Jefferson excited to get Riders season underway
Saskatchewan bolsters defensive line through trade and free-agent signing
Willie Jefferson’s eyes lit WINNIPEG up while considering the potential of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence.
The defensive end couldn’t help but react that way considering the Riders’ additions to the defensive line during the CFL’s off-season.
The Riders bolstered their front four by trading for perennial allstar defensive end Charleston Hughes, signing free-agent defensive tackle Zack Evans and resigning free-agent defensive tackle Eddie Steele.
“The defensive line is the foundation of any defence,” Jefferson said during Friday’s media availability at CFL Week. “What it does is put the spotlight on me as a leader in the defensive line room. I don’t want to say it’s going to make us better, but we aren’t running away from the spotlight either.”
Who better to share that spotlight with than the 34-year-old Hughes? After all, he’s led the CFL in sacks in each of the past two seasons.
“They picked me up so the Riders’ defence should be‘ Wow !’” Hughes said with a laugh. “I can only imagine how good the defence will be this year. The sky ’s the limit as long as we come prepared and be ready to play, only good things can happen.”
The Riders got a head start on boosting the defensive line by announcing that Jefferson, a pending free agent, signed a contract extension on Feb. 4. It was a key re-signing after Jefferson led the Riders with eight sacks and a league best 37 pressures during the 2017 season.
On Feb. 1, Saskatchewan acquired Hughes from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for international quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.
Earlier that day, the Calgary Stampeders traded Hughes and a fourth-round pick (34th overall) in the 2018 draft to Hamilton for fourth-rounders in 2018 (28th overall) and 2019.
The trade capped what was a challenging day for Hughes, who had spent all 10 of his seasons with the Stampeders.
“It was somewhat of a rollercoaster, getting traded to Hamilton and then re-traded to Saskatchewan,” Hughes said. “When it comes down to it, I ended up where I’m supposed to be. Calgary traded me to Hamilton and to the East, so I’m pretty sure that they didn’t want me in the West, but, hello, I’m back! It has worked out in my favour and I’m happy to be where I am.”
The Riders are also happy to have him. Last year, the Roughriders posted the second-fewest quarterback sacks (27) in the nine-team league, despite the presence of Jefferson, an all-star defensive end.
“I can’t wait,” said defensive back Ed Gainey, who led the CFL with 10 interceptions in 2017. “Those quarterbacks are going to be sending up prayers and I’m going to be on the end of those prayers. I just know that (head coach) Chris Jones and the other coaches are doing a hell of a job getting these players in. We look really good on paper. I’m looking forward to see what they can do on the field.”
It will take time for the new players to jell with the returning veterans on the defensive line. The importance of training camp will be enhanced as the linemen get to know each other.
“We really have to understand each other because, most of the time, that’s what it comes down to when pass rushing and on the defensive line, is getting to know the person next to you,’’ Hughes said. “That’s why we’re going to spend all of camp getting to know each other. That means learning what my strengths and weaknesses are and what the guy next to me is doing, and how he can complement me as much as I can complement him.”
That partnership extends to Jefferson and Hughes.
“It makes it hard for quarterbacks to look for an escape route when they try to run away from me, and on the other side, where we have Charleston,” Jefferson said. “They can’t run away from both of us when we have Zack and Eddie in the middle. They’re going to have to get the ball out a lot faster. If that happens, it makes it easier for our defensive backs.”