SISCO READY !!

University of Regina Rams football coach Frank McCrystal was on 620 CKRM's Sports Cage on Wednesday. He said if the Riders should lose leading receiver Andy Fantuz to the NFL, then the team has an adequate replacement in Jordan Sisco. The former Rams star had a tryout with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts before signing with the Riders midway through the 2010 CFL season.

"I think he's just so very natural," McCrystal explained. "It kinda sounds weird when you talk about this, you'd have to be involved in the football thing, but for example when you run him on a 40 time, he'll go by you and you won't even hear him. He's that smooth when he runs. Certainly he's physically very capable and relative to his strength, he's tough enough to deliver the blow as well as take them.

"He also has very, very soft hands. He's a guy who can get seperation from a defensive back and he has the speed to run away from defensive backs. He's also the guy that can get the tough yards and catch the ball inside."

KEN MILLER COACH OF THE YEAR FINALIST

Toronto, ON - (January 27, 2011) - Jim Barker, Ken Miller and Marc Trestman are the nominees for the 2010 Canadian Football League Coach of the Year Award, the league announced today.

"All three of these gentlemen are tremendous leaders in our league and are well deserving of this nomination," said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon.

"On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to thank them for their continued professionalism, dedication and passion for our great league."

The winner will be presented the Annis Stukus Trophy on Friday, February 25 at the 50th Coach of the Year celebration held at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.

The 2010 Coach of the Year nominees were selected by 53 voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada.

JIM BARKER

In his first season as head coach of the Toronto Argonauts, Barker led his team to a 9-9 record, third place in the East Division and just one win away from a berth in the 98th Grey Cup. Barker turned a team around that had a combined record of 7-29 in the previous two seasons.

This is Barker's second stint in Toronto. In 1997, Barker was the mastermind behind the team's offence, which is regarded as one of the most successful in CFL history. Two years later Barker was named head coach of the Argos, making him the youngest head coach in the CFL at that time. Following a successful five years as a player personnel executive with the Calgary Stampeders, Barker was hired as head coach of the Argonauts during the 2010 off-season. Recently, Barker was also promoted to General Manager.

KEN MILLER

In 2010, Miller led the Saskatchewan Roughriders 10-8 record and second place in the West Division. Miller also coached his team to two playoff victories, returning the Roughriders to the Grey Cup for the second straight year. The veteran CFL coach recently retired from the sidelines and is now serving as Vice President of Football Operations for the Roughriders.

Miller first joined the Saskatchewan coaching staff in 2007 as offensive co-ordinator, playing a key role in a 'Rider offence that led the CFL in touchdowns that year and helped win the Grey Cup.

Prior to joining the CFL as an assistant coach with the Toronto Argonauts in 2002, Miller spent nearly four decades coaching at the university and high school level in southern California.

MARC TRESTMAN

Trestman led the Montreal Alouettes in 2010 to a 12-6 record, first place in the East Division and a second straight Grey Cup championship.

In his three seasons with the Alouettes, Trestman has coached them to an overall record of 38-16, three East Division Championships, three Grey Cup appearances and two championships.

His impressive NCAA and NFL coaching resume includes successful stints tutoring some of the greatest quarterbacks in U.S. history, including Bernie Kosar, Steve Young and Rich Gannon. He has been credited with helping the Alouettes' superb quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL in 2009 and the Most Valuable Player in the 2009 Grey Cup, reach new heights.

THE HAWK STAYS CLOSE TO RIDER NATION

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end Brent Hawkins made a pretty decent snow angel in his front yard in Regina on January 18, 2011.Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-PostREGINA — Brent Hawkins has been nearly snowed under by his first taste of winter in Regina.

"It's different to see flurries during the day and then when you wake up in the morning, there is four to eight inches of snow on the ground,'' said Hawkins, who concluded his first CFL season as an import defensive end with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2010. "To have that take place every other day is ridiculous.''

Hawkins, 27, grew up in Jerseyville., Ill., where he said there was snow and cold. What he experienced there doesn't compare to what he's seen in Regina.

"There are snowbanks as high as I am and I'm 6-foot-3,'' Hawkins said. "I'm shocked by the amount of snow that you get so frequently.''

