CHRIS MILO HAPPY WITH HIS SITUATION

Chris Milo #19 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders during practice at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on October 18, 2011.

REGINA — Chris Milo woke up Wednesday as the only man on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ roster who had punted and kicked in a CFL regular-season game.

The Roughriders released Luca Congi on Tuesday, one week after cutting Eddie Johnson. That left Milo — who handled all three duties (punting, kicking off and place-kicking) for the team’s final 12 games of 2011 — as the team’s lone veteran punter-kicker.

“It’s a tremendous honour and it’s great to have the confidence of the coaching staff and Mr. (Brendan) Taman (the Roughriders’ general manager),” Milo said Wednesday from Quebec City.
“Especially when it comes to the kicking game, when the people around you have confidence in you, it gives you that extra edge you need to have confidence in yourself. They trust and believe in what you can do and it gives you the extra little something you may need to perform at a high level.

“It’s a great accomplishment for me,” he added. “I’m proud and I’m going to work really hard to build on what I did last season and hopefully get better and better as the years go on.”

On Oct. 17, 2010, Congi sustained torn ligaments in his right knee when Calgary Stampeders defensive back Dwight Anderson crashed into the kicker while blocking a field-goal attempt.
Johnson and Warren Kean — who was signed after Congi was injured — handled the kicking duties for the rest of the 2010 campaign. Kean was released after the season.

Unsure if Congi would be ready for the 2011 season, the Roughriders selected Milo in the fourth round (30th overall) of the 2011 CFL draft from the Universite Laval Rouge et Or.

Saskatchewan began the regular season with Johnson punting, kicking off and handling placements while Milo was a healthy scratch, but that changed six games in after Johnson suffered a hip injury. With Johnson out, Milo took on all three jobs.

The Roughriders signed punter Jamie Boreham in early September, apparently with the notion that he would supplant Milo as the punter.

As well, the team apparently expected to hand the kicking duties to Congi, who came off the nine-game injured list and was added to the 46-man roster on Sept. 11.

But Milo hit his stride around that time. As a result, Congi didn’t dress for any games before returning to the nine-game injured list Oct. 21, Johnson never came off the injured list, and Boreham was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Oct. 3 without appearing in a game for the Roughriders.

Milo finished the season with a 43.2-yard average on 79 punts (one of which was a CFL-record-tying 108-yarder against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Oct. 29), a 53.6-yard average on 47 kickoffs, and an 84.6-per-cent success rate on field-goal attempts (22-for-26).

After hitting only four of his first seven three-point tries, Milo missed just one of his next 19 attempts.

His success in 2011 — and, undoubtedly, his price tag — allowed the Roughriders to cut ties this off-season with Johnson and Congi.

“You have a good university career and you work so hard to get to this level, but once you come to this level, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past,” the 25-year-old Milo said of his own progress. “What matters is what you do in the present and working toward the future.
“Coming in, there was Eddie Johnson and Luca Congi, two of the best in the league. Competing with the best pushes you to get to the next level.”

Having veterans waiting for him to stumble certainly pushed Milo last season, but he may not have that incentive next season. As of today, the only other punter-kicker on the roster is Chris Bodnar — the signing of the Regina Rams’ specialist was announced Wednesday — and he’ll be a CFL rookie in 2012.

“I’m sure that Mr. Taman will bring a few guys in to keep me going and keep me motivated, but at the level I’m at right now, I have all the motivation that I need,” Milo said.
“A little competition in practice and a little push is always good to have so that you can maintain that extra edge you need come game time.”

Milo noted he was “somewhat surprised” by Tuesday’s news about Congi, whom Milo said was a great teammate and teacher. That said, Milo admitted that transaction also eased his mind a bit.
“I can’t help but be pleased about my situation right now, but it’s not one that I’m going to take for granted,” he said. “It’s one that I’m going to work hard at and try to maintain for a long time.”

ihamilton@leaderpost.com

WHY NOT HIRE BOTH DYCE AND JONES

Bobby Dyce has been the Roughriders’ receivers coach and passing-game co-ordinator for the past two seasons.

Khari Jones

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are in the market for an offensive co-ordinator and a quarterbacks coach. How novel.

Saskatchewan finished the 2011 season with vacancies in both positions — a glaring structural defect that helps to explain the team’s offensive futility and its dramatic descent to the CFL’s cellar.
With the intent of making amends, the Roughriders are looking to bolster their coaching staff, especially on offence. The names of Bobby Dyce and Khari Jones have been advanced as prospective offensive co-ordinators.

Here’s a thought: Why not employ them both?

Dyce, who has been the Roughriders’ receivers coach and passing-game co-ordinator for the past two seasons, is a candidate to become the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ offensive co-ordinator. Winnipeg is looking to replace Jamie Barresi, who was dismissed shortly after the B.C. Lions defeated the Blue Bombers 34-23 in the Grey Cup.

The Roughriders’ passing game was merely a rumour in 2011, as evidenced by a seemingly interminable stretch of 410 minutes 10 seconds without an aerial touchdown. Those woes have not deterred the Bombers from talking to Dyce. The fact that a Grey Cup finalist is interested in Dyce is a testament to his qualifications.

The elevation of Dyce within the Roughriders’ ranks would not preclude the team from hiring Jones.
Jones was the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ offensive co-ordinator in 2011 after spending the previous two seasons as the Tabbies’ quarterbacks coach. On the surface, it may appear that a move to Saskatchewan to again become a quarterbacks coach would constitute a backwards step for someone with credentials as an offensive co-ordinator. That becomes less of an issue when the Roughriders’ circumstances and resources are factored into the equation.

Given the team’s travails in 2011, there is an urgent need for a quarterbacks coach. Jones possesses a marquee name, being that he was named the CFL’s most outstanding player after enjoying a superlative 2001 season as the Bombers’ quarterback. His football acumen and easygoing personality would ensure a rapport with Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant and his understudies.

Durant, who piloted Saskatchewan to Grey Cup berths in 2009 and 2010, is among the Roughriders’ principal assets. But he is also the Green and White’s No. 1 project after a regressive 2011 season.
The likelihood of a bounce-back season by Durant can be enhanced by putting the proper people around him (see: Jones and Dyce).

Durant was not always philosophically compatible with Doug Berry, who was fired along with head
coach Greg Marshall on Aug. 19. Complicating matters, the Roughriders did not have someone to mentor the quarterbacks after former CFL pivot Marcus Crandell — an offensive assistant with Saskatchewan in 2009 and 2010 — left to become the Edmonton Eskimos’ offensive co-ordinator.
Jones would be a natural. And if it takes some extra money to entice him to join the Roughriders, cough it up! Coaches’ salaries are exempted from the cap, so the Richriders (to steal a term from Bob Hughes) should take full advantage of their financial might while assembling a staff.

The hiring of first-year head coach Corey Chamblin could prove to be beneficial as the Roughriders woo Dyce and Jones. Chamblin, who was Hamilton’s defensive co-ordinator in 2011, worked alongside Jones with the Tiger-Cats. Dyce and Chamblin were colleagues with the 2007 Bombers, for whom Dyce coached the receivers and Chamblin coached the defensive backs.

Chamblin’s appointment in Saskatchewan was met with some objections from fans who felt that an offensively oriented head coach should have been hired, considering the team’s tendency toward two-and-outs in 2011.

That is a fair point, but here is one in rebuttal: As someone who has game-planned against Saskatchewan’s offence since 2007, Chamblin should be well-positioned to assess its assets and liabilities.

Moreover, the Roughriders can bolster themselves on offence by ensuring that the ranks of the assistants are expanded and improved. This can be accomplished by hiring Dyce and Jones, as opposed to unnecessarily choosing between them.

rvanstone@leaderpost.com

RIDERS RELEASE CONGI

The Riders announced today that they have released non-import kicker/punter Luca Congi.
“We would like to thank Luca for his contributions and leadership both on and off the field,” stated General Manager Brendan Taman. “Unfortunately in this business sometimes tough decisions have to be made but we do wish Luca the best in his future career.”

The Riders have also released non-import defensive back Tamon George.”

RIDERS COULD END UP WITH A 3 FOR 1 DEAL

Calgary Stampeders offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson is being considered as a potential head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ pursuit of Kent Austin has to be considered a long-shot. In light of the odds, what is the most realistic scenario for the Roughriders as they once again attempt to fill a head-coaching vacancy? Rogers Sportsnet’s Arash Madani has reported that if Dave Dickenson is hired as head coach, his staff could also include incumbents Richie Hall (defensive co-ordinator) and Craig Dickenson (special-teams co-ordinator). Hall and the Dickenson brothers have all been interviewed for the head-coaching job by general manager Brendan Taman. If Taman were to select Dave Dickenson as the field boss, the Roughriders’ staff could include three head-coaching candidates. Something to ponder.

Hall has a year remaining on his contract, by the way.

Back to Austin (of course!) for a moment. Some readers have wondered whether it would be prudent to pay him upwards of $500,000 per annum, as would likely be required to lure him away from Cornell University and the bright lights of Ithaca, N.Y. The price tag would be steep, but remember that the Roughriders are also paying Greg Marshall $220,000 NOT to coach for each of the next two seasons. With that in mind, the notion of bestowing riches upon Austin does not seem so outlandish.
Taman’s signing of middle linebacker Maurice Lloyd could prove to be an inspired move. Although Lloyd was out of football last season, he will only be 29 and full of incentive when the 2012 CFL campaign commences. Lloyd is hardly antiquated, especially when you consider that 2011 Roughriders recruit Chris Graham — who will be first on the depth chart at middle linebacker when training camp begins — turns 28 on Sept. 30.

