RIDER PRIDE

RUNNING BACK MOVES TODAY

2012-02-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

CATES IS RELEASED

Rider GM Brendan Taman met with the Regina media Friday morning. Amongst our findings, the Riders won't be bringing back veterans RB Wes Cates, OL George Hudson, C Marc Parenteau or WR James Robinson in 2012. Meanwhile Taman said 17-year lineman Gene Makowsky has been told by the team they want him back for an 18th season. He graded out as one of their top linemen in 2011.

We'll discuss this all on the Sports Cage today on 620 CKRM at 5 pm.
RP

THREE NEW RUNNING BACKS ANNOUNCED

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today that they have signed a trio of import running backs to the roster – Kory Sheets, Louis Rankin and Demetrius Crawford. Financial details of the signings were not released.

Sheets (5'11 – 206 lbs) comes to the Green and White after spending last season on the Carolina Panthers practice roster. After going undrafted in 2009, the Purdue product was immediately signed by the San Francisco 49ers before the Miaimi Dolphins signed him off the 49ers practice roster. He went on to play in two games for the Dolphins in 2009 where he had one carry for five yards. In 2010 the 26-year-old tore his Achilles in training camp for the Dolphins and missed the season. After being waived by Miami in August of last year, Sheets was signed by the Panthers. In his time at Purdue he finished his career as second on the school's record lists with 664 rushing attempts for 3,341 yards, 4,944 all-purpose yards and 324 points scored. He also established Purdue career marks with 48 rushing touchdowns and 54 overall scores.

Rankin (6'1 – 216 lbs) has spent the last three seasons in the NFL after going as undrafted free agent in 2008. After originally signing with the Oakland Raiders that year he went on to play in two games for the team in 2009 before being picked up by the Seattle Seahawks where he played in an additional seven games. In those nine games the Washington product had eight carries for 36 yards, five receptions for 33 yards and 22 kick returns for 466 yards. In January, 2011 he signed back with the Raiders. During his time at Washington he finished his college career playing in 40 games – had 488 carries for 2,480 yards and 11 touchdowns, 39 catches for 255 yards and two touchdowns, 51 kick returns for 1,206 yards and one touchdown.

Crawford (5'8 – 195 lbs) has spent the last few seasons playing in the IFL for the Tri-Cities Fever. After transferring from Sacramento City College, Crawford played two seasons for Montana State, the 25-year-old tallied 427 carries for 2,182 yards and 13 touchdowns, 53 receptions for 386 yards and two touchdowns in 23 games played. He was also earned First Team All-Big Sky honours.

DEMETRIUS CRAWFORD HIGHLIGHTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYJFBS3WSjA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inhv2DpyZiM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8MQKSHXF7M&feature=related

TAMAN UPDATES FANS

2012-01-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Roughrider GM Brendan Taman met with the media on Thursday to give the team's position on all the latest goings-on in Riderville. Here's what he had to say:

ON THE REMAINING LB'S (MCCULLOUGH, LLOYD, STEWART)

It's the experience thing. You can go out and sign guys who have experience but I think we can find some new guys who don't have the experience but who can fit in. We have MO and Chris Graham right now that we can play with in the middle but we'll sign some new guys. Some of the DBs we have can fit into the dime spot too.

ON OWNING THE #1 PICK IN THE DRAFT

It's gonna take a lot to move it and I don't foresee us doing that.

ON HUSKIES OL BEN HEENAN, THE TOP PROSPECT

He's a good player. There's a lot of other names out there but a young offensive lineman is pretty valuable. Whether he's the best pick at that spot, we'll see, but he's pretty high up in our rankings.

ON COLE BERGQUIST

He needs work and he'll have competition. We're not just going to give him the #2 spot. Where that plays out, we'll see, but we're not just gonna give him the job. His contract won't come into play there.

ON CONTRACT TALKS WITH DARIAN DURANT

We've talked and I'm actually going to meet with him this afternoon about a number of things. We're not in a hurry to do that. We'll continue to talk and we'll see where it goes.

ON KOCH AND GETZLAF

Koch's free in a month and Chris is going into his option. The option year guys are important but right now the free agents are the priority.

ON ANDY FANTUZ

Really nothing's changes since the last time I talked to you guys. February 15 is the date and I don't see anything changing.

ON DINWIDDIE'S FUTURE

We talked about him coaching at the end of the year but the staff worked out the way it did. Absolutely he's a very bright guy who wants to get into coaching and I could see him having a very bright future in that. From talking to him, he wants to still play but he knows ultimately his future is in coaching. He has a lot of contacts in the States. He's a good individual but the biggest thing we'll miss is his relationship with Darian.

ON GENE MAKOWSKY

I'm about to meet with Gene in the next couple of days to see where we're at with everything. I know him and Jeremy O'Day have talked and he spoke with Corey Chamblin on the weekend. We'll see where that goes. I haven't talked to Gene myself but we'll see where that goes shortly.

ON WES CATES

We're continuing those talks and we've told Wes we'll let him know shortly what his status is going to be.

DINWIDDIE GONSO!!

2012-01-18T13:02:00.001-08:00

Axe continues to fall in Regina: The #SskRoughriders will release back-up QB Ryan Dinwiddie. Announcement from the #Riders ahead. #CFL

DISCUSSIONS WITH FANTUZ TO HEAT UP NEXT WEEK

2012-01-18T05:21:00.000-08:00

Andy Fantuz watches from the sidelines as the Saskatchewan Roughriders play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during CFL action in Regina, September 4, 2011.

REGINA — Discussions between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and slotback Andy Fantuz could heat up next week.

Tim Fleiszer, who represents Fantuz along with Gil Scott, said he expects to talk with members of the Riders’ football operations staff during the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Representatives from each of the CFL teams and those in the NFL are expected to be on hand for the Senior Bowl on Jan. 28.

Fantuz played out his option after the 2011 CFL season and is eligible to file for free agency on Feb. 15.

“I had good chats with the Riders before Christmas,” Fleiszer said. “I’m sure we’ll continue to have discussions, but free agency is still a long ways off.”

Brendan Taman, the Riders general manager, told reporters last week that he expected Fantuz to test free agency. Taman also feels the Riders still have a chance of retaining Fantuz.
“I think we have a chance of getting him back, but I don’t think it’s going to happen before the 15th,” Taman said. “When that happens, all bets are off, quite honestly. We’ll see where it goes.”
Fantuz was the Riders’ first pick (third overall) in the 2006 CFL draft. He was the most outstanding Canadian in the 2007 Grey Cup game and was the CFL’s most outstanding Canadian in 2010 while recording a league-leading 1,380 receiving yards.

He signed with the NFL’s Chicago Bears during the 2010 off-season and was released after the pre-season. Fantuz battled ankle injuries after returning to the Riders and dressed for only four games. Fantuz, 28, has had one NFL tryout, with the Jacksonville Jaguars this off-season.
Fleiszer said there has been some interest in Fantuz expressed by other NFL teams.

“Typically Gil and I will meet with all 32 (NFL) teams,” Fleiszer said. “We’ll have a better idea of what the picture looks like after that.”

The Riders had 14 players from the 2011 squad eligible to file for free agency. Taman has been pared that list to 11. Linebacker Jerrell Freeman, defensive tackle Keith Shologan and Fantuz were considered by Taman as the Riders’ top-tier free agents.

