SATURDAY MUSINGS WITH ROB VANSTONE

By Rob Vanstone Sat, Jan 30 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

A few thoughts on a slow day . . .

• The Roughriders' interest in re-signing tailback Wes Cates seems to have increased. Two months ago, I would have bet the mortgage that Cates would not return, but there seems to be a greater appetite for re-signing him. Cates did not have his best year in 2009, but stats don't tell the whole story. His blocking is an under-rated, yet important, component of the offence. It was his key block, remember, that sprung Darian Durant for a touchdown run in the Grey Cup.

• I would bet the mortgage that Stevie Baggs will test free-agency. I'm not convinced that he will leave, but why not shop around?

• At last word, slotback Andy Fantuz had not come to an agreement with an NFL team. That was as of three days ago. Time is running out.

• Paul LaPolice is among the candidates for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' vacant head-coaching job, but it still sounds like Greg Marshall is the front-runner. LaPolice will be a CFL head coach some day. I wouldn't be surprised if it happens a year from now, if Ken Miller follows through on plans to step aside. LaPolice is off-the-charts intelligent and is a head coach in waiting.

CFL SCHEDULE TO BE RELEASED ON MONDAY

Check back here Monday for the complete 2010 Canadian Football League schedule. We already know the Riders will open their season at home, Thursday July 1 at 5:00 against the Montreal Alouettes.

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Omarr Morgan
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post files

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have their veteran corner back.

Instead of becoming a free agent on Feb. 15, 33-year-old cornerback Omarr Morgan has opted to re-sign with the Roughriders, with whom he has spent all but one of his 10 CFL seasons. The deal, for one year plus an option, was announced Thursday.

"I talked to players from other teams and they told me to hold off and that the coaches might want to sign me, but I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice,'' Morgan said Thursday from Los Angeles. "I wasn't going to go into free agency again. It was pretty much a no-brainer. If I wasn't going to play in Saskatchewan, I probably wouldn't have played.''

Morgan tested free agency in 2007 and signed a six-figure contract with the Edmonton Eskimos. The Roughriders won the Grey Cup later that year.

His stint with Edmonton lasted only one season. He rejoined the Roughriders in 2008. Last year, he helped Saskatchewan reach the Grey Cup, only to lament a 28-27 loss to the Montreal Alouettes.

"I had the best time I ever had playing football last year, because of the organization, the coaches and the players,'' said Morgan, who had four interceptions and a CFL-record 108-yard fumble return in 2009. "It's not just us winning and going to the Grey Cup. It's just the best time I've had playing football. It was better than college and Pop Warner football. It was the greatest.''

That sentiment is not affected by the shocking conclusion to the Grey Cup, which will long be remembered for a costly too-many-men-on-the-field infraction called against Saskatchewan.
"We lost and it was the Grey Cup — the biggest game of my career,'' Morgan said of his only Grey Cup appearance. "The way we lost was kind of different, but I just want to go out there and play football again. You can't dwell on it. You can kind of have some anger, but I'm the kind of guy who doesn't dig too far into grudges and what happened in the past. Montreal's the Grey Cup champs and hopefully in 2010 the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be the Grey Cup

champs.''

Morgan said negotiations were conducted with Eric Tillman and his recently appointed successor as the Roughriders' general manager, Brendan Taman.

"It wasn't a back-and-forth thing,'' Morgan said. "They pretty much gave me what I asked for. It was easy. For the most part, I've never really had a problem getting what I've asked for because I just want to play. You don't get rich in the CFL, so you have to do other things. I have other things that make money, so I just want to play. It's not about another $2,000 here or another $5,000 there or another $10,000 there. You've just got to love playing, and that's what I love to do.''

Morgan's re-signing leaves the Roughriders with 13 potential free agents. One of them is defensive halfback Eddie Davis, who turned 37 on Wednesday.

Roughriders head coach and vice-president of football operations Ken Miller sounded optimistic about Davis returning for a 16th CFL season.

