Jamie Nye: The long road to Saskatchewan for James Franklin

Finally, after three years, he has arrived in Saskatchewan.

Quarterback James Franklin has signed with the CFL’s Roughriders.

Franklin admitted to the Green Zone on Tuesday that, yes, when Chris Jones and company were here, Franklin did ponder a move to the Riders, but he thought working with supposed quarterback guru Marc Trestman in Toronto was best for him.

Franklin regrets that now. It was a disaster in Toronto, with bad chemistry and coaches who didn’t have his back.

Now, he’s in a place he feels more comfortable. He’s with a coaching staff he knows from his days in Edmonton, where he was around Craig Dickenson in 2015 and Jason Maas as coach and co-ordinator for two seasons.

Franklin comes in knowing what his role is now. Or should I say FOR now. He knows he’s a backup and needs to do everything to get Cody Fajardo ready and be ready for his own chance, if it comes.

And the members of Rider Nation get to see up close what they wanted to see a few years ago with Franklin in a better shade of green.