Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

Kitwana Jones could be a Transformer.

Give him gold teeth, another 10 pounds, five more sacks per season, a snarl and — presto! — he’s Fred Perry, formerly a Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end. An offseason trade sent golden-grilled Perry to the Edmonton Eskimos, who visit the Roughriders for their CFL season opener on Saturday. Into his place as Saskatchewan’s rush end stepped Jones, a four-year veteran.

I’m trying to get bigger,” said Jones. “I gained 5-7 pounds. Now I’m 230.

“Naww, I’m not gonna do the grill. No need. I know me and him got the same underbite, that’s it. We have the same intensity. I’m a little smaller, but I get the job done.”

Perry’s departure was among a handful of surprising changes undertaken by the reigning Grey Cup champions. Considering Perry led the Roughriders in sacks each year he was with them — 11 in 2005, 14 in 2006 and eight in 2007 — his leaving almost ranks in importance with the departures of head coach Kent Austin and quarterback Kerry Joseph.

The Roughriders initially projected second-year end John Chick as their rush end. Although there are myriad combinations that include moving around Chick, Jones and newcomer Ron Flemons, the team is expecting 6-foot-1 Jones to play “80 to 85 per cent” of their defensive plays. The rotation depends somewhat on Chick’s ability to play with a cast protecting a fractured thumb.

“Kit’s a little undersized but he has a big heart, quickness and speed,” said Riders defensive line coach Ron Estay. “It will take a few games, but people will start noticing him.