NEW RIDERS - FEB 16th 2012

New Riders (L-R) Paul Woldu, Dominic Picard, and Brendon LaBatte at Mosaic Stadium on Thursday, February, 16, 2012 in Regina, Sask.


REGINA — It was a picture perfect Thursday for the newest members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Riders introduced their three prized catches from the CFL free-agent pool during a media conference and the trio posed for picture inside Mosaic Stadium. The Roughriders bolstered their offensive line in a big way with the signing of former Winnipeg Blue Bombers guard Brendon LaBatte and ex-Toronto Argonauts centre Dominic Picard. Paul Woldu, a Regina a product who had spent the past four seasons as a defensive back with the Montreal Alouettes, was signed on Wednesday, the first day of free agency.

"I'm extremely happy to be back and to be with this organization,'' said LaBatte, a Weyburn product and an alumnus of the University of Regina Rams. "To be able to play in front of friends and families and knowing how much this team means to this province and how I've lived it my whole life . . . I'm happy to represent this club.''

LaBatte spent four seasons with the Blue Bombers after being selected in the first round sixth overall of the 2008 CFL draft. He was pursued by the Blue Bombers and Edmonton Eskimos. He ultimately settled on the Riders and the opportunity to play in his home province.
"That was one of the reasons, but there were a lot of options out there,'' said the 25-year-old LaBatte.

"I sat down with my agent and we went through them all. We determined it was going to be the best fit for me.''

Financial terms of the contract were not released, but it has been reported that LaBatte could make in the area of $200,000 per season. He did sign a three-year deal that includes an option year.

"It's not necessarily (about the money),'' said LaBatte, who was a three-time East Division all-star from 2009 through 2011 and a member of the CFL's dream team last year. "I'm not too worried about where people say I am financially. I'm concerned about becoming a better offensive lineman and making sure this is something that I can do for years to come.''

The signing reunites LaBatte and Picard, who both played with the Blue Bombers in 2008. Picard, 29, was selected in the third round (23rd overall) of the 2006 CFL draft by the Blue Bombers out of the Laval University. He joined the Argonauts in 2009 and was also a highly sought-after free agent. Picard signed for one year and an option and is believed to be making in the range of $150,000 a season.

"In their positions, they are among the top echelon in the league,'' said Riders general manager Brendan Taman, who drafted both players as the GM of the Blue Bombers. "Dominic has played well over the years and Brendon's career speaks for itself. It doesn't take a genius to see that it's a pretty big upgrade.''

It does throw doubt into what will happen with veteran Gene Makowsky, who is mulling over what he will do. Makowsky is considering returning for an 18th season, devoting his efforts to politics after being elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature on Nov. 5 or combining both. Makowsky is also a guard and the Riders appear to have those positions filled with LaBatte and Chris Best, who started all 18 games in 2011 and was named the Riders' best offensive lineman.

"I was talking to Gene this morning and he's going through the process,'' Taman said. "We're going to get as many as we can and see where they fall. Gene is still part of this team and we'll see where it goes in the next few days.''

The Riders are also still in the mix to re-sign slotback Andy Fantuz. Gil Scott, who along with Tim Flieszer are Fantuz's representatives, said Thursday that there was a great deal of interest by a number of teams in Fantuz. Fantuz is on safari in Africa and is expected to return to Canada on Saturday. Scott feels it may take until after the weekend to sort out where Fantuz might land.

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