Riders lure another former Eskimo to Saskatchewan

Slowly, but surely, Chris Jones is reassembling his old Edmonton Eskimos roster in Saskatchewan.

First it was practically the entire Eskimos' coaching staff he convinced to defect, then several players he won a Grey Cup with too.

Shamawd Chambers, Kendial Lawrence andOtha Fosterfollowed Jones down the path to Regina.

You can now add Willie Jefferson's name to the list, which now totals nineplayers who were with Jones in Edmonton in 2015.

After an unsuccessful bid to crack the Washington Redskins' roster, Jefferson opted to follow his old coach rather than head back to familiar territory in Edmonton.

With likely only fivegames left to this season, it was somewhat surprising Jefferson chose the Riders and their threeand 10 record, rather than the Eskimos, a team with at least a decent shot at the playoffs.

"I'm really just anxious to get back playing under Coach Jones. I was talking to him earlier and it looks like we have the same plays from last year so I'm feeling real comfortable coming in and just playing right off the bat." said Jefferson after arriving in Regina on Wednesday.

"I know how he sets up his meetings, how he sets up practice, how he interacts with his players and how he gets to know his players, you get to like that in a coach. People just gravitate around him."

Jefferson is hoping to be in the lineup when the Riders play in Ottawa on Oct. 7.

What the Riders get in Jefferson is a defensive lineman with CFL experience who has 10sacks over the last two seasons and a Grey Cup ring.

"We're forward thinkers and we try to think what would be best for the future not only right now. He's a guy who is tremendously versatile, he's a tremendous athlete and he can play threeor fourpositions for us." said Jones calling Willie Jefferson one of his guys.

Jones not done yet

Another one of Jones' guys is Aaron Grymes.

Grymes also played under Jones in Edmonton. The former all-star linebacker was said to be making a serious push to make the Philadelphia Eagles as a cornerback until suffering a shoulder injury in a NFL pre-season game.

The Eagles released the 25-year-old with a 'waived/injured' designation which means he is still being paid by the Eagles while he recovers from the injury.

Grymes' options may include a practice roster spot in Philadelphia or go back to Canada.

Chris Jones confirmedhe's been talking with Grymes who is currently in Idaho with his daughter.