Hardrick to the Riders

[The Zipp]

Sources: CFL all-star OL Jermarcus Hardrick agrees to terms with Saskatchewan Roughriders....that is a loss for sure.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/05/sources-american-ol-jermarcus-hardrick-agrees-to-terms-with-saskatchewan-roughriders/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Tehedra]

That sucks; to the riders of all teams!  Good luck to Hardrick he was always a productive member of our O-Line.

[GOLDMEMBER]

This is a loss. Especially from a rah rah team guy perspective. Too bad he will be on a. Ralph team now. He is getting quite up there in age though.

[theaardvark]

Wow, the Riders must have made him a very lucrative offer.  Walters and his crew know what each player we have is capable of, and what his value is.  I do not doubt Hardrick's heart and what he brings in the locker-room, and the fact that he is coming off an all star year, but every player has a max value. 

He goes back to SSK, who released him in 2016...

Wonder if SSK will move him to LT, for the price they will be paying him, that might be necessary.

[kkc60]

it'll be interesting to see whether we made the right choice in keeping Bryant over him. With that being said, I am sure Hardrick commanded more than Bryant

[Jesse]

Riders made him the highest paid OL in the league. Good for him.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Riders made him the highest paid OL in the league. Good for him.

Farhan reporting

Hardrick's 2 year deal will pay him 230.5k in each season. 120k signing bonus.


I think for that amount, they could have signed Brady.

[drahgon]

Sad to see him go, but good for him on getting paid! Wish him the best except on labour day and banjo bowl gamedays!

[GOLDMEMBER]

Farhan reporting

Hardrick's 2 year deal will pay him 230.5k in each season. 120k signing bonus.


I think for that amount, they could have signed Brady.

LOL yikes. Big bucks for. Declining underperforming OT. Frankly I was surprised he won OL of the year last year! He is a emotional catalyst but his play was declining for a while now to me.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Riders made him the highest paid OL in the league. Good for him.

[theaardvark]

Ho lee crap

I love me some Jemarcus, but the highest paid OL in the league?  That's some serious $SMS panic in SSK.  I guess they want to keep Harris upright, and think Hardrick can move over to LT effectively.

Every $SMS used out there paying our studs is one less $SMS those teams have to take advantage of the deals that will come after the top guys are off the board...

I think we will be fine, plus there seems to be some serious beef coming into camp to compete.  Intriqued by Vanterpool... from his draft diamonds report:

Vanterpool was the only offensive lineman in the Mountain West to not give up a sack in at least 500 snaps, and one of two offensive linemen nationally without a penalty in at least 900 snaps.

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2023/03/micah-vanterpool-2/

Looks like he had a sniff from the Pats and some USFL interest...

[Blue In BC]

Well that's unfortunate but it's an SMS issue to pay him that much. I guess that will mean that Richmond is the leading candidate to take over the RT spot. Expect lots of competition in TC though.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ho lee crap

I love me some Jemarcus, but the highest paid OL in the league?  That's some serious $SMS panic in SSK.  I guess they want to keep Harris upright, and think Hardrick can move over to LT effectively.

Every $SMS used out there paying our studs is one less $SMS those teams have to take advantage of the deals that will come after the top guys are off the board...

I think we will be fine, plus there seems to be some serious beef coming into camp to compete.  Intriqued by Vanterpool... from his draft diamonds report:

Vanterpool was the only offensive lineman in the Mountain West to not give up a sack in at least 500 snaps, and one of two offensive linemen nationally without a penalty in at least 900 snaps.

https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2023/03/micah-vanterpool-2/

Looks like he had a sniff from the Pats and some USFL interest...

Trust the Riders to take a good player and stick him in an unfamiliar position, but they've tried it before with Travis Bond a LG moved to LT and Derrick Dennis moved inside, neither time worked.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

At 230 K Jamarcus made the best move financially at the end of his career.   I doubt if he goes more than 2 years and good luck to him!   I think it would have been too steep a price for us to bear and we still haven't signed many of our top FA's....the business side of football isn't for the faint of heart.

