FREE AGENTS SOON

GM expects to lose players


By Murray Mccormick, Leader-PostJanuary 5, 2009

Leader-Post files / Linebacker Anton McKenzie is among the Riders facing free agency.
Photograph by: Joshua Sawka, Leader-Post

General manager Eric Tillman predicts there will be losses when it comes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and free agency.

The Roughriders have 17 players eligible to file for free agency Feb. 15. Tillman said in a recent interview not all of those free agents will return for the 2009 season.

"There will be changes as a result of free agency,'' Tillman said while not revealing the players who won't be re-signed. "There will be players who decide to go elsewhere for other reasons and some of those decisions will be made by us. In some cases, the public will never know that was our thought process but it might be circumstances where we can go younger with a player or we might want to spend our money elsewhere.''

Tillman added that some of the potentional 2009 free agents have already signed. Quarterback Darian Durant, who agreed to terms before the holiday break, is one of those players. The official announcement of Durant's re-signing and four or five additional player signings are expected in the next week.

Tillman devotes a great deal of time talking to players' agents in regards to free agency. Some players may have questions about their role with the team and its offensive and defensive systems and Tillman is willing to address football-related inquiries from players. He still deals with agents regarding contracts.

"There is a proper protocol and if you start talking to the player, it looks like you're trying to circumvent the agent,'' Tillman said.
There are also challenges posed by the holidays. Tillman and Marty Magid, the agent for middle linebacker Maurice Lloyd, weren't able to connect other than through voice mail. Tillman has made a six-figure contract proposal to Lloyd, who was a West Division all-star in 2007 and a CFL all-star in 2008.

"We want him back but we understand that it's a business,'' Tillman said. "Mo had a terrific year and if they opt to wait until February to see what the financial landscape is, we understand that. It all depends on what he wants in terms of compensation.''

Tillman said Sunday he has finally had contact with Magid and expects to see a counter-proposal soon.

"We'll consider the counter-proposal he has promised and see how this all unfolds,'' Tillman said. "Now that the holidays are behind us, our talks will take a much more serious tone.''

Lloyd said Friday that the Riders have an edge in terms of re-signing him. The B.C. Lions are also expected to pursue Lloyd if he tests free agency. Lloyd said he would like to return to Regina but there are other factors involved in the negotiations.

Lloyd, a three-year veteran with the Riders, has also earned the opportunity to find out if other teams are interested.

"People think that it's money but money can't buy you happiness,'' said Lloyd. "There are a lot of people who left Regina and wish they can go back there. People know that we can't play this game forever with the way we play it. I think that I've earned whatever my agent thinks is right.''

Five of the Riders' linebackers from 2008 are eligible to file for free agency. Lloyd, Anton McKenzie and Sean Lucas were starters while the backups were Mike McCullough and Renauld Williams. Lloyd and McKenzie shared CFL all-star honours this season and Lucas led the Riders with 95 tackles.

The list also includes veteran offensive linemen Gene Makowsky and Jeremy O'Day. Makowsky was named the West Division's top offensive lineman in 2008 after starting at three different positions along the offensive line.

Tillman has yet to speak with the players or representatives of each potential free agent. He plans on doing that now that the holidays are over.

"There are couple of guys we haven't talked to yet and that's because you can't be everywhere,'' said Tillman. "It doesn't mean because we've talked to other people that some of the players we haven't talked to aren't important. It has just worked out that way.''
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Set to Be Free

The 17 Saskatchewan Roughriders who are eligible to become free agents Feb. 15.
Name Pos

Mike Abou-Mechrek OL
Jamie Boreham P
Tristan Clovis S
Darian Durant l QB
D.J. Flick l SB
Lance Frazier l DB
Scott Gordon S
Neal Hughes FB
Belton Johnson l OT
Maurice Lloyd l LB
Sean Lucas l LB
Gene Makowsky OL
Mike McCullough LB
Anton McKenzie l LB
Steve Morley OL
Jeremy O'Day C
Renauld Williams l LB
(l indicates import)