By Joel Gasson

Foley signs extension with Riders

Dec 18, 2014 | 4:18 PM

The news we all knew was coming finally came on Thursday as the Riders announced the awaited contract extension with Canadian defensive end Ricky Foley.

Foley let it be known on garbage bag day back in November that a deal was close to be done and that it would be announced soon.

Soon ended up being about a month-and-a-half.

“He likes the press, so we tried to drag it out a little bit more than usual,” joked Riders vice president and general manager Brendan Taman.

In reality, the deal was held up a little bit because of some details within the contract. Details of the actual contract itself were not released. Now, Taman is just glad it’s done.

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“He’s a good Canadian. Obviously, you want those guys around,” noted Taman.

This time last year, Foley had been batting around the idea of retiring. He was coming off personal back-to-back Grey Cup championships and the thought of going out on top certainly crossed his mind.

Fast forward one year and Foley didn’t think about hanging up the cleats for even a second.

“Once I decided to come back, I’m coming back until they tell me I can’t play anymore,” he said.

The decision for Foley to re-sign in Saskatchewan was an easy one. For Foley it came down to three things. First, he loves his teammates. Second, he believes in what Taman and head coach Corey Chamblin are building. Third, Foley continues to be blown away by the community.

“It’s great out here. I lived in a new area this year, I lived in the south end. I don’t know who cut my grass all year, but whoever did, thank you. My driveway was getting shoveled by area kids,” said Foley.

Foley would also be stopped in the streets to have conversation with just about anyone. Even people who may have been typically put off by a large man in a cut-off shirt covered in tattoos.

In Foley’s mind, there’s nowhere else in the CFL anyone should want to play.

“It’s hard to leave. It may be hard to get guys to come here, because of the whole stereotype of Regina and the cold and what not. You get guys here, I don’t know, there’s got to be a pretty big reason to leave here.”

Two years ago when Foley first signed with the Riders he admitted on The Green Zone that day that previously he had never once thought about coming to Saskatchewan. Now, Foley feels it’s one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

News and Notes

Taman told reporters on Thursday that offensive lineman Ben Heenan has some workouts scheduled with NFL teams. He also expects a few more requests for Heenan to come in.

As The Green Zone told you on Wednesday, the Riders are poised to hire Jacques Chapdelaine as their next offensive coordinator. Taman said on Thursday that negotiations are on-going on that front.

Taman also said despite reports by Scott Mitchell of the Calgary Sun, the team has not made any contact with Stampeders defensive line coach DeVon Claybrooks to be their next defensive coordinator. Everyone they have talked to about the job is currently free to talk with whoever they want.

The Riders also released fullback Tim Cronk, defensive back Carlos Thomas, and defensive linemen Trevor Guyton and Hilee Taylor. Taman suggested there could be some more moves of that nature coming.

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On Twitter: @princealbertnow