By Joel Gasson

4 more years of Weston Dressler as a Roughrider

Jan 30, 2015 | 3:43 PM

Rider Nation is chanting “four more years” with the news that star receiver and fan favourite Weston Dressler signed an extension on Friday.

The news shouldn’t come as much of a surprise after Riders assistant general manager Jeremy O’Day suggested that talks had kick-started between the team and Dressler’s camp after a bit of a quiet period.

What is surprising is the length of the deal, a nearly unheard of four year extension.

“That actually came more from my end. Just not having to go through this part of it for a while. That was one thing we wanted to put in there from my end,” said Dressler.

Dressler simply did not want to be a free agent again any time soon. Over the last calendar year he had been twice; once before signing the NFL and again after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs before the end of their training camp.

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Riders’ vice-president and general manager Brendan Taman admits that he originally said no to the length of the deal suggesting that it was too long.

Eventually, the deal started to grow on him and the idea of a long term deal started to make sense.

“He basically finish his career here, and I think we were all for it at the end of the day,” said Taman.

For his part, Taman doesn’t remember too many deals of this length in the CFL. Perhaps the odd three year deal plus an option, but not straight four years.

Dressler had the option to test free agency on Feb. 10th but, not surprisingly decided that this was where he wanted to be. Dressler went so far as to say he hopes that he finishes his career in Saskatchewan.

“I’ve had some great years here, some great memories built. I look forward the next few years now and try and build more memories,” he said.

As usual, terms of the deal, other than the length, were not released. Taman was asked if the deal made Dressler the highest paid receiver on the team, he only answered maybe.

For his part, Dressler is happy with whatever he is getting paid in the deal.

No matter what the number is, Taman insists the team isn’t in some big cap crunch like many may believe.

“Weston’s figure came in right about where we targeted it,” he said, adding they don’t have to try and shed some salary to make moves going forward.

Dressler was one of two big potential free agents receivers that could have become available in just a few days. The other was Alouettes receiver S.J. Green who just signed a three year extension with Montreal the other day.

Dressler suggested that deal had no bearing on what he might do when it comes to the Riders and what that deal might be, adding that they had a pretty good framework for this deal in place before Green signed his deal.

No matter how or why the deal got done, Taman admits it’s a relief to get it done as it might have been difficult to show his face around town if he didn’t.

“It wouldn’t have been very good, quite frankly. I’m not popular at times, but that really wouldn’t have helped my cause, I’m sure. I wouldn’t have been going to too many restaurants, no.”

Now, for at least a day, Taman will be Mr. Popular.

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