the inside scoop,’’ Glenn said. “For the most part you still have to go out and play.’’
The Riders added Johnson for more than his inside information on the Alouettes. They need him to bolster a defensive backfield that was suspect during training camp and in two pre-season games.
Veteran defensive halfback Ed Gainey and cornerback Kacy Rodgers have both been solid during training camp. However, injuries have contributed to uncertainty on the field side of the defensive backfield.
Johnson is expected to start at cornerback on Thursday and it’s likely rookie Chris Lyle will get the nod at defensive halfback. Johnson isn’t too concerned about starting with three days of preparation under his belt.
“I’m a smart guy,’’ Johnson said. “I’ve seen pretty much every defence in this league and I’ve been on four or five different teams so it’s all relatively the same.’’
Johnson’s 10-year CFL career has included stops with the Riders, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2008-2013), Ottawa Redblacks (2014-2015) and the Alouettes.
He has dressed for 160 regularseason games, recorded 32 interceptions and scored seven touchdowns. In 2011, he was named the CFL’s most outstanding defensive player after making eight interceptions and scoring two touchdowns with the Blue Bombers.
“He’s a great addition and he’s a ball hawk,’’ said Riders middle linebacker Henoc Muamba, who was Johnson’s teammate with the Blue Bombers. “When he gets his hands on the ball, he likes to return it as well. He has returned the ball in the past too. I’m excited to have him on the team and he’s made our team a lot better.’’
Johnson has matured into a leader during his CFL career and he’s willing to mentor the younger players on the defence.
“I’ve had a pretty good track record with helping young guys develop, so this is a perfect opportunity for me,’’ Johnson said.
NOTES: Linebacker Cameron Judge, the second overall selection in the 2017 CFL draft, practised with the Riders for the first time on Monday. He missed training camp and the pre-season while writing his final exams in political science and attending his graduation ceremony from UCLA ... It appears that left guard Brendon LaBatte has recovered from a sprained left ankle that he suffered in training camp. LaBatte was working with the starters on Monday. Right guard Josiah St. John (head) remains on the sideline. His spot was filled by Peter Dyakowski ... The Riders announced Monday that linebackers Jordon Burton and Dillon Grondin had been signed to the practice roster, along with Johnson.
It’s ironic that we play Montreal in the first game of the season and I’m truly looking forward to it.