2016 1st overall pick St. John holding out

**R.J** · 05-26-2016, 09:27 PM

Hmmm....... I wonder who his agent could be ?
http://leaderpost.com/sports/footbal...-training-camp

Found this bit interesting as well

According to Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette, Mateas and Chungh were both signed to base salaries of approximately $80,000, with playing bonuses of $20,000.

That's a lot of money for a rookie IMO. Tricky situation as well, but maybe it's time the league implements a rookie cap.

**ArgoRavi** · 05-27-2016, 12:24 AM

I think that it is weird that the player wants to sign a 2 + an option contract while the Riders are only offering 1 + an option.

**ArgoRavi** · 05-29-2016, 08:43 PM

The problem St. John faces is that there is little to no NFL interest in him so he really doesn't have another football option. The Riders seem to have all of the leverage here.

**R.J** · 05-29-2016, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoRavi

The problem St. John faces is that there is little to no NFL interest in him so he really doesn't have another football option. The Riders seem to have all of the leverage here.

I agree, but if the numbers that are being reported are true - IMO St. John wants too much and the Riders are offering too little. Personally I think 1st round picks should make more than the league minimum and have some playing bonuses, but again it's speculation at this point, so I have no idea if the numbers are true or not.

**Argocister** · 05-29-2016, 11:20 PM

When looking at Jones on one side and
Hardaway on the other ..... This impasse may last awhile and perhaps , as mentioned, have the CFL set the earnings of the top 5 or so draft picks.

**1argoholic** · 05-30-2016, 03:45 PM

We live in a very distorted sports world when it comes to salaries except when talking about the CFL. This guy is just greedy. He has to look at what top veteran stars are making.

**R.J** · 06-02-2016, 04:59 PM

"We'd love to have St. John here but his representation has made it very tough on us." - Chris Jones #CFL #Riders via @sskroughriders
— CFL News (@CFL_News) June 2, 2016

I hope future prospects stay away from Hardaway; it will eventually get to the point where no GM will deal with him.

**ArgoGabe22** · 06-02-2016, 05:43 PM

He's now asked for a trade. Hometown discount?

Anyone else a bit shocked the Riders offered only 52 and $53k? 1st pick in the draft practically getting league minimum.

**R.J** · 06-02-2016, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoGabe22

He's now asked for a trade. Hometown discount?

Anyone has a bit shocked the Risers offered only 52 and $53k? 1st pick in the draft practically getting league minimum.

This situation is getting a bit ridiculous. IIRC the $52 and $53k offers were the Riders trying to readjust the market after 3 draftees last season received big deals (rumoured to around $80k base and $20k incentives).

http://leaderpost.com/sports/footbal...n-negotiations
http://3downnation.com/2016/06/02/ol...-trade-riders/

**Argo57** · 06-03-2016, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

This situation is getting a bit ridiculous. IIRC the $52 and $53k offers were the Riders trying to readjust the market after 3 draftees last season received big deals (rumoured to around $80k base and $20k incentives).

http://leaderpost.com/sports/footbal...n-negotiations
http://3downnation.com/2016/06/02/ol...-trade-riders/

2 knobs (Jones and Hardaway) seeing who will blink first.
Glad we have Barker and our management team.

**jerrym** · 06-03-2016, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Argo57

2 knobs (Jones and Hardaway) seeing who will blink first.
Glad we have Barker and our management team.

Amen.

**zontar** · 06-04-2016, 07:15 AM

Jamie Nye covering for Riders brass with "market correction" spin.

**R.J** · 06-03-2016, 08:44 PM

http://3downnation.com/2016/06/03/to...osiah-st-john/

A good read.

**Wobbler** · 06-04-2016, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

http://3downnation.com/2016/06/03/to...osiah-st-john/

A good read.

That *is* a good read. If Dunk's sources are correct, it sounds like the main reason for the standoff was an emotional/hysterical response by Riders' management to St. John's willingness to hold out, rather than any principled decision to reduce salary expectations.

If this could be resolved by our swapping Sewell for St. John and signing him to a $80/100/120K deal, that would be nice. It would be wonderful to help the Riders with their problem.

