CLERMONT ALL ABOUT BUSINESS

Roughriders slotback Jason Clermont
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

VANCOUVER — Jason Clermont touched down Thursday in Vancouver with his feet firmly on the ground.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback is treating Friday's game against the B.C. Lions as a business trip and nothing more. Friday's game (8:30 p.m.) is Clermont's first at BC Place since since he was released by B.C. in December after seven seasons with the Lions.

"I've seen the town and I've been back a couple of times,'' Clermont said Thursday. "Since December, I've cleared out my condo and I've been back for a wedding. There will be plenty of time to see Vancouver for the rest of my life. I'm here to help my team win a football game.''
Clermont will pursue that goal in familiar surroundings.

"I know the field because I've probably played 50 games there,'' said Clermont. "I know what the stadium is like and I know where the lights are. It will just be a little bit different being on the visitors' side.''
The circumstances are also different from when Clermont was a star slotback with the Lions. B.C. is reeling at 1-4 and is last in the CFL's West Division. The Riders are tied for first in the West with the Edmonton Eskimos at 3-2.

The Lions have made changes, including demoting starting middle linebacker Javy Glatt. He has been replaced by JuJuan Armour, who was with the Lions (2004 and 2005), the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2006 and 2007) and the Calgary Stampeders in 2008.

Glatt and Clermont are close friends. They were both in each other's wedding party, were roommates, and they lived together for a few years. They are in constant contact and Clermont sympathizes with his friend's plight.

"I feel sorry for him but football is a game where you have to make the most of your opportunities,'' said Clermont. "I'm confident that we will have other opportunities to make the most of them they come up.''
Glatt had started five games before being demoted by Lions general manager and head coach Wally Buono. Glatt, a West Division all-star in 2008, said he will still be involved on special teams but is unsure how much he will play on defence. Glatt said Thursday he appreciated a call from Clermont earlier in the week about what transpired.

"He told me about the respect they had for me as a team,'' said Glatt. "When you get beat down like I have been, it's nice to hear guys say that. Life throws you curveballs but you have to deal with it.''
It's hardly a triumphant return for Clermont, who signed with his hometown Riders on Dec. 12. Clermont has been limited to seven receptions for 81 yards over the last five games. Those are hardly the numbers that helped Clermont win the CFL's most outstanding Canadian in 2004 and 2007 and the league's top rookie in 2002. Clermont has publicly accepted his limited role with the Riders.

"You would never hear him complain'' said Glatt. "First, he's accomplished way too much in his career to whine. He's won three major awards in seven years and everyone knows how tough he is. He didn't go from an A-plus football player to a non-factor overnight. He's just not getting the opportunities.''

Clermont was part of an off-season purge of veterans by Buono. Clermont doesn't take any particular joy in watching his former team struggle.

"I want every team in the West to struggle with the exception of the Roughriders,'' Clermont said. "Every game we win, I want the West teams to lose. I want to separate ourselves from them. That's all that I care about.''

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