CARTER RE-SIGNS
Receiver/cornerback’s one-year deal is ‘testament to his character’, GM says
Fan favourite to stay
For Duron Carter, re-signing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders was a no-brainer.
“I felt like it was written that I’m supposed to be part of Saskatchewan,’’ the 26-year-old receiver/cornerback said Monday after signing a one-year contract extension with the CFL team. “I don’t see myself doing anything but playing for Saskatchewan right now.’’
Carter could have become a CFL free agent Feb. 13, but opted for a second season with Saskatchewan.
“He’s not motivated by the chance to go to the NFL or about money,’’ Riders head coach and general manager Chris Jones said from Mobile, Ala., site of the Senior Bowl. “He wants the right opportunity for himself.
“He could have gone on the open market and got more than what we’re going to give him this year. He wanted to be a part of what we’re doing. That’s a testament to his character and what he wants to do with us.’’
There was some NFL interest in Carter, but he said it never reached the point where he was enticed to leave the CFL.
“I didn’t get into contract talks because everyone wanted me to work out,’’ Carter said, from Boca Raton, Fla. “I wasn’t in the workout mood because I didn’t feel it was necessary for me to be working out and running 40s after playing 20 games in the CFL.
“I just wanted to take care of my body. I knew that I wanted to be back in Saskatchewan.’’
In 2017, Carter led the Riders in receiving yards (1,043) and was tied with Naaman Roosevelt with a team-high eight receiving touchdowns.
He also spent time at defensive back, highlighted by a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown.
On special teams, he had 15 punt returns for 112 yards, returned two missed field goals for 30 yards and returned a missed convert for 113 yards for two points.
Carter, a West Division and CFL all-star, was named the Roughriders’ most outstanding player in 2017.
Jones said that Carter will continue to play on both sides of the ball and will be the returner on placement attempts.
“I see myself as a game-changer no matter where I am on the field,’’ Carter said.
Carter and Jones felt that a oneyear deal worked best for both parties.
“Most people in today’s world, that’s what they are wanting to do,’’ Jones said.
“A lot of people look at it as a negative. I look at it as a positive. The advent of being somewhere for four, five or six years isn’t pro football in today’s world. It’s a thing of the past.
“It’s a good opportunity for Duron to come back and to still get a window if he wants to go to the NFL. Right now he has one thing in mind — that’s winning the Grey Cup with us.’’
The current collective bargaining agreement expires on May 15, 2019. Some players have signed one-year contracts due to the uncertainty surrounding the negotiations. That didn’t influence Carter’s decision.
“I like to take it year-by-year and game-by-game because there isn’t any telling what will happen with me,’’ Carter said.
MOORE HIRED
“I’m happy right now to be in the CFL. I would love the CBA to get resolved so we don’t have to go through the whole strike thing again. I’m just happy for another year of great football.’’
Jones, meanwhile, confirmed that Travis Moore has been hired as the Riders’ receivers coach.
Moore, who was the Ottawa Redblacks’ receivers coach for the past four seasons, replaces Marcus Howell. Howell was recently added to the B.C. Lions’ staff as the passing-game coordinator and receivers coach.
As a player, Moore spent 10 seasons in the CFL, including a threeyear stint with the Riders (2003 to 2005). He spent the previous seven seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.
Jones is still searching for a quarterbacks coach to replace Jarious Jackson, who joined the Lions as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
“We have a good, young stable of quarterbacks with the addition of Zach (Collaros) to what we already had,’’ Jones said.
“They each have technical things that they need to work on. I know that I have to hire a guy who is technique-sound and can take that group to the next level.’’
He’s not motivated by the chance to go to the NFL or about money. He wants the right opportunity for himself.