"We really like the idea of Eddie coming back,'' said Miller, who is hoping for a "flurry of signings'' over the next two or three weeks.

EXTRA POINTS: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced the signing of former Roughriders receiver Vincent Marshall on Thursday. Marshall played five games with the Roughriders in 2008, catching nine passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown was scored in Winnipeg. Marshall also had a tryout with the Calgary Stampeders last season . . . Roughriders offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice has been interviewed for the Bombers' vacant head-coaching position. "Paul is in the thick of that right now,'' Miller said. "Hopefully we know definitely on that by the end of next week.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

JOE WOMACK OFFERED HEAD SCOUTING IN US POSITION

New Roughriders General Manager Brendan Taman was on Sportsline last night and revealed the club has made its offer to Joe Womack to stay with the team. Womack has spent the past three seasons with the Green & White in various roles including head scout, safeties coach and strength coach. Here's what Brendan had to say:

BT: "Joe was very disappointed he didn't get the G.M. job so after the announcement we had a long meeting. Afterwards we offered Joe a position within the organization and it's different from what he had. He won't be coaching anymore. His forte will be working for us a director of U.S. scouting, based out of the U.S."He's going to take some time to think about it, and whether or not it's something he wants to pursue. If there are other things out there, I'd be happy to help him in any way I can. But we've offered for him to stay with us, and I think he'd benefit from it. "

RP: Is the timeframe on the decision his or yours?

BT: "To be fair to Joe, and he's done so much work here, he can work on his timetable. If it's 2 weeks or 3 weeks, it's his job to take if he wants it. Having said that, we want to bring sombody else in."I've talked to Kenny and we want to have a progression plan in place in the organization. That means if I leave in two years, we'd like to have a G.M. in place to take it. Or if Kenny leaves, we'd like to have an assistant coach ready to take over. And from the management side, I'd like to have a guy here in Regina like an assistant G.M. and Joe in the States. With that, I think we'd have a pretty good organization. "

---You can listen to the entire interview with Brendan here:http://www.mediafire.com/?wnawkiqzz2h

TAMAN TACKLES FIRST FEW DAYS AS RIDER GM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced at a news conference Thursday that Brendan Taman was team's new general manager. Taman had much to do during the first few days in his new role, such as dealing with 14 players who are eligible to become free agents on Feb. 15.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — So much changed from one Monday to the next in the life of Brendan Taman — the Saskatchewan Roughriders' newly appointed general manager.

"This time last week, almost to the second, I was in Winnipeg for my final interview with them,'' Taman said Monday afternoon. "A week later, I'm now running Saskatchewan with some projects that need to be done pretty quickly.''

Taman was a candidate to become the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' vice-president and general manager of football operations, but opted to accept the GM's position in Saskatchewan. Since the hiring was announced Thursday, Taman has been tackling a lengthy things-to-do list.

One of his first priorities was to converse with director of player personnel Joe Womack, who was also considered for the GM's job. Womack moonlighted as an assistant coach last season, when he helped out with the defensive backs.

Taman would like Womack to remain part of the organization in a player-personnel capacity, with the proviso that he be based in the United States so that American colleges and NFL teams are more accessible. According to Taman, Womack is going to ponder the decision over the next two weeks.

"We still value Joe's assets that he brought to the club,'' Taman said. "In his personnel way of doing things, it probably would be much better suited for him to be based out of the States than being in Regina.''

Taman and Ken Miller, the Roughriders' head coach and vice-president of football operations, are also dealing with 14 players who are eligible to become free agents on Feb. 15.

Stevie Baggs is among the most noteworthy soon-to-be free agents. Baggs was a West Division all-star last season, as was the Roughriders' other defensive end, John Chick. Chick, who also earned all-Canadian honours and was named the CFL's top defensive player, recently exercised his option-year escape clause to sign with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.

"With Chick leaving, does that make (re-signing Baggs) more important? Naaah,'' Taman said. "He was always pretty important as it was. I don't think it changes too much.''

