ROUGHRIDERS WOULD LIKE TO SIGN ALL OF THEIR FREE AGENTS BACK

Joe Womack

It has been a short off-season for Joe Womack.

Womack is back at work as the Saskatchewan Roughriders' director of player personnel after a two-week break. Womack, who also helped coach the CFL team's secondary, spent some of the time relaxing in Denver after the Riders were beaten 28-27 by the Montreal Alouettes on Nov. 27 in the Grey Cup game.

He also met with his good friend Brad Forsyth, a scout with the NFL's Buffalo Bills whose territory includes the midwest and west regions of the United States. The two traded notes and thoughts on some of the players they have scouted or seen during the past college football season.

"We shared information just like all scouts do and it helps you firm up your evaluation of players," said Womack. "It's a really good give-and-take thing."

There are more immediate concerns for the Riders, who had 16 players eligible to file for free agency

Feb. 15. That list was reduced by two on Dec. 4 when non-import offensive guard Chris Best and Canadian defensive end Luc Mullinder re-signed. Womack said the Riders would like to re-sign most of their potential free agents.

"It would be a little hard to get everyone back but it wouldn't be impossible," said Womack. "We would like to have just about everyone back because we're pleased with our players and how they have evolved."

Womack and general manager Eric Tillman, who is on paid administrative leave while a summary charge of sexual assault works its way through the provincial courts, have studied the list together. Tillman remains involved in the day-to-day operations of the team while on leave and oversees negotiations with the players.

The CFL isn't expected to release its list of potential free agents until early January but Womack and Tillman have seen the preliminary one. Womack said the Riders' list of possible free agents is comparable in terms of numbers to the CFL's other seven teams.

Womack doesn't expect the Riders to be too active on the free-agent market. He feels they would like to concentrate on locking up their own players first.

"Everyone in the league knows that we have some really good Canadians," said Womack. "They have good character and are good players. You might think we'd like to lock them up before other teams get a shot at them. "

The Riders' list of free agents includes imports Marcus Adams (defensive tackle), Stevie Baggs (defensive end), Wes Cates (running back), Hugh Charles (running back), Eddie Davis (defensive halfback). Steven Jyles (quarterback), Tad Kornegay (linebacker), Omarr Morgan (cornerback), James Patrick (safety) and Gerran Walker (wide receiver).

The non-imports are Stu Foord (running back), Jocelyn Frenette (long snapper), Marc Parenteau (right guard) and Chris Szarka (fullback).

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