[Horseman]

I guess Jamarcus will hold his nose and sign that Riders contract.

[theaardvark]

Didn't realize that Hardrick is 4 years younger than Bryant... I thought they were the same age for some reason...

No reporting on what Big Stan re-signed for... have to wonder what it was...

[Pete]

I've been expecting teams to throw big money contracts at our free agents the last few years, we are fortunate to not have had it happen sooner. There does not seem to be any rhyme nor reason to the positions. The only nonspecialist position that has not seen a 200k player is defensive back and until this year running back.

[dd]

it'll be interesting to see whether we made the right choice in keeping Bryant over him. With that being said, I am sure Hardrick commanded more than Bryant

Not even close as to whose better, Bryant by a mile. Don't know how he got the nod out of Winnipeg let alone win the league award, the guy got beat like a dog during the grey cup. Teams have figured out, if you're going to rush from the edge, bring it from hardricks side and you'll get to Collaros . Ridiculous amount riders paid him, absolutely ridiculous

[Blueforlife]

He will earn that cake.  Sad day for the Bombers but can't afford em all.

[J5V]

Wow! Wish you well Yosh! Thanks for the great years as a Bomber.

[TecnoGenius]

Disappointed.  But for that money it leaves Yoshi and WFC no choice.  You have to take that money.

No hard feelings; love me some fire-eyes Yoshi.  I'll miss his enthusiasm.  So will the locker room, from all the little things I've heard over the years.  Good luck to him on his big payday.  Hope he can milk it to fund his retirement.

[TecnoGenius]

This leaves a massive gaping and nasty hole in our OL.  We have a big problem right now.  Richmond isn't anywhere near Yoshi level; everything we've seen so far indicates he's not a starter.

I think it's more likely we put Neufeld or Gray at RT.  Assuming we re-sign Gray.  But we don't need the ratio help... *unless* we are forced IMP for RB.

The only other option is we make a shrewd mid-priced FA IMP acquisition, like we did when we originally snatched up Yosh and Stan.

Hoping a TC scouting find will be the magic puzzle piece is a pipe dream.  The odds of that are astronomical.  The best we've done in 3 seasons of scouting is Richmond.  Too bad we let McGloster walk, as he's now a pretty good, GC-winning RT...

If left with no options, let's look at Landon Rice, RT, FA from MTL, MB boy.  He'd probably like to play at home in his alma mater, at a discount.  He's nearing retirement, and he is serviceable.  His team did vastly improve when they started McGloster at RT, though.  But he might do a better job than thrusting Gray or Neufeld or a substandard IMP onto the end.

I really hope KW was already planning around this or we'll be in deep doo-doo come week 1.

[Jesse]

Didn't realize that Hardrick is 4 years younger than Bryant... I thought they were the same age for some reason...

No reporting on what Big Stan re-signed for... have to wonder what it was...

Well, Bryant was at 190k last season and reportedly took a bit of a cut. So much less than Hardrick..

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

This leaves a massive gaping and nasty hole in our OL.  We have a big problem right now.  Richmond isn't anywhere near Yoshi level; everything we've seen so far indicates he's not a starter.

I think it's more likely we put Neufeld or Gray at RT.  Assuming we re-sign Gray.  But we don't need the ratio help... *unless* we are forced IMP for RB.

The only other option is we make a shrewd mid-priced FA IMP acquisition, like we did when we originally snatched up Yosh and Stan.

Hoping a TC scouting find will be the magic puzzle piece is a pipe dream.  The odds of that are astronomical.  The best we've done in 3 seasons of scouting is Richmond.  Too bad we let McGloster walk, as he's now a pretty good, GC-winning RT...

