Riders Add a Trio Of RB's

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that they have signed a trio of import running backs to the roster – Kory Sheets, Louis Rankin and Demetrius Crawford. Financial details of the signings were not released.



Sheets (5’11 – 206 lbs) comes to the Green and White after spending last season on the Carolina Panthers practice roster. After going undrafted in 2009, the Purdue product was immediately signed by the San Francisco 49ers before the Miaimi Dolphins signed him off the 49ers practice roster. He went on to play in two games for the Dolphins in 2009 where he had one carry for five yards. In 2010 the 26-year-old tore his Achilles in training camp for the Dolphins and missed the season. After being waived by Miami in August of last year, Sheets was signed by the Panthers. In his time at Purdue he finished his career as second on the school's record lists with 664 rushing attempts for 3,341 yards, 4,944 all-purpose yards and 324 points scored. He also established Purdue career marks with 48 rushing touchdowns and 54 overall scores.



Rankin (6’1 – 216 lbs) has spent the last three seasons in the NFL after going as undrafted free agent in 2008. After originally signing with the Oakland Raiders that year he went on to play in two games for the team in 2009 before being picked up by the Seattle Seahawks where he played in an additional seven games. In those nine games the Washington product had eight carries for 36 yards, five receptions for 33 yards and 22 kick returns for 466 yards. In January, 2011 he signed back with the Raiders. During his time at Washington he finished his college career playing in 40 games – had 488 carries for 2,480 yards and 11 touchdowns, 39 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns, 51 kick returns for 1,206 yards and one touchdown.



Crawford (5’8 – 195 lbs) has spent the last few seasons playing in the IFL for the Tri-Cities Fever. After transferring from Sacramento City College, Crawford played two seasons for Montana State, the 25-year-old tallied 427 carries for 2,182 yards and 13 touchdowns, 53 receptions for 386 yards and two touchdowns in 23 games played. He was also earned First Team All-Big Sky honours.


GM Brendan Taman also met the media this morning. He said Wes Cates, Marc Parenteau, George Hudson and James Robinson won't be coming back, but o-lineman Gene Makowsky will be.