Shologan re-signed with the Riders on Nov. 18. Freeman agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. He’s to be Indianapolis on Tuesday to officially sign the contract.
Regina Leader-Post

mmccormick@eaderpost.com

MATT DOMINQUEZ ON THE RIDERS

2012-01-17T06:09:00.001-08:00

Roughrider great Matt Dominguez was on the Sports Cage Monday night and provided his thoughts on the Riders' hiring of Corey Chamblin as head coach and the contract status of receiver Andy Fantuz.

ON THE 2012 RIDERS

Initially when all the changes were gonna happen, you heard all the rumblings about names. You heard the sexy name guys, about guys coming forward, or elevate the guy that's already in the program. But I always thought that Coach Chamblin would be great. He's the guy I wanted. If you look at the makeup of the team, with the vets and the rookies, you need a guy with that personality and that type of energy. We went from having an old guy coaching staff to a young guy coaching staff in a short period of time. That's what the team needed.

In 2007 I predicted 12 wins because I saw the culture, the atmosphere and I knew the type of players that were there. Knowing what I know now about this team, the type of systems they'll be instituting, I think we won't regress. I think we'll be around a 10 win season. 10 wins get you in, and that's all that matters.

ON ANDY FANTUZ

When I re-signed with the Riders in December of 2004 ahead of free agency, my situation was totally different. I was an American. You can find import receivers anywhere. But there are very few non-import receivers who can play at Andy's level. Let's now put that aside. Out east, they have two very good quarterbacks in Toronto (Ricky Ray) and Hamilton (Henry Burris). If I'm a receiver and I want to play with a good QB, and I'm thinking about moving, that changes things. In my case, when I was in the NFL, I'd listen to offers from the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans because then my family could go to everyone of my games since I'm from Texas.

I haven't talked to Andy in 2 1/2 months but if he chooses to play for another team, that's his choice. Not many people would turn down a raise to be closer to their family. Not many would.

**You can listen to the entire 15-minute interview with Fantuz in the Sports Cage podcast two posts below.

JEFFELL FREEMAN A COLT ??

2012-01-17T06:05:00.000-08:00

For CFL purposes, Jerrell Freeman never became a free man.

With a month to go before the Feb. 15 free-agency deadline, Freeman has apparently been suitably enticed by overtures from the National Football League's Indianapolis Colts.

"Well you've been good to me RIDERNATION, but i'll b in Colts blue next year!!!'' Freeman wrote on Twitter on Monday.

The message, which arrived at 8:45 p.m., Saskatchewan time, was quickly retweeted to all corners of the Rider Nation.

Chagrined parties within that domain were left to lament the departure of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' lone Canadian Football League all-star from 2011 - someone who was the West Division's nominee for defensive player-of-the-year honours.

Freeman's disclosure of his NFL opportunity was anything but surprising. It wasn't a matter of whether Freeman was leaving Saskatchewan. The only relevant questions were "where?'' and "when?''

Brendan Taman conceded as much three weeks ago. In conversation with Ian Hamilton of the Leader-Post, Taman - the Roughriders' general manager - said that "once the NFL is on the radar, it's pretty tough to avoid it.''

Given the interest in Freeman south of the border, his departure was inevitable. Taman could have sweetened his contract offer to the point of profligacy, and it would not have mattered one iota. Freeman would have been foolish to forego an NFL opportunity - especially at 25, when his marketability has never been higher.

Of course, this is all based on one reverberative tweet. Verification has yet to be received from the Colts or the Roughriders. As is prudent, Taman and head coach Corey Chamblin are not commenting on Freeman's situation until they see the documentation.

But Taman, for one, has seen it all before.

Early in 2010 - shortly before Taman succeeded Eric Tillman as the Roughriders' GM - defensive end John Chick signed with (guess who?) Indianapolis. Chick's bargaining power had been bolstered by the fact that he was named the league's top defensive player in 2009.

The dreaded CFL Player Awards Curse struck the Riders again last year at this time, when slotback Andy Fantuz signed with the Chicago Bears. Fantuz was decorated as the CFL's top Canadian in 2010.

And now, Freeman - who was the runner-up to Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Jovon Johnson when the awards were presented last November - is atwitter about what appears to be the consummation of a deal with Indianapolis.

What is it about first-year Roughriders coaches and notable departures?

Ken Miller had barely assumed the head-coaching reins in 2008 when quarterback Kerry Joseph, who was named the league's most outstanding player during the Grey Cup championship season of 2007, was dealt to the Toronto Argonauts.

Greg Marshall, who briefly succeeded Miller as Saskatchewan's field boss in 2011, discovered soon after being hired that Fantuz was off to the NFL.

One of Chamblin's "welcome to Saskatchewan'' presents is confirmation that Freeman is indeed destined for the NFL. His departure, as inevitable as it was, creates a cavernous hole on a Roughriders defence that was hardly formidable with him as part of the equation.

With Freeman, Barrin Simpson (released) and Sean Lucas (retired) out of the picture, the Roughriders will have a revamped linebacking corps in 2012. As a nightmarish 2011 season dragged on, the team's brain trust became acutely aware that Simpson and Lucas would have to be replaced, so the only glaring void is created by the fact that Freeman will soon be mingling with the likes of Peyton Manning.

Taman, who is as realistic and pragmatic as they come, knew there would be such a day. The onus is now on Taman and director of player personnel Craig Smith to uncover somebody, somewhere, who is a reasonable facsimile of Freeman.

Is Kye Stewart the answer? Is there a sleeper in an unremarkable pool of soonto-be free-agent linebackers? Is there a negotiation-list player who can make an immediate impact?

Uh, good luck ... Once the Freeman situation ceases to become a front-of-mind issue, the focus on Fantuz will be intensified. The never-ending Fantuz Watch will attract even more attention. (Please restrain your excitement.)

With Freeman gone, it is reasonable to expect that Taman will face additional pressure to resolve the lingering Fantuz issue in a manner that is satisfactory to the fans. That sentiment is understandable, given that Roughriders loyalists are salivating at the notion of a big-name signing.

But will their appetites be satisfied? Well ...

At last word, negotiations between Fantuz and the Roughriders were moving along at a glacial pace. Taman said last week that he expects Fantuz to test free agency - unless he, too, ends up signing with an NFL team.

If Fantuz does enter the CFL's open market, it is highly conceivable that he will end up elsewhere. The money earmarked for him by Saskatchewan will quickly be spent on another premier player.
And who knows? That player may very well bolster a Riders defence that took a hit on Monday evening.

rvanstone@leaderpost.com

DICKENSON TO RETURN

2012-01-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce that Craig Dickenson will return to the Riders coaching staff as Special Teams Coordinator for the 2012 CFL season.

CRAIG DICKENSON – SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR
This will mark Dickenson's second season with the Green and White as Special Teams Coordinator.

Dickenson spent the 2010 season with the NFL's Oakland Raiders as assistant special teams coordinator. This was Dickenson's second stint in the NFL as he spent two years in San Diego as a special teams assistant for the Chargers starting in 2000.

Highly regarded for his special team schemes, Dickenson spent seven seasons with the Calgary Stampeders where he served as their special teams coordinator for five and worked with the running backs and receivers in his first two years with the team. He also spent one season with the Montreal Alouettes as running backs coach in 2003 before returning to the Stamps. Dickenson was a part of the 2008 Grey Cup championship team in Calgary.

Dickenson's coaching career began at his alma mater – the University of Montana in 1995 when the Grizzlies captured the NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship. His work with kickers and running backs earned him a position with Utah State where he coached before making the move to the NFL.

