One Trade Down, More to Come?

I was in the Rider locker room looking at the sale of game worn jerseys, footballs and practice jerseys when news of the Ricky Foley trade for Shea Emry came over my Blackberry. I kind of rocked back when I read that, then made a quick look for any Ricky Foley jerseys but none were on the shelves.

The Rider locker room sale is a useful tool for finding out which of the players would not be expected back for next season. There weren’t any big names on the racks, but as news of the trade spread, people were of two minds.

First – Ricky Foley in two seasons was everything and more the Riders could hope for. Foley bought into Rider Nation, he enjoyed playing in front of the most passionate fans in the CFL and he was growing into the mentor role for younger Canadian players that is sorely lacking on this club. His defensive play was pretty solid too; no one could say Foley took a play off as a Rider defensive lineman.

However, the Riders were short a middle linebacker and were either going to go with a committee approach to the position or try to dredge someone up through the various free agent camps they are holding in the United States. The opportunity to nab Emry, who the Riders were pursuing in free agency two years ago, came up suddenly and the price was the Riders outstanding Canadian player from last season.

To get a good player, you have to give up a good player, at least that’s how it works in theory.  The Riders have their middle linebacker, who is happy to be in Saskatchewan by the way, and now have a spot on their defensive line to fill. There is a chance the Riders could go with a Canadian there and they have a couple of draft picks, Dylan Ainsworth and Levi Steinhaeuer, returning vet David Lee and free agent Ryan Wellman. You could get someone who can be rotated in and out safely among the four, or you could go find an American pass rusher to bookend with John Chick.

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At the locker room sale on Saturday afternoon was Tyron Brackenridge signing autographs, normally something you don’t expect to see from someone rumored to be looking to test his worth on the open market. Brackenridge made it sound like all the Riders had to do was sent him the new contract and he would sign. If that is true and Brackenridge was not blowing smoke in Rider fans eyes, then the Riders should be able to sign Weston Dressler shortly, leaving Ben Heenan as the remaining big free agent yet to sign.

Heenan is going to look at the NFL and has already worked out for a few teams. You can’t blame Heenan because all he has to do is open the paper to see Jon Ryan of Regina getting ready for his second Super Bowl in a row. Meanwhile Akiem Hicks of the University of Regina Rams is starting on the New Orleans Saints roster and Stefan Charles, also of the University of Regina Rams, is with the Buffalo Bills. Jorgen Hus, also formerly of the University of Regina Rams, signed a contract as a long snapper with the St. Louis Rams. There are a lot of former University of Regina players playing or signed in the NFL, why not a University of Saskatchewan Huskies like Heenan?

With Heenan gone at the start of the season, the Riders will likely dress another American on the offensive line in his spot. But the curious thing was no sooner than the Rider trade with Toronto with Foley and Emry announced, than the rumor mill went into overtime the Riders have another trade in the chute to come out this week and this one was described as ‘Big”.

That could involve anyone and could be as unexpected as the Foley for Emry trade. I’ll be trolling the Rider locker room this week hoping to pick up an extra hint or two, but so far, the used game worn jersey rack (jerseys are now $300 apiece and helmets are $500) has been the more solid source for figuring out who is leaving and who is coming back.

Coming here apparently is former Calgary defensive back coach Tony Missick who ranks third in Calgary defensive thinking and is looking for more responsibility. That also sounds like the Riders have seen the last of Baron Miles, who may be joining Richie Hall in Winnipeg. Missick were originally hired to replace Cory Chamblin when Chamblin went to Hamilton for his one year stint as defensive coordinator.

The Riders have brought in some competition for Chris Milo by signing, once again, Hugh O’Neill. O’Neill is formerly of the Edmonton Eskimos and you may remember his for his prize winning Duck Dynasty beard. In terms of kicking, O’Neill is a better punter than a kicker, but either way he is a bit shaky. Hopefully bouncing around the league has helped straighten his head out, but again, this move smacks a bit of recycling by the Riders by bringing in someone again who they already cut once.

The Riders may be looking to clear some payroll space for SJ Green if he chooses to sign here once free agency kicks in in another two weeks. The problem will be that Green turned down a $200,000 offer from Montreal, and if you think Dressler will likely sign for $200,000 to $250,000, salary cap space sounds like it might be a bit tight. But if the Riders make it work, it will be interesting to watch them play.

Finally, in a little mentioned move, Johnathan Himebach is leaving the Edmonton Eskimos to take over the assistant head coaching job in Toronto. Why this is important is Himebach was said to be the reason for Edmonton’s offense for producing points last season and his departure leaves Edmonton at ground zero again. The end of January is when the assistant coach’s contracts expire and it will be interesting to see where this year’s edition goes.