If left with no options, let's look at Landon Rice, RT, FA from MTL, MB boy.  He'd probably like to play at home in his alma mater, at a discount.  He's nearing retirement, and he is serviceable.  His team did vastly improve when they started McGloster at RT, though.  But he might do a better job than thrusting Gray or Neufeld or a substandard IMP onto the end.

I really hope KW was already planning around this or we'll be in deep doo-doo come week 1.

I think Walters saw this coming and already has it figured out, the tell was re-signing Kola at C, they'll move Eli to LG, and Gray (if re-signed) moves to RT. Neufeld has played there a few times but doesn't have adequate mobility on the edge, so leave him at RG.  If they can't resign Gray, they could always bring back Eric Lofton who played LT for Sask. last season, but was on the Bomber PR in 2022 and played one game at RT in place of Yoshi, he'd be a cheap replacement.  Whether they go 3 or 4 Natls. on the O-line may be determined by Brady's fate.

[Jesse]

I think Walters saw this coming and already has it figured out, the tell was re-signing Kola at C, they'll move Eli to LG, and Gray (if re-signed) moves to RT. Neufeld has played there a few times but doesn't have adequate mobility on the edge, so leave him at RG.  If they can't resign Gray, they could always bring back Eric Lofton who played LT for Sask. last season, but was on the Bomber PR in 2022 and played one game at RT in place of Yoshi, he'd be a cheap replacement.  Whether they go 3 or 4 Natls. on the O-line may be determined by Brady's fate.

Your also forgeting Dobson.

I don't really see them moving Gray. If he re-signs, he'll probably be right back at LG.

[blue_gold_84]

Another O'Day Overpay. But good for Hardrick to cash in on a new contract.

I'll miss the Hardrick Hops.

[The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB]

Farhan reporting

Hardrick's 2 year deal will pay him 230.5k in each season. 120k signing bonus.


I think for that amount, they could have signed Brady.

He should sign the contract, then promptly retire ala Darian Durant and take that fat 120K bonus LOL

[LXTSN]

He will be huge for their morale in Sask! He is much more than just a great OL, he is a leader and he will be missed. 

[kkc60]

This leaves a massive gaping and nasty hole in our OL.  We have a big problem right now.  Richmond isn't anywhere near Yoshi level; everything we've seen so far indicates he's not a starter.

I think it's more likely we put Neufeld or Gray at RT.  Assuming we re-sign Gray.  But we don't need the ratio help... *unless* we are forced IMP for RB.

The only other option is we make a shrewd mid-priced FA IMP acquisition, like we did when we originally snatched up Yosh and Stan.

Hoping a TC scouting find will be the magic puzzle piece is a pipe dream.  The odds of that are astronomical.  The best we've done in 3 seasons of scouting is Richmond.  Too bad we let McGloster walk, as he's now a pretty good, GC-winning RT...

If left with no options, let's look at Landon Rice, RT, FA from MTL, MB boy.  He'd probably like to play at home in his alma mater, at a discount.  He's nearing retirement, and he is serviceable.  His team did vastly improve when they started McGloster at RT, though.  But he might do a better job than thrusting Gray or Neufeld or a substandard IMP onto the end.

I really hope KW was already planning around this or we'll be in deep doo-doo come week 1.

I disagree. They would not have kept Richmond all these years if they did not see some sort of potential with him. Whether he's good enough or not, I really don't think we can make that assessment until he gets more consistent playing time

[ModAdmin]

I disagree. They would not have kept Richmond all these years if they did not see some sort of potential with him. Whether he's good enough or not, I really don't think we can make that assessment until he gets more consistent playing time

Believe Richmond has retired.

[kkc60]

Believe Richmond has retired.

yup, jinxed it. Still, plenty of time to add a guy. The recent signing from Hawaii (Vanterpool?) is intriguing

[theaardvark]

yup, jinxed it. Still, plenty of time to add a guy. The recent signing from Hawaii (Vanterpool?) is intriguing

And they brought back Christopher Ivy who was here last year...