Running back Ryquell Armstead, who signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders following his release from the Ottawa Redblacks, did his best to hide animosity towards his former team but it’s clear he wants revenge.
“Some people just don’t see eye-to-eye in a lot of situations, it’s a business at the end of the day. Just continue to be positive, grow, and learn. I’ve been working on the things that may have been a problem in their eyes,” Armstead said.
“When I did get released, some people got upset. I gave them my all, I gave them everything and the whole world saw it. I was happy, I felt free, and I felt relaxed. I want them to make it to the championship game, play them, and go off.”
The Redblacks cut Armstead on Sept. 3 after he started 11 games, logging 125 carries for 623 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and three touchdowns along with 35 receptions for 284 yards. The five-foot-eleven, 221-pound ball-carrier was released as Ottawa signed former Riders’ running back Jamal Morrow. Saskatchewan hosts the Redblacks on Saturday, Sept. 28.
“It’ll be good to smile at the ones that put you down and tried to belittle you — keep proving them wrong,” Armstead said. “I’m very ready to see those guys.”
Saskatchewan head coach Corey Mace spoke with Armstead about why he was let go in Ottawa and talked to some trusted people about the former NFL running back in an attempt to better understand him as a person. The bench boss wants to form his own opinion.
“Everybody individually has their own way how they handle things. I know he’s a competitor and wants to win, we like those kind of people. There’s a way we conduct business around here and he’s totally on board,” Mace said.
“The sample size that he had in Ottawa, I thought he emerged as one of the top backs in the league. He runs well, protects the quarterback very well, can catch out of the backfield. He had a pretty good stretch there in Ottawa.”
Armstead was originally selected in the fifth round, 140th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2019 NFL Draft. He dressed for 18 games over three seasons with the Jags, recording 50 carries for 188 yards and 17 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns while earning over $1.8 million USD.
“Sask came and got me. I’m ready to help this team go win it all. I’m going to bring a lot of passion, a lot of energy and effort. Ultimately, I’m here to work. I know what I bring, I know my value. I can hit the home run, I can bring power, I can catch it — I can do everything,” Armstead said.
“Intense, ultimate competitor — you have to make sure you channel it the right ways. Right now he’s a depth piece, but certainly can help us down the road. First and foremost you have to know where to go and what to do. Hopefully we can turn this thing around and he can help us,” Mace said.
The New Jersey native has to learn Marc Mueller’s offensive playbook and earn his way to playing time with the Riders. Frankie Hickson remains the starter for the Green and White as Mace said A.J. Ouellette was “pretty banged up” when he was placed on the six-game injured list after Week 11.
