Riders' QB Darian Durant says contract talks at a standstill

Quarterback Darian Durant says contract negotiations with the Saskatchewan Roughriders are at a standstill.

"We've presented an offer that we feel is more than reasonable," Durant said.

"It's up to the team to accept it, pretty much."

Durant added the situation is out of his hands.

Durant spoke to the media during the annual cleaning out of the dressing rooms, commonly called 'bag day', one day after the Riders were soundly beat by the B.C. Lions.

Durant did not play in the game or even make the trip.

"If it was a playoff game, would I go? The answer is 'of course,'" he said. 

Doctors and Durant decided the best course of action would be not to play in the game.

When asked about trade talks during the season, Durant said he wished it wouldn't have happened then. He added he would have liked to address the concerns during the off-season instead.

Other players reflect on season

Defensive back Ed Gainey said the large amount of players who passed through Regina over the course of the season brought something to the team each time.

Some guys had a veteran presence while some of the younger guys provided a spark to the older players, he said. 

"I'm pretty sure they're going to try and get everybody back who has been contributing to the team," Gainey said. 

Linebacker Jeff Knox Jr. said he would love to come back if NFL aspirations do not pan out. 

First and foremost, Knox Jr. said he needs to get healthy and maintain his health.

"I learned be patient," he said.

Knox Jr. was injured for the first six games of the season.

His biggest improvement was his maturity level, Knox Jr. said.

"If I would have played early on in the season and not listened to my coach, then I wouldn't have made it to the end of the season," he said.

"I finally put myself in his shoes," Knox Jr. said of GM Chris Jones' decisions in the lineup.

"Definitely made the right decision and I got through the season fairly healthy coming out."