REGINA -- Kitwana Jones was a wanted man in Edmonton.
That’s why the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders traded the veteran defensive end/linebacker to the Edmonton Eskimos late Thursday for rookie quarterback Juan Joseph.
“He was the one Edmonton asked for,” Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said Friday when asked why Jones and not another defensive end was sent to Edmonton. “I think (Eskimos head coach Richie Hall’s) familiarity with Kitwana and Kitwana’s knowledge of the defence that they’re probably going to use in Edmonton made him somebody who they wanted.”
“Looking at some of the things we want to do, he provides some versatility,” noted Hall, who was the Roughriders’ defensive co-ordinator before joining the Eskimos this offseason. “I’m well-acquainted with Kit and he fits a need for us. He’s someone that we feel can help our ball club.”
Jones, 27, was more than happy to rejoin Hall — and to be in demand.
“It’s good to go someplace where you’re wanted instead of being someplace where they don’t know what they’re going to do with you or have questions about you . . .,” said Jones, who spent four seasons with Saskatchewan. “The Riders are going for a new look and I wasn’t part of the equation.”
“It’s good to go someplace where you’re wanted instead of being someplace where they don’t know what they’re going to do with you or have questions about you . . .,” said Jones, who spent four seasons with Saskatchewan. “The Riders are going for a new look and I wasn’t part of the equation.”
According to sources, there was some concern about Jones’ size — that a 6-foot-0, 225-pounder isn’t big enough to play defensive end but yet is too heavy to provide pass coverage as an outside linebacker. Jones had heard that, too.
“Personally, I think they want bigger guys on the front line,” he said. “I think they also thought I was too big to be a linebacker. I don’t really get that point. I’ve never heard of being too big to play linebacker.”
Miller said it was “possible that (Jones) may have had a tough time” cracking the Roughriders’ roster because of the team’s current crop of defensive ends.
Stevie Baggs, John Chick and Seante Williams are among the returnees who play the position and Gabe Nyenhuis and Trumaine Sykes are among the imports who signed as free agents this offseason. Regina product Mike Stadnyk, a 2008 draft pick, also signed this spring.
Stevie Baggs, John Chick and Seante Williams are among the returnees who play the position and Gabe Nyenhuis and Trumaine Sykes are among the imports who signed as free agents this offseason. Regina product Mike Stadnyk, a 2008 draft pick, also signed this spring.
“I don’t know if you’d say that there were people above (Jones), but we have depth at that position,” Miller said, “and so we had the ability to trade a player like Kitwana and still have good depth at the defensive end position.”
Last season, Jones had 53 defensive tackles, 11 special-teams tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. He also had a CFL-high four fumble returns for 91 yards with two touchdowns.
Last season, Jones had 53 defensive tackles, 11 special-teams tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles. He also had a CFL-high four fumble returns for 91 yards with two touchdowns.
Jones joins linebackers Maurice Lloyd (Edmonton) and Anton McKenzie (B.C. Lions), safety Scott Gordon (Edmonton) and cornerback James Johnson (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) among the players who aren’t back from Saskatchewan’s 2008 defence.
“I don’t personally have a worry in that regard,” Miller said when asked if he was concerned about losing five potential starters. “I think we’re going to be just fine. I think we’re extremely talented on defence.”
Joseph, who signed with Edmonton on March 13, is a product of Millsaps College in Mississippi. He becomes the fourth quarterback on Saskatchewan’s roster, joining Darian Durant, Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell.
“He’ll come in and compete and we’ll just have to see how well he does,” Miller said. “Certainly he could figure into our depth as we go into the season.”
— Miller said the surgery on offensive lineman Wayne Smith’s torn left Achilles tendon wasn’t done Thursday night as first expected due to the workload in the operating room. Instead, the operation was to be done Friday.
Smith suffered the injury Thursday during a private workout session.
ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com
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Darren
May 15, 2009 - 4:24 PM
Smith suffered the injury Thursday during a private workout session.
ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com
Esks’ defensive facelift an ongoing project
Riders' Smith expected to miss entire CFL season
Rider Rumblings
Full Leader-Post Rider coverage
Darren
May 15, 2009 - 4:24 PM
Just keep giving away all of our good players!
