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.

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