Ex-NFLer Richardson balks at signing with Roughriders

Trent Richardson is apparently a running back with a change of direction.

The former University of Alabama Crimson Tide star, who was third in 2011 Heisman Trophy voting, was reportedly poised to join the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders before having second thoughts.

“He’s on our (negotiation) list. We’ve had discussions with him,” Roughriders head coach/GM Chris Jones said Tuesday. “Evidently, there are some problems getting him here. He was supposed to be up here already. He’s not here, so we’ll see if he ever gets up here to play.”

The 3DownNation.com website reported Tuesday that Richardson was to embark for Regina to complete a deal — and that was certainly the plan.

However, Matt Zenitz of AL.com subsequently revealed that Richardson had reservations other than those pertaining to a flight. He was wary of signing a customary two-year CFL contract (including a team option for Year 2) because he would have been locked in through the 2018 season.

“It’s one of those deals where a lot of these people think that we’re in the business of developing NFL players,” Jones said. “That’s not what we’re in the business of doing. We’re in the business of winning CFL football games.”

Richardson is the second No. 3 overall NFL draft choice to be courted by the Riders this year.

Former University of Texas Longhorns quarterback Vince Young, whom the Tennessee Titans claimed with the third pick in 2005, had an unsuccessful tryout with Saskatchewan in the spring. Richardson, 27, was picked third overall by the Cleveland Browns in 2012.

Jones was asked if he’s expecting Richardson to arrive in Saskatchewan at any point.

“I don’t even care,” said Jones, who is preparing for Friday’s game in the Alberta capital. “I’m trying to beat the Edmonton Eskimos. If he gets here, that’s great. He’ll help our football team. But right now, it doesn’t even matter to me.”