Lucas
May 15, 2009 - 4:22 PM
Unbelievable !!!
Lynda
May 15, 2009 - 4:13 PM
Does Richie want Wes too? Will that be next Friday's announcement?
Barry Partington
May 15, 2009 - 4:09 PM
What thuh? Jones for Juan Joseph? Are you kidding? Who the heck is Juan Joseph? I'll wager this guy won't even be on the roster at the beginning of the regular season. Are tearing down the team? Who's the next starter to leave? This reeks of rebuilding...why are we rebuilding a 12-6 team? Heaven help us when we face Richie and the 'Moes. Anyway, GO RIDERS GO!
Chad
May 15, 2009 - 3:55 PM
Unbelievable....Why oh why would we get rid of a defensive end with huge talent? What kind of depth will we have if we keep trading our veterans away!! Worst of all we traded for a QB. We have never spent the time to mould a QB. We have always had a QB in the roster who could step up and get the job done when needed, but never allowed our QB's to gain the experience they needed to become a bonafid starter. For example: We traded Kevin Glenn, and didnt fight to keep Burris or Joseph here. Now all we have is Durant who will be good, then there is Steven " one read " Jyles and Dalton Bell. We have no depth at QB. Time to start develpoing a QB and quick.
Ciao Miller!!
May 15, 2009 - 3:46 PM
Who's really running the Sask Rider's, Ritchie Hall? This is what happens when your GM has more important things pressing at the moment than football and your HC knows nothing about the CFL!! In two years he's given away a league MVP, countless all-stars, and the leagues most threatening defence and still nobody's calling for his head? He too should be traded to the Eskimo's since he appears so chummy with them. Depth? Miller...the post wouldn't even print what I'd love to say about your idea of depth..take a look old man, you've provided Edmonton, Winnipeg and the Lions with depth, jerk. This team does not at any level, from coaching to the newest draftee, look like the team that strutted away with a Championship 18 months ago. New coaches, defenders, receivers and pivot. Miller did this to us....Miller should go. Watch for flying beer cans ...jerk.
Bob
May 15, 2009 - 3:38 PM
If you enjoyed the 2008 trend of this team later in the season you'll love the 2009 Riders. Thiis team is filled with newer unproven prospects AND several coaches who have never coached at this or any comparable level !! The verdict for head coach Miller and Etch is not clear yet, either.The lack of continuity here is unprecedented in recent times. Sure there are prospects but how many of these are expected to be all stars in their first season if at all? How many of the draft picks and newer players last year were impact players other than Weston Dressler? Think about it and search the 2008 media guide for people who did not compete well. Kitwana is a big play player probably playing out of position and STILL was the best Rider defensive lineman throughout the season. He played on a deplorable line with under achievers such as Adams and Schultz and the often injured Chick. The newer recruits or replacements such as Bake did not prove able to play. ALL the injuries provided an unprecedented opportunity to audtiton and discover many potential players yet this did not happen. Sometimes the relationship between correlation and causation is blurred. Tillman started strong here inheriting a team poised to win it all just as he has previously. In just a few years this team will have sunk back to the depths. That is no surprise as this is his record. Those who have witnessed the dismantling should not be surprised because spinning a 'good yarn' and building and maintaining a franchise is something quite different. ALL CFL team experience change because of the SMS and various situations. The 2009 Riders are counting on unproven coaches including two who have never coached at this level plus others who have failed elsewhere. It is sad to see how the loyal fans who struggled with this franchise for years will be disappointed once they grasp just what has been lost. To expect so many unproven players and coaches to thrive quickly in a very competitive CFL West is not very realistic. This team will again assume the mantle of the bottom of the CFL and the vaults of the franchise will quickly deplete as the newer bandwagon fans will not have the patience of those of the past. This franchise will make the sinking of the Titanic look like a tea party. Mark my words.
DAVE
May 15, 2009 - 3:33 PM
Why would they go and get a QB ? Our defense is going to be shell of last year. I honestly can't think of one upgrade on defense. Bad move. Our loss is Edmonton's gain. I hope the Riders are as good on defense as they say. We are going to see a lot of 45-40 games.