Hawkins had the misfortune to pick this winter as his first in Saskatchewan. Regina has been blanketed by a record 120 centimetres of snow since late October. The previous high up to this point was 113.4 centimetres recorded in 1974. Then there's the cold. There were sub-zero days in Jerseyville but rarely as consistently as the temperatures recorded in Regina.

"When that wind picks up, with this weather, the cold is truly a force to be reckoned with,'' Hawkins said. "Our car is 20 steps from our house and I told my fiancée that she had better put on clothes and a hat to run to the car. She never knew that she would have to put on a whole body suit for a run to the car.''

Hawkins is spending the winter in Regina with his fiancée, Andrea, and their one-year-old son, Kai. They are also expecting a daughter in early March. Hawkins expected some extreme weather, but felt it was best to remain in the city where he earns his living in the CFL.

"I don't like to stray too far away from the team that I'm on,'' Hawkins said. "I like to stay close for training and those kind of things. I also don't want to get caught up in all of the distractions that can take place at home.''

Hawkins underwent surgery on Dec. 6 to repair the right shoulder that he injured during the 2010 season. He was sidelined for five regular-season games but returned for the Riders' run to the 2010 Grey Cup game. The Riders were beaten 21-18 by the Montreal Alouettes on Nov. 28.

"The rehab has gone really well,'' said Hawkins, who is also considering surgery on his left shoulder. "I'm back lifting and working out and that's not bad for a month after surgery. I've made a miraculous recovery.''

There had been reports that Hawkins worked out with the NFL's Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles. Hawkins said those reports were unfounded. He added that a number of NFL teams have been in contact with his agent, though.

"There is a lot of interest, but I don't know what I'm going to do,'' said Hawkins, who recorded 31 defensive tackles and three sacks during the regular season and five defensive tackles in the playoffs. "Who knows what the future holds? Right now I'm a Roughrider and it's where I want to be.''

Hawkins has playing experience in the NFL. He spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being released in 2008. He was working at an oil refinery in Wood River, Ill., before signing with the Riders in April.

Because Hawkins signed with the Riders before the new collective bargaining agreement kicked in, he's allowed to pursue NFL opportunities in the option year of his contract. The option-window has been closed for players who signed after the new four-year CBA was announced in early July.

Working out and recovering from surgery hasn't kept Hawkins from taking part in some of the community events that have taken place. He was among a number of Roughriders who made the trip to Unity on Saturday for a hockey game. Hawkins can't skate, but helped out as a member of the coaching staff.

"It was great,'' Hawkins said. "I felt like I was part of everyone's family and I figured we should have spent the night because we were having so much fun.''

Hawkins is also enjoying the camaraderie that is part of spending the off-season with teammates.

"When you see those guys, you realize that you miss seeing them at the football office,'' Hawkins said. "I spend more time with them, than I do with my fiancée. That's because it's my job, but they are my brothers.''

Hawkins has followed the changes with the Riders' coaching staff. Hawkins hasn't met Greg Marshall, who was hired Jan. 5 as the new head coach to replace Ken Miller. Miller resigned Dec. 2 to concentrate on his duties as the vice-president of football operations.

"I've heard great things about (Marshall),'' Hawkins said. "He was a great player and I'm always willing to learn. If he has a tip he wants to throw my way, I'm there to listen.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.com

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-Post


Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/health/Brent+Hawkins+stays+close+Rider+Nation+despite+Regina+record+snowfall/4135347/story.html#ixzz1BdaNiOZ7

RIDERS RE-SIGN CHRIS McKENZIE

The latest out of Riderville:

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have signed import defensive back Chris McKenzie to a new contract. Financial details of the contract were not released.
In 2010, McKenzie started at halfback in 14 regular season games where he tallied 43 defensive tackles, five pass knockdowns and one fumble recovery.
Since joining the Riders in March, 2009, the 28 year-old has played in 22 regular season games and has totaled 61 defensive tackles, seven pass knockdowns, two special team tackles and a fumble recovery.
McKenzie was scheduled to become a free agent next month.


