September 11, 2017

Jeff Knox Jr., returns to the Roughriders

There’s a pretty straightforward reason why Jeff Knox Jr., is back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I bleed green; simple as that,” the 25-year-old linebacker said Monday after his signing was announced by the CFL team.

A product of Pittsburgh, Knox spent the previous two seasons with the Roughriders. In 2015, he set a single-season franchise record with 114 defensive tackles en route to being named the team’s nominee for three league awards (most outstanding player, most outstanding defensive player and most outstanding rookie).

Knox overcame two sports hernias to play 17 games with the Roughriders last season, recording 65 defensive tackles and 20 special-teams stops. The NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers were suitably impressed and signed the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder to a free-agent contract in January.

Knox went through training camp and played three pre-season games with the Buccaneers before being released.

“I was told it was a numbers game,” he said. “It wasn’t anything I did wrong. I competed with the top guys in the world. I made it a really hard decision for the GM there and the coaching staff …

“I learned a lot, just simple things from a lot of great players down there. The experience was great and what I learned was you’ve got to work harder. You’ve got to work harder if you want to be down there.”

When Knox initially indicated he wanted to go to the NFL, he said he was looking to fulfil a lifelong dream of playing in that league. It didn’t work out — not this time, anyway — but he’s glad he took a shot.

“I wanted to see where I fit among those guys and I’m just happy I got the opportunity to play down there for a little bit,” Knox said. “You never know what the future holds.”

Knox confirmed that there was interest from “a few” teams after he was released by Tampa Bay, but he didn’t have any interest in staying on an NFL club’s practice squad.

“It’s a waiting game,” he said of going on a practice squad. “There are no guarantees. That’s what I was told by (the Bucs). Since I didn’t wait around, I’d rather start playing football first than be waiting.”

As a free agent, Knox was eligible to sign with any team in the CFL or NFL. He admitted that he heard from other CFL teams, but returning to Saskatchewan was “like coming back home.”

Loyalty to the Roughriders’ coaching staff played a large part in his decision to return. His connection with a lot of the players and to Rider Nation itself also led him to come back.

Knox, who signed for the remainder of the 2017 season, is expected to play Friday when the Roughriders visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“He has been a very good player in this league for a couple of years now,” said Saskatchewan head coach-GM Chris Jones, who kept in constant contact with Knox when he was in Tampa Bay. “He was certainly very good for us last year, so we’re very fortunate to have him back.”

Knox, who spent 12 hours travelling Sunday to get to Regina in time for Monday’s practice, spent the workout primarily on special teams. He also took some snaps on defence — and he expects to play in the linebacking corps in Hamilton.

“Jones is a mastermind,” Knox said. “He’ll find a way to move me around.”

Wherever he plays Friday, Knox promised to show off a few of the things he added to his repertoire during his time in Tampa.

“I learned a lot of great techniques and a lot of moves down there (that) I’m gonna show you all this upcoming week,” he said. “I’m quick. I’ve got some quick feet. I’ve got some hand-placement things. You’re gonna see.”

While Knox has returned to the fold, linebacker Otha Foster III — who was named the Roughriders’ most outstanding defensive player in 2016 — remains in limbo.

Foster signed with the Baltimore Ravens in the off-season but he was released at the final roster deadline. He has yet to land with another team, but his familiarity with Jones — who coached Foster in Edmonton — would suggest that a reunion may be in the offing.

Jones wouldn’t discuss Foster when asked about him Monday.

“We won’t comment on anybody but the guys who we have with us,” Jones said. “There are certainly good players who have played for us at different places who are out there, but we won’t comment on anybody other than the guys we have.”