Henoc Muamba signs with Roughriders

Henoc Muamba is not wasting a second in his new surroundings.

Signed Tuesdaynight by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and following a morning practice, Muamba was with the Riders on the flight to Ottawa Wednesday afternoon.

• Riders in talks with 'ratio-breaker' Henoc Muamba

"You know we had him in there in a lot of special teams situations. He's still learning what we're doing defensively. We crash coursed him all night long and this morning, and we'll just see where he falls on our depth chart." said Riders head coach and GM Chris Jones on his latest signing.

It was abusy week for Jones, who hasbeen first in line for a trio of CFLers who had tryouts in the NFL.

Besides Muamba, Jones also lured defensive Lineman Willie Jefferson (Ex-Edmonton) and receiver Jeff Fuller (Ex-Calgary) before they could be courted by their former clubs.

• Riders lure another former Eskimo to Saskatchewan
• Roughriders add former Calgary receiver Jeff Fuller, release Kendial Lawrence

Muamba could make the biggest impact of all.

Henoc Muamba, a Congolese-born Canadian, was the Blue Bombers first overall pick in the 2011 draft. Two years later, he was voted the Bombers' most outstanding player, most outstanding defensive player and top Canadian.

Muamba wasn't able to satisfy his NFL desires, so after being released by the Dallas Cowboys, he chose Saskatchewan.

"You've got to look at the future, you've got to look at the situation and everything's got to fit." Muambasaidto reporters after Wednesday morning's practice. "Coach Jones and I go way back, I've always been a fan of his defensive schemes, defensive systems and you know when we were talking with him, he told me that he's got great plans for myself and he sees me fitting in here very well.I looked into it and I felt comfortable with that."

And the Riders aren't wasting any time getting the coveted Canadian linebacker into the lineup. He will play against the Redblacks on Friday night.

Muamba, who signed a multi-year deal with the Riders, saidhe's known Chris Jones since his sophomore year at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. Jones was at a combinewhich Muamba took part in and immediately caught Jones' attention.

Jones recalled that first meeting as well.

"He was so athletic. He had a way that he carried himself. He was confident. He was instinctual. You could just tell when you've been around it,that the guy had something special."

"My brother (Cauchy) played for him(in Edmonton),he told me a lot about him as well. He wins and a lot of the defensive players that play for him have fun and that's really what it's about." said Muamba.

Jones says all three of his recent signings, Jefferson, Fuller and Muamba have stood out in practice.

After the signing frenzy and presumably none of them came cheap, when asked how it might affect their salary cap this year, Jones replied, "I think we will be in good shape".