Can the Roughriders simply turn what would have been Chick's 2010 salary over to Baggs?
"If you wanted to invest it strictly in Stevie, you could,'' Taman said. "But unfortunately, in the GM's chair, there's extensions you've got to have in the back of your mind — i.e. Number 4 (quarterback Darian Durant) and Number 7 (slotback Weston Dressler).

"It helps. There's no doubt about it. But for every Chick, there's also guys with some raises already built in who come into play from last year's contracts. That's just the reality of it. Chick's situation will help, but it will not be the ultimate answer for us.''

Along with Baggs, the Roughriders' free agents are defensive tackle Marcus Adams, running backs Wes Cates and Stu Foord, defensive halfback Eddie Davis, long snapper Jocelyn Frenette, linebacker Tad Kornegay, quarterback Steven Jyles, cornerback Omarr Morgan, offensive linemen Marc Parenteau and Cliff Washburn, safety James Patrick, fullback Chris Szarka and wide receiver Gerran Walker.

In addition, stars such as Durant and Dressler are entering their option years. The Roughriders would like to sign them to long-term extensions, providing there is cap room.

"On Feb. 15, there's 14 guys who are going to be free, and those are the guys who are of the utmost urgency right now,'' Taman said. "That's not a disrespect to the guys who are in their option year, but at least we know the worst-case scenario is that they'll be back and they're under contract. The guys who aren't under contract in a couple of weeks, that's more of a concern right now, immediately, because if they can run out of the house, you want to keep the door closed.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com

SPORTSNET.CA REPORTS THAT TAMAN HAS SIGNED

CFL
News
Taman will be Riders GM
January 20,

BY ARASH MADANIsportsnet.ca
Brendan Taman, the former Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager who spent the bulk of the 2009 season working in Saskatchewan's front office, has agreed to a multi-year deal to be the next general manager of the Roughriders, sportsnet.ca has learned.

Taman accepted the offer from team president Jim Hopson Wednesday and will work closely with head coach Ken Miller, who will likely have an expanded role with the franchise's personnel next season.

The 43-year-old Taman, a native of Saskatoon, replaces Eric Tillman, who resigned on January 8, days after pleading guilty to sexual assault and then receiving a full discharge.

Sources tell Sportsnet that Taman, a Saskatoon native, was presented with an offer from the Blue Bombers to return to his old post as GM. Ironically, he resigned in Winnipeg a year and a week ago today after he was told his role would be forced to change with the hiring of Mike Kelly as the club's head coach. Kelly lasted one rocky season, fired on Dec. 17, 2009.

But Taman decided to remain in Saskatchewan, where he has a good working relationship with Miller and is expected to make few immediate changes with staff, although there is a tall task ahead of him with 15 players facing free agency if they are not signed by midnight on Feb. 15.

Winnipeg had Taman at the top of their list, contrary to published reports Wednesday. While Jim Barker and Joe Mack were favourites of some on the board, Taman was actually offered the general manager position with the Blue Bombers and was the franchise's No. 1 target.
Winnipeg is still without a CEO since Lyle Bauer resigned last month. It appears the organization is intent on hiring a football executive before a team president. Mack, one CFL source suggested, does not want to take up primary residence in Manitoba.

The Blue Bombers will now re-examine Barker and Mack mainly, while interim GM Ross Hodgkinson has an outside, but unlikely, shot at being offered the position.

RUMOUR MILL: Two league sources told Sportsnet they are hearing Marc Trestman is interviewing with the Oakland Raiders Wednesday. A report in a San Francisco newspaper suggested Trestman, a former offensive coordinator with the Raiders, would be approached by owner Al Davis soon. Profootballtalk.com reports Davis would speak with Trestman about the OC job and not head coach. "I am not aware of any NFL team asking permission to talk to our head coach," Jim Popp, the Als general manager, told Sportsnet's Montreal-based reporter, Louis Jean... Saskatchewan offensive line coach Bob Wylie was hired Wednesday by the Denver Broncos to be their line coach.