**paulwoods13** · 06-05-2016, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Wobbler

That *is* a good read. If Dunk's sources are correct, it sounds like the main reason for the standoff was an emotional/hysterical response by Riders' management to St. John's willingness to hold out, rather than any principled decision to reduce salary expectations.

If this could be resolved by our swapping Sewell for St. John and signing him to a $80/100/120K deal, that would be nice. It would be wonderful to help the Riders with their problem.

Sewell has been slow to develop, but I don't have any evidence he is going to turn out worse than or equal to St. John. I'd be OK with a deal but no way I'd offer that much money to a guy as unproven as St. John.

**R.J** · 06-05-2016, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Wobbler

That *is* a good read. If Dunk's sources are correct, it sounds like the main reason for the standoff was an emotional/hysterical response by Riders' management to St. John's willingness to hold out, rather than any principled decision to reduce salary expectations.

If this could be resolved by our swapping Sewell for St. John and signing him to a $80/100/120K deal, that would be nice. It would be wonderful to help the Riders with their problem.

Would be a bad deal for Saskatchewan IMO. Sewell still hasn't developed and might not have the ceiling that St. John has, but if a high pick were thrown in - IMO it would be a more equal deal.

Originally Posted by AngeloV

I'm guessing that the only reason Hardaway is asking for 400k over 3 years is because of the ridiculously low ball offer they received from the Riders. I'm sure they know that he will not get that type of contract but probably are looking to force the Riders to trade him.

According to all of the reports - the low ball deal occured later on. Supposedly the first offer was around what the top picks got last season, but Hardaway and St. John wanted more. All speculation at this point I suppose.

**paulwoods13** · 06-05-2016, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

Would be a bad deal for Saskatchewan IMO. Sewell still hasn't developed and might not have the ceiling that St. John has, but if a high pick were thrown in - IMO it would be a more equal deal.

I wouldn't do a straight-up swap for a 3 yr/$300k deal, and I wouldn't throw in a high pick no matter what St. John's contract cost. He's less proven even than Sewell, and there's no guarantee he will pan out as a 10-year starter, or even a starter at all. IMO that pick was a reach by Sask.

**R.J** · 06-05-2016, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by paulwoods13

I wouldn't do a straight-up swap for a 3 yr/$300k deal, and I wouldn't throw in a high pick no matter what St. John's contract cost. He's less proven even than Sewell, and there's no guarantee he will pan out as a 10-year starter, or even a starter at all. IMO that pick was a reach by Sask.

St. John was considered one of the top three offensive linemen and one of only a few that are believed to be able to play LT (very rare). Sorry, but IMO Jones would be an idiot if he took Sewell for St. John.
I hope you not suggesting that Sewell is better than St. John - if you are what are you basing this on ?

Originally Posted by Wobbler

Why would we want it to be a good deal for Saskatchewan?! ;) Such a trade would be, IMO, a face-saving gesture for Saskatchewan if St. John demands a trade to Toronto (a hypothetical situation to be sure). I've lost hope regarding Sewell, who has been awfully invisible for a guy Milanovich specifically called out as needing to step up in his third camp.

Jones isn't going to make a deal to help out the Argonauts, so it's not about making the Riders a good deal, but given them a deal they find acceptable. I lost hope for Sewell last season - when two Americans with less than a week with the team started over him.

**Wobbler** · 06-05-2016, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

Would be a bad deal for Saskatchewan IMO. Sewell still hasn't developed and might not have the ceiling that St. John has, but if a high pick were thrown in - IMO it would be a more equal deal.

Why would we want it to be a good deal for Saskatchewan?! ;) Such a trade would be, IMO, a face-saving gesture for Saskatchewan if St. John demands a trade to Toronto (a hypothetical situation to be sure). I've lost hope regarding Sewell, who has been awfully invisible for a guy Milanovich specifically called out as needing to step up in his third camp.

**AngeloV** · 06-05-2016, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

According to all of the reports - the low ball deal occured later on. Supposedly the first offer was around what the top picks got last season, but Hardaway and St. John wanted more. All speculation at this point I suppose.

Yeah, I don't buy it. Riders media are the biggest group of homers in the country. They will always take the side of the team.