Riders Bring in Reinforcements

Saskatchewan Roughrider General Manager/VP of Football Operations Eric Tillman announced today the Riders have acquired import offensive lineman Jermese Jones from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a late-round conditional pick in the 2009 Canadian Draft. The Riders also announced the signing of import defensive lineman Eddie Freeman and import receiver Jason Mitchell.

Jones (6’6 – 330 lbs.) has spent the last four seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He started 13 regular season games and the playoff game for the Bombers last season. He started his CFL career with the B.C. Lions in 2002 after attending the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Jones spent four years at the University of Virginia, starting his last two at left tackle.

"In Jermese we are acquiring an experienced tackle who has the confidence and respect of Mike Gibson, who coached him in Winnipeg,” stated Tillman. “Jermese is a big, big man, a smart guy and possesses excellent character."

"Speaking of big, Eddie Freeman's picture is next to that word in the dictionary.  Ironically, enough, his ability to move well is one of his greatest assets, and that will certainly help him given the pace of our game and the larger field.  Given the early performances of Marcus (Adams) and Andrew (Browning), it's really going to be an interesting battle for that spot."

Freeman (6’6 – 318 lbs.) joins the Riders after spending four years in the NFL. Freeman dressed in 20 games for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2003 and 2004 and collected 19 defensive tackles and four quarterback sacks. He spent the next two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mitchell (6’1 – 205 lbs.) joins the Green and White after spending three seasons at USC. "Jason's game is speed.  For a 200 pound man, he can really run; you hear the number thrown around a lot, but Jason is a legit 4.4 guy.  In addition, his abilities in the return game will bring an added dimension to our training camp competition."