TGIF - SOME THOUGHTS ON THE NEW COACHING STAFF

2012-01-06T11:34:00.000-08:00

It’s finally Friday!

The first official week of 2012 has to be deemed an eventful one, especially around Rider Nation.
It started with loads of rumours about the Riders’ 2012 coaching staff and most turned out to be true.

The offensive staff was introduced on Tuesday and Thursday the defensive staff was revealed. The special teams co-ordinator has yet to be officially announced, but it’s expected that Craig Dickenson will return in 2012. His contract runs through next season and the Riders are looking at extending it.

Here’s a list of Corey Chamblin’s staff and the respective ages of each member:

Head coach: Corey Chamblin, 34.

Offensive co-ordinator/running backs coach: Bob Dyce, 46.

Receivers coach: Jason Tucker, 35.

Running-game co-ordinator/offensive line coach: Kris Sweet, 38.

Quarterbacks coach: Khari Jones, 40.

Defensive co-ordinator: Richie Hall, 51.

Linebackers coach and assistant to the head coach: Alex Smith, 68.

Defensive backs: Barron Miles, 40.

Defensive line: Mike Walker, 53.

Special teams co-ordinator: Craig Dickenson, 40.

It’s a good mix of youth and experience, which is what Chamblin was looking for in his first group of head coaches.

There isn’t much on the Riders’ front today. The special teams are to be announced next week. I talked with Jones at great length today about coming to Regina as the quarterbacks coach. He told me that he was essentially free agent after his contract ran out on in December with the Tiger-Cats, so he was looking for work. He is looking forward to working with Darian Durant and is quite aware of the pressure that comes with being the face of a franchise. More on that and Jones’s thoughts on the Riders will be online later and available in Saturdays’ paper for those of you still like the feel of newsprint in the morning.

There has been some confusion about Smith’s expanded role with the Riders. He is the linebackers coach and the assistant to the head coach, not assistant head coach. Smith will assist Chamblin in dealing with the league office, scheduling, travel and those kind of things. Chamblin feels that Smith’s experience of 15 years with the Riders was too valuable to waste. Good move by Chamblin to tap Smith’s knowledge of the league.

Another interesting point about the staff is Dyce, Smith, Hall, Miles and Chamblin all have experience in the player personnel aspect of the game. CFL staffs are so small that each coach needs that, but the aforementioned five have all been through those roles with their team. That should help with the off-season decisions.

Here’s Chamblin’s philosophy for the off-season:

“We want to win the off-season,’’ Chamblin said. “That’s coaches doing all the things that they need to do and being diligent. We want to win the off-season to help us win the season.’’

That’s it. Time to get pounding, after all it’s Friday.

RIDERS NAME DEFENSIVE COACHES

2012-01-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce their defensive coaching staff for the 2012 CFL season.

RICHIE HALL – DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Hall will once again run the Riders defence after returning to the Green and White last season. Previous to that, Hall spent two seasons as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos where he also led the defence. Previous to his time in Edmonton, Hall was a part of the Green and White coaching staff for 15 seasons, eight as defensive coordinator and developed a reputation for fielding a top defence year after year.Before moving into his coaching role, Hall spent nine years playing in the CFL including four seasons with the Roughriders from 1988-1991.

ALEX SMITH – ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD COACH/LINEBACKERS COACH
Smith returns to the Green and White for his 16th season. He will continue to coach the Rider linebackers and will work in an advisory capacity with Head Coach Chamblin. He will also act as a facilitator in regards to the Canadian draft. Smith originally joined the Roughriders' coaching staff in May 1997 as linebackers coach. A Level Two Certified National Coach, Smith offers the Roughriders 36 years of coaching experience. Before joining the Green and White on a full-time basis in 1997, Smith gained valuable CFL experience as a Roughrider Guest Coach in 1995 and 1996.Prior to joining the Roughriders, Smith spent five seasons with the Regina Rams of the Prairie Junior Football League as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach.

MIKE WALKER – DEFENSIVE LINE COACH
Walker returns to the Riders for his second season leading the defensive line. He brings over 25 years of playing and coaching experience to the Green and White. The Indiana native spent the 2010 season as defensive line coach for the Edmonton Eskimos and was a defensive consultant for the Toronto Argonauts in 2008. From 1997 to 2007, he coached the defensive line at his alma mater Washington State as well as four bowl games – two Rose Bowls, Holiday Bowl and the Sun Bowl. During that time he also coached the 2002 Outland Trophy winner Rien Long.Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Walker was a three-time CFL all-star and a four-time All-Eastern Conference selection, playing with both Hamilton (1982-89) and Edmonton (1990-91).

BARRON MILES – DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH
Miles is the newest member of the Riders defensive staff as he comes to Saskatchewan from the B.C. Lions where he spent the last two seasons as a defensive and player personnel assistant. Miles made the transition into coaching after retirning from a storied 12 year playing career in the CFL. His career began in Montreal where he spent seven seasons as a defensive back before playing his final five years with the Lions. The Nebraska grad was named a Divisional All-Star nine times and a CFL All-Star six times over the course of his playing career.

NEW RIDER COACHES

2012-01-04T04:45:00.000-08:00

BOB DYCE

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

KHARI JONES

QUARTERBACKS COACH

KRIS SWEET

RUNNING GAME COORDINATOR

AND OFFENSIVE LINE COACH

JASON TUCKER

RECEIVERS COACH

RIDERS NAME OFFENSIVE COACHING STAFF

2012-01-03T13:26:00.000-08:00

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce their offensive coaching staff for the 2012 CFL season.

BOB DYCE – OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/RUNNING BACKS

Dyce has spent the last two seasons as the receivers coach and passing game coordinator with the Green and White. Before joining the Riders, the Winnipeg native spent seven seasons with the Blue Bombers where he served as the team's receivers coach and was in charge of the team's Canadian player personnel. Prior to making the transition into coaching in the CFL, Dyce spent seven seasons as the receivers coach with his alma mater the Manitoba Bisons. Dyce began his coaching career in 1992 when he joined the staff of the St. Vital Mustangs of the CJFL. He spent two seasons with the Mustangs before making the move to offensive coordinator and receivers coach for the Winnipeg Hawkeyes of the CJFL. He spent the 1994 and 1995 seasons with the Hawkeyes.

KRIS SWEET – RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OFFENSIVE LINE
Sweet spent the last five years as the offensive line coach with the Calgary Stampeders. Prior to joining the Stamps, Sweet coached the offensive line at Columbia University after spending a year in the same position at Kentucky State. He entered coaching in 1997 as a graduate assistant coach at Tennessee Tech followed by single seasons at Holy Cross and Elon. After that Sweet spent five years at Presbyterian College where he began coaching the running backs and tight ends before being named offensive coordinator in 2003. The Salem, Virginia native got his first taste of the CFL when he served as a guest coach with the B.C. Lions in 2005.

KHARI JONES – QUARTERBACKS COACH
Jones has spent the last three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he spent the first two seasons coaching the quarterbacks and most recently served as the Ti-Cats offensive coordinator. Prior to moving into coaching, Jones spent eight years as a decorated quarterback in the CFL receiving all-star nods and winning the Most Outstanding Player Award in 2001. His playing career began in 1998 with the B.C. Lions where he spent two seasons before being traded to Winnipeg. In 2004, he went on to play with the Stampeders for the remainder of the season before joining Hamilton in 2005. After attending training camp with Edmonton in 2006, Jones went on to spend the season in broadcasting with CBC. Before returning to the CFL as a coach, Jones became the Director of Football at National Sports Development based in Calgary.