TAMAN SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN THE RIDERS

Brendan Taman has been in talks with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He said Wednesday that he's seriously considering staying with the Riders and taking on the role as general manager.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post files

REGINA — There were numerous media reports Wednesday indicating that Brendan Taman is to be named the Saskatchewan Roughriders' general manager.

When reached Wednesday, Taman said he has been in negotiations with the CFL team but declined to elaborate on what else has taken place. Taman, the director of football administration with the Riders, has been interviewed twice by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who are looking for a vice-president of football operations.

"I've had good talks with both camps,'' Taman said Wednesday. "I'm interested in either situation but Saskatchewan is something that I'm seriously considering.''

The Riders have been looking for a general manager since Eric Tillman resigned Jan. 8. It's believed that Taman was interviewed by the Riders for the position on the weekend.
Sportsnet reported that Taman, a 43-year-old native of Saskatoon, had agreed to a multi-year deal with the Roughriders. The network also reported that Taman would work closely with head coach Ken Miller, who is expected to have an expanded role in terms of personnel in 2010.
No representative from the Riders' front office was available to comment Wednesday about the progress of the team's search for a new GM.

Taman said that both organizations want to get their respective situations sorted out as quickly as possible. Having said that, Taman expects some developments in the next couple of days.
The Blue Bombers are looking to fill three front-office vacancies — president and CEO, vice-president of football operations, and head coach. Taman was the Blue Bombers' general manager for five years before resigning in January of 2009. He was hired as the Riders' director of football administration last summer and assisted in the team's day-to-day operations while Tillman was on paid administrative leave.

Sportsnet reported that Taman had been offered the position with the Blue Bombers but declined because his preference was to become the Riders' GM. Taman said it has been a challenge dealing with the openings with the different teams.

"It's humbling but it's challenging to manage,'' Taman said. "One day you get flown to Winnipeg to talk about it and the next minute you're called in to talk to Saskatchewan's people. It's challenging to manage that stuff and then get your thoughts about what you're going to do. It's nice to be considered for either place, but it's still challenging.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

TAMAN SHOULD BE THE NEXT RIDER GENERAL MANAGER

Brendan Taman
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post files

Ideally, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' search for a general manager will not prove to be exhaustive.

The obvious candidate -- Brendan Taman -- is already employed by the Roughriders. He fits an assortment of criteria the Roughriders require as they look to hire a successor to Eric Tillman.

According to a story in today's Winnipeg Free Press, the Riders' brass is also high on Taman's candidacy. Gary Lawless and Ed Tait of the Free Press reported that Taman has been offered the job in Saskatchewan and that he is to accept the position within 24 to 48 hours.

As the Roughriders' director of football administration, Taman worked closely with Tillman while the general manager was on paid administrative leave during the 2009 CFL season. It is a testament to both men that the Roughriders nearly won a Grey Cup while the GM was absent from the office (although he remained intensely involved in the football operations, behind the scenes).

Better than anyone in the Roughriders' organization, Taman understands the salary cap and the contractual contortions that must be performed to maintain as much continuity as possible after a season in which the Green and White boasted a first-place finish for the first time since 1976.

Taman also possesses experience as a GM, serving in that capacity for five years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers until resigning in January of 2009.

Dealing with the constraints of the cap -- a vital consideration -- Taman assembled a Bombers team that advanced to the 2007 Grey Cup before losing 23-19 to Saskatchewan. If not for a broken left arm suffered by Bombers quarterback Kevin Glenn in the East Division final, Taman could be the proud owner of a 2007 Grey Cup ring.

The 2007 season was the first in which the CFL had an enforceable salary cap. Tillman and Taman quickly mastered the intricacies of the cap, which explains why their teams met for the title.

