RIDERS TRADE DALTON BELL TO AGROS

Roughrider backup quarterback Dalton Bell has been traded to the Toronto Argonauts.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders reduced their quarterbacks and increased their picks in the 2010 CFL draft Tuesday.

The Riders accomplished that by trading backup import quarterback Dalton Bell to the Toronto Argonauts for a fifth-round selection in the draft, which is to be held May 2. The Riders now have four picks in the six-round draft — second and fourth overall and two selections in the fifth round. The Riders re-acquired a fifth-round pick that was sent to the Argos on Oct. 14, 2009, for import offensive tackle Cliff Washburn.

"To pick second and fourth is really nice,'' Riders general manager Brendan Taman said Tuesday. "It's always good to have some opportunities to select some guys too. Hopefully this trade will help Toronto with its quarterback depth and help us get a good Canadian at some point. Having three picks . . . we wanted to get four or five. We're close to that.''

Bell, 27, spent two seasons with the Riders. In 2009, he was the third-string quarterback and dressed for 18 games. Bell's trade — with the loss of backup Steven Jyles to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers via free agency — leaves the Riders with only one quarterback with CFL game experience. Darian Durant remains the starter. He's backed up by Cole Bergquist and Graham Harrell, who spent parts of the 2009 season with the Riders but never dressed or took part in any regular-season games.

"The lack of experience those two guys have will be their negative,'' Taman said. "Their talent and ability will be their positive. Experience is always a wild card to gauge but I'm always big on talent and ability and those two kids have it. They just haven't been able to prove themselves because they were both brought in the middle of last year.''

The Riders may add another quarterback or two before training camp opens in June. It's unlikely that it would be Buck Pierce, who was released Tuesday by the B.C. Lions. Taman feels that Pierce's medical condition and his salary (believed to be $280,000 a season) are two impediments that the Riders may not be able to overcome.

"That takes him out of the mix here,'' said Taman. "The head issue is something that has to be looked at as well.''

Bell appreciated his time with the Roughriders but is also looking forward to an opportunity with the Argos. The Argonauts have released all of their quarterbacks from their dismal 2009 season. That included Kerry Joseph, who was named the most outstanding player while guiding the Riders to a 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2007 Grey Cup game.
"With Darian doing a good job last year and Steven leaving, I thought I was staying and would be the No. 2,'' Bell said Tuesday from his offseason home in Dallas. "I still think it's a good opportunity for me and for the Riders to get a draft choice. I'm excited about it.''
Bell is aware of the situation he's headed into with the Argos, who have a new coaching staff after going 3-15 in 2009.

"It's kind of strange to come into a new team that has all new quarterbacks and we're all on the same playing field,'' said Bell, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks after starring for West Texas A&M. "All you can ask for is a fair shot at it.''

With Durant and Jyles established at the top of the depth chart, Bell never really got a shot with the Riders in 2009. He received limited repetitions in practice but didn't have a chance to showcase his talents in game situations.

"I was frustrated that I didn't get to play but (former Riders quarterback coach) Jamie Barresi and I talked about things,'' said Bell, who signed with the Riders as a free agent in May of 2008. "He knew that I wanted to play more but he thought I was getting a good experience in learning how things happen. He was right about that. I leave on positive note. We also made it to the Grey Cup and not everyone can say they did that.''

Bell also became friends with the other quarterback on the rosters, especially Bergquist and Harrell. He feels the team is in good hands with the young pivots.
"Graham has a good pedigree and a lot of people underestimate Cole,'' said Bell. "He has a good arm and he's athletic. Both of them are really good guys and they will do fine.''