RIDERS LIKE ERIC MORRIS

Roughrider rookie Eric Morris
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

REGINA — Rookie Eric Morris could turn out to be a triple threat for the Saskatchewan Roughriders — returner/receiver/recruiter.

Morris is close friends with former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, who's on

Saskatchewan's negotiation list. The undrafted free agent set multiple school and NCAA passing records during his college career, also finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy race last season and winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation's outstanding senior quarterback.

The Riders have been in regular contact with Harrell since the NFL draft and there are rumblings he could be in town within the next two weeks. If necessary, Morris will gladly offer his services in an attempt to sell his former teammate on the virtues of football in Saskatchewan.

"I want him here just as bad as they do," Morris said after Friday's practice at Mosaic Stadium. "He'd be great in this league. He's one of the most savvy football players I've ever seen. He understands the game and sees the field better than anyone I've ever played with. (Saskatchewan's) offence is really similar to what we did at Texas Tech so he'd be really good at it. I'm hoping for the best for him. Hopefully he gets a call from the NFL but if not I'd love to have him down here and I think he'd be a great asset to the team."

Morris said he hasn't talked to Harrell in a couple weeks — his U.S. cell phone doesn't work in Saskatchewan — but the two have corresponded via e-mail. They met in 2003 while playing together in a Texas high school all-star game and were reunited the next year at Texas Tech.

They've been friends ever since.

"For five years we've done nothing but throw balls; we'd throw in the off-season every day together," said Morris, 23. "We developed a relationship and as friends too off the field, hung out all the time. I think that helps . . . build trust on the field. I hope he comes down here in the end. We'll have to see."

As for Morris, he has defied the odds by cracking Saskatchewan's lineup straight out of college, impressing the team's brass with his durability, dedication, football smarts and raw talent. Offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice noted that Morris's learning curve hasn't been as steep because the Riders run a similar spread-type passing offence to the one at Texas Tech. However, that doesn't take anything away from his innate ability to pick things up on the fly.

The Riders believe Morris can help improve their return game this season, but it's his talents as a receiver that put him over the top in competition with the likes of Casey McGahee.

"He has really stepped up in the return game," said LaPolice. "That allowed us to say, 'Well, he's close enough as a receiver now, but he's a great returner so let's get him an opportunity.' He'll have to learn a number of roles across the field and be able to step in and play a number of spots. He should be able to spell some of our starters and get reps.

We think he's going to be a good player."

In addition to being a full-time receiver in college, Morris also returned punts and the occasional kickoff. He previously scored 18 touchdowns as a returner in his high school career.

"I've done it my whole life," he said. "It's something I love to do and take pride in doing."
Despite Morris's size — 5-foot-8, 177 pounds — LaPolice has been impressed with his toughness, blocking ability and lack of fear catching the ball in traffic. In fact, you might say he was built for the CFL game.

"Hopefully," Morris said with a smile. "I like the fact you can't fair catch down here.

Three years in college I didn't fair catch one time. Some people thought I was crazy but it was just a part of my nature. I'd rather have the opportunity to make a play."