JASON TUCKER – RECEIVERS COACH
Tucker spent two seasons coaching the receiving corps in Edmonton after suffering a fractured neck in 2008 which cut his distinguished player career short. The four-time CFL and West All-Star won a Grey Cup in 2003 and finished his career with 7,046 receiving yards in his seven years as a receiver with the Eskimos.

CHRIS MILO HAPPY WITH HIS SITUATION

2011-12-23T05:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-23T05:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-20T12:07:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-09T19:22:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-09T04:04:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-07T15:25:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-07T13:58:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-09T05:21:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-08T07:06:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-22T09:01:00.001-08:00

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

2011-02-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-18T04:26:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-17T13:51:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-16T15:06:00.001-08:00

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

2011-02-15T05:14:00.001-08:00

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

2011-02-14T20:38:00.001-08:00

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

2011-02-14T20:27:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-13T04:05:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-12T03:16:00.000-08:00

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.

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Without+Andy+Fantuz+Roughriders+retain+plenty+talent/4264428/story.html#ixzz1Dk5KK9Qf

RIDERS SIGN CANADIAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN

2011-02-12T03:03:00.000-08:00

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

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+sign+veteran+lineman+Alexandre+Gauthier/4265980/story.html#ixzz1Dk23THEK

RENAULD WILLIAMS WANTS TO PLAY AGAIN

2011-02-11T05:23:00.001-08:00

REGINA — After being on the sidelines for one football season, Renauld Williams doesn't have any intention of being there for another.

The former Saskatchewan Roughriders import middle linebacker missed the 2010 season after trying out for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams suffered an injury to his left knee during the fourth pre-season game leading into the 2010 season and was waived after training camp. Williams said recently that the knee is fine and he's looking forward to playing football in 2011.

"I missed one season and I really can't afford to sit out another,'' Williams said from Michigan where he was conducting business.

Where that might be remains to be determined. Williams took advantage of the CFL's option-year window to try out with the Steelers, but CFL's Riders still hold his rights. Williams can file for free agency Tuesday if he's not re-signed by the Roughriders.

"I would love to return to the Riders,'' said Williams, who lives in Atlanta during the off-season. "(The Roughriders) are definitely my first choice, but I don't know where they are in regards to the salary cap and all of that stuff. My agent will handle that. I do want to come back there and finish my career.''

Williams is weighing his options when it comes to the NFL. There is a possibility of a lockout in 2011 and any player who signs with an NFL team wouldn't be eligible to return to the CFL in the event of a labour disruption. Williams has had talks with representatives from Pittsburgh and the Green Bay Packers regarding invitations to their training camps if there is a season.

"The lockout thing is really weighing on my decision on what I want to do,'' said Williams, who spent 2 1/2 seasons with the Riders. "I would say because of that, it's 95-per-cent certain that I will return to the CFL.''

Williams realizes that signing with another NFL team would be another gamble, with even more risks than joining the Steelers in 2010.

"I know that I wouldn't get any money up front,'' said Williams, who turns 30 on Feb. 23. "Then I would have to hope that someone gets injured or something like that to get a chance and there aren't any guarantees that I'll be kept after camp. Then I'm risking the lockout so it's probably not in my best interest. I'm not getting any younger and I definitely can't sit out another season of football.''

Williams said there have been some discussions between his agent, Storm Kirschenbaum, and Riders general manager Brendan Taman. They are dealing with the financial ramifications of signing Williams and where he would play in 2011.

Sorting out where Williams would start is a challenge. Barrin Simpson took over as middle linebacker last year with the Riders and led the CFL with 105 defensive tackles.

"Barrin is a great linebacker and one that I really respect,'' Williams said. "He's productive and he has been that way since he's been in the CFL. I don't know if he's going to stay or anything like that. I'll have to wait until (Tuesday) to see what happens.''

Jerrell Freeman, who was among the league's best young linebackers in 2010, has worked out for some NFL teams and his status is uncertain. If Freeman doesn't sign with an NFL team, he would also return to the Riders in 2011. The Riders also have three import linebackers who can test free agency — Sean Lucas, Daniel Francis and Kye Stewart. Williams could move to an outside linebacker if needed, though.

"I can play anywhere,'' said Williams, who dressed for a total of 31 regular-season games with the Riders and recorded 98 defensive tackles and six sacks. "The question is, 'Do I want to play outside linebacker?' I like being a middle linebacker and I've been there for the last couple of years. I like the position and the responsibility that comes with it.''

There has been speculation if Williams doesn't return to the Riders, the Edmonton Eskimos might be interested in signing him. Eric Tillman, Edmonton's general manager, brought Williams into the CFL when he was the Riders' GM.

"I have to make a decision in the next couple of weeks,'' said Williams, who led the Riders in the 2009 playoffs with 21 defensive tackles and four sacks. "If Saskatchewan makes me a good offer, then I'll look at it. I'm open to anything in the next couple of weeks.''

Williams may not have been in this position if he had remained with the Riders for the 2010 season. He doesn't have any regrets over how the year turned out.

"I was fortunate that Saskatchewan picked me up (after being released by the San Francisco 49ers), but I've always wanted to go back (to the NFL),'' Williams said. "I gave it everything I could and worked as hard as I could. I was second in defensive tackles (seven) during the pre-season and had I not gotten hurt, I would have led the team. I had guys who had been there for a long time saying I could really help out (the Steelers). I had a chance and I learned so much. I had a great experience with the Pittsburgh and I wouldn't take it back for anything.''

RIDERS SIGN ALEX GAUTHIER

2011-02-10T19:44:00.001-08:00

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have apparently opened the vault to land Canadian left offensive tackle Alex Gauthier.Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post filesREGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have apparently opened the vault to land Canadian left offensive tackle Alex Gauthier.

Multiple CFL sources confirmed Thursday that the Riders have signed the 34-year-old Gauthier to a two-year contract reportedly worth $130,000 in the first year — including a bonus of approximately $55,000 — and $150,000 in the second year. A source with the Riders felt the money was worthwhile to sign a solid Canadian starter. The official signing is expected to be announced Friday

When reached Thursday, Gauthier said he was still working on a deal with the Riders.

"They made a pretty good offer,'' said Gauthier, who played with the Ottawa Renegades, Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats during a nine-season CFL career. "I should know more in the morning but until it's all done, I don't like talking about it. I've had a few offers and I'm still thinking. The (Riders) have shown a pretty good interest in me. I would love to play for Saskatchewan because I've heard so many good things about the team.''

Gauthier spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons as a starter with the Tiger-Cats, who allowed a league-low 26 sacks last season. He was released on Feb. 1, two weeks before the CFL's free-agency deadline. It's believed Gauthier made $150,000 with Hamilton in 2010. The Riders are able to sign Gauthier in advance of the deadline because he was released.

The Riders apparently outbid the Blue Bombers for the rights to Gauthier, who is being compensated in the range of what the league's top offensive tackles draw. Saskatchewan has the salary cap space due to the recent departures of slotback Andy Fantuz and centre Jeremy O'Day. Fantuz, the league's top Canadian in 2010, signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears on Feb. 5. O'Day retired Tuesday and moved into the Riders' front office as the football operations co-ordinator.

Gauthier is the second high-profile offensive tackle to be signed by the Riders in consecutive years. The Riders signed Dan Goodspeed in 2010 after he completed two all-star seasons with the Tiger-Cats. Goodspeed and Gauthier were also teammates with the Blue Bombers in 2007 and 2008 and the Tiger-Cats in 2009.