There is speculation that Roughriders slotback Andy Fantuz, who is eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 15, may be seeking a deal in the $300,000 range. Fantuz’s market value is much closer to $200,000 per annum. Fantuz is not nearly as accomplished as B.C. Lions slotback Geroy Simon — a surefire Hall of Famer who makes around $200,000. Winnipeg Blue Bombers legend Milt Stegall topped out at about $180,000. Fantuz stands to make more than that because of his considerable talent and his non-import status, but not $100,000 more.

The Roughriders are in need of a quarterbacks coach. How about Jamie Barresi? Barresi, who was recently fired as the Blue Bombers’ offensive co-ordinator, was Saskatchewan’s quarterbacks coach in 2009 when Darian Durant enjoyed a breakout season.

AUSTIN CONTROLS THE TIMETABLE

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders reserve the right to be Austin-tatious.
Optimally, they would love to sign Kent Austin to a lucrative contract — which would almost certainly be the largest ever awarded to a CFL head coach — and turn some heads in the process. It would be a showy display of financial might and negotiating finesse.

Such a coup, if it can be engineered by general manager Brendan Taman, would signify that the Roughriders mean business in their quest to atone for a miserable 2011 season.
It would also represent a dramatic departure from the past.

Nearly a generation ago, the Roughriders lost Austin because they could not afford him. At his peak as a CFL quarterback, he was making $200,000 per annum. He demanded a trade, principally because quarterbacks of his calibre commanded at least twice as much. The B.C. Lions eventually came through with a contract in the vicinity of $400,000.

Roughriders history has shown that head coaches can be wooed away with the promise of more money. It happened when Bob Shaw joined the Toronto Argonauts in 1965, and when his successor as Saskatchewan’s field boss — Eagle Keys — moved to B.C. after the 1970 campaign.
Don Matthews also received a healthy raise when he, like Austin, left Regina after the 1993 season. The Don soon resurfaced in Baltimore, where the American dollars were as plentiful as the victories.
Matthews’ final season with the Roughriders included a ticket blitz that was held in response to a sluggish start at the gate. Six years earlier — a few months before Austin joined the Green and White — a telethon was required to keep the franchise afloat. Another desperation telethon was held 10 years later.

At the time, it was difficult to imagine the Roughriders winning a bidding war for a Bubba Wyche rookie card, let alone someone of Austin’s ilk.

Austin played an integral role in the changing climate. The Roughriders’ fortunes skyrocketed in 2007, when Austin guided Saskatchewan to a Grey Cup title in his first (and heretofore only) season as a CFL head coach. The team’s revenues quickly reached the stratosphere, and the windfall continued long after Austin resigned in January of 2008 to become the offensive co-ordinator at his alma mater, the University of Mississippi.

After two seasons at Ole Miss, Austin was again on the move. He has spent the past two years as the head football coach at Cornell University, and is apparently happy with life on-campus in Ithaca, N.Y.

That has not deterred Taman from seeking, and receiving, permission from the Cornell brass to approach Austin about possibly returning to the CFL. To date, Taman has been pursuing this matter with Austin’s agent, Gil Scott. The purpose of the discussions has been to ascertain whether Scott’s client has any interest in rejoining the Roughriders and, if so, what the expenditure might be.
The suspicion here is that at least $600,000 per year would be required. Austin would have to supplant the Montreal Alouettes’ Marc Trestman, who is said to earn around $500,000, as the CFL’s highest-paid head coach.

Such lavish spending would upset the CFL’s salary structure, and likely the governors of the Roughriders’ rivals. But, honestly, isn’t it about time that the Roughriders wielded some financial clout?

The telethons are but a memory. The Roughriders announced a $6.6-million profit on their 2010 operations. Even though the 2011 season was a mess, president-CEO Jim Hopson recently revealed that the 2011 revenues will be the second-highest in team history.

Due to the salary cap, there is only so much money that can be invested in players. Coaching salaries, however, are not regulated. So what is to deter the Roughriders from using an advantage that was unimaginable until then-GM Eric Tillman hired Austin?

The Roughriders have to pursue Austin — the best possible coaching candidate — from the standpoint of optics. More importantly, they are courting Austin because of his sparkling resume.
There is another factor at play — apparent interest by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Roughriders can afford Austin. What they simply cannot afford is for Hamilton to swoop in and hire him. Such a development would be an embarrassment to the entire Roughriders organization.

If he opts to stay at Cornell, or accepts another coaching position in the United States, fair enough. But if he should sign with (gulp) Hamilton ...?

As much as the Roughriders would like to hit a home run by landing a marquee head coach, they must also guard against the worst-case scenario — Austin to Hamilton. Hence, the Roughriders have to see this process through to its culmination, whenever and whatever that may be, and ensure that any offer they tender is superior to that of Hamilton.

In the meantime, Taman continues to interview and evaluate other head-coaching candidates who emanate from the ranks of the CFL’s assistants. On Thursday, for example, Calgary Stampeders offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson was in Regina to meet with Taman and assistant GM Jeremy O’Day. And who knows? Corey Chamblin, Richie Hall, Mike Benevides, Tim Burke, Mike O’Shea or either of the Dickenson brothers (Dave and Craig) may end up having an Austin-like effect on a Roughriders team that is desperately in need of rejuvenation.

But until Austin himself says “yay’’ or “nay,’’ Taman cannot consummate an agreement with anybody. He can pare down the number of candidates and emerge with a short list.

The shortest list, however, consists of Kent Austin. Period. End of paragraph.

Austin has not been an employee of the Roughriders for nearly four years, yet his influence is still
immense. For the time being, he dictates the timing as Taman and his cohorts concentrate on addressing the head-coaching vacancy.

The Roughriders can only hope that Austin’s control of their agenda extends to 2012 and well beyond.
rvanstone@leaderpost.com

MAURICE LLOYD HAS A LOT TO PROVE

Maurice Lloyd walking off the field after practice in this file photo.

Photograph by: Ed Kaiser-, Edmonton Journal

REGINA — Mo Lloyd wants to do more than resurrect his professional football career.
The veteran Canadian Football League middle linebacker would also like to clean up a reputation tarnished during his second of two seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Lloyd, who signed with the Eskimos as a high-profile and well-compensated free agent in 2009 after three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was released on March 15 by the Eskimos. He sat out the 2011 season and re-signed Tuesday with the Riders.

Lloyd’s final season with Edmonton was turbulent. The Eskimos struggled under head coach Richie Hall en route to finishing with a 7-11 record and missing the playoffs. During the season, Lloyd was labelled “a cancer within the club” by Edmonton Sun columnist Terry Jones. The statement came while the slumping Eskimos were 1-6.

“I don’t know if those rumours are behind me,” Lloyd said Tuesday from his off-season home in Windham, Connecticut after the Riders announced he had re-signed for one year and an option. “I know in Riderville they believe in me. I can’t argue or fight with someone’s opinion and they have a right to their opinion. Their opinions and rumours hurt me, but what doesn’t kill only you makes you stronger.”

Lloyd was among a number highly paid Eskimos who were released after the 2010 season by general manager Eric Tillman, who wanted to take the franchise in a different direction while clearing up salary-cap space. Lloyd felt he would be signed by another team, considering he was only 28. That never happened.

“My agent (Marty Magid) told me that the rumours of being a cancer to the team were killing me,” said Lloyd, who had had 55 defensive tackles and four sacks in 2009 and 82 defensive tackles in 2010. “It hurt because they didn’t get a chance to know me as a person in the locker-room. They looked at my actions on the field. As a linebacker you’re supposed to be nasty, because there aren’t any friends between those two white lines. If you have a different-coloured helmet on and I’m your friend, then I’m playing the wrong game.”

The Riders looked beyond the rumours concerning Lloyd’s character when considering re-signing him. Jeremy O’Day, the Riders’ assistant general manager, got to know Lloyd when they were teammates from 2006 through 2008. Hall, now the defensive co-ordinator with the Riders, was also familiar with Lloyd from his two seasons as Edmonton’s head coach and before that with the Riders.
“We do our homework here,” said Riders general manager Brendan Taman. “(Lloyd) might rub people the wrong way, but he’s not a bad football player. He made a lot of money when he left here and he has been humbled a little bit. Cap-wise, he’s friendly to us. If he plays so many games, he’ll be treated fairly at his end too.”

The Eskimos enticed Lloyd into signing in 2009 with a $100,000 bonus above his salary, which was believed to be approximately $60,000 per season. It’s believed that Lloyd re-signed with the Riders for a salary cap friendly $50,000. That works for the Riders because Taman said that the middle linebacker’s job is Chris Graham’s to lose. They are looking at Lloyd to create competition for Graham, who is headed into his second season, and to add another veteran presence in the locker-room.

“Sometimes we need a change -up,” Taman said. “I go back to Kitwana Jones (who wasn’t signed as a free agent after the 2010 season). He was a different kind of guy, but when he came running out of the tunnel he was fired up and ready to go. We didn’t have that type of guy (in 2011) and we were missing that. Mo brings that.”

Lloyd didn’t know which direction his career was headed after being released. He was a volunteer coach in a youth league and he worked in an all-boys group home for youngsters with disabilities. Lloyd also spent some of his time off a stay-at-home dad. Lloyd and his wife, Kay, have two children — Jayde (11) and Jared (seven). Lloyd said it was Magid who kept him going when it appeared his career was over.