The Saskatoon-born Taman is eminently qualified for vacant positions in Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. Taman has twice been interviewed by the Bombers, who are looking for a vice-president of football operations. His suitability for the Roughriders job is enhanced by the fact that he is from Saskatchewan. His previous ties to the Roughriders organization include stints as a player personnel assistant (in 1987 and 1988) and assistant director of player personnel (1993 to 1996).

He understands the market, the league and the cap. He also possesses an easy way with people, which is imperative for anyone who generally manages the community-owned franchise.
The circumstances also dictate that an in-house hiring is prudent, which reduces the field of candidates to Taman and director of player personnel Joe Womack. Taman's experience as a GM tips the scale in his favour.

The Roughriders already have a head coach in place (Ken Miller) and he does not aspire to become a general manager. Hence, it is crucial that the new GM possess a degree of familiarity and comfortability with Miller. Otherwise, the Roughriders run the risk of having an unwieldly situation at the top of the football-operations chain.

Late in 1982, for example, the Roughriders hired John Herrera to replace general manager Jim Spavital, who had bolted for the United States Football League in mid-season. Herrera inherited the Riders' head coach of the previous two seasons, Joe Faragalli. It was not a successful combination, as evidenced by Faragalli's firing six games into the 1983 season. Herrera then brought in his own man, Reuben Berry.

Tillman faced a comparable situation midway through the 2006 season when he replaced deposed GM Roy Shivers. Tillman inherited Danny Barrett, who had been the head coach under Shivers for 61/2 years. Tillman and Barrett did their best to make it work, but their philosophies differed. Inevitably, Tillman opted to hire a head coach to whom he was more attuned (Kent Austin).

This time around, the head coach's job status is not an issue. Hence, the next GM must have an established working relationship with Miller. That is yet another reason to promote Taman.
When the entire equation is considered, Taman is an easy fit -- and, in this assessment, an easy choice as the GM.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post

SOME GREAT PICTURES OF JOHN CHICK

CHICK SAD TO LEAVE REGINA

Former Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end John Chick holds a farewell media conference on Monday. He's leaving for Indianapolis to prepare for the upcoming football season with the NFL's Colts.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — John Chick couldn't leave without saying goodbye.

The former Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end did that Monday during a media conference at Capital Ford-Lincoln. Chick, who recently signed a three-year contract with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, wanted to express his appreciation for what had taken place during his three years with the Riders.

"Hopefully this isn't a permanent goodbye,'' said Chick, who was named the CFL's most outstanding defensive player in 2009. "We have a lot of friends here and some who feel like family. We wanted to say thanks for not only the football opportunity but for what a great community it has been. I hope that Indianapolis is half the community that it was here and we'll be going to a good place.''

Chick, who is a Type 1 diabetic, immersed himself in the community while serving as an ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. His efforts there and on behalf of the Riders led to many friendships on and off the field.

"We had no idea that this (signing with Indianapolis) would happen and we pictured our career in Saskatchewan,'' said Chick, who with his wife Catherine, has three children — Camryn (three), Robert (two) and Joshua (11 months). "You never know what's going to happen in football whether it was an injury or an opportunity like this. We dove into the community and loved it.''

Chick isn't scheduled to leave for Indianapolis until March or early April. Until making that move he has issues to deal with like selling his Regina home and getting settled in Indianapolis before he begins working out regularly with the Colts.

Chick wouldn't reveal the financial figures but the fact the Colts were willing to sign him to a long-term contract and pay what was termed a "significant'' signing bonus was enough for him to commit to moving his family south of the border.

"It will be a tough situation because I know that I will have to compete to play at that level,'' said Chick. "I feel that I'm up to the task.''

Chick, who was fourth in the CFL with 11 sacks in 2009, is one of 11 CFLers to sign with NFL teams since the end of the 2009 season. CFL players in the option year of their contracts are allowed sign with NFL teams between the end of the season and the CFL's free-agent deadline on Feb. 15. If they exhaust their NFL opportunities, the players must return to their CFL teams.

"This will peak more interest in the CFL,'' said Chick. "Hopefully it will continue to bring great players into the CFL.''

