Return man Jason Armstead made an appearance at Roughrider practice at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Tuesday, September 1, 2009.
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
REGINA — Jason Armstead made what the Saskatchewan Roughriders hope is the first of his many happy returns Tuesday.
Armstead, who spent 1 1/2 CFL seasons with the Roughriders starting in 2006, was added Tuesday to the Riders’ practice roster. The receiver-returner is expected to handle kickoff and punt returns when the Riders play host to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday.
“Obviously we’re at the very bottom of the (CFL’s) punt-return chart,’’ Kavis Reed, the Riders’ special teams co-ordinator, said after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I believe that Jason will be a definite upgrade. We’re looking forward to his speed, his intelligence and his ability to break tackles.’’
Armstead, 30, and the Riders parted company for the first time midway through the 2007 season. After complaining about his role with team, Armstead apparently requested a trade. The Riders accommodated him on Aug. 19, 2007, sending him to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for slotback Chris Getzlaf and receiver-returner Corey Holmes.
Armstead later told the Leader-Post that he had not demanded a trade. Riders officials and Armstead disagreed but on Tuesday he was back in Regina.
“That was business,’’ said Armstead, who was acquired by the Riders in 2006 in a dispersal draft of players from the defunct Ottawa Renegades. “Saskatchewan brought me here during the dispersal draft and it was the kind of place that uplifted me. It’s home for me and it’s good to be back.’’
Since being traded to the Tiger-Cats, Armstead has played with the Montreal Alouettes and the Blue Bombers. He was released by the Blue Bombers in March after an alleged domestic violence incident with his girlfriend.
Armstead, who was released on bond, said the charge was reduced to the lesser one of simple verbal assualt. It’s believed the charge was settled with a fine of $300. Armstead said he has put that situation behind him.
Joe Womack, the Riders’ director of player personel, said he didn’t see any similarities between their signing Armstead and the Bombers’ apparent signing of oft-arrested and oft-suspended Adam (Pacman) Jones.
“(Jason) didn’t threaten his girlfriend,’’ said Womack. “It was a heated argument but it wasn’t a threat. He’s had a good record in the league and has been very productive since he left us. We felt that we needed to upgrade our return situation and with Jason being in great shape, he was a logical choice for us.’’
Armstead dressed for 14 games in 2008 with the Alouettes and Blue Bombers. He had 44 kickoff returns for 960 yards along with 76 punt returns for 728 yards and one touchdown.
In 23 games with the Riders, he had 85 punt returns for 783 yards and a touchdown. He had 32 kickoff returns for 478 yards.
In 23 games with the Riders, he had 85 punt returns for 783 yards and a touchdown. He had 32 kickoff returns for 478 yards.
Armstead is the last Rider to return a kick for a touchdown. He did that July 20, 2007 when he returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown against the Edmonton Eskimos.
“That’s the reason why we brought him in,’’ said Reed. “He’s a proven commodity and we want to make sure that we give him every opportunity in practice to get his eyes and his legs back in terms of catching and securing the ball. We expect big things from him.’’
“That’s the reason why we brought him in,’’ said Reed. “He’s a proven commodity and we want to make sure that we give him every opportunity in practice to get his eyes and his legs back in terms of catching and securing the ball. We expect big things from him.’’
Armstead was in Mississippi hoping for a call from a CFL team looking for help with its special teams. The Riders made the call and on Tuesday, Armstead spent additional time fielding punts and kickoffs from Jamie Boreham on the natural turf practice field.
“Being at home, you very seldom have quarterbacks, moreso a punter,’’ said Armstead. “I didn’t have access to either at home. I wanted to get some punts under me. Football is like riding a bike but you still have to stay tuned in with it.’’
NOTES: Armstead is expected to take Eric Morris’s roster spot when the Riders play the Blue Bombers . . . Left offensive tackle Bobby Harris was on the sidelines for most of Tuesday’s practice. Riders head coach Ken Miller didn’t know if Harris would play on Sunday. Right guard Marc Parenteau was also rested on Tuesday because of a knee injury. Miller expects Parenteau to be fitted with a brace and play Sunday. If Harris doesn’t play, veteran Gene Makowsky may fill in at left tackle. It’s possible that import Antonio Hall, who was added to the roster on Monday, would fill in at left guard.
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