“He called when I had heard the rumours about my character and he told me to keep a level head,” said Lloyd, who was a 2008 CFL all-star. “Without him, I would have probably said something stupid and I would have regretted it down the road. He told me to keep working out to the best of my ability and he would do the same in finding me a contract. He did that.”

The Riders announced Lloyd’s signing the same day they released middle linebacker Barrin Simpson. Lloyd and Simpson met after the 2007 Grey Cup game, in which the Riders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19. Simpson, who was Winnipeg’s starting middle linebacker in the Grey Cup game, was released on Tuesday after spending two seasons with the Roughriders.
“He’s a great guy and I know he’s had some flak over the last year because of the situations he has been in,” Simpson said. “Sometimes situations can happen and you can be portrayed not necessarily as the person you are. As you mature and learn from life, you will handle things differently. He has matured over this year into a better man and person.”

The Riders also got a little younger with Lloyd potentially replacing the 34-year-old Simpson on the roster. Lloyd has also had a year off from football, which has contributed to his overall health.
“You can’t say that my heart is old, because as long as football is around I still feel young,” said Lloyd, who turns 29 on March 15. “Age is just a number and the way you play the game is how you should be treated. It shouldn’t be based on your age.”

Regina Leader-Post
mmccormick@leaderpost.com

2012 CFL Free Agents

MONTREAL ALOUETTESBOULAY,

Etienne DB New Hampshire N
BROUILLETTE, Marc-Olivier LB Montreal N
CAHOON, Ben SB BYU N
DESLAURIERS, Eric WR Eastern Michigan N
ESTELLE, Mark CB Utah St. I
FLORY, Scott G Saskatchewan N
FONTAINE, Raymond LB Kentucky N
MACDONALD, Patrick DL Alberta N
MCELVEEN, Jermaine DE Alabama Birmingham I
PROULX, Matthieu DB Laval N
ROBERTSHAW, Jeff DL McMaster N
SPENCER, Walter LB Indianapolis N
WOLDU, Paul DB Saskatchewan N

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

BELL, Dalton QB West Texas A&M I
BLACK, Matt DB Saginaw Valley St. N
BUZBEE, Alex DE Georgetown College I
EIBEN, Kevin LB Bucknell N
ISHOLA, Ben DE Indiana I
JOHNSON, Jeff RB York N
MURPHY, Rob OL Ohio St. I
PARKER, Byron CB Tulane I
PICARD, Dominic OL Laval N
PILE, Willie DB Virginia Tech I
POTTINGER, Jason LB McMaster N
ROBERTSON, Taylor OL Central Florida N
YOUNGER, Jordan CB Connecticut I

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

BARRENECHEA, Agustin FB Calgary N
BROWN, Isaac LB Central Michigan I
CARTER, Matt WR Acadia N
HICKMAN, Justin DE UCLA I
JIMENEZ, Jason OT Southern Mississippi I
KIRK, Matt DL Queen's N
MCINTYRE, Garrett DE Frenso St. I
MEDLOCK, Justin K UCLA I
ROTTIER, Simeon OL Alberta N
SHIVERS, Jason DB Arizona St. I

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

ARMSTRONG, Derek OL St. Francis Xavier N
BRINK, Alex QB Washington St. I
BROWN, Doug DL Simon Fraser N
BROWNE, Brady DB Manitoba N
CARR, Greg WR Florida St. I
CVETKOVIC, Chris FB Concordia N
DONNELLY, Ryan OL McMaster N
DOUGLAS, Andre OT Temple I
ELLIOTT, Joey QB Purdue I
HARGREAVES, Aaron WR Simon Fraser N
HUNT, Phillip DE Houston I
JANUARY, Glenn OL Texas Tech I
LABATTE, Brendon OL Regina N
LOGAN, Ian DB Wilfrid Laurier N
MORLEY, Steven OT Saint Mary's N
ORAMASIONWU, Donald DT Manitoba N
PIERCE, Buck QB New Mexico St. I

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

BELL, Graeme RB Saskatchewan N
CATES, Wes RB California U of PA I
CLERMONT, Jason SB Regina N
FANTUZ, Andrew WR Western Ontario N
FOORD, Stuart RB Regina Jrs N
FREEMAN, Jerrell LB Mary Hardin-Baylor I
GRAHAM, Nick CB Tulsa I
HAWKINS, Brent DE Illinois St. I
JACKSON, Tristan DB Central Arkansas I
JOHNSON, Eddie P Idaho St. I
KOCH, Cary WR Virginia I
MITCHELL, Leron DB Western Ontario N
PARENTEAU, Marc OL Boston College N

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

CALIXTE, Marc LB Tennessee Martin N
DALES, Burke P Concordia N
FRANKLIN, Arjei WR Windsor N
ISAAC, Brandon DB South Carolina I
O'NEILL, Timothy OL Calgary N

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

BERTRAND, Mathieu FB Laval N
CIEZKI, Chris RB UBC N
DAVIS, Rod LB Southern Mississippi I
FOURNIER, Samuel RB Laval N
GLATT, Javier LB UBC N
KOCH, Kyle OL McMaster N
LEGARE, Etienne DL Laval N
MCCARTY, Calvin RB Western Washington N
NOWACKI, Andrew WR Murray St. N
PEACH, Greg DE Eastern Washington I
RESTELLI, Mark LB Cal Poly I
SCHIAVONE, Derek K Western Ontario N
TALBOT, Andre WR Wilfrid Laurier N

B.C. LIONS

ARCENEAUX, Emmanuel WR Alcorn St. I
HUNT, Aaron DL Texas Tech I
JONES, Andrew OL McMaster N
JONES, Jason WR Arkansas Pine Bluff I
LEE, Jamall RB Bishop's N
LONG, Robert WR Northern Colorado I
MARSH, Dante CB Fresno St. I
MCCALLUM, Paul K Surrey Jrs N
MCKENZIE, Anton LB Massachusetts I
MITCHELL, Khalif DT East Carolina I
PHILLIPS, Ryan DB Eastern Washington I
RUSSO, Anthony WR Washington I

DRESSLER TO STAY AROUND REGINA IN OFF SEASON

REGINA — Weston Dressler is a team player, even during the off-season.

Dressler has taken over as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ career development co-ordinator from Jeremy O’Day, who had held the position for the past couple of years. O’Day retired last off-season and is now the football operations co-ordinator with the Roughriders.

Dressler is now assisting Roughriders who spend the off-season in Regina to find work in fields in which they might have studied while in university.

“I’m trying to help make them make the transition from football to the real world, as we call it,’’ Dressler said. “We also want to encourage guys to remain around here. It’s good for the community and the players. The more players we have around, the better.’’

Dressler, who hails from Bismarck, N.D., plans on spending the majority of the off-season in Regina. He has already been approached by players who are looking to take advantage of the program.

“It has been tough to find things that they want to do, instead of just a job for the off-season,’’ Dressler said. “That’s not really the point of it. It’s finding guys work that they are interested in and could lead them into a career when they’re done. Some guys want to be in an office and others just can’t sit down all day. They are willing to do manual labour.’’

Off-season employment is important from a financial and career point of view.

“Some guys spend the season on the practice roster and they never see the full salary that they signed up for,’’ Dressler said. “If you play all year, you don’t need the extra money for your income, but it can sure help out.’’

* * *

TSN recently recognized Dario Romero as the league’s nastiest player in its annual poll of CFL players.

The Riders defensive tackle edged out Montreal Alouettes linebacker Diamond Ferri and Toronto Argonauts offensive tackle Rob Murphy in balloting conducted by CFL players. Romero is personable away from the field. That appears to change when he’s on the field.

“I’m not a nasty person out there,’’ said Romero, who was also third in voting for the CFL’s toughest player. “It’s competition. I approach it as a fight — a controlled-violence situation — so you’ve got to play on the edge. You’ve got to raise the bar and it helps me play better. It helps the games go by faster. It’s just the mentality that I like to approach the game with.’’

Romero was the only Rider to lead any of the 11 categories. Slotback Chris Getzlaf was second in the category of most under-rated player. Toronto slotback/running back Andre Durie was first. Darian Durant was also second to the Calgary Stampeders’ Henry Burris in voting to determine which CFL quarterback has the strongest arm.

* * *

NOTES: The Riders won, sort of, after Friday’s 23-20 season-ending loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. The defeat left the Riders at 5-13. A win would have meant the Riders and Argonauts would have finished tied for last at 6-12. The teams split the season series, but the Riders would have finished ahead of the Argos based on a 48-44 advantage in points differential. The loss left the Riders with uncontested control of the first overall pick in the 2012 CFL draft … The Riders were not only 0-10 versus West Division teams, but were outscored 286-132. As befitting a befuddling season, the Riders were 5-3 against the East and actually outscored them 194-173 … The divisional nominees for the CFL’s player of the year awards are to be announced today. Dressler (outstanding player), linebacker Jerrell Freeman (defensive player), guard Chris Best (lineman), safety Craig Butler (rookie) and kicker Chris Milo (special teams) are the Riders’ nominees … The Riders finished the 2011 season as the lone team to not record a touchdown on its first possession. The offence exploded (?) for two field goals in its opening drives in 2011.