In Regina
May 15, 2009 - 3:33 PM
Bonehead move Miller, as usual!! Get rid of this goof, depth at DE? Remember the Amazing Sask Defence that kept us alive during our bad injury plague? Well it now sits in Edmonton!! John Chick missed almost an entire year and Kit was the guy. And to toss him away for a nobody who will never start a game in this league is outlandish!!! In two days the Rider's announced two huge holes we'll have and training camp hasn't even opened yet. That doesn't even factor in that we have no QB and our GM is still tied up in the courts.
Bill
May 15, 2009 - 3:32 PM
we will miss Kitwana on special teams, but not on the D line
brad
May 15, 2009 - 3:02 PM
u traded a name player which has proven himmself in the cfl for a nobody that isnt gonna crack the lineup.....an to make it worse u do it in the western division
spud
May 15, 2009 - 2:43 PM
We may be deep at def end but Kitwana also plays a good linebacker position and didn't we lose two allstar linebackers? Bad trade
deb
May 15, 2009 - 2:39 PM
good for eskimos, bad for riders.........i think it's going to be a very sad year! At least we knew what we had in Kitwana.....this qb won't play this year, maybe never.....as soon as he throws an interception or two he'll be on the bench and maybe traded!
dion
May 15, 2009 - 2:24 PM
AS AN ESKS FAN IM LOVING THIS TRADE AND CANT WAIT TO SEE THE RIDERS DEMISE AND THEY WILL FINISH LAST PLACE IN THE WEST AND THEY WILL BE LUCKY TO WIN 5 GAMES THIS YEAR GREY CUP HERE WE COME EDMONTON
Kevin S.
May 15, 2009 - 2:20 PM
I still don't know why or what it is that coaching staff see in Jyles. Media writings indicate that BELL should prosper into a top cfl QB in the near future. It sounds encouraging regarding the depth the Riders claim to have, if they can trade a player of that caliber. I hope the coaching staff are making the correct decisions. Just hope this trade does not come back to hauntingly. I feel that the RIDERS are going to be a very serious contender this season. GO GREEN GO!
Lucas
May 15, 2009 - 4:22 PM
Unbelievable !!!
Lynda
May 15, 2009 - 4:13 PM
Does Richie want Wes too? Will that be next Friday's announcement?
Barry Partington
May 15, 2009 - 4:09 PM
What thuh? Jones for Juan Joseph? Are you kidding? Who the heck is Juan Joseph? I'll wager this guy won't even be on the roster at the beginning of the regular season. Are tearing down the team? Who's the next starter to leave? This reeks of rebuilding...why are we rebuilding a 12-6 team? Heaven help us when we face Richie and the 'Moes. Anyway, GO RIDERS GO!
Chad
May 15, 2009 - 3:55 PM
Unbelievable....Why oh why would we get rid of a defensive end with huge talent? What kind of depth will we have if we keep trading our veterans away!! Worst of all we traded for a QB. We have never spent the time to mould a QB. We have always had a QB in the roster who could step up and get the job done when needed, but never allowed our QB's to gain the experience they needed to become a bonafid starter. For example: We traded Kevin Glenn, and didnt fight to keep Burris or Joseph here. Now all we have is Durant who will be good, then there is Steven " one read " Jyles and Dalton Bell. We have no depth at QB. Time to start develpoing a QB and quick.
Ciao Miller!!
May 15, 2009 - 3:46 PM
Who's really running the Sask Rider's, Ritchie Hall? This is what happens when your GM has more important things pressing at the moment than football and your HC knows nothing about the CFL!! In two years he's given away a league MVP, countless all-stars, and the leagues most threatening defence and still nobody's calling for his head? He too should be traded to the Eskimo's since he appears so chummy with them. Depth? Miller...the post wouldn't even print what I'd love to say about your idea of depth..take a look old man, you've provided Edmonton, Winnipeg and the Lions with depth, jerk. This team does not at any level, from coaching to the newest draftee, look like the team that strutted away with a Championship 18 months ago. New coaches, defenders, receivers and pivot. Miller did this to us....Miller should go. Watch for flying beer cans ...jerk.