Chick, 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, has previous experience with NFL teams. After graduating from Utah State in 2006, he attended training camp with the NFL's Houston Texans. Chick was released after the third pre-season game.

"I never felt comfortable with them because it wasn't a good place for me or my family,'' said Chick, a 27-year-old product of Gillette, Wyo.

Chick sat out the remainder of the season before being contacted by former Riders general manager Eric Tillman. The Riders announced Chick's signing on Jan. 17, 2007.
"At the time we were mad at football because I had just been fired,'' said Chick. "I wasn't too excited about coming here to prove myself.''

It didn't take long for Chick to do that. He picked up a sack in his first CFL pre-season game. He dressed for 13 regular-season games in 2007 and recorded five sacks while sharing in the Riders' 2007 Grey Cup victory. Injuries limited Chick to eight games in 2008 but he still had three sacks. In 2009, Chick was named a West Division and CFL all-star while recording 32 tackles. Saskatchewan advanced to the 2009 Grey Cup, but lost 28-27 to the Montreal Alouettes.

Chick said the two Grey Cup appearances were among his on-field highlights with the Riders. Chick even commented on the Riders' loss to the Alouettes in the 2009 Grey Cup game in Calgary. The Alouettes scored the winning field goal after a Riders penalty for having too many men on the field gave place-kicker Damon Duval another chance.

The Riders have never named the extra player. Chick said that he wouldn't do that either.
"I'll take that to the grave with me,'' Chick said with a chuckle. "I hope that the fans don't dwell on it too much. We had a 27-11 lead and we lost that. That's why we lost the game and they missed the kick that they shouldn't have missed. Please don't look at the 13th man as a bad thing. (The fan support) has been a blessing for the Roughriders and I hope that it continues to be strong. Every other team in the league is envious of that.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

FRIDAY INTERVIEW WITH KEN MILLER

CLICK HERE http://www.riderville.com/video/index/id/10457

CFL FREE AGENTS

Released today by the CFL office:

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

BOWMAN, John
CARTER, Kerry
CHIU, Bryan
DESLAURIERS, Eric
DIEDRICK, Dahrran
FERRI, Diamond
JOHNSON, Riall
LAMBERT, Paul
MCELVEEN, Jermaine
ROBERTSHAW, Jeff
WATKINS, Kerry
WILLIAMS, Keron

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

BROWN, Jonathan'
CETOUTE, Obed
DORSEY, Dominique
FONTAINE, Raymond
MCNEAL, Reggie
MIDDLEBROOKS, Willie
POOLE, Will
ROBERTSON, Jamal
SAM, P.K.SHIVERS,
Jason

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

GAGNE-MARCOUX, Cedric
WILLIAMS, John


WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

DONNELLY, Ryan
HARGREAVES, Aaron
HOLNESS, Steven
JOHNSON, James
JOHNSON, Jovon
MACDONALD, Patrick


SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

ADAMS, Marcus
BAGGS, Stevie
CATES, Wes
DAVIS, Eddie
FANTUZ, Andrew
FOORD, Stuart
FRENETTE, Jocelyn
JYLES, Steven
KORNEGAY, Tad
MORGAN, Omarr
PARENTEAU, Marc
PATRICK, James
SZARKA, Chris
WALKER, Gerran
WASHBURN, Clifton


CALGARY STAMPEDERS

DEANGELIS, Sandro
HUGHES, Charleston
JENNINGS, Michael
JOHNSON, Teyo
REYNOLDS, Joffrey



EDMONTON ESKIMO

SAMOS, Willie
COE, Scott
COMISKEY, Dan
GARRETT, Shannon
ONATOLU, Kenny
PARKER, Byron
WAYNE, Clinton



B.C. LIONS

ANDERSON, Bret
BWENGE, Alexis
FOLEY, Ricky
GRICE-MULLEN, Ryan

JIM HOPSON ON ROD PEDERSEN'S TALK SHOW

Rider President Jim Hopson was on 620 CKRM's Sportsline last night updating us on the search for a new General Manager. Here are some of the key notes from the interview:ON A