"Dan is one of my best friends in the league and I talk to him quite often,'' said Gauthier, who is 6-foot-6 and 326 pounds. "We'll have to see if we'll be together again in the future.''

Gauthier, a product of Marie, Que., and graduate of the University of Laval Rouge et Or, was the first pick in the 2002 CFL draft by the Renegades. He signed with Calgary in 2005 as a free agent after the Renegades folder. Gauthier was traded to Winnipeg in 2007 and started in the Blue Bombers' 23-19 loss to the Riders in the Grey Cup game. He remained with Winnipeg until signing as a free agent with Hamilton in 2009. Gauthier was an East Division all-star in 2007.

mmccormick@leaderpost.com

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+apparently+sign+offensive+tackle+Alex+Gauthier/4261385/story.html#ixzz1DcOp7yFf

FANTUZ ARTICLE IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

2011-02-05T05:52:00.000-08:00

He has his own cereal in Canada, where Andy Fantuz has been one of the top offensive players in the CFL.

But the 27-year-old wide receiver wants to make it in the NFL and signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears on Friday, putting him in the mix for training camp this summer and giving the team something it doesn't have other than tight end Greg Olsen: a big target at 6-4, 220 pounds.

Fantuz caught 87 passes for 1,380 yards and six touchdowns last season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was the first Canadian-born player to lead the league in receiving since 1995.

"It was a tough decision," Fantuz told the Tribune. "I had a great thing going and I was happy with what was going on. In sports and in any business you always want to reach the top level. If you reach the top level, you want to find a bigger business.

"It's been a dream for me growing up in an Americanized community where we watched more NFL than CFL to reach the NFL. That was the end goal. I have nothing against the CFL or Sasketchewan, both the team and the league have been great to me. I'm going to miss them but I'm looking forward to this opportunity."

Fantuz, who worked out at Halas Hall last month, chose the Bears over similar offers from the Steelers, Patriots and Bills. He hit it off with wide receivers coach Darryl Drake and weighed factors like the offensive scheme and depth chart when making his decision. He's familiar with the Bears, having grown up in Chatham, Ontario, not 50 miles from Detroit and NFC North country.

"I like how the organization is tough-nosed and classy," he said. "I see myself having a good opportunity to make the team and I'm excited to come into camp and try."

Fantuz met Bears defensive end Israel Idonije at an awards banquet after the receiver's freshman year at the University of Western Ontario. Idonije was being honored as the top defensive lineman in Canada and Fantuz won rookie of the year honors. He has followed Idonije's career closely and Miami Dolphins linebacker Cameron Wake is an inspiration for all players in the CFL after making 19 1/2 sacks in his first two NFL seasons following a transition from the Canadian game.

"This is a big step forward but I still have a long ways to go," Fantuz said. "I just have my foot in the door. I have to fight for a position on the team now but it's almost like a dream."

Don't look for Fantuz Flakes in the cereal aisle at your grocery store anytime soon. He's just looking to fit in.

"I personally see myself having a good opportunity," he said.

Fantuz helped the Roughriders reach the Grey Cup and was named an all-star for the first time in 2010.

RIDERS MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT FANTUZ

2011-02-04T20:06:00.001-08:00

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are moving forward without slotback Andy Fantuz, who signed Friday with the NFL's Chicago Bears.Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post filesREGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are moving forward without slotback Andy Fantuz, who signed Friday with the NFL's Chicago Bears.

The Riders have been preparing for that scenario since the end of the 2010 CFL season, which was Fantuz's best in five years in the league. Fantuz capped the year individually by being named the CFL's most outstanding Canadian. Fantuz, 27, led the CFL with 1,380 receiving yards. He had 87 receptions and six touchdowns.

"Those shoes aren't going to be filled because they are too big,'' Saskatchewan slotback Chris Getzlaf said Friday. "Still, we've been known for our depth and overcoming adversity when injuries happen. The team will be successful, but it's something that hurts. It still gives other people opportunities to step up. I know that people will.''

The Riders boast depth at the receiver position, especially among their Canadians. Along with Getzlaf, there is slotback Jason Clermont and wide receivers Jordan Sisco, Obed Cetoute and Rob Bagg.

The incumbent receivers are led by import Weston Dressler. Dressler was second on the Riders in 2010 with 1,189 receiving yards on 81 receptions. Dressler heads into his fourth season with the Riders as the team's undisputed best receiver. The other imports are Cary Koch, Aaron Fairooz and Ryan Grice-Mullen.

"I don't think they are going to miss a beat,'' Fantuz said Friday. "When you have a guy like Clermont, a two-time all-Canadian, who was basically our sixth man for most of the year ... He can step up and play and you won't lose much out there. Guys have been injured before and the Riders have been fine. That's one of the character points of the Roughriders.''

Bagg's status for the start of next season is uncertain due to a severe knee injury he suffered during the 2010 season. Bagg hopes to be ready for the opening of training camp after undergoing surgery before the Grey Cup game.

Koch played well towards the end of his rookie season as a wide receiver and could also play slotback. The same goes for Sisco, a Regina product who joined the Riders midway through the 2010 season after trying out for the Indianapolis Colts. Sisco, a second-round pick (eighth overall) in the 2010 CFL draft, didn't dress for a game in 2010.

Brendan Taman, the Riders general manager, was waiting for the Fantuz scenario to sort itself out before getting too concerned about what it meant to the team. Fantuz had worked out with six NFL teams, including the Bears, before Friday's announcement.

"We knew this was a possibility and we will continue with our off-season plan to replace Andy,'' Taman said in a prepared statement. "We will monitor our options, both within the personnel we have, and with recruiting as we go forward."

The Riders could be more active when it comes to signing free agents due to the departure of Fantuz. The Riders will have additional funds to pursue potential free agents or direct towards their own players with Fantuz's contract out of the mix.

Chris Bauman, a product of the University of Regina Rams, appears to be the best of the receivers available via free agency. Bauman, 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, was the first overall pick in the 2007 CFL draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Brandon native was released on Monday by the Tiger-Cats, two weeks before he was eligible to file for free agency. The Riders are not believed to be interested in Bauman.

mmccormick@leaderpost.com

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Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+move+forward+without+Andy+Fantuz/4227604/story.html#ixzz1D3PfArxQ

FANTUZ...NOW A BEAR

2011-02-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

It appears that the Steelers have helped themselves to Andy Fantuz, who was named the CFL's most outstanding Canadian in 2010 after amassing a league-high 1,380 receiving yards.Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post filesREGINA — In the end, Andy Fantuz felt the opportunity to sign with the Chicago Bears was too good to pass up.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback signed Friday with Chicago despite a lockout looming in the NFL on March 4. There is also the risk involved in even making an NFL team, a scenario that wouldn't be in consideration if Fantuz had remained with the Riders. Despite those uncertainties, Fantuz felt this was the time to gamble on one day playing in the NFL.

"I have my chance now and I know that I'm not getting any younger,'' the 27-year-old Fantuz said from Toronto late Friday after signing with the Bears. "I don't know if the same offer will be there next year. The lockout is out of my control, but it's the same situation as the CFL was in last year. I can't speculate on why or when it might happen, but this was the time for me. Everything has fallen in place and it was my best year in the CFL. It seemed like the right time and this is my shot. I'm going to stick with it and (the lockout) didn't even figure in my plans.''

Fantuz landed his first NFL contract after his best CFL season. In 2010, he was named the league's most outstanding Canadian and a first-team all-star after appearing in all 18 regular-season games and three playoff encounters. He led the CFL with 1,380 receiving yards on 87 receptions and had six touchdowns.