2010 Free agents
RT Joel Bell l
DB Lance Frazier l
LB Daniel Francis l
RB Neal Hughes
DE Kitwana Jones l
DB Sean Lucas l
G Gene Makowsky - re-signed Jan. 18
LB Mike McCullough - re-signed Dec. 22
DB Chris McKenzie l - re-signed Jan. 19
C Jeremy O’Day
OL Wayne Smith
LB Kye Stewart l
l - denotes import

RICHIE HALL IS NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Sportsnet.ca's Perry Lefko reports Richie Hall has been hired by the Riders. Here's his article:

- Richie Hall has joined Saskatchewan rookie head coach Greg Marshall as defensive co-ordinator, multiple sources told sportsnet.ca.

Hall coached the last two years in Edmonton after a lengthy career in Regina as a player and later defensive backs coach followed by defensive co-ordinator.

He worked as the defensive backs coach for Marshall during his time as the Riders' defensive co-ordinator in the late '90s.

Saskatchewan, Hamilton, Winnipeg and B.C. had an interest in hiring Hall defensive co-ordinator.

Gary Etcheverry, the defensive co-ordinator under Riders' previous head coach Ken Miller, who resigned his post after three years to oversee football operations, will likely be in demand. He runs an unorthodox pressure defence based on unusual fronts and schemes, but it has been successful.


Both Hamilton and Winnipeg may have an interest in Etcheverry because he has been on Riders staffs that included the current head coaches of both Winnipeg and Hamilton.

GREG MARSHALL IS THE NEW RIDER HEAD COACH

Debbie and I saw Greg Marshall in the Rider locker room on Thursday, Dec 23rd !!!

It is official....Greg Marshall is our new head coach !!!

Riderville.com Staff


The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have named Greg Marshall as the club’s 28th head coach in modern history.

"We underwent an extensive interview process, but the name we kept coming back to was Greg Marshall," stated Riders Vice President of Football Operations Ken Miller. “Coach Marshall brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him and has been successful as a coach and a player in this league. His familiarity with this team and this market will undoubtedly be an asset as we build towards the future.”

Prior to taking the helm of the Riders, Marshall spent the last two seasons in Hamilton where he held the positions of – assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Tiger-Cats. During his time in Steeltown, Marshall built a solid defence that allowed players such as Markeith Knowlton and Jamall Johnson to develop into some of the CFL’s top defensive players.

"I am very thankful and excited to be the head coach of the Saskatchewan Roughriders," stated Marshall. “It is an honour to once again be a member of Rider Nation, this organization has a very bright future and I look forward to being a part of that.”



Marshall has served as the defensive coordinator for five CFL teams including three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he also led the linebackers. Prior to his time with the Bombers, he spent the 2005 season with the Ottawa Renegades as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Before moving east, Marshall spent five seasons in Edmonton where he served as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach including during the team’s 2003 championship season.

In 1994, Marshall officially began his CFL coaching career and made his first stop in Saskatchewan when he accepted the role as the team’s defensive line coach. After two seasons, he added the title of defensive coordinator and remained with the Riders until 1999.
His first taste of CFL coaching came forth during the 1991-1993 seasons when he was a guest coach at training camp for the Toronto Argonauts (1991) and then the Ottawa Rough Riders (1992-93).

Marshall’s impressive coaching resume began with the American Football Alliance’s Ottawa Bootleggers where he served as head coach for two seasons which included leading the team to an undefeated record in 1990. Following this success, Marshall joined the Ottawa Sooners of the Ontario Junior Football Conference as their head coach. During his three year tenure the Sooners enjoyed an undefeated season culminating in a National Championship in 1992.

During his nine-year playing career in the CFL, Marshall was a highly regarded and feared defensive lineman for the Ottawa Rough Riders, who was named a four-time Eastern All-Star, two-time CFL All-Star and earned the title of the CFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1983. The Oregon State product was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft and played briefly with the Eagles and Baltimore Colts prior to heading north to the CFL.

Marshall and his wife Cindy have four children – Christine, Bryan, Caitlin and Kelsey.

MARSHALL CLOSE TO A DEAL WITH THE RIDERS !!

By Ian Hamilton Mon, Jan 3 2011 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

I spoke with Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive co-ordinator Greg Marshall on Sunday afternoon and he said he's close to a deal with the Saskatchewan Roughriders to become their next head coach.

“As they say, until you dot the i’s and cross the t’s, it’s not 100-per-cent official,” said Marshall, who noted he's optimistic a deal will get done.

For more, see Monday's Leader-Post.