RIDERS WILL HAVE MANY FREE AGENTS

REGINA — The transformation from the regular season to the off-season took place quicker than usual this year for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

For the first time since 2001, the CFL team heads into a long off-season without the benefit of a playoff run. The Riders’ season officially ended with Friday’s 23-20 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos at Commonwealth Stadium. On Sunday, the Riders (5-13) cleaned out their Mosaic Stadium lockers and dealt with questions from the media regarding their individual futures.

The uncertainty for some players is heightened because they have played out their options and eligible to file for free agency on Feb. 15. They face that decision while wondering what will take place in the Riders’ front office.

Ken Miller met with the media on Sunday in his final appearance as the team’s head coach and vice-president of football operations. The Riders are expected to announce this week their plans for pursuing a head coach and the structure of the team’s front office.

“With so many uncertainties in the organization from top to bottom, you know there will be a lot of position changes,” veteran tailback Wes Cates said Sunday. “With position changes at the top, there comes a lot of position changes at the bottom. I’m assuming that I’m pretty low on the priority totem pole right now. I have to be patient, control what I can control, and let the rest handle itself.”

Cates is among approximately 20 members of the 2011 team who are eligible to file for free agency. Cates, 32, finished the season with 138 carries for 680 yards and would like to return to the Riders for a sixth season.

“I’ve enjoyed my time with the Riders and I’ve had a lot of success here,” said Cates, who is the second-leading rusher in Riders history. “To say anything else would be ridiculous. When you’re in a good place and things are going well, you would like to keep things going. I know that it’s a business and you’re lucky to stay with a team for a few years.”

There are a number of key contributors to the 2011 team who have played out their option. The unofficial list includes linebacker Jerrell Freeman, defensive tackle Keith Shologan, centre Marc Parenteau, slotback Andy Fantuz, middle linebacker Barrin Simpson, backup quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie, defensive back Nick Graham and returner/cornerback Tristan Jackson.

“Certainly, there has been ongoing talks with their agents,” Miller said when asked about the status of Fantuz, Freeman and Shologan. “Some have been off and on, but certainly those talks have been taking place.”

Freeman is expected to attract a great deal of interest after leading the CFL with 105 defensive tackles.

He took advantage of the option-year window during the past off-season to try out for the NFL’s Houston Texans. He said Sunday that he’s pondering his options when it comes to free agency.

“There is a lot of talk and thinking about things,” said Freeman, who is the Riders’ nominee for the most outstanding defensive player. “You get torn in situations like this because you appreciate that the organization brought you in. You would like to finish it, but you have to do what’s best for you.”

Fantuz also took advantage of the option-year window and attended training camp with the NFL’s Chicago Bears. He returned midway through the season and dressed for just four games while battling ankle injuries. He’s still expected to draw interest based on being named the CFL’s most outstanding Canadian in 2010.

Shologan has been with the Riders since 2008 and has developed into one of the league’s best defensive tackles. Shologan, 25, isn’t sure what the off-season holds for him.

“I’ve been here for four years and I love the place,” Shologan said. “I love the fans and the city. There isn’t a better place to play, but I love football and I’ll play anywhere.”

Shologan hails from Spruce Grove, Alta. — that has sparked speculation that he may be leaning toward signing with the Eskimos for an opportunity to play closer to home.

“It would be nice to be around my family,”Shologan said. “I like it here and I would love to be back. Until Feb. 14, I’m still a Rider.”

Parenteau has been an offensive lineman with the Roughriders for five of his seven CFL seasons. He started all 18 games at centre this season and makes his off-season home in Regina.

“Free agency comes up every now and again,” Parenteau said. “I would love to stay here and I’ve enjoyed myself here for the last five years. I wouldn’t hesitate to come back.”

Parenteau is concerned about the uncertainty heading into the off-season, but trusts in the Riders to sort things out.

“I believe in the organization and I believe in what the Riders can be,” Parenteau said. “I believe this was an off-year and it was a frustrating year for all of us. I’m here to help it turn around and not jump ship when things go bad.”

Regina Leader-Post

MAKOWSKY WINS ELECTION SEAT

REGINA — Gene Makowsky wasn't ready to contemplate his future with the Saskatchewan Roughriders after capturing the Regina-Dewdney riding in Monday's provincial election landslide by the Saskatchewan Party.

Makowsky defeated NDP incumbent Kevin Yates 4,373-2,537. Makowsky, 38, wrapped up his 17th season with the Roughriders in Friday's 23-20 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos and was elected to the legislature three days later.

"I haven't given it a whole lot of thought because the season just ended,'' Makowsky said Monday while taking in the jubilant atmosphere in his Broad Street constituency office. "We'll let things sink in, settle down, and see where we are in the near future. I just want to enjoy this because it's a pretty humbling experience to have people put their trust in me.''

Makowsky declared his intention to run for the Saskatchewan Party on Dec. 1. He re-signed with the Riders on Jan. 18 and juggled football while campaigning for political office. In 2011, Makowsky dressed for all 18 regular-season games and assumed the Riders' lead in all-time games played, with 285. He conducted his successful political campaign after the team's daily practice sessions.

"My (political) team worked so hard behind me and I had a lot of great help,'' Makowsky said.

Don McMorris, who won the Indian Head-Milestone riding on Monday, welcomed Makowsky to the Saskatchewan Party team.

"Gene has been a solid person in this province through his college days in Saskatoon to being in Regina as a Roughrider,'' McMorris said. "He's also joining a team, which is what he is all about. I'm really looking forward to having him join our team, especially on those caucus retreats when we have our football games. I'm picking him first.''

McMorris felt it could be possible for Makowsky to juggle professional football and being a member of the legislature.

"As a backbencher, he could work it for a year, but that is really up to Gene,'' McMorris said. "That's his time commitment. He has to balance constituency needs with football needs and, most importantly that I found out early on, family needs. One thing that would be nice for Gene is on every game day he could see half of his constituents.''

Makowsky appeared in Grey Cups with the Roughriders in 1997, 2007, 2009 and 2010, winning it all in 2007. He said Monday that winning a seat in his first attempt was different than winning the 2007 Grey Cup game.

"In football, I had been playing since I was 14,'' Makowsky said. "I was in my 13th year in the pros when I finally won. If I had been in 13 election campaigns it would be comparable. I'm a rookie at this and it's nice to win in your rookie season.''

Many of Makowsky's current and former teammates posted Tweets on Twitter congratulating him on Monday's victory.

"It's great that my teammates and former teammates are behind me,'' Makowsky said. "It hasn't quite sunk in yet . . . I guess I report to work (today).''

The Roughriders selected Makowsky in the second round (23rd) overall of the 1995 CFL draft out of the University of Saskatchewan. He was named the CFL'S most outstanding linemen in 2004 and 2005. He is a five-time CFL all-star and a seven-time West Division all-star.

DARIAN TO STAY IN REGINA THIS WINTER

REGINA -- Darian Durant isn't going anywhere.

For the second straight year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback will remain in Regina for most of the CFL off-season. He has some vacation plans, but will be in the province for the majority of this extended off-season.

"I see myself as being part of the community,'' Durant said Sunday, two days after the Roughriders finished their 2011 season with a 23-20 loss to the host Edmonton Eskimos. "Besides the snow, I love it here and the fans are great.''

The 2011 season wasn't great for Durant or any member of the Roughriders (5-13) as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001. The Riders were winless (0-10) versus West Division squads for the first time in the team's history. The Roughriders never recovered from a 1-7 start, which cost head coach Greg Marshall and offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry their jobs. Ken Miller returned as head coach and provided a spark as the Riders won their first three games of September.

But that spark flickered out as the Riders closed out the season 1-6 and were eliminated from playoff contention with three weeks remaining. The regular season ended early for Durant, who spent the final two games on the sidelines while recovering from foot injuries. Durant said part of his off-season program will be devoted to recovering from the season and building strength in his lower body.

"Physically, I have to work on my feet because I tend to throw off my back foot, like a fade-away jump shot,'' said the 29-year-old Durant. "Sometimes that allows the defensive backs to get a jump on the ball. I want to make sure my fundamentals are down pat. That will definitely help with my accuracy.''

Durant will also work on the mental aspect of his game. He feels he's mentally strong, but that won't keep him from studying film from the past season.

"I'll work on reading defences,'' Durant said. "I'm only in my third year as a starter so I still have a lot to learn. I look forward to working with whoever is the next offensive co-ordinator and breaking down film with them.''

There are questions on the football operations side that are likely to be answered this week. The Riders are expected to reveal their plans to replace Miller — who resigned on Oct. 31 as the head coach and vice-president of football operations — this week. The Riders are also expected to announce the structure of the front office.

Durant will watch what takes place, but he doesn't expect to have input into the hiring of an offensive co-ordinator. The Riders didn't fill that position after firing Berry. It was primarily handled by committee with Miller serving as the final voice.

"I'm just a player on this team,'' Durant said. "If they asked me about different guys, I would give my opinion. I won't say who I like or who I don't like. Whoever is the offensive co-ordinator, I will support him 100 per cent, just like I did Coach Miller and Coach Berry, and just try to get wins.''

Wins were hard to come by this season. The coaching staff was the target of the discontent over the Riders' offensive struggles and issues on the defence. Durant didn't escape unscathed because it was his poorest season statistically since being named the Riders starting quarterback in 2009.

This season, Durant was 299-for-489 for 3,653 yards with 18 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions, along with two rushing touchdowns. In 2009, Durant was 339-for-561 for 4,348 passing yards with 24 touchdowns, 21 interceptions and three rushing touchdowns. Last year, he was 391-for-644 while leading the CFL with 5,542 passing yards. Durant also had 25 touchdown passes, 22 interceptions and seven rushing touchdowns.

