Saskatchewan Roughriders' general manager Jeremy O’Day and his player personnel team have many off-season decisions. One is whether to extend a contract offer to pending free agent defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II.
The 31-year-old from Savannah, Georgia just completed his fourth season with the Riders. However, 2024 did not go according to his plan. After signing a lucrative contract that made him one of the top-paid American defensive linemen in the Canadian Football League, he sustained a knee injury in Week 8 against Montreal.
That injury forced Lanier to the six-game injured list and he would miss seven games. To further complicate his situation, Saskatchewan made him a healthy scratch in the team's final regular season game versus the Calgary Stampeders and the West Division Semi-Final then he was activated for the West Final in Winnipeg.
“Every year is a humbling year because you never fail. It's always learning experiences.” Lanier said as he admitted it was tough to watch from the sidelines.
In 10 games this season, Lanier recorded 10 defensive tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble -- production he hopes can translate into a new deal with the Green and White.
“I'm willing to do whatever it takes and they've seen that over the years. We continue moving forward every time we step into the building. We are always laying bricks to go and build bigger and better.”
Lanier, who was signed coming out of Alabama A&M by the Washington Football Team and spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints, is open to returning to Saskatchewan.
“I love it here, they embrace me as family and I embrace them as my family. You got to take the personal outside of the business, so whatever happens, I'll have nothing but love.”
The potential to continue working with head coach Corey Mace is very attractive to the six-foot-six, 285-pound pass rusher.
“We had a team altercation on the field at the start of training camp and right then I knew immediately [Mace’s] love for the team. He jumped right in there head first and that speaks a lot of volumes about the type of person he is," Lanier said.
“To be able to take a group of men and be able to turn all this around and for him, J.O. and everybody on the staff to do that and being a witness to all that means so much more because you got some people who got your back who are fighting for you as well.'
Lanier has played in 42 games in four seasons with the Riders, recording 61 defensive tackles, 16 sacks, and three forced fumbles. The 31-year-old was quick to answer when asked about his health before a potential fifth CFL season.
“I'm perfect.”
The Toronto Argonauts take on the Blue Bombers in the 111th Grey Cup on Sunday. Countdown to Kickoff begins with Dave Thomas, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. That's when TSN's pre-game show takes over. Kickoff goes at 5:30 p.m. with a post-game show to follow on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
