PATRICK HAPPY TO RESIGN

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have re-signed safety James Patrick.
Photograph by: Mike Cassese, Reuters files

REGINA — In the end, James Patrick couldn't bring himself to move.

The 27-year-old safety, who became a CFL free agent Feb. 15, re-signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Tuesday.

"It's going to be good to be back home and playing in front of those fans," Patrick said from Tuskegee, Ala. "I'm looking forward to being back and doing it all again."
Financial details of the deal weren't released. Patrick said the pact was for one year with an option.

"Teams were interested, but I stayed with the Riders — which I'm happy about," Patrick said. "It's a good environment to play in, the fans were great and so were the coaching staff and the players."

Patrick had 59 tackles, 17 special-teams tackles, six pass knockdowns, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 18 regular-season games with Saskatchewan last season.

In 2008, Patrick started one game at safety for the Roughriders but also played other positions in the secondary. He played in 17 games, registering nine tackles, seven special-teams stops, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

"He's under-rated in some ways," Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman said. "If you take a look at him, he does a lot of things for us — he plays safety, plays special teams, has cover skills, hustles. The coaches evaluated him at a pretty high level."

Having re-signed, Patrick will get an opportunity to continue his development in the Roughriders' defensive backfield.

"That's what I'm looking forward to," he said. "Hopefully I can carry over as a leader in the secondary and help this team win a championship."

Patrick's signing — and that of quarterback Steven Jyles with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — leaves the Roughriders with five remaining free agents: Defensive tackle Marcus Adams, tailback Wes Cates, defensive back Eddie Davis, wide receiver Gerran Walker, and offensive lineman Cliff Washburn.

Taman said he's still talking with Adams, Cates and Davis. Walker is expected to sign elsewhere, while the Roughriders don't plan to offer Washburn a contract.

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com