Miller feels that Durant will be able to rebound from the past season.

"Darian is a young quarterback who is going to continue to develop,'' Miller said. "He may have had a bit of a flat spot this year, but you'll see him accelerate and be the elite quarterback, or one of the elite quarterbacks, in this league as we go forward''

Durant feels that one of the reasons for the team's struggles this year was it was never at full strength. The Riders began the season without slotback Andy Fantuz, wide receiver Rob Bagg and defensive end Brent Hawkins, who were key contributors to the team's run to the 2010 Grey Cup game.

"I made some mistakes and we all have,'' Durant said. "I'm not one to make excuses, but take away the No. 1 receiver from each team and add Rob Bagg to that mix — who was becoming one of the best Canadian receivers in the league — and we were undermanned from the get-go. It's not rocket science why the season turned out the way it did. We would have loved for the season to have gone better, but when you're undermanned that's the situation we're left with.''

Fantuz played out his option this season and is eligible to file for free agency on Feb. 15. After returning from a failed tryout with the NFL's Chicago Bears, Fantuz was limited to four games with the Riders due to ankle injuries. Fantuz and Durant are close friends and Durant has talked to Fantuz about re-signing with the Riders.

"A lot of people don't know what Andy and Rob meant to this offence and having guys like Brent Hawkins and Tad Kornegay (who was released in July and signed with the B.C. Lions) on the field,'' Durant said. "They are game changers. You take away those type of weapons and you get this situation. That's why I can sit here with a smile on my face. I know what we can be when we're at full strength.''

Durant feels that the Roughriders can strengthen themselves by adding a quarterbacks coach. That position was vacant in 2011.

"It's always helpful to have one, but that's the situation we were in,'' Durant said. "As a player I can't question it. I just have to do my job.''

Durant will return to his position as the Riders' uncontested No. 1 quarterback in the spring. He will look forward to a fourth season in that position and reflect back on the past season as a learning experience.

"You just learn how to handle yourself and how to become a better professional,'' Durant said. "You learn how to deal with the negatives along with the positives. It's just being mature. Being in these tough situations this year definitely helped me in those aspects.''



Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Sweet+home+Regina+Riders+Darian+Durant/5671277/story.html#ixzz1d7fUFBf8

SEAN LUCAS ON RESIGNING WITH THE RIDERS

By MURRAY McCORMICK
Leader-Post

Sean Lucas is back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but he didn’t have any intention of leaving.

The Roughriders confirmed Wednesday that the veteran linebacker has re-signed. Lucas had filed for free agency on Feb. 15 after five seasons with the CFL team.

“I feel great because it’s where I’ve always wanted to be,’’ Lucas said from New Orleans, where he lives in the off-season. “We started negotiating a little bit late and I had some things that I wanted to consider. I never really intended on going anywhere else. I had some options and I just wanted to weigh those.’’

Lucas declined to reveal which teams presented those options. Most of the offers were similar financially to what the Riders proposed, but the teams couldn’t match couldn’t match everything that Saskatchewan has to offer.

“It’s a better situation in Saskatchewan for me,’’ said Lucas, who originally signed with the Riders as a free agent in 2006. “I love the guys in the locker room. The organization has been good to me and the fans are the greatest. There isn’t anyone who appreciates football more than they do in Saskatchewan. It gives me the best place to be successful as a team and as a player. Ultimately it’s the best place in the league to play and I know there are a lot of people who feel that way.’’

Lucas, 27, has played in 71 regular-season games with the Riders as an outside linebacker. He has 311 defensive tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions and 21 special-teams tackles. He started 17 games in 2010 before being sidelined for the final regular-season game and the playoffs with a hyperextended right elbow.

“I thought I could have come back,’’ said Lucas, adding that the elbow is 100 per cent. “The team wasn’t comfortable with me playing and truthfully it was best desision to sit out.’’

Lucas returns to a defence that has undergone changes among the coaching staff. Gary Etcheverry, who was the defensive co-ordinator in 2009 and 2010, was demoted with the hiring of Richie Hall. Etcheverry remains as a defensive assistant, the same position he filled in 2008 when he joined the Riders for his second stint with the team. He was previously the defensive co-ordinator in 2000.

Hall takes over as defensive co-ordinator after spending two seasons as the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos. Hall had been with the Riders for 15 years — the last eight as defensive co-ordinator — before taking over Edmonton’s head-coaching job. Lucas is looking forward to working with Hall and Etcheverry in 2011.

“Change will be good,’’ said Lucas, who was a West Division all-star in 2009. “In 2008, the combination of Etcheverry and Hall worked very well for us. We were able to mix things up and keep defences off balance. We’ve got a good group of young guys and the core people are back. We should be able to roll.’’

The Riders had 12 players on the 2010 roster eligible to file for free agency. Seven have re-signed — guard Gene Makowsky, running back Neal Hughes, linebackers Lucas, Kye Stewart and Mike McCullough and defensive halfbacks Lance Frazier and Chris McKenzie. Two others — offensive lineman Wayne Smith and linebacker Daniel Francis — signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Middle linebacker Rey Williams, who missed the 2010 season after suffering a knee injury in the final game of the NFL pre-season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, also signed with the Tiger-Cats. The Riders retained the rights to Williams up to the free-agent deadline.

The unsigned Riders are offensive tackle Joel Bell and defensive lineman Kitwana Jones, who are both imports.

The Riders have signed three free agents — offensive linemen Alex Gauthier and George Hudson, formerly of the Tiger-Cats, and former Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Tearrius George.

The Tiger-Cats released Gauthier on Feb. 1 and the Riders were able to sign him in advance of the CFL free-agent deadline.

LUCAS RETURNING TO THE RIDERS

By Murray McCormick Tue, Feb 22 2011 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

Linebacker Sean Lucas is returning to the Roughriders for at least two more seasons.

Lucas agreed to terms to with the Riders early Tuesday morning. The Riders are likely waiting for the signed contract to be in their hands before making the official announcement.

Lucas was considering other options before deciding on taking what the Riders were offering.

MAKE NO MISTAKE...REGEHR A RIDER FAN

Flames D-man robyn regehr sports his Saskatchewan roughriders headgear during Flames practice at McMahon Stadium on Saturday.Photograph by: Leah Hennel, Calgary Herald, Calgary HeraldA chartered member of the loyal order of Saskatchewan Roughriders fans has infiltrated the Calgary Stampeders locker-room.

"Henry Burris started this," Calgary Flames defenceman Robyn Regehr pronounced Saturday. "It's taken me a little while to get back at him, but I finally did."

The dispute dates back three years ago when Burris appeared on the television show Off the Record. Host Michael Landsberg asked the Calgary quarterback which Flames player is the biggest Stampeder fan.

"Robyn Regehr," Burris responded.

Wrong. So, very wrong.

Regehr, of course, grew up in Rosthern, Sask. On November road trips, the rugged defenceman can often be found huddled in a hotel room watching his beloved Roughriders on the road to the Grey Cup.

The plan for revenge is two-fold. The first step had Regehr wearing a green Roughriders tuque -complete with the ear flaps designed to protect against that brutal Saskatchewan wind -to Flames practice Saturday at McMahon Stadium.

Defenceman Cory Sarich is also a massive Riders supporter. Schad Richea, the assistant athletic therapist, is diehard for the men in green.

Still, Regehr insists he went it alone.

"This is a solo mission," Regehr said. "I'm going rogue right now."

True enough, but he did get some help securing the hat for the occasion. "I had a friend specifically request it from the Riders," he said. "They were nice enough to send it out to me.

"I think they were pretty happy when they heard what would be happening with it."

For good reason. Forget the Edmonton Eskimos or Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Saskatchewan Roughriders are Calgary's biggest rival, and vice versa. And hard feelings still exist of the Stampeders' temporary ban of Gainer the Gopher, the Saskatchewan mascot, from a 2006 playoff game.

Burris, of course, is a polarizing figure as a former Roughrider turned Stampeder.

"What a great opportunity to be in his stadium, in his dressing room," Regehr said, rubbing his hands together.

Which leads us to Part 2 of the plan. "Maybe," Regehr said. "I'll leave him a little bit of a surprise in his stall, too."

Maybe? You can count on it. Regehr had scouted out exactly where Burris sits in the palatial dressing room on the south side of the McMahon.

The Riders chapeau left Regehr open for plenty of ribbing from his teammates.

"That's great when you're icefishing,"said centre Brendan Morrison, "but I don't know about hockey."

"If I had known he was going to wear that," said defenceman Steve Staios, "I would have worn my Hamilton Tiger-Cats hat."

Stampeders long snapper Randy Chevrier feels for Regehr, in a way. As a Montreal Canadiens fan living in Calgary, he understands the concept of divided loyalties.

"I grew up a Canadiens fan my whole life, but I've adopted Calgary and its adopted me," he said. "And I would like to think I'm not as overt and annoying at times as some Riders fan can be."

Suddenly a fashion plate, Regehr also brought along a pair of beaded Calgary Flames snowmobile gloves that looked a lot like moccasins for the hands.

"During the lockout, I was actually up past La Ronge in Stanley Mission," Regehr said. "I actually went on a snowmobile/poker rally. I had a really, really good time up there with my dad and some other guys. So I talked about my time up there on CBC After Hours.

"The next thing you know, the band sent down those snowmobile gloves with the Calgary Flames sequins on them."

