Running back Messam among newcomers
CFL club shores up several positions in first two days, but work not over yet
The Saskatchewan Roughriders jumped into the Bond market on an eventful Wednesday.
They signed free agent international offensive lineman Travis Bond, one of numerous moves made by the CFL team over the first two days of the free agency period.
The signing of Bond went against the Riders’ trend of selectively signing nationals with proven backgrounds.
The Riders’ list of national free agent signings includes defensive tackle Zack Evans, running back Jerome Messam and linebacker Sam Hurl. Saskatchewan also re-signed fullback Spencer Moore and centre Dan Clark (who inked a new pact shortly before the free-agent period kicked off Tuesday).
Saskatchewan’s recent signings range from players entering the prime of their careers to those on the down side.
Evans has been around the CFL for six seasons, but is only 27.
At the other extreme is Messam, who turns 33 in April. He’s a veteran of eight seasons, spent with the Roughriders (in 2014 and 2015), B.C. Lions, Edmonton Eskimos and Montreal Alouettes.
Evans and Messam both fill important holes.
Saskatchewan needed a defensive tackle and Evans is among the league’s best at the position.
The Riders were in the market for a Canadian running back to help with their national/international ratio. Messam’s addition may allow the Riders to start another international offensive lineman or line up with five American receivers.
Messam can still play — he has rushed for 1,000-plus yards in each of the past three seasons.
He spent most of the 2015 campaign with the Roughriders before being dealt to the Calgary Stampeders.At six-foot-three and 230 pounds, he has the size to punish would-be tacklers.
The Riders are stacked with international running backs — Marcus Thigpen, Cameron Marshall and Trent Richardson. The best complement to Messam might be the speedy Thigpen, who can play receiver, running back and return punts and kickoffs.
Evans is more than a feel-good story about a Regina product returning to the hometown team with which he started his CFL career. He can also contribute, especially when it comes to chasing quarterbacks.
Evans has 22 career sacks, which is quite the performance considering he’s usually doubleteamed.
The signing of Hurl also adheres to the Riders’ homecoming theme. Hurl was selected 12th overall by the Riders in the 2012 CFL draft and spent two seasons with the Green and White before signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent in 2015.
Henoc Muamba was the Riders’ starting middle linebacker until he was released by the club Wednesday. According to TSN’s David Naylor, Muamba was due a $35,000 signing bonus Thursday.
Hurl might be an option at middle linebacker, a position at which he started 18 games for the Blue Bombers in 2017. He can also play weakside linebacker and is among the league’s most effective special-teams players.
The re-signings of 29-year-old Clark and 27-year-old Moore enhance the Riders’ national content. Clark’s re-signing adds a veteran presence to the offensive line.
Moore may be underappreciated by some fans, but his contributions are valued by the Riders.
All that being done, the Riders still aren’t finished plugging holes.
Left offensive tackle remains a question mark with Tuesday’s release of Derek Dennis and Bruce Campbell filing for free agency.
Campbell may be the best option for the Riders considering how well he performed after taking over the position from Dennis. Campbell has baggage, though, due to a positive drug test in the off-season that resulted in a two-game suspension.
Bond, 27, is also an option. At six-foot-seven and 360 pounds, he has the dimensions to play left tackle. However, he has primarily played guard, a position at which he was a CFL all-star in 2016. Versatility makes him an attractive signing.
The Riders also still need another Canadian defensive tackle and a boundary cornerback.
Eddie Steele, who filed for free agency Tuesday after spending the 2017 season in Saskatchewan, would fit in nicely at his accustomed defensive tackle spot.
With cornerback Kacy Rodgers II gone to the NFL’s New York Jets, the best available defensive back might be Ronnie Yell (B.C. Lions). He’s only 26 and would help any defensive backfield.
The free-agent frenzy isn’t over for the Riders yet the shopping trip has already been a success. Now it’s just a matter of seeing what else is in store.