Fantuz's performance drew interest from the Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. Fantuz worked out for each team and said he had offers from four. He picked the Bears because it was the best fit.

"They are similar to the Riders in that they have a strong, passionate fan base and a lot of history in their organization,'' said Fantuz, who was selected third overall by the Riders in the 2006 CFL draft. "They also have a lot of great people. Everyone I met down there was warm and friendly. That, paired with the fact they have a need for a receiver like myself, seemed like a great fit for me. It seemed that I had a good chance of making the team.''

Fantuz signed a two-year contract, but declined to reveal the financial details. He was signed to a futures/reserves contract, which is commonly signed by players not on an active roster in the previous season. It's referred to as futures because the 2011 season doesn't start until March.

"I'm not going to tell you if it's a big signing bonus or not,'' said Fantuz, who would have earned $160,000 with the Riders in 2011. "If you tell somebody that they have a chance to play in the NFL without a signing bonus, they would take it. It's all about the opportunity. Whether players get signing bonuses is based on teams and their philosophies. Some of my other offers might have been bigger, but I didn't weigh my decision based on money. I weighed it on the fit and the team I fit the best. I'll make my money on my second contract.''

Fantuz became one of the Riders' most popular players during his five CFL seasons. He was involved in the community, was featured on a breakfast cereal called Fantuz Flakes, and his No. 83 jersey was among the league's best sellers. He leaves the Riders with mixed feelings.

"It was an extremely tough decision to consider the possibility of leaving the Riders,'' said Fantuz. "I'm grateful for everything the organization has done for me and what the province has given me. It won't be forgotten. Saskatchewan will always be in my heart and my second home. For personal reasons it was time to take the next step and try to make the big show. The NFL has been a dream of mine all of my life and this is a step towards making it happen.''

Chris Getzlaf, a slotback with the Riders, feels that Fantuz has earned the chance to make the jump to the NFL.

"I knew there was going to be some NFL interest because of the season he had,'' Getzlaf said. "If someone made him an offer, I knew he would take it. He deserves it and we're all happy for him.''

Fantuz was in the option year of his contract, and thus was allowed to work out for NFL teams up to Feb. 15. Players who signed before the new collective bargaining agreement was announced in July were allowed to take advantage of the opportunity. That window has been closed under the new CBA.

If option-year players are not signed by the CFL's free-agent deadline, they have to return to CFL teams. Fantuz wouldn't be eligible to return to the Riders if there is a lockout or strike in the NFL.

If the 2011 season goes ahead, Fantuz would be involved in all aspects of the Bears' preparations. If released, he likely wouldn't be available until September. If that did take place, Fantuz would expect to remain with the Riders for the long term.

"That would be the logical progression,'' Fantuz said.

Fantuz said the Bears are looking for him to play wide receiver or slotback. They haven't asked him to gain any weight or change his style of play.

"They told me to stay at whatever my best weight is and be in the best shape that I can be,'' the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Fantuz said.

mmccormick@leaderpost.com

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+Andy+Fantuz+signs+with+Chicago+Bears/4225860/story.html#ixzz1D3ONgwEs

BIG SIGNING FOR THE RIDERS

2011-02-02T20:38:00.000-08:00

Saskatchewan Roughriders' Lance Frazier (15) knocks the ball out of B.C. Lions' Travis Lulay's (14) hands during the West semi-final in Regina on Nov. 14, 2010.Photograph by: Fred Greenslade, Reuters filesREGINA — The return of Richie Hall is already paying dividends for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Riders announced Tuesday that Hall was returning after a two-year stint as the head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos to his previous job as Saskatchewan's defensive co-ordinator. On Wednesday, the CFL team announced that veteran import defensive halfback Lance Frazier had re-signed.

"(Having Hall back is) definitely a bonus,'' Frazier said Wednesday from his home in Delaware. "He's a great defensive backs coach and I'm looking forward to working with the guy again.''

Frazier has been with the Riders since late in the 2006 season. He shared in the 2007 Grey Cup victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has been entrenched as a starter ever since. During that time, Frazier got to know Hall, who was the defensive co-ordinator and defensive backs coach with the Riders. Hall spent 15 seasons with the Riders as a player and coach, including eight as the defensive co-ordinator.

"Richie was the guy who taught me everything I know about the CFL,'' said Frazier, who signed a multi-year deal. "He taught me how to play the defensive halfback position correctly. I have a great deal of respect for him and I was glad to get him back in there.''

The Riders are also happy to have Frazier return. Frazier was eligible to file for free agency on Feb. 15 and Riders general manager Brendan Taman didn't want to lose the veteran.

"He would have definitely drawn interest from other teams,'' Taman said Wednesday. "To lose him would have left a big hole in our defence. To lose Eddie Davis (in 2010) and possibly Lance was something we didn't want to do.''

Frazier indicated at the end of the 2010 season that he wanted to return. The Riders wanted him back. It sounded like it wouldn't take long to get a deal done.

"Negotiations are never easy,'' Taman said. "We had some moments that we were worried about and I'm sure Lance was worried too. He had a good representative and we able to get things done that helped us with our budget and looked after him.''

Frazier, 29, had considered becoming a free agent. He had never tested that market in a career that included stops in the NFL and NFL Europe. He was curious to learn what his value as a player might be on the open market.

"All football players want to experience that at least once in their career,'' Frazier said. "That was the only thing that really interested me. As far as leaving there was a tossup because it was the only place I had played in the CFL and it was one that I knew.

"Still, it's home for me. I couldn't really picture leaving the guys in the locker room that I had developed such great relationships with. The contract negotiations got a little sticky at times, but we were able to work it out.''

Frazier has enjoyed quite a career with the Riders. In 61 regular-season games, he has recorded 169 defensive tackles, 15 interceptions, eight pass knockdowns and one touchdown. During the 2010 playoffs, Frazier had 13 defensive tackles and two sacks.

Frazier is among the league's best defensive halfbacks and felt he should be rewarded as such. He did his research into what other players were making and brought that into the negotiations.

"Everyone wants the home-town discount, which is what the players call it,'' said Frazier, who had four interceptions and a sack during the 2010 regular season. "I don't think I was slighted at all. We were in the ball park with the other players and it was fair.''

Frazier has talked on the phone with Greg Marshall, the Riders' new head coach. Frazier said that Marshall wanted to talk to a number of veterans and possible leaders who are returning for the 2011 season.

"I was worried through the whole coaching process if we would get a guy who understands our locker room and what we're all about,'' Frazier said. "That's a huge factor because we've worked hard on the culture in our locker room over the last four or five years. From the conversation I had with him, he understands what Rider Pride is all about and respects what we have going here.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.com

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/Lance+Frazier+signs+contract+with+Saskatchewan+Roughriders/4210459/story.html#ixzz1CrqOsqIo

LANCE FRAZIER RE-SIGNS

2011-02-02T11:13:00.001-08:00

The latest out of Riderville. Not a surprise at all that Lance Frazier re-signed. He loves it in Regina and said he wanted to return when I saw him before Christmas.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have signed import defensive back Lance Frazier to a new contract. The financial details were not released.
Frazier is heading into his sixth season with the Green and White and was scheduled to become a free agent this month. In 2010, the halfback had 34 defensive tackles, four interceptions for 151 yards, one quarterback sack, one pass knockdown and one special teams tackle in 18 regular season games. The 29-year-old was named CFL Defensive Player of the Week after the West Semi-Final where he had six defensive tackles and two quarterback sacks. Frazier also had seven defensive tackles in the Grey Cup game.
Since signing as a free agent with the Riders in 2006, Frazier has played in 61 regular season games and has tallied 169 defensive tackles, 15 interceptions for 413 yards and one touchdown, eight pass knockdowns, three special team tackles and one quarterback sack.
The Riders also announced today they have released non-import defensive back Donovon Alexander: as reported yesterday by the Leader-Post.