Regehr lent the gloves to head coach Brent Sutter for practice.

"Warm," Sutter said. "Very warm."

Much like Regehr's hat.

vHall@CalgaryHerald.Com



Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Make+mistake+Regehr+Riders/4316653/story.html#ixzz1EepvvQ4b

RIDERS MAKE OFFER TO TEARRIUS GEORGE

The Saskatchewan Roughriders could be making another dip into the CFL free-agent pool.

I was able to confirm that the Riders have made an offer to import defensive end Tearrius George. George, 28, has played three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders since 2007. He has 56 tackles and 10 sacks over that span. It appears that reports of the Riders signing George were unfounded late Thursday. They could be correct in the morning because things tend to change rather quickly when it comes to free agency.

FREE AGENCY SO FAR

The Riders finally made some gains in free agency on Thursday with the signing of Canadian offensive lineman George Hudson.

The losses are offensive tackle Wayne Smith and middle linebacker Rey Williams. Those losses are significant for different reasons. Smith was a good a player before running into injury trouble in back to back years. I talked to him today and he is frustrated to leave the Riders after that took place. He would have liked to have played and stayed with them.

Williams said the Riders didn’t make a serious offer, which is to be expected. He’s a great player, but there wasn’t a spot for him among the linebackers. He’ll fit in well with the Tiger-Cats. The good news is the Riders will only have to face Hamilton twice during the regular season.

Hudson had some other offers, but none as good as the one from the Riders. He’s a veteran of 12 CFL seasons and has been impressed with what has taken place in Riderville.

He’s also looking forward to playing again with Alex Gauthier and Dan Goodspeed. The o-line is a little long in the tooth, but you need experience there and the Riders have a nice blend now.

General manager Brendan Taman said he’s hourly contact with Sean Lucas’s agent, so there may or may not be a re-signing there.

Taman is sorry to lose players to free agency, but understand that’s the business. There aren’t any hard feelings from either side during this process. At least it appears that way.
That’s it for now. More on all of the free-agency frenzy online later or in Friday’s Leader-Post.

LUCAS PLAYING A WAITING GAME

Sean Lucas is playing a waiting game.

Lucas was one of six Saskatchewan Roughriders who became a free agent after Tuesday’s 11:01 p.m. deadline. He said Wednesday that he’s considering offers from the Riders along with two or three other CFL teams.

“I’m waiting to see what happens,’’ Lucas said from his off-season home in New Orleans. “I just want to come up with the best situation where I can be successful.’’
Lucas spent five seasons with the Riders, the last three as a starting linebacker. He was second on the team with 71 defensive tackles in 2010.

Lucas and the Riders may have parted ways, but it’s possible he could re-sign with Saskatchewan. T

“There wasn’t any pressure from either side to get things done immediately’’ Lucas said. “I’m waiting to let the situation play itself out. The Riders’ organization has been very good to me and I would like to return. They have business obligations they have to meet and I have the ones I’m looking for. That’s what free agency is all about. A lot of people feel it’s something personal, but it’s not. I don’t think the players, GMs or whoever is making the final decisions think it is either.’’
The Riders didn’t have plans to announce any player signings on Wednesday. It’s believed that general manager Brendan Taman is working on negotiations with Lucas and offensive tackle Wayne Smith.

The Roughriders lost their first player to free agency when import linebacker Daniel Francis signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Francis can play linebacker as well as defensive back. The Tiger-Cats signed Francis on the recommendation of Joe Womack, Hamilton’s director of player personnel and assistant general manager. Womack was the director of U.S. scouting with the Roughriders before joining the Tiger-Cats staff on Jan. 12.

The other unsigned Riders’ free agents are linebacker Rey Williams, offensive tackle Joel Bell and defensive lineman Kitwana Jones.

THE GOAT IS A GREAT ACQUISTION FOR THE RIDERS

By Mike Abou-Mechrek, Special to the Leader Post February 15, 2011 3:02 Recently, I had started to believe that I, Mike Abou-Mechrek, was finally becoming part of the "media." You know, one of those guys who some players avoid so that their personal lives don't end up on the front page of the Leader-Post.

My fears were allayed about a week ago when I got a tidbit of information from one of my best friends, Alexandre Gauthier, that he asked me to keep under wraps.

I really don't understand the mining/drilling world, so I'm not really sure what his off-season job is, but I know that he and his family live in Calgary and his job brings him to me, in Regina, once a month.

During a visit on Feb. 3, he let me know that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had released him before his contract expired, and that he was free to explore the CFL's free agent waters once he cleared waivers.

It was no secret to anyone that the Riders would be interested, as you'd have to not have any ears if you didn't hear the rumour last year that the Riders and Ti-Cats had agreed on a deal to bring him here, only to have the deal kiboshed before the ink was dry. So once he told me he was released, we started working on how much I would charge him for renting a room in my house next season.

I have often talked in this space about how great of a place Ottawa was to play in because of the players, coaches, management and people. It was a true family environment. Alex and his then-girlfriend, Shanny, were two of the people who made the Renegades such a great team to be a part of. (It definitely wasn't our won-loss record.)

The first time I met Alex was certainly one of the most awkward situations in my life. It was two days before the first day of training camp. I had arrived in Ottawa early to get acclimatized to the area. My then-girlfriend, Kathie, and I checked into the hotel that Renegades president Brad Watters had set up for us, and then we went out to dinner and a little .

To our surprise, when we got back to the room, our room, we didn't expect to see a 6foot-6, 326-pound naked French man laying in our room. I wanted to be that guy, but I'm not French. We were not impressed . and we have not even gotten to the awkward part yet.

I knew who Alex was by name alone and I wasn't impressed. I was always a grinder. I didn't have a lot of natural ability but, if you gave me a real shot at something, I wouldn't disappoint. He was the first pick overall in the 2002 CFL draft and his bio included provincial rankings in just about every organized sport, but he chose football -and here he was, in all his glory.

"Hi, I'm Mike," I said, extending my hand to be shaken by this giant.

"Alexandre," he said as he squashed my hand and shook me about the room. The "conversation'' proceeded as follows:

Me: "So, did you just get in?"

Gauthier: "IF?"

Me: "If? If what?"

Gauthier: "IF?"

After about 10 minutes of "ifs," I finally clued in that Alex's ONLY word in English was "if." Years later, I found out that he thought "if" meant "what."

He didn't even know "I don't speak English," and why would he? He grew up in Gaspe, Que., and went to university in Laval. Good thing that languages are "my thing.'' Not only did I get a 50 per cent in Grade 9 French -after which I was asked to never speak French again -but I also have my high school transcripts that include seven high school English courses/attempts, scarred with a bunch of 50s and 60s -so who would be more qualified to teach this future all-star the language of the CFL -English.

I spent the rest of the night doing other things in another room, but since that day I have had a personal attachment to "The Goat," or "Les Grossman" (translated, it almost means "The Fat Man").

We spent the next two days together, joined at the hip. Alex was a great rookie, but I wanted to punch him in the face every time he said "if.'' What the heck is "if"?

That was only my fourth year in the league, so I wasn't a savvy veteran, but I felt Alex's pain. I knew how hard it could be to be a rookie, but I could only imagine what it must be like for him to not understand a word anyone was saying to him. We stayed close and I translated things for him the best I could (which wasn't very well) and my French was surprisingly impressive and getting better.

It was a whole new ball game when Shanny came to town to watch one of our games.

Shanny didn't even know "if" AND she is very shy, so the English she did pick up didn't come out -at least not until Kathie (my thengirlfriend) sat next to her with a couple of those $11 beers. After about $99 (you do the math), Shanny and Kathie were speaking Frenglish and having a great time.

I could go on and on with the adventures of the Abous and the Goats, or even the rest of the Ottawa offensive line. It seems we were all at the same stages of our lives and that's what I think made the Renegades such a great team to be a part of.

Val St. Germain, potential future Rider (ooops; sorry, Brendan Taman) George Hudson, the Goats and the Abous all bought our first homes around the same time, married our girlfriends around the same time, and even had our first children all within a year of each other.

The Goats, and maybe one day George, are tremendous people who will fit into Riderville very well.

Goat's on-field accomplishments are what they are -outstanding. There will be no drop in play by moving Gene Makowsky from tackle to guard, full-time. It's rather scary when you look at how the Riders' O-line will look on opening day. From left to right, it will likely be Goat, Geno, Marc Parenteau, Chris Best and Dan Goodspeed.

With all due respect to the likes of Jeremy O'Day, Andrew Greene and Roger Aldag, this might be the best lineup the Riders have ever had across the board. I'm comfortably saying that a minimum of 60 per cent of the Riders' offensive linemen will be CFL all-stars in 2011. Congratulations, Brendan Taman.

One last thing you need to know about Alex is that not only is he fat, he's also slow. A great combo!

(I welcome your feedback at mike.aboumechrek@investorsgroup.com)


Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Goat+great+friend/4284003/story.html#ixzz1E268hiEp

BAGG EXPECTS TO BE BACK FOR TRAINING CAMP

REGINA — Rob Bagg doesn’t plan on taking a knee when it comes to any part of the upcoming CFL season.

The veteran wide receiver expects to be ready for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp despite suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee late in the regular season last year against the Calgary Stampeders.

“I’m always an optimist,” Bagg said from his off-season home in Kingston, Ont. “The running is coming along well and I’m back with my strength coach. I’m doing the kind of things that I would normally do now. I’m pleased with where I’m at and optimistic that I’ll be back at the beginning of the year.”