TIMETABLE FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT:I'd say somewhere within one to three weeks. Having said that I know people will be saying 'hey it's been three weeks'. But I don't want to wait too long. February 15 is the start of the free agency period and we need to get ready for the Canadian Draft although I know Brendan Taman and Joe Womack have been taking care of that. I don't want to take too long but I do have a high degree of comfort with where we're at right now (with Taman, Womack and Miller looking after football operations.ON WHOSE

DECISION IT ULTIMATELY WILL BE:As quickly as the best candidate emerges, I will take my recommendation to the board and they will offer their support and advice and we will be ready to move on.

ON THE TALENTS VARIED TALENTS OF WOMACK AND TAMAN:I think that if we're going to be the franchise we aspire to, we need to have have a strong bench. We need to have those connections. It's a mistake to put all your apples in one basket. You have to have a diversity of talents. Eric Tillman was unique in being the player personnel guy. He did it all himself but most GMs want to be fed information by those around them and use a group process.Joe has great NFL connections and has worked in both leagues a lot. But Brendan has connections too and doesn't get enough credit for the players he brought into the league like Tom Canada and Geroy Simon. Clearly the more depth we have, it's like our coaching staff and Kenny Miller will tell you; he's a great head coach but the talents of his staff like Etcheverry, Lapolice and Wylie have made us what we are.

CAN HE KEEP THEM BOTH AROUND?Yes. As crazy as that sounds. That would be unusual because people of egos and feelings but both these guys are pro's and they love being a part of this franchise. They want to be here. If you have respect for people and what they bring, and the environment they're in is one of collaboration. You always want to be in an environment where you're valued and if either one of those two isn't the guy, I think if they feel they're contributing and appreciated I think we can keep them.On the other hand I'm hearing Brendan is a strong contender in Winnipeg and both have the ability they could go elsewhere. That's what happens when you get good people.

LASTLY A MESSAGE FROM HOPSON TO THE RIDER NATION:I gotta tell you I've been so impressed with our fanbase and I have been since day one. It's been five years for me now. They are incredibly passionate and vocal. I'm accessible so they've let me know when they're happy and they let me know when they're not.But I have to say through this Eric Tillman situation they've been very respectful of the situation. From day one when I announced Eric was on admin leave and would be supporting us from behind the scenes, they stepped back, they supported that, and supported Kenny as he did his job.Last week I heard a lot of opinion both ways. It's fair to say it was pretty divided. People were adamant he had to go and there were those that were adamant he had to stay because they felt he paid his price. And at the end, I haven't had one negative piece of feedback about the decision we made.I feel good about the organization. I'm excited. We've got over 70% of our season tickets renewed. We set a record this year in renewals both in number and dollar value so that's been great. Our sponsors are lining up and are excited about next year. Merchandise sales were through the roof.Every signal we've had has been positive. I've had to remind myself I have other issues and I spent some time this morning on the stadium project with the CIC and City of Regina, I spent time on our business plan for the year and our budget. It's business as usual. Get down here and get your tickets. We appreciate that people are on board. We're heading into free agency, and I spoke at length with John Chick.I think John's a great fit with the Colts and I spoke with Chris Polian and they're happy to have him. The season's a few months away but we're in good shape and I know this, you do too; it's all going to come down to how we play in 2010 and if we go 6-12 I'll hear the cries for my head maybe and that's the name of the game. But our intention is to be back in the Grey Cup and that's our goal. We used to say that and people thought we were dreaming but now it's seen as a very realistic goal to have.

----Colts scout Cal Murphy talked about the signing of John Chick on Sportsline:

WHAT ATTRACTED THE COLTS TO CHICK:First of all his character is impeccable as you know. But he's a tough football player who plays every play right to the end. He plays across the field, he doesn't only play at the long. He plays the long perimeter, in other words from sideline to sideline.

