Chat » Smith. "Im a big, strong power winger; Im going to get

REGINA -- Corey Chamblin knows who his starting quarterback will be for the next little while. The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed veteran Darian Durant to a multi-year extension Wednesday after leading the club to just its fourth Grey Cup title last year. Knowing he has the 31-year-old Durant for the long-term -- reportedly through the 2016 season -- is a big relief for Chamblin, named the CFLs coach of the year following Saskatchewans Grey Cup championship. "In order to win championships you need to have a quarterback and to win multiple championships you have to have a quarterback who believes in the head coach and I think thats what we have," Chamblin said during a news conference announcing Durants extension. "Its huge to have that security. "Thats the biggest security blanket knowing whos going to be under centre for the next few years." The five-foot-11, 214-pound Durant, a native of Florence, S.C., had one year left on his previous deal. Hes entering his ninth CFL season, all with Saskatchewan. "A lot of guys dont get the opportunity to stay with one franchise their whole career," Durant said. "It was basically a no-brainer for me to stay a part of this organization. "Its the best in the league." And theres certainly continuity at the top as this off-season the Riders have re-signed Durant, Chamblin and general manager Brendan Taman to new extensions. Taman also added the title of vice-president of football operations to his job description Taman called Durants deal "win-win" in that the player receives a fair-market contract that the Riders can afford while the team maintains the nucleus of its roster. "It wasnt about taking as much money as he can get, it was about keeping our team together and that tells you all about Darian," Taman said. "There was a market that was out there that was laid out by other quarterbacks that had signed. "We worked through it and both parties are happy. I think the key in all this is Darian Durant should be recognized as an elite quarterback in this league, which we are prepared to do from our end and were able to get to an agreement with him on a multi-year extension." Exact contract and financial details werent divulged but Durant said his new deal doesnt make him the CFLs highest-paid player in 2014. Its generally regarded B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay enjoys that distinction with a reported salary of about $450,000 this year. Veteran Henry Burris of the expansion Ottawa Renegades is said to have a similar deal if he can stay healthy this season. While Durants deal appears to offer the Riders salary-cap savings in 2014, the burning question remains what the quarterbacks average salary might be over the term of the contract. But Chamblin believes Durant can be even better moving forward. "Brendan mentioned him being an elite quarterback, I think Darian has been a very good quarterback," Chamblin said. "Im excited to see him become a great quarterback and one that we can talk about for years." Its not the first time Durant has made a commitment to Saskatchewan. In January 2009 he re-signed with the Riders rather than test the free-agent waters. Durant enjoyed a solid 2013 campaign, passing for 4,154 yards and a league-high 31 TD passes with 12 interceptions. He threw for 550 yards and five TDs with no interceptions in leading Saskatchewan to victory in the West semifinal and final. And then Durant threw for 245 yards and three TDs against Hamilton in the Grey Cup game at Mosaic Stadium, leading Saskatchewan to a 45-23 victory. Durant has completed 1,745 of 2,842 passes (61.4 per cent) for 22,711 yards and 125 touchdowns against 87 interceptions over his career. Hes also a two-time Grey Cup champion, having earned his first championship ring in 07 as a backup with the Riders. But Durants goal is to become the first starting quarterback in Riders history to lead the club to two Grey Cup titles. "If you look at the history of this organization the quarterbacks that have won Grey Cups only have one," he said. "In order for me to separate myself . . . you have to get that second ring and get multiple Grey Cups. "Thats definitely a motivating factor." However, the Riders will definitely sport a different look in 2014. Among the players to leave this off-season are running back Kory Sheets (Oakland, NFL), slotback Weston Dressler (Kansas City, NFL), backup quarterback Drew Willy (Winnipeg, CFL) and defensive tackle Keith Shologan (Ottawa, CFL). "Any time you win theres going to be change, whether its in the coaching staff, the front office or guys looking for raises on other teams," Durant said. "Ive been in this league long enough and played football long enough to know that change is going to come. "I love Dress, I love Sheets, I love those guys to death but the challenge is turning another guy into one of those stars. I look forward to that." Seattle Mariners Shirts . Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. Seattle Mariners Gear . Giants manager Bruce Bochy told The Associated Press of the decision before NL West-leading San Francisco opened a 10-game homestand Monday night with the first of three games against second-place Arizona. https://www.cheapmariners.com/ .C. United on Wednesday night. Forward Bright Dike scored the games only goal in the 85th minute on a foggy night in Bradenton, Fla. Seattle Mariners Pro Shop .Patterson marked his anniversary by proving his worth — once again.Lou Williams poured in 26 points, and Patterson drained two huge three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as the Raptors topped the Denver Nuggets 112-107 in overtime Monday. Mariners Jerseys 2020 . Follow all the action live on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto, TSN Radio 690 in Montreal, TSN Radio 1260 in Edmonton and TEAM 1410 on Friday at 3pm et/Noon pt.PHILADELPHIA -- Characterizing Day 2 of the NHL draft as "a good day," Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving pronounced himself "happy and excited" about the weekends transactions. Among the teams moves was trading one of the teams two third round picks, no. 83 overall, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brandon Bollig, a six-foot-two, 223-pound left-winger who had seven goals, seven assists, and 92 penalty minutes in 82 games last season. "Weve talked a little bit about adding some size to our lineup," said Treliving, "I think Brandons a guy that in a situation where hes maybe given a little bit more responsibility, a little bit more opportunity, I think theres still more growth to his game. "Weve got some young people coming and we want to make sure theyre surrounded by the right people. Hes won a Stanley Cup." Chicago GM Stan Bowman said the Blackhawks would miss Bolligs presence, but that they had to look to the future. "Its always tough when you trade a player whos been part of your group, a regular player for you," said Bowman. "But weve got to look at doing some things like that to prepare for next year." Chicago needed to make some moves to get under the salary cap, which is $69 million for the 2014-2015 season. The Flames took six-foot-six right-winger Hunter Smith from the OHLs Oshawa Generals with the 54th overall pick and six-foot-one defenceman Brandon Hickey from the AJHL in round three. The teams late-round picks were Swedens Adam Ollas Mattsson, a six-foot-four 209-pound blue-liner and six-foot-three, 216-pound Austin Carroll of the WWHLs Victoria Royals.dddddddddddd "Its not about just getting big," said Treliving. "All these guys bring a little something to the table. Hunter Smith is a guy that took a huge step this year, but hes still a young guy thats going to fill out." Smith was excited to play for a Flames franchise thats putting an emphasis on physical play. "I think Calgary is a great fit for me," said Smith. "Im a big, strong power winger; Im going to get in the corners and Im going to mess it up down there." In something of a mild surprise, the Flames took the no. 2-ranked goalie, Mason McDonald of the QMJHLs Charlottetown Islanders, with the 34th overall pick, passing up no. 1-ranked Thatcher Demko. "Lot of debate on it with the guys for the last few weeks," said Treliving. "Ultimately our goalie list had Mason at the top. Our guys liked this guy, he was there, we made the pick." The six-foot-two, 170-pound Halifax native began the 2013-2014 season with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. A midseason trade moved him to Charlottetown where he finished the season with a combined eight wins, posting a 3.44 goals-against average and .900 save percentage. "We knew if we didnt take him there that we didnt have a chance to get him," said Treliving. Amateur scout Tom Webster, whos retiring after this draft, got a standing ovation before announcing the Flames final pick at no. 184. "He was emotional," said Treliving. "Thats the first time Ive seen a standing ovation on the floor for somebody. It shows the impact hes had to a lot of people out there." ' ' '