ROOSEVELT’S RETURN GOOD FOR TEAM UNITY
Murray McCormick weighs in on how the retooling Saskatchewan Roughriders fared through the opening days of this year’s unusually frenetic CFL free agency period
ANOTHER TERM FOR ROOSEVELT
The Riders made it official Friday that international slotback Naaman Roosevelt had re-signed a one-year deal. It’s worth $165,000, plus incentives, according to 3DownNation.
The salary is reflective of Roosevelt’s contributions in 2016 and 2017, when he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, rather than in 2018 when he had 570 yards. The drop-off was more a result of Saskatchewan’s struggling offence than a reflection of Roosevelt’s production.
The 31-year-old slotback still has game on and off the field. Roosevelt was often the player organizing outings and dinners for the receivers during the season. He’s smart and articulate, making him a go-to player for the media.
The Riders also addressed their international receiving depth on Friday by signing Emmanuel Arceneaux (B.C. Lions) to a oneyear deal.
His eighth season with the Lions was cut short when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament halfway through 2018.
ZACH IS BACK
Part of moving on from Saskatchewan’s anemic offence in 2018 was the hope of a fresh start at quarterback with Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge both departing via free agency.
With the Big Three free-agent quarterbacks signing elsewhere, however, the Riders weren’t left with many options other than Collaros. On the plus side, he’s only 30 and knows the Riders’ offensive schemes.
There isn’t any escaping his injury history, so the Riders have to keep him upright.
The signing of Cody Fajardo is a solid transaction to acquire a backup quarterback. He’s also proficient in short-yardage situations, recording 42 carries for 108 yards and five touchdowns during the 2018 season with the Lions.
Considering Collaros’ injury history, Fajardo also should be prepared for some game action.
OPPORTUNITY KNOX
The Roughriders need a weakside linebacker and Jeff Knox Jr. remains on the open market.
The former Rider has slipped under the radar recently because his focus has been on landing an NFL contract. Knox Jr. started his CFL career with the Green and White for two-plus seasons.
He spent the second half of the 2018 season with the Toronto Argonauts, for whom he had 31 defensive tackles and four special-teams tackles.
Knox’s production during his time with the Riders is enough to warrant consideration.
In 2015, he was Saskatchewan’s nominee for most outstanding player, most outstanding defensive player and rookie of the year.
He also set a Riders single-season record with 114 defensive tackles and chipped in 10 special-teams tackles. In 2016, he had 65 defensive tackles and 19 special-teams tackles.
The Riders released Knox after the 2016 season to pursue NFL opportunities, which fostered good relations because he returned for the second half of the 2017 season.
The departure of Samuel Eguavoen for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins has created an opening and Knox would bring a similar skill set to the position.
JUST FOR KICKS
Placekicker Brett Lauther wasn’t a free agent, but signing him to a contract extension through the 2020 season is a nice reward for an outstanding 2018 season.
Lauther, a West Division allstar, connected on 90 per cent of his field-goal attempts in 2018. He also was 4-for-4 during the Riders’ 23-18 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the West Division semifinal.
Tyler Crapigna, also under contract for the 2019 season, had an 86.4-per-cent success rate on field-goal attempts in two-plus seasons with the Riders.
WHAT’S AHEAD?
The Riders could use a national receiver and another Canadian offensive lineman.
Fortunately, there are freeagent options available.
B.C.’s Shaq Johnson may be the national the Riders need as a boundary receiver. He is coming off a 2018 season where he had 28 receptions for 336 yards and three touchdowns.
Mike Filer spent the past seven seasons, primarily at centre, with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Former Rider Josiah St. John also is still available. The first overall pick in the 2016 CFL draft battled a contract holdout and injuries.