Trade for Edem gives Riders added depth, versatility
Veteran Canadian safety prepared to compete for starting job in camp
The Saskatchewan Roughriders bolstered their safety depth Thursday by acquiring national Mike Edem from the B.C. Lions.
As part of the deal, the Roughriders and Lions swapped conditional picks in the 2018 CFL draft.
The trade for Edem, 27, is another indication that the Riders plan to start a Canadian at safety in 2017. The Riders earlier signed free agent Marc-Olivier Brouillette and re-signed Jeff Hecht, both of whom are 31-year-old nationals.
“It helps to have some good Canadians on your team,” Edem said from his off-season home in Calgary. “It’s good to have safeties because we can play special teams and on defence.”
TSN’s Farhan Lalji reported Thursday that the Riders want to renegotiate Edem’s contract, believed to be worth $140,000 a season. Failing a successful renegotiation, Edem could be released.
Edem sounded like he’s prepared to attend the Riders’ training camp.
“There should always be a battle in training camp for every position, so it’s not a problem,’’ Edem said. “It’s about coming out, competing and making sure that the Riders have the best 12 out there at all times.’’
Brouillette and Edem were teammates in Montreal for twoplus seasons. Brouillette signed with the Riders in February after spending seven seasons with the Alouettes.
A University of Calgary Dinos product, Edem was chosen third overall by the Montreal Alouettes in the 2013 CFL draft.
Edem has registered 91 defensive tackles, 29 special teams tackles, six interceptions and five sacks in four CFL seasons, spent with the Alouettes (2013-15), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2015) and Lions (2016).
In 2013, he was an East Division all-star with Montreal. He was acquired by the Tiger-Cats at the trade deadline in 2015 and later signed with B.C. as a free agent before the 2016 season.
Hecht began his CFL career with the Alouettes in 2011. He joined the Calgary Stampeders in 2012 and remained with that team until being traded to the Riders in August.
It helps to have some good Canadians on your team. It’s good to have safeties because we can play special teams and on defence.