RIDERS HAVE 16 FREE AGENTS

By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostDecember 1, 2009 4:46 PM


REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders face many questions now that the CFL's off-season is here.

Many of them revolve around the 16 players who are eligible to test free agency on Feb. 15. Others include who will conduct those negotiations with general manager Eric Tillman scheduled to appear in a provincial court on Jan. 4 on a summary charge of sexual assault. Tillman has been on paid administrative leave while the charge works its way through the provincial court.

"It's too soon for me to speculate on that,'' Miller said Tuesday while the Riders cleaned out their locker room at Mosaic Stadium. "I don't know how it will work out. The sooner we can get clarity then our operations can go forward much faster and at a much smoother pace.''

Tillman has worked behind the scenes for the Riders on contract negotiations and player moves. Miller, director of player personnel Joe Womack and director of football administration Brendan Taman have looked after the football operations while Tillman is on leave. That isn't expected to change.

There are some concerns among the players regarding the Riders' situation at general manager. They also anticipate that business will be conducted no matter what takes place. The Riders retain the rights to their potential free agents until the CFL deadline.

"We don't know exactly what's going on,'' said linebacker Tad Kornegay, who is one of six defensive starters eligible to pursue free agency. "If (Tillman) isn't here, then whoever will be the new guy will know what we have. Hopefully he'll try to keep us together.''

That will be a challenge. Ten starters in Sunday's 28-27 Grey Cup loss to the Montreal Alouettes can pursue free agency. It's believed that five or six may be re-signed before the deadline. Tillman and the Riders will have to make that determination based on the CFL salary cap of $4.25 million.

"Most of the time, about 50 per cent of your team is going to change,'' said running back Wes Cates, one of five offensive starters eligible test free agency. "Any way you slice it, there will be a lot of new faces in the locker room next year.''

It sounds like some of the negotiations may not be that difficult. Defensive tackle Marcus Adams lives in Regina year-round and has played all seven of his CFL seasons with the Riders.

"I don't want to go anywhere else to play,'' said Adams, who started 18 regular-season and two playoff games in 2009. "It's rare for a player to stay with the same team for his whole career, especially an American. I hope they give me a call.''

Stevie Baggs, who along with John Chick was named a CFL all-star at defensive end, is also eligible for free agency. Baggs tied for the CFL lead with 12 sacks in his first season as a starter. Baggs hasn't started negotiations but would like to return to the Riders.

"I want to be part of the Rider Nation,'' said Baggs. "I call them my fans and I have a special connection with them here. It's great to be here.''

Veteran defensive backs Omarr Morgan and Eddie Davis are also potential free agents. Morgan has spent nine of his 10 CFL seasons with the Riders. In 2007, he wasn't re-signed as a free agent and spent that season with the Edmonton Eskimos.

"This will be different than in 2007,'' said Morgan. "I haven't really thought about it because I still have that game on my mind. I know that there will be some changes made and we'll see what happens in January or February. I want to come back and play but who knows?''

It's not only starters who are eligible for free agency. Backup quarterback Steven Jyles is also on the list. Darian Durant started all 18 regular-season games in 2009 but Jyles did see some playing time. He would have to accept a backup role for another season based on Durant's performance.

"We would like to have him back but right now we haven't any idea how free agency will work out,'' Miller said of Jyles. "That's the next leg of work that we have to do. We have to get our priorities in order to make sure we get the people we need signed up.

"Steven would be a priority because earlier in the season I said that Steven and Darian could both be starting quarterbacks. I still feel that way. With Darian we experienced a unique situation where he started all 18 games. Oftentimes you need two quarterbacks in this league.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com
The 16 Saskatchewan Roughriders eligible to file for free agency on Feb. 15
Marcus Adams l DT
Stevie Baggs l DE
Chris Best LG
Wes Cates l RB
Hugh Charles l RB
Eddie Davis l DB
Stu Foord RB
Jocelyn Frenette LS
Steven Jyles l QB
Tad Kornegay l LB
Omarr Morgan l CB
Luc Mullinder DE
Marc Parenteau RG
James Patrick l S
Chris Szarka FB
Gerran Walker l WR
(l - denotes import)