Riders fined, sign Chris Best, Darian Durant to contract extensions

REGINA - It was an eventful day for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday.

First, the team announced that it had signed quarterback Darian Durant and offensive lineman Chris Best to contract extensions. But shortly afterwards, the CFL fined the Riders $5,000 for staging an unsanctioned workout.

The CFL penalized the Riders for having veterans take part in an unsanctioned off-season workout in Florida last month.

The deals with Durant and Best will keep them both with Saskatchewan through the 2014 season.

The five-foot-11, 214-pound Durant is entering his seventh season with the Roughriders. Durant, 29, began the club's starter in 2009 and led Saskatchewan to consecutive Grey Cup appearances (2009-'10).

"We're extremely happy to have come to an agreement on terms with Darian," general manager Brendan Taman said in a statement. "The CFL is a quarterback-driven league, and Darian has proven he can lead this team."

Saskatchewan selected the six-foot-four, 315-pound Best in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2005 CFL draft. The 29-year-old Calgary native has been the club's starting right guard since 2009 season and was its nominee for the CFL's outstanding lineman award last season.

"Chris is one of the best up and coming offensive lineman in the league," said Taman. "He had a great season last year and keeping him under contract for the future was big priority for us."