Saskatchewan sticking with Jones
Roughriders reportedly extend their head coach
Chris Jones has agreed to a contract extension with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
A CFL source confirmed Monday that Jones and Saskatchewan have reached the agreement. The Riders are expected to announce the deal today.
Following the 2017 season, Saskatchewan signed Jones, the Riders’ head coach/GM, to a contract extension that took him through the 2019 campaign.
This most recent move comes after Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports said at least two NFL teams had “done extensive research” on Jones.
Jones, 51, of South Pittsburgh, Tenn., joined the Riders in 2016 after leading the Edmonton Eskimos to a Grey Cup title the year before as their head coach.
The Riders have steadily improved under Jones, registering five, 10 and 12 regularseason wins in each of the last three seasons. Saskatchewan finished second in the West Division this year with a 12-6 record before losing 23-18 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the conference semifinal minus starting quarterback Zach Collaros.
In five CFL seasons, Jones has compiled a 53-37 regular-season record.
Jones is 4-3 in the playoffs and has won four Grey Cups over his CFL coaching tenure with Montreal (2002), Calgary (2008), Toronto (2012) and Edmonton.
Stampeders release Singleton to sign with NFL team
CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders have released all-star linebacker Alex Singleton to sign with an NFL team.
The Stampeders did not identify which NFL team will sign Singleton, but media reports say it’s the Philadelphia Eagles.
He worked out with the Eagles in the off-season along with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers.
“Today is bittersweet,” Singleton tweeted Monday. “To the city of Calgary, thank you, I am so thankful I will always be able to call you HOME.
“To the fans, thank you — without you, we are nothing. To the team, thank you for the opportunity to live my dream. To my teammates, thank you for every moment! #YYC #gostamps.”
Singleton led the CFL in tackles in 2018 with 129. He recorded eight in the Grey Cup to help Calgary secure the championship with a 27-16 win over Ottawa.
Singleton was also named the CFL’s top defensive player in 2017 after registering 123 tackles.
The 25-year-old from Thousand Oaks, Calif., was scheduled to become a free agent next month.
Singleton was deemed a Canadian by the CFL because his mother was born in Toronto and the Stampeders took him in the first round, No. 7 overall, of the 2016 CFL draft.
Blue Bombers ink kicker Medlock to 2-year contract extension
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Monday that they’ve agreed to terms with kicker Justin Medlock on a two-year contract extension.
Medlock was scheduled to become a free agent next month.
“As we headed into free agency, once again Justin was high on the list of players we needed to have back in our organization,” GM Kyle Walters said in a statement. “Kickers like Justin just don’t come around often, and his dedication to his craft, work ethic, attention to detail and overall professionalism all add up to being a truly elite talent in our league at his position. “We are thrilled to have him back.” Medlock made 42-of-47 field goals (89.4 per cent) this past season and was the only kicker in the CFL to make all of his convert attempts (52). He also led the league with 13 punts placed inside an opponent’s 10-yard line.
In three seasons with Winnipeg, Medlock has made 158-of-185 field goals (85.4 per cent) and 140-of-141 converts.