Bob
May 15, 2009 - 3:38 PM
If you enjoyed the 2008 trend of this team later in the season you'll love the 2009 Riders. Thiis team is filled with newer unproven prospects AND several coaches who have never coached at this or any comparable level !! The verdict for head coach Miller and Etch is not clear yet, either.The lack of continuity here is unprecedented in recent times. Sure there are prospects but how many of these are expected to be all stars in their first season if at all? How many of the draft picks and newer players last year were impact players other than Weston Dressler? Think about it and search the 2008 media guide for people who did not compete well. Kitwana is a big play player probably playing out of position and STILL was the best Rider defensive lineman throughout the season. He played on a deplorable line with under achievers such as Adams and Schultz and the often injured Chick. The newer recruits or replacements such as Bake did not prove able to play. ALL the injuries provided an unprecedented opportunity to audtiton and discover many potential players yet this did not happen. Sometimes the relationship between correlation and causation is blurred. Tillman started strong here inheriting a team poised to win it all just as he has previously. In just a few years this team will have sunk back to the depths. That is no surprise as this is his record. Those who have witnessed the dismantling should not be surprised because spinning a 'good yarn' and building and maintaining a franchise is something quite different. ALL CFL team experience change because of the SMS and various situations. The 2009 Riders are counting on unproven coaches including two who have never coached at this level plus others who have failed elsewhere. It is sad to see how the loyal fans who struggled with this franchise for years will be disappointed once they grasp just what has been lost. To expect so many unproven players and coaches to thrive quickly in a very competitive CFL West is not very realistic. This team will again assume the mantle of the bottom of the CFL and the vaults of the franchise will quickly deplete as the newer bandwagon fans will not have the patience of those of the past. This franchise will make the sinking of the Titanic look like a tea party. Mark my words.
DAVE
May 15, 2009 - 3:33 PM
Why would they go and get a QB ? Our defense is going to be shell of last year. I honestly can't think of one upgrade on defense. Bad move. Our loss is Edmonton's gain. I hope the Riders are as good on defense as they say. We are going to see a lot of 45-40 games.
In Regina
May 15, 2009 - 3:33 PM
Bonehead move Miller, as usual!! Get rid of this goof, depth at DE? Remember the Amazing Sask Defence that kept us alive during our bad injury plague? Well it now sits in Edmonton!! John Chick missed almost an entire year and Kit was the guy. And to toss him away for a nobody who will never start a game in this league is outlandish!!! In two days the Rider's announced two huge holes we'll have and training camp hasn't even opened yet. That doesn't even factor in that we have no QB and our GM is still tied up in the courts.
Bill
May 15, 2009 - 3:32 PM
we will miss Kitwana on special teams, but not on the D line
brad
May 15, 2009 - 3:02 PM
u traded a name player which has proven himmself in the cfl for a nobody that isnt gonna crack the lineup.....an to make it worse u do it in the western division
spud
May 15, 2009 - 2:43 PM
We may be deep at def end but Kitwana also plays a good linebacker position and didn't we lose two allstar linebackers? Bad trade
deb
May 15, 2009 - 2:39 PM
good for eskimos, bad for riders.........i think it's going to be a very sad year! At least we knew what we had in Kitwana.....this qb won't play this year, maybe never.....as soon as he throws an interception or two he'll be on the bench and maybe traded!
dion
May 15, 2009 - 2:24 PM
AS AN ESKS FAN IM LOVING THIS TRADE AND CANT WAIT TO SEE THE RIDERS DEMISE AND THEY WILL FINISH LAST PLACE IN THE WEST AND THEY WILL BE LUCKY TO WIN 5 GAMES THIS YEAR GREY CUP HERE WE COME EDMONTON
Kevin S.
May 15, 2009 - 2:20 PM
I still don't know why or what it is that coaching staff see in Jyles. Media writings indicate that BELL should prosper into a top cfl QB in the near future. It sounds encouraging regarding the depth the Riders claim to have, if they can trade a player of that caliber. I hope the coaching staff are making the correct decisions. Just hope this trade does not come back to hauntingly. I feel that the RIDERS are going to be a very serious contender this season. GO GREEN GO!