WILL THE COLTS KEEP HIM AT DE-END:We're looking at him at defensive end, no question about it. First of all we worked him out, and we're not the only team. Other teams tried to sign him so they saw some things as well. People say we've got Freeney, we've got Mathis, but we play more than two defensive ends. He's got speed, he can get up field and he's going to be tremendous.

HAVE YOU SPOKEN TO HIM:The last time was after the season and he was making some DVDs and I saw him, and told him what to put in them.

WHAT ABOUT RECEIVER DUDLEY GUICE FROM WINNIPEG WHO YOU SIGNED:Some of our guys saw him when he was with Tennessee. We had a lead on him before he ever got to Winnipeg. I don't know a lot about him and he only played three games for them and he caught six passes. But he caught my eye. He's 6'3, 215 lbs and he runs just under 4.6 and he's got good hands.

CHICK SIGNING BITTER SWEET

John Chick
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post files

It should come as no surprise to John Chick's supporters that the Saskatchewan Roughriders' defensive end was left with bittersweet feelings after signing with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts last week.

Chick had not only emerged as a star with the Roughriders, but he had also immersed himself in the community. Chick, a Type 1 diabetic, was an ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) and made Regina his home year-round.

"Saskatchewan has been so good to me and my family,'' said Chick who, with his wife Catherine, has three children -- Camryn (three), Robert (two) and Joshua (11 months). "We've got irreplaceable friends and teammates and that made it a tough situation. Having watched the Colts in the past, I'm hoping that they will be the class act the Riders have been. It will be hard to replace a lot of things.''

Chick, who was named the CFL's defensive player-of-the-year in 2009, signed a three-year deal with the Colts via the CFL's option-year window. The contract also included a significant signing bonus. Gil Scott, Chick's Toronto-based agent, believed the bonus was second to the $1 million US reportedly paid by the Miami Dolphins to Lions defensive end Cam Wake after the 2008 season.

"The Colts made an offer that I couldn't refuse,'' Chick said Sunday while declining to reveal the actual figures.

Chick was fourth in the CFL with 11 sacks in 2009, his third season with the Riders. The West Division and CFL all-star had been contacted by some NFL teams over the Christmas break. He worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday and the Colts on Thursday. He signed with Indianapolis later that day. Chick said the Colts had also studied video of games.

The 27-year-old Chick, who is 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, expects to leave for Indianapolis in late March or early April.

Chick is the second member of the Roughriders to sign with the Colts after a stellar season.
Running back Kenton Keith signed with the Colts in 2007. Keith was a West Division all-star in 2006 after rushing for 1,037 yards on 167 carries. Keith spent the 2007 season with the Colts before being released.

"Gil felt that this wasn't just a training camp-body type of situation,'' said Chick, a native of Gillette, Wyo., who attended Utah State. "They intend to use me and they want me to be part of their organization.''

Randy Durovick, a fundraising co-ordinator with JDRF, said Sunday that his organization will miss Chick. Chick's profile and commitment helped JDRF increase its provincial fundraising from $100,000 in 2007 -- when Chick came on board as an ambassador -- to $380,000 in 2009.

Chick has reached the highest level of professional football while battling Type 1 diabetes. Chick wears an insulin pump to control his blood-sugar levels.

"John is a living example that you can live a normal and healthy life as a Type 1 diabetic,'' said Durovick. "That's something that is very important to young children. If you have a dream -- like John did -- you can make it happen if you want.''

Chick added that the unsettled situation with the Riders' general manager didn't factor into his decision to sign with the Colts.

The Riders are looking to fill a void at general manager after Eric Tillman resigned Friday. Earlier in the week, Tillman received an absolute discharge after pleading guilty to the sexual assault of his 16-year-old babysitter.

"Everything was done before that final decision was made, so it wasn't going to be a factor in our decision,'' said Chick. "It makes some difference in terms of the team but it's the players in the locker room that you live and die with who I'll miss. There are a lot of people and things in the community that I will miss.''

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post