December 18, 2014

Green Christmas: Foley, Riders agree to extension

Derek Mortensen/CFL.ca

CFL.ca Staff
#CFLFA15

REGINA — Christmas came early for Saskatchewan Roughriders fans on Thursday, as the team announced that defensive end Ricky Foley has agreed to a contract extension.

The 32-year-old tied fifth in the league with 12 sacks last season, his second as a Roughrider, adding 54 tackles and a fumble recovery. He was an integral part of the Riders’ league-leading D-line, while his leadership and hard-nosed attitude provide what can’t be measured by statistics.

The Riders also announced they have released upcoming free agents Tim Cronk, Trevor Guyton, Hilee Taylor and Carlos Thomas. 

The news comes a week after the team also re-signed defensive tackle Tearrius George, officially locking up the Riders’ front four through the 2015 season.

For a team that led the CFL with 61 sacks, including 51 from the defensive line alone, keeping the league’s most potent defensive line intact bodes well for defensive success — especially as the team enters a new era with the departure of Richie Hall from the defensive coordinator position.

Foley joined the Riders in 2013, capping off a memorable first season in Saskatchewan with a storybook ending — a win in the 101st Grey Cup on home turf. Last year’s season was another memorable one, more for Foley’s individual accomplishments, however, than the team’s first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Eskimos.