2011 Free agents
RT Joel Bell l
DB Lance Frazier l — re-signed on Feb. 2
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

SISCO READY !!

2011-01-27T06:13:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-27T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-20T19:39:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-19T14:02:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-05T12:24:00.001-08:00

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 !!

2011-01-02T16:47:00.001-08:00

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.

GREG MARSHALL WILL BE THE NEXT RIDER COACH

2010-12-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

By Rob Vanstone Thu, Dec 30 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

Here is a story I just filed to leaderpost.com:

Greg Marshall is well-positioned to become the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ next head coach, although an announcement is not imminent.

Marshall has been identified by the Roughriders’ brass as the No. 1 candidate to succeed Ken Miller, who stepped aside Dec. 3. Miller — who remains on-board as the CFL team’s vice-president of football operations — was empowered to decide on his replacement in close consultation with general manager Brendan Taman.

“We do not have a deal signed or agreed to by any of the head-coaching candidates,’’ Taman said Thursday night.

Marshall, 54, is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ assistant head coach, defensive co-ordinator and defensive line coach. The Roughriders have opted to offer Marshall the job after also seriously considering Richie Hall, who was dismissed Nov. 29 as the Edmonton Eskimos’ head coach. Marshall and Hall are both former Roughriders defensive co-ordinators.

As of Thursday night, Hall was not entirely out of the running for the head-coaching position, being that a deal with Marshall had yet to be consummated. If negotiations with Marshall do not result in a contract, the Riders could then turn to Hall.

Regardless, Hall is far from out of the coaching picture, being that he could very well return to the team as its defensive co-ordinator. Hall was a Roughriders assistant coach from 1994 to 2008, serving as the defensive co-ordinator for eight seasons.

Although Marshall and Hall ended up atop the list of head-coaching candidates, the Roughriders also discussed the position with Doug Berry (the Roughriders’ assistant head coach and offensive co-ordinator, and a former head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers), Corey Chamblin (the Calgary Stampeders’ defensive backs coach) and Scott Milanovich (the Montreal Alouettes’ assistant head coach, offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach).

An announcement regarding the Roughriders’ head coach is expected early next week.

RIDER COACHING SITUATION

2010-12-29T07:20:00.000-08:00

Greg Marshall.Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post filesREGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' brass is in the final stages of deliberation over who should be hired as the head coach.

The decision apparently comes down to this: Greg Marshall or Richie Hall. However, the package could very well include both gentlemen.

Marshall has the inside track on the head-coaching job, which was vacated Dec. 3 when Ken Miller stepped aside.

If Marshall is indeed next in line, one of his initial moves could be to appoint Hall as the defensive co-ordinator.

There is a chance that the scenario could work in reverse, but that is less probable. Marshall, after all, is currently employed as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' assistant head coach, defensive co-ordinator and defensive line coach. Hall, by contrast, is looking for another football job after being fired as the Edmonton Eskimos' head coach on Nov. 29.

It would be a lateral move for Marshall to assume an assistant-coaching position with another CFL team. The prospect of a long-awaited head-coaching gig would serve as an inducement.

Given that the Roughriders' next head coach will not occupy a dual role as a co-ordinator, Marshall would have to appoint someone to choreograph the defence. That creates a potential opening for Hall, unless Marshall — or someone in the Riders' hierarchy — is bullish on retaining the able Gary Etcheverry as the defensive co-ordinator.

This is where it gets a little confusing. Etcheverry was the Toronto Argonauts' head coach in 2002 when Miller was hired to coach the Boatmen's quarterbacks. Miller, who remains on-board with the Roughriders as the vice-president of football operations, now has the final say on the hiring of the head coach. If a defensive-oriented head coach is appointed — and that is a virtual certainty — what happens to the assistant coaches on that side of the ball?

Miller, who will select the head coach in consultation with general manager Brendan Taman, has a long-standing admiration for Etcheverry but is also highly respectful of Hall. Can everyone be accommodated? Stay tuned.

Another defensive-oriented coach, Corey Chamblin, was interviewed for the head-coaching job. In fact, the Roughriders spoke to him twice, as they did with Marshall. However, Chamblin — the Calgary Stampeders' defensive backs coach — is no longer part of the equation. Do not be surprised if Chamblin is one day calling the shots on the sidelines for a CFL team.

The Roughriders were not averse to hiring a head coach with an offensive pedigree. Montreal Alouettes assistant head coach, offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach Scott Milanovich was flown to Regina for an interview, but did not advance to the second stage of the exhaustive process.

Saskatchewan offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry was also interviewed for the top job but is unlikely to assume that post.

In many ways, Berry is the logical heir, being that he is the assistant head coach, and that he experienced success as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' field boss. But if Berry was the guy, why conduct a series of interviews? If the Roughriders were going to promote the assistant head coach, as per an organizational line of succession, such a move would have been made two or three weeks ago.

Nonetheless, there is a very real possibility that Berry will return in 2011. He has one year remaining on a contract that calls for him to be well-compensated. Despite speculation to the contrary, there does not appear to be a philosophical chasm between Berry and quarterback Darian Durant.

And look at the results. With Berry calling most of the plays, Durant threw for a league-high 5,542 yards — the third-highest total in franchise history — in 2010 and also paced all quarterbacks in rushing yards (618) and TDs along the ground (seven). Many Roughriders fans are allergic to Berry — and inexplicably so — but the status quo is preferable as far as the offensive blueprint is concerned. Otherwise, Durant will end up playing under his fifth offensive co-ordinator in six seasons as a Roughrider.

Obviously, many dominoes have yet to fall. The entire process should become much clearer next week, when the Roughriders are expected to make an announcement. The likelihood is that Marshall will be front and centre.

rvanstone@leaderpost.com

NOTE: DEBBIE AND I SAW GREG MARSHALL IN THE RIDER LOCKER ROOM, LAST THURSDAY, WHEN WE STOPPED FOR THE LOCKER ROOM SALE !!

RIDERS RESIGN McCULLOUGH

2010-12-22T11:54:00.001-08:00

By Murray McCormick Wed, Dec 22 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

The Saskatchewan Roughrider announced today they have signed non-import linebacker Mike McCullough to a new contract. Financial details of the signing were not released.
McCullough has spent the last eight seasons with the Riders after being originally selected by the Green and White in the 3rd round (23 overall) in the 2003 CFL College Draft. In 2010, the 30-year-old played in all 18 regular season games where he had 29 defensive tackles, seven special team tackles, four quarterback sacks, three pass knockdowns, two tackles for a loss and one fumble recovery.
In 140 regular season games played for the Riders, McCullough has tallied 143 defensive tackles, 86 special team tackles, 30 fumble recoveries and seven quarterback sacks.
McCullough was set to become a free agent in February, 2011.

Remaining Rider Free Agents

T 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
LB Mike McCullough - re-signed Dec. 22
DB Chris McKenzie l
C Jeremy O’Day
OL Wayne Smith
LB Kye Stewart l
l - denotes import

HOW IS LUCA DOING ??

