BEST OF THE WEB: Rider fans react to release of Dressler and Chick

In a shocking move, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have released defensive lineman John Chick and Weston Dressler, two of the most popular players to wear the green and white.

When Chris Jones was hired as the head of football operations for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he wasted little time in putting his stamp on the team.

Jones made numerous changes to the roster, leading many to wonder about the futures of older and more well-established veterans. On Thursday, he went even further, much to the dismay of many in Rider Nation.

“We spoke with each player and their respective agents at length in an attempt to negotiate more cap friendly contracts but unfortunately could not reach satisfactory agreements,” Jones said in a news release.

Within moments of reading the news online, Roughrider fans immediately took to social media to express their shock and disbelief.

Meanwhile in Saskatchewan… #Riders #MindBlown pic.twitter.com/L5zpP6MbrJ

— Gareth Bush (@garethbush) January 14, 2016

Jones came to Sask like: pic.twitter.com/gM7DQDrCtM

— TYRON BRACKENRIDGE (@TBrack41) January 14, 2016

#RiderNation yesterday: Do whatever you need to win, Chris Jones. And today: EXCEPT THAT, YOU HEARTLESS MONSTER. #Riders #Sask

— Lise Merle (@LiseMerle) January 14, 2016

@Riders13thMan Jones wants bigger receivers. Don’t be shocked if Smith isn’t signed. #Riders

— Murray Yaganiski (@MurrayYaganiski) January 14, 2016

How almost all #Riders fans feeling! #ridernation @fakeGAINER @CFL @TSN_Sports pic.twitter.com/3OYvNt1p2U

— Troy Kocur (@ProudOFyouBRO) January 14, 2016

Thank you @WestonDressler7 @johnchick97. #Riders pic.twitter.com/1aixdYiolC

— Brad Wall (@PremierBradWall) January 14, 2016

#Ridernation WE WANT CHANGE! When do we want it. NEVER!

— Sandra 🙂 (@smilingsandra) January 14, 2016

@CJMENews @jamienye Releasing these key Leaders is going to chip away at Fan confidence. Quite concerned with the approach of management

— Ron (@Drivour) January 14, 2016

A very very sad day in #Ridernation. @WestonDressler7 & @johnchick97 deserve way more respect. You will be sorely missed. #riderfanproblems

— Linda Johnsen (@LJohnsen) January 14, 2016

Dare I say Chick had a subpar year and Dress maybe has 1-2 seasons left in him? Do you pay $250+ for that? Or rebuild after 3-15? #Riders

— Quinn Magnuson (@QMags65) January 14, 2016

#OWF! RT @EricM_CFL: The extra $80-90k to have Dressler over Mo Price is worth it, no? #Riders

— Angela (@DblCoverage) January 14, 2016

Please tell me that Chris Jones just hired Steve Harvey to make this official announcement! #riders @WestonDressler7

— Marcel Nogue (@Nugsy) January 14, 2016

If DD doesn’t return, who will be our veteran leader? #Riders @HomeOfTheFans @jamienye @WoodsyCJME

— The 13th Taco (@The13thTaco) January 14, 2016

Good decision by the #Riders on Dressler and Chick. Too much $ at this stage of careers. Tough decisions needed to build a winner. #CFL

— Tim Owens (@TimOwensSK) January 14, 2016

@DerekHassen Whaaaaaaat? #riders #kaboom

— Clayton Boyer (@boyerclay) January 14, 2016

Unhappy #Riders fan with raging #pregnancy hormones hanging out in #yql. Jones better make his plans very clear soon.</3

— Cassandra (@jacksonSTART) January 14, 2016

Not sure what bothers me more Dressler & Chick wouldn’t renegotiate or that they were asked. Win in the future but respect the past #riders

— Kurt Price (@priceylloydfm) January 14, 2016

@johnchick97 Can’t believe it. You are a CFL legend and a hero. Best of luck my friend. It won’t be the same here without you! #RIDERS

— Mudge McGurkles™ (@scootermagee) January 14, 2016

@WestonDressler7 Can’t believe it. You are a CFL legend and a hero. Best of luck my friend. It won’t be the same here without you! #RIDERS

— Mudge McGurkles™ (@scootermagee) January 14, 2016

Maybe Edmonton sent Jones, the Trojan horse, in to dismantle the team #conspiracy #Riders

— Cameron Cline (@camcline) January 14, 2016

2 guys to eat up $500,000 in a 5.1m cap room league. It was an elephant in the room that just got squashed. #Riders

— Rtiztik (@Rtiztikk) January 14, 2016

I’d say “thank God we still have _____”, but I’m worried Jones would get rid of him next #riders #whatisgoingon

— Neil Devenny (@neildevenny) January 15, 2016

Chris Jones should take a pay cut if it’s just dollars and cents. You cut the heart and soul out of the #Riders.

— Doug B (@doug_dougb) January 15, 2016

BREAKING: Chris Jones has placed his children on waivers. #Riders #CFL

— 3DownClown (@3DownClown) January 15, 2016

I was just sent this pic from a @SSKRoughriders meeting. #CFL #RiderNation #RiderPride #ChrisJones #Riders #Weston pic.twitter.com/EWaKcDKr83

— Son of Rob (@JesseRobson) January 15, 2016