That seems like a relatively quick recovery for Bagg, who underwent surgery in mid-November to replace his torn ACL with one from a cadaver. Ken Miller, the Riders’ former head coach and now vice-president of football operations, told reporters Thursday that he expected Bagg to be sidelined until Labour Day. It typically takes players who suffered injuries such as Bagg’s six to nine months to recover.

“I haven’t talked to coach Miller yet, but I’m coming out in March for a checkup,” Bagg said. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to give him a good surprise when I do. I don’t feel like there is any reason why I shouldn’t be ready for training camp.”

Riders general manager Brendan Taman was cautious when told about Bagg’s intention to return for training camp. Veterans are to report June 5.

“It’s a serious injury,” Taman said. “He could be ready, but then he couldn’t be. It’s a long process.”

Bagg injured his knee Oct. 17 when the visiting Stampeders beat the Roughriders 34-26. He was sidelined for the final three regular-season games and the Riders’ playoff run, which ended with a 21-18 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup game.

Bagg, 26, knows the time frame it often takes to bounce back from his type of knee injury. Elite athletes can shorten that recovery time and Bagg vowed to be one of those, hopefully following in the footsteps of New England receiver Wes Welker, who returned to the Patriots’ active roster this past season, seven months after tearing his ACL.

“I’ve just been very diligent,” said Bagg, who had 44 receptions for 688 yards and three touchdowns as the wide-side receiver before being injured. “I’ve spent every hour that I can getting my knee right. I see my strength coach and physiotherapist every day and between the both of them I’m probably doing four hours of work (per day). I’m just trying to take care of my body. I’m having a little less fun than I’ve had in the past, but I’m trying to eat right and I’m really focusing my energy on getting my right leg back to where I think it should be.”


Bagg’s sights are set on more than returning to the active roster. The signing of slotback Andy Fantuz with the Chicago Bears on Feb. 4 has created an opening at that position with the Riders.

Bagg would like to move from wide receiver to slotback, a spot he filled at times when Weston Dressler suffered a broken leg late in the 2008 season.

“I’ve always played slotback and I think I’m more effective there,” Bagg said, who was a slotback with Queen’s University before signing with the Riders as a free agent. “We’ll see what happens when they start shuffling guys around, but any player who wants the football in the CFL wants to play slotback.”


Bagg feels if he continues to progress, he’ll be in the running for that position when training camp opens.

“As football players, we’re all driven individuals but you really find out how much you love the game and how much you miss it when you get setbacks like this,” Bagg said. “I’m trying to take this as a learning experience and hopefully it will make me stronger.”

RIDERS SIGN STEWART AS FREE AGENCY DEADLINE LOOMS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Monday that they have re-signed linebacker Kye Stewart.Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post filesREGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have already made a splash in the CFL free-agent pool with Friday's signing of Canadian offensive tackle Alex Gauthier.

Whether they will make more waves in the pursuit of other free agents remains to be determined. The league-imposed deadline for free agents is 11:01 p.m. Tuesday. The contracts of all unsigned CFL players expire at 11 p.m., thus the reason for the late deadline.

Brendan Taman, general manager of the Roughriders, said Monday that he has concentrated his efforts on re-signing Saskatchewan's possible free agents. He whittled a list of 12 down to six potential free agents as of Monday evening.

"The reality is we've signed everyone we're going to sign before the deadline hits,'' Taman said. "I will try to sign a couple (Tuesday), but those other guys are going to hit the market. The fact we were able to work the list down since the end of the season to that is pretty good. We feel we did well with that and adding Gauthier was a huge hit. We'll have to see if we add another guy or two.''

The unsigned Riders are linebackers Sean Lucas, Daniel Francis and Rey Williams, offensive tackles Joel Bell and Wayne Smith and defensive end Kitwana Jones. All of the unsigned players are imports except Smith. Gauthier was available to sign early because he was released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Feb. 1, two weeks in advance of today's deadline.

While any of the six may elect to test free agency, that doesn't preclude them from re-signing with the Riders.

"I know that we will lose some, if not all of them,'' Taman said. "We've lessened the blows we could have taken by retaining as many guys as we did. If we had guys like (Lance) Frazier and (Gene) Makowsky still on the market, that would have been a little nerve-racking. I would still like to have Sean and Daniel back, but it is what is.''

A total of 40 players eligible to file for free agency. The list includes B.C. Lions backup quarterback Jarious Jackson, Montreal Alouettes running back Avon Cobourne, Calgary Stampeders offensive tackle Ben Archibald, Calgary defensive back Dwight Anderson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Jonathan Hefney and Toronto Argonauts defensive end Kevin Huntley. Each player could help any team, but Taman and other general managers have to weigh the cost of each signing.

"You go into free agency looking to fill a hole or two if you need to,'' Taman said. "This time last year, we did that with (returner) Dominique Dorsey. Unfortunately that didn't work out. Anytime you sign a guy as a free agent, it's going to be about money. There aren't a lot of guys who are going to go to another team for a lot less money. I don't get too excited about free agency. I do if we had a lot of guys exposed, but that's something I tried to not let happen over the last few months.''

The Riders made two moves regarding imports Monday. They re-signed linebacker Kye Stewart and released receiver/returner Ryan Grice-Mullen. Stewart is heading into his third season with the Riders. He has dressed for 17 games, recording 23 defensive tackles and 24 special-teams tackles. He was hampered by a knee injury in 2010 and dressed for only 10 games.

Stewart wasn't among the marquee signings, but he is expected to be a key contributor on special teams while continuing to learn the CFL game.

"He was playing well before he got hurt,'' Taman said. "He'll have a role to fill and he'll be interesting to watch.''

Grice-Mullen spent half of the 2010 season with the Riders after a failed tryout with the NFL's Miami Dolphins. He took over from Dorsey, the Riders' high-profile free-agent signing heading into the 2010 season. Dorsey struggled and was eventually placed on the nine-game injured list. Grice-Mullen was adequate, but muffed a critical punt late in the West Division final against the Calgary Stampeders. He was replaced as the returner in the Grey Cup game by Weston Dressler.

"There were a number of factors that went into (Grice-Mullen) being cut,'' Taman said. "He's a good guy and did well for us, but unfortunately everyone will remember him for the dropped punt. The kid is a better player than that.''

RIDERS RESIGN KYE STEWART AND DUMP GRICE-MULLEN

This just in . . .

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have signed import linebacker Kye Stewart to a new contract. The financial details were not released.

Stewart is heading into his third season with the Roughriders. The 26-year old dressed in ten regular season games last season and recorded ten defensive tackles, 12 special teams tackles and a forced fumble.

In his two seasons with the Green and White, Stewart has dressed in 17 games and recorded 23 defensive tackles, 24 special teams tackles, one interception and two forced fumbles.

*The Riders also announced today they have released import returner/receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen.

CATCHING UP WITH KENTON KEITH

Former Riders running back Kenton Keith sets his sights on the NFL with Saskatchewan being a backup plan

Ed Kapp
News Writer

When Kenton Keith first signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2003, many football fans thought that the former New Mexico State standout was one of the best if not the best running backs to ever suit up for the Green and White.

Fortunately for Roughrider fans everywhere, there’s a chance that Keith may be back in Saskatchewan for a second tour of duty in the very near future.

After suffering a pair of lower body injuries in his lone campaign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Keith, 30, decided to sit the 2010 season out – despite the pleas of a number of both CFL and NFL squads that were trying to lure Keith back onto the field.

Now back at 100 per cent, Keith is ready to get back into professional football.

“Right now I’m doing most of my workouts with the NFL, but I’m actually coming up to Saskatchewan on the 18th for my son’s birthday and I’m trying to schedule a workout for Saskatchewan – something to fall back on if nothing else works,” Keith explained over the telephone.

Although Keith is quick to point out that Saskatchewan is, for all intents and purposes, a backup plan to his aspirations of returning to the NFL, the Lincoln, Neb. product is quick to show respect to the CFL and offer assurance that he would be more than happy to be back with the Green and White for 2011.

“Honestly, it’s just as hard for an American guy to get into the CFL as it is for the NFL,” offered Keith. “[The CFL is] pretty well known, now – these last couple of years it’s been getting bigger and bigger in the States. Kudos to the CFL.

“I honestly think the CFL is a lot funner. The NFL is cool because you get paid more, if that’s the way you want to look at it, but overall, the CFL is a lot more fun … When I played for Saskatchewan, it was some of the best years of my whole career, man. We had a real tight-knit team and we were like family – the coaches, the GM, and the staff, everybody was just like family, man.”

A member of the Roughriders from 2003 through the 2006 season, it didn’t take long for Keith to establish himself both as one of the premier running-backs in the CFL and has one of the league’s most exciting athletes.

Incredibly quick, shifty, and agile, with a prowess for making defenders look silly – YouTube “Kenton Keith vs. Rob Hitchcock” if you need proof – Keith was Saskatchewan’s go-to-guy for big plays on offence throughout the majority of his career with the Roughriders.

Statistics-wise, in four seasons in Saskatchewan, Keith racked up nearly 5,000 all-purpose yards and 29 touchdowns, all the while, and perhaps most impressively, never averaging fewer than six yards per carry a season.

Interestingly enough, as Keith explained, his experience in Saskatchewan nearly didn’t happen at all.