2010-12-20T15:12:00.000-08:00

Popular Rider kicker Luca Congi was with Mitchell Blair on 620 CKRM's Sports Cage Monday afternoon. The five-year veteran saw his season come to an end with an horrific knee injury sustained against Calgary in the fall. Mitch caught up to Luca for an update on his recovery:

SCRUFFY: How's your injury doing?

CONGI: The knee's great. I couldn't ask for better progress than now. The surgery's gone really well and the rehab to this point has been really successful as well. Just have to take it one game at a time and things will come together.

SCRUFFY: Will you be ready for training camp 2011?

CONGI: I'm hoping to be. I'm hoping to be ready for the home-opener. That's my goal. It just depends on how rehab goes the next six months. I'll be working my butt off to be ready as soon as I can but in saying that I have to be patient and I can't rush back. This is one of those things where I have to literally take it one day at a time. As long as I can improve strength in my leg and mobility everyday, it'll look very good.

SCRUFFY: How much of a learning experience has this been?

CONGI: I try to look at the good in everything that happens. It's been interesting. I've learned from a lot of people what to do and what NOT to do to be successful. One of the best things is the support I'm received from my coaches, teammates, my family and the fans. That's one of the great things I've experienced throughout this time.

SCRUFFY: There was talk this could be career-ending. What did you think about that?

CONGI: When I heard that, I laughed to myself. This is the 21st century here. The medical field has advanced and this is not 1980 or the 70s. Now when you have an ACL injury you have surgery and then rehab. There's so much knowledge out there now about how to get back. When I heard that, I laughed. That's obviously incorrect. Not to downplay it though, there's a lot of work ahead. But I've overcome a lot of things in high school, college and pro's and this is just another.

SCRUFFY: What's the rehab process like now?

CONGI: I'm with the physiotherapist three days a week in Ontario here. I hit the gym two days a week. Obviously right now I'm not doing crazy lifting but it's the bike and stairclimber and stretching. It's all about progress. I try to do a little bit more everyday. You don't want to re-aggravate it, but you push it.

SCRUFFY: What's a Congi Christmas like?

CONGI: It's nuts! We have a really big dinner on the 24th and it's a lot of Italians so it's very loud with a lot of arguing and a lot of fun. We have a very big and tight family. Usually there's 30 - 35 people at our house Christmas Eve and it's a lot of fun.

SCRUFFY: You got all your shopping done?

CONGI: Oh no. Last-minute Christmas shopping is like a challenge for me. I always wait, so it's all good.

SCRUFFY: Thanks Luca and Merry Christmas!

CONGI: Merry Christmas to everybody in Saskatchewan!!

SCOTT MILANOVICH FOR RIDER COACH ??

2010-12-20T14:59:00.001-08:00

It must be Monday because there is loads of buzz out there about the Roughriders and their search for a new head coach.

There was a report on Twitter that the Riders are prepared to offer the head-coaching position to Scott Milanovich, the current offensive co-ordinator with the Montreal Alouettes.

I checked this out and was told the Riders have indeed interviewed Milanovich but there isn’t any truth to the reports that he’s been offered the position.
The fact the Riders have interviewed Milanovich isn’t a surprise. Any man who has guided the Alouettes’ offence to a pair of Grey Cups championships has surely earned the interest.

Not much else to report on the search so far, but I would expect more reports to surface in the coming days. Sooner or later the Riders will have to decide on a head coach.

COACHING DECISION MAY COME BEFORE XMAS

2010-12-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

Rider GM Brendan Taman met with the Regina media this morning. Here's a partial transcript of the conversation. The full scrum can be heard on today's Sports Cage on 620 CKRM between 4 and 6 pm.

Q. Will you have a coach named soon?

TAMAN: We're in a process that's going along pretty well actually. We're almost done the first phase of it per se. We have a few more interviews to do.

Q. When you expect an announcement?

TAMAN: That's a good question. We'll be moving into the next phase over the weekend. It'll run its course from there. The sooner we can get it done we will. We're not in a panic here. There have been a lot of people who wanted to talk to us and there are a lot of people we wanted to talk to. In reality we're down to about six (candidates). I'm hoping we can expedite things but we're pretty much right on track with what we planned. Interviews don't take five minutes, they take five or six hours.

Q. It will be before Christmas won't it?

TAMAN: We'll see.

Q. Is your gut feeling it'll be someone from inside your staff or outside?

TAMAN: We're doing both, honestly. There's pluses to inside people and pluses to outside people so we're exploring every option.

Q. Does Darian Durant have a say in the process?

TAMAN: I think it's important to get his feedback on everything is run but he won't make the decision. It is important and we talked to Darian at length before he left. We know where he stands and there was no surprises in those conversations either.

Q. Are you concerned about losing Marcus Crandell to Edmonton?

TAMAN: There has been that rumour. I'd be happy for him if he had that chance. I know he's talking with Edmonton and it's tough for Marcus because he has family issues to deal with. It's always tough to lose good people but it'll be a good chance for him.

Q. Gary Etcheverry's and Nelson Martin's names have come up in connection to Winnipeg. Have teams asked for permission to talk with them?

TAMAN: Not to my knowledge no they haven't.

Q. What's it like for you assistant coaches being in a state of limbo?

TAMAN: Those are the people I feel sorry for the most. They're having a tough go. We were pretty successful but the result of that is they're looking for work, basically. It's a tough spot to be put in but hopefully for their sake we can keep some of them. It's a tough thing for their lifestyle to go through, especially through the holidays.

ANDY FANTUZ

2010-12-15T14:04:00.000-08:00

Andy Fantuz's first interview since his workout with the Pittsburgh Steelers was with 620 CKRM for Wednesday's Sports Cage. He explained the entire workout process in the interview which can be heard by clicking on this link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?bhn4y608tez7207

Andy will also be posting a new video to his blog at www.andyfantuz.com soon. I asked Andy what Rider fans' reaction has been to the potential of him signing in the NFL.

"The fans have been great," Fantuz said. "I get some smart comments about 'don't leave, don't leave' and this and that but overall people are supportive and I really appreciate that. I'll never forget what the fans here have done for me and I will continue to be a part of all that's going on in Rider Nation. To have that type of support where fans can truly be happy for me or hope for the best for me is a nice feeling.

"In saying that, I love playing for the Riders and it's gonna take a good opportunity for me to leave what I have here. It's just a blast playing here and I like every part of playing here.

"Just thanks for all the support and you can stay update with me at www.andyfantuz.com. I'll be posting videos after each of my workouts and I'll be answering fans' questions weekly along with new blogs. Just stay up to date with that and we'll go from there!"

2011 CFL FREE AGENTS

2010-12-10T07:07:00.001-08:00

The CFL free agent list
Lowell Ullrich at the Vancouver Province has put together a list of CFL free agents.
I'm sure he won't mind sharing...

2011 CFL FREE AGENTS
As of Feb. 15

BC (2)

S Tad Crawford
QB Jarious Jackson

Calgary (13)

CB Dwight Anderson
CB Brandon Browner
S Wes Lysack
LB Keon Raymond
DT Tom Johnson
DL Terrarius George
DT DeVone Claybrooks
OL Ben Archibald
WR Romby Bryant
SB Rob Cote
LS Randy Chevrier
WR Ryan Thelwell
DB Milton Collins

Edmonton (7)

SB Kelly Campbell
DL Walter Curry
WR/KR Skyler Green
S Jason Nugent
LB Tim St. Pierre
DB Chris