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.