By IAN HAMILTON, Leader-Post May 21, 2010
REGINA — Brendan Taman is still surprised by the number.
Ten players who were on the Saskatchewan Roughriders' roster in the 2009 Grey Cup are no longer with the team. That includes nine imports (quarterbacks Steven Jyles and Dalton Bell, receivers Jason Armstead and Gerran Walker, defensive ends Stevie Baggs and John Chick, defensive back Eddie Davis, linebacker Rey Williams and offensive lineman Antonio Hall) and one Canadian (receiver Adam Nicolson).
Armstead and Hall were released, Jyles signed as a free agent with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Bell was traded to the Toronto Argonauts, Walker signed with the Argos as a free agent, Nicolson was dealt to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Davis retired. The other three — Baggs (Arizona Cardinals), Chick (Indianapolis Colts) and Williams (Pittsburgh Steelers) — signed with NFL teams.
"I didn't realize it was that many until I looked back at it," said Taman, the Roughriders' general manager. "Some of them were going to be gone anyway, but still, (the number) is a little high.
"The (9-to-1) import-non-import ratio is a little bit skewed, but that's probably good because it means we kept most of the Canadians here."
What makes the losses palatable in Taman's mind is what he calls "the replenishment" of the roster.
What makes the losses palatable in Taman's mind is what he calls "the replenishment" of the roster.
Free-agent signing Dominique Dorsey, a former winner of the CFL award for top special-teams player, can replace Armstead. Middle linebacker Barrin Simpson and offensive tackle Dan Goodspeed, two other free-agent signings, could take over for Williams and Hall, respectively. Wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez, who was acquired in the deal that sent Nicolson east, is the likely replacement for Walker.
As well, returning players like Joe Sykes, Willie Evans and Chris McKenzie may get the opportunity to replace Baggs, Chick and Davis.
"Guys like Dorsey, Rodriguez, Simpson and Goodspeed — guys who've played in this league — they're pretty good," Taman said. "That's probably the biggest difference this year. We've been a little bit more aggressive with acquiring experienced, veteran guys who have played in this league rather than going with young players."
Is the veteran-based approach better?
"Well, it's a win-now business and we think our best chance of winning now is to go with that type of guy rather than young guys who you don't know much about," Taman replied. "It might take three or four of those younger guys to find the right guy. You might be in Week 7 by then and you might be 2-and-5 — and it's too late."
The problem with turning over a roster, no matter if the newcomers are veterans or not, is a lack of continuity.
"Guys are used to playing together," Taman said. "With Baggs and Chick lining up at the ends, (defensive tackle Marcus Adams) knows what those guys are doing. Now, not only does Chunky not know what those other guys are doing, he may not even know who they are."
EXTRAS: Quarterback Graham Harrell, whom the Roughriders released on April 22, signed Thursday with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Harrell, a highly touted prospect out of Texas Tech, spent the 2009 season on the Roughriders' injured list . . . Taman said he expects the search for another backup quarterback to wrap up next week. The Roughriders have spoken to former Bombers pivot Ryan Dinwiddie and ex-Kansas Jayhawks star Todd Reesing . . . The CFL's supplemental draft is set for today and the only eligible player is former Washington State receiver Johnny Forzani — a son of former Calgary Stampeders star Tom Forzani. In the draft's auction format, teams can offer to forfeit a pick in any round of the 2011 Canadian college draft for Johnny Forzani's rights, with the club that offers the highest pick getting the player. If the Roughriders are interested, they're to bid seventh.Read more:
EXTRAS: Quarterback Graham Harrell, whom the Roughriders released on April 22, signed Thursday with the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Harrell, a highly touted prospect out of Texas Tech, spent the 2009 season on the Roughriders' injured list . . . Taman said he expects the search for another backup quarterback to wrap up next week. The Roughriders have spoken to former Bombers pivot Ryan Dinwiddie and ex-Kansas Jayhawks star Todd Reesing . . . The CFL's supplemental draft is set for today and the only eligible player is former Washington State receiver Johnny Forzani — a son of former Calgary Stampeders star Tom Forzani. In the draft's auction format, teams can offer to forfeit a pick in any round of the 2011 Canadian college draft for Johnny Forzani's rights, with the club that offers the highest pick getting the player. If the Roughriders are interested, they're to bid seventh.Read more:
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