RIDER LINEBACKERS ???

Will Riders trio follow Hall?

Talented linebackers Lloyd, McKenzie, Lucas become free agents Feb. 16

By Mario Annicchiarico, The Edmonton JournalJanuary 31, 2009


From the outside looking in, it appears Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman has 16 days to pull a rabbit out of his hat when it comes to signing his three key free-agent linebackers.

Canadian Football League free agency kicks in Feb. 16 and talented Rider ' backers Maurice Lloyd, Anton McKenzie and Sean Lucas no doubt all look enticing to lurking GMs.
Not to mention ex-Roughriders defensive co-ordinators like new Eskimos head coach Richie Hall, who is all too familiar with the talented trio.

That's where Hall will likely be looking to revamp his new defence. He isn't saying it, but you know the Eskimos are thinking it.
Obviously, the trio must be contemplating it as well since none have signed for a return to Regina -- yet.

Lloyd was on a Regina radio station last month talking about his contract status and said he was looking forward to 2009.

"To be honest I am. I've been waiting for the new season. I'm just sitting here patiently waiting to see what's going to go on with the free agency and the contract thing."
Asked if he wanted to remain a Roughrider, the Daytona Beach, Fla., product stated: "The situation is that I want to stay, but it's a business," perhaps leaving the barn door open a crack.
It only makes sense that Hall would want to bust in and ride off with a prized purebred who's five-foot-11 and 235 pounds. You'll remember Lloyd is the man who rattled Esks quarterback Ricky Ray with a teeth-jarring hit in a 55-9 pasting in Regina late in the season.

"I'm happy he's getting the chance to be a head coach," said Lloyd of Hall. "He's been working hard for it, but at the same time it kind of hurts. You lose a friend when he left."
Lloyd, who turns 25 on the last available day of free agency, Feb. 15, was then
flat-out asked if Hall's departure would have any bearing on his decision.

"To be honest, I can't say. I don't know. His defence fit the type of player I am, but like I say this is a business and I have to do what's best for my family regardless of what others think or assume I may do."

Lloyd also had an opinion of fellow linebackers McKenzie and Lucas.
"People don't understand that you grow friendships with each player and chemistry is the most important thing out of a lot of things on that field," Lloyd told the radio station. "Not having those two would have a lot to do with how things go because you have to learn to play with new players. Those two don't have anything to do with my decision. What does, is my agent, Marty, and Eric Tillman putting me in the best situation possible."

Hall, obviously not wanting to get
challenged with tampering laws, turned down any discussion of the possibility of landing one, two or even all three of his former players.

"If players become free agents, they
become free agents," Hall told Regina media last month. "That doesn't mean they are coming to Edmonton. Wherever the guy goes, the decision has to be best for them and their families
because there aren't any guarantees. There is always the unknown, but I
really haven't thought about players because there are a million things
going through my mind."

Word has it Lloyd could draw upwards of $120,000-plus. Take away Agustin Barrenechea's six-figure deal the Esks just walked away from and you're almost there. The Esks are likely more interested in the services of Lloyd, an all-star middle linebacker, than the more under-rated Lucas. McKenzie is another option.

Lance Frazier, who re-signed with the Roughriders, has been in daily contact with Lloyd and told the Regina Leader Post's Murray McCormick that deep down his buddy wants to remain a
Rider.

"I can hear that in his voice when we talk every day,'' said Frazier. "I don't know what it's going to take to get him to sign before free agency ... He talks about his family a lot and he rarely speaks about the money.

"It's more of him being paid what he
deserves at this point as far as money goes,'' continued Frazier. "He wants to be a Rider -- period. If B.C. or Edmonton have interest in him ... if they threw the same amount of money at him as the Riders, he would be back. It would have to be a crazy amount of money for him to leave the Roughriders.''

One thing is certain, it will all unfold shortly and with this trio -- if they
remain unsigned -- it likely will not take long for those rabbits to start finding new hats.
Barrenechea a Tiger-Cat

Barrenechea, released Thursday by the Green and Gold, has rejoined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the CFL team said on
Friday.

He played his first four CFL seasons
in Hamilton before being traded to
Edmonton late in the 2007 season.
mannicchiarico@thejournal.canwest.com
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