“I actually didn’t even know about the CFL when I came out [of college],” recalled Keith. “When I didn’t get drafted to the NFL, I had just had shoulder surgery so I was kind of discouraged and I went back home. I started working a job dealing with mentally-challenged people and I worked there for a month and I saw this Saskatchewan Roughriders contract on my table and I was like, ‘What the hell is this?’ – I couldn’t even pronounce it.

“I was like, ‘it must be somebody trying to get me to come train.’ I didn’t even look at it. I pushed it to the side for two weeks. I went to work, then at work I got fed up and I went on break and never came back … ever [laughs]. I went home, looking in the trash, like, ‘where’s this contract at,’ then I found it and that’s how I got to the CFL.”

After parting ways with the Roughriders following four very productive campaigns, Keith signed a contract to play under the tutelage of Tony Dungy with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, thereby following the same path as his father Percy Keith and cousins Roger Craig and Ahman Green.

When given the opportunity to play in the NFL, Keith immediately stood out, even in the company of legends of the sport like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Reggie Wayne.

As a member of the 12-win AFC South division champion Colts, Keith primarily served as a backup to starting tail-back Joseph Addai. Despite predominantly serving as a situational player, Keith still picked up over 600 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.

Although Keith, no doubt, plans on getting back into the NFL – at the time of the interview he was en route to Dallas to speak with Dungy and a number of interested NFL ball clubs during the league’s annual Super Bowl festivities – there’s no doubt that Roughrider fans everywhere would want the former two-time CFL West all-star to come back for another run at a Grey Cup Championship or two in Saskatchewan.

Moreover, if Keith’s attitude towards the CFL is any indication, it seems that he wouldn’t have a problem with a second stint in Saskatchewan either.

“I’ve got much love for the CFL,” Keith said. “I’m actually working out with a guy up here, his name is Courtney Smith and he plays with Winnipeg. I’ve been working out with him for a couple weeks and we just talk about the CFL, how people need to give the CFL more credit, and just how fun the game is. The overall game in the CFL is a lot more fun and it’s not as hard on your brain. It’s less political and you can actually just be yourself.”

HOW CAN WE REPLACE ANDY FANTUZ

The inevitable news arrived Friday when the former Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback announced that he had signed with the Chicago Bears.Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post filesThe Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping to successfully bear the departure of star slotback Andy Fantuz.

Having reached an inevitable contract agreement one week ago with an NFL team -namely the Chicago Bears -Fantuz is likely lost to the Roughriders until at least mid-season, and perhaps much, much longer. Given his considerable talents, he may never be seen in these parts again, except on cereal boxes or at the 2021 Plaza of Honor dinner.

Someone who is so expert at identifying holes in defences has himself created a significant void after parlaying his finest of five CFL seasons into an NFL contract he has long coveted.

So what now for the Roughriders?

It would be foolhardy to suggest that Fantuz can be replaced. Rare is the player who is capable of leading the league in receiving yards, as did Fantuz in 2010 when he caught 87 passes for 1,380 yards. As a bonus, he is a Canadian, so his impact on the ratio was enormous.

Fantuz's impact on the Roughriders' offence was comparable to that of Ray Elgaard, who was named the league's most outstanding Canadian in 1988, 1990 and 1992. Fantuz received that award this past November.

At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, and imbued with an intuitive feel for coverages, Fantuz was an inviting target for quarterback Darian Durant. The rapport between Durant and Fantuz was especially evident in move-the-chains situations, such as second-and-long. Their chemistry also benefited the Roughriders on the deep corner patterns that Fantuz runs like nobody else.

The Bears' brass took notice of Fantuz's attributes, and wisely so. Their 2010 roster did not include someone with Fantuz's body type, and few receivers in any league catch the ball as well as the Roughriders' erstwhile No. 83. If there is a 2011 NFL season, Fantuz stands a reasonable chance of dressing on opening day, thereby attaining a lifelong goal.

That may be of little solace to the Roughriders and their fans, who are trying to cope with life after Fantuz.

Granted, "notable player leaves Saskatchewan'' is hardly a fresh storyline. The Roughriders' current run of success, dating back to 2007, is largely attributable to the team's ability to withstand off-season departures of key players (see: Kenton Keith, Kerry Joseph, Reggie Hunt, Fred Perry, Maurice Lloyd, John Chick, Stevie Baggs, Rey Williams, Eddie Davis).

The team has a knack for silencing those who exclaim "The sky is falling!''

That said, one cannot automatically assume that the Roughriders will be fine sans Fantuz, merely because precedent suggests that they will cope.

In a West Division where there should be so little to choose between the teams, will Fantuz's exit alter the balance of power? The Calgary Stampeders, remember, were so determined to eliminate Fantuz that they assigned Brandon Browner to follow him everywhere.

The strategy worked, to a degree. The Stampeders were successful in eliminating Fantuz, but not the Roughriders -who defeated Calgary 20-16 in the 2010 West Division final at McMahon Stadium. Calgary's preoccupation with Fantuz created opportunities for other players and ultimately worked to the Stampeders' detriment.

Now that Fantuz is out of the equation, the Roughriders need to create a situation where one of their remaining receivers becomes such a priority for the opposition.

Weston Dressler is the logical choice, being that he is coming off an 81-catch, 1,189-yard season. And maybe, with Fantuz's $160,000 salary off the books, the Roughriders will be able to use some of that money to sign Dressler to a long-term contract extension.

Dressler is not the only option, mind you. Chris Getzlaf flirted with 1,000 yards in 2010. Cary Koch looks very much like a 1,000-yard receiver. Rob Bagg, if healthy, is a fine player. Jordan Sisco has a ton of potential.

And then there is Jason Clermont. If there is a positive aspect of Fantuz signing with Chicago, it is that an opening has been created for a starting Canadian slotback. Who better to fill that void than Clermont?

It will not be easy to replace someone who was recently decorated as the league's most outstanding Canadian. But the Roughriders have the luxury of employing a two-time winner of that prestigious award -namely Clermont.

Over to you, No. 82.



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RIDERS SIGN CANADIAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

New Saskatchewan Roughrider offensive lineman Alexandre Gauthier in Regina on February 11, 2011.Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-PostREGINA — If Alex Gauthier couldn't play at home, his next choice was in Regina.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders welcomed the 34-year-old offensive lineman to their family on Friday and signed the product of Marie, Que., to what is believed to be a two-year contract.

"This is the best place to be," Gauthier told a swarm of media that gathered on Friday afternoon inside the Riders' locker room. "I had a few offers and I was talking to my wife about where would be the best place for us to go. Coming here is a good fit."

Gauthier, a 6-foot-6, 326-pounder from Marie, Que., cited a long list of reasons why he chose the Riders over the other rumoured suitor, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Joining a Riders team that has played in the past two Grey Cup games, Gauthier explained, gave him the best opportunity to compete for a CFL championship.

"As a player, you want to go somewhere where the chances of winning are good," Gauthier said.

"It seems like all the stars were aligned to bring me here. I don't see any negative points in being here."

Neither does Rider general manager Brendan Taman.

"He just doesn't get beat," Taman said. "He's a solid guy and a Canadian at left tackle. There's not a lot of them in the league. He's durable and very reliable."

Taman admitted he has had an eye on Gauthier for a while. In fact, the Riders had worked out a trade for him last season, but the deal fell through at the last minute.

Gauthier has proved to be durable throughout his CFL career, as he has started every game over the past six seasons.

He played the past two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where he worked with Steve Buratto, who was recently hired by the Riders to serve as the team's offensive line coach. While in Hamilton, Gauthier also got to know Greg Marshall, the Riders' new head coach.

Prior to his time with the Ti-Cats, Gauthier played for two years with the Blue Bombers, where he was named an East Division all-star in 2007. He also became familiar with current Riders coaches Bob Dyce and Doug Berry.

Gauthier's familiarity with the Riders' new-look coaching staff was also a deciding factor in him coming to Regina.

"It looks like the team is going to be even better than it was last year," he said. "They have a super coaching staff right ... something like five head coaches."

In Winnipeg, Gauthier played two years with Dan Goodspeed, who is now with the Riders. Gauthier considers Goodpseed to be one of his closest friends.

"We studied film together, we were roommates, and we really pushed each other to make each other better," he said.

"To perform, you need to have fun," Gauthier added. "It's like any job. If you go to work walking backwards, it's going to be tough to put a smile on your face and actually perform. But when you have good friends and you know you're wanted there, it's easier to give everything you have."

Gauthier didn't feel as if he was wanted in Hamilton anymore, nor did he feel that Winnipeg sincerely wanted him.

"You want to go somwhere where you feel wanted," he said. "The thing in Winnipeg, I was feeling like they were needing me ... but here I really feel like they wanted me. I feel they are excited that I am here."

Gauthier and his pal Goodspeed will likely anchor the tackle positions on the offensive line this season, with Gauthier on the left side beside veteran Gene Makowsky.

The retirement of centre Jeremy O'Day created a void in the middle of the line. But with names like Marc Parenteau, Dan Clark, Marlon Dukes, among others, on the roster, Taman said they'll like fill from within to replace O'Day.

Non-import free-agent offensive lineman Wayne Smith, who has played in just one game over the past two seasons due to injuries, is still high on the Riders' list of players to re-sign.

"Anytime you get a good Canadian starter, you're pretty happy," he said. "Losing Andy (Fantuz) and Jeremy (O'Day) the past couple of weeks were sort of a blow. We knew we had to go out and get somebody through free agency, and we felt Alex was probably the top guy to get."

cslater@leaderpost.com



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