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
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).
"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.''
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