FREE AGENCY

REGINA — Family Day wasn't a holiday for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

It was an active working day as the Roughriders contributed to the frenzy that accompanied the official opening of the CFL's free-agent season. The Riders signed former Edmonton Eskimos offensive tackle Joe McGrath, re-signed punter Jamie Boreham, traded veteran cornerback James Johnson and acquired non-import linebacker Aaron Wagner from the Toronto Argonauts in another deal. All of that was accomplished before the Riders' staff had dinner.

"When free agency hits in the CFL there is a pretty big splatter on the first day,'' Riders head coach Ken Miller said Monday during a media conference at Mosaic Stadium. "There is a lot of action and then it kind of slows down after that.''

It wasn't all gains for the Riders. The Riders lost five players to free agency, including all-star linebackers Maurice Lloyd and Anton McKenzie. Lloyd signed with the Edmonton Eskimos and McKenzie signed with the B.C. Lions.

Lloyd signed with Edmonton for supposedly $165,000 in the first season, with $100,000 of that figure as a signing bonus. There is an additional $15,000 in incentives.

The Eskimos outbid the Argos and Roughriders for Lloyd's services. Miller felt if the Riders could provide a comparable offer, Lloyd would return. The Riders offered Lloyd a three-year contract worth $135,000 per season.

The Riders also lost free-agent offensive lineman Glenn January and Steve Morley, who both signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Safety Scott Gordon signed with the Edmonton Eskimos, who along with Lloyd rejoins former Riders defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall. Hall was named the Eskimos head coach in December.

The signing of McGrath was the Riders' biggest splash in the free-agent pool. McGrath, 28, is a native of Moose Jaw and hoped that one day he would be able to play for the Riders.

"I had a great time with Edmonton,'' said McGrath, who spent five seasons with the Eskimos. "I know that I'm going to an even better organization and one that I know will be the flagship franchise of the CFL.''

Miller felt that the Riders remained in good shape at linebacker despite the loss of McKenzie and Lloyd. The Riders were able to re-sign free agents Renauld Williams and Sean Lucas. Lloyd's move to the Eskimos means Williams will be the starting middle linebacker when camp opens June 7.

"Rey is a tremendous athlete who played very well last year,'' said Miller. "I'm anxious to see him in that role.''

January started 14 games for the Riders in March, 2008, after being part of the trade in which quarterback Kerry Joseph was sent to the Argonauts. Morley was also acquired from the Argos in a February 2008, trade.

Johnson played three seasons for the Riders, including 2007 when he was the most valuable player in the Grey Cup. Johnson intercepted three Ryan Dinwiddie passes and returned one for a touchdown in Saskatchewan's 23-19 win over the Blue Bombers.

Johnson wasn't in the Riders' plans as a starter in 2009. He was also scheduled to make $80,000 in 2009 and was due a bonus of $10,000 on Sunday. The Riders picked up a late pick in the 2011 CFL draft for Johnson.

The Riders had 19 potential free agents at the end of 2008 season. There are six remaining. It's expected that the Riders will announce the re-signing of linebacker Mike McCullough in the next couple of days.

"(Joe) will probably be our big signing,'' said Miller. "As we get into (today) and the next day, there may be something we might jump on. We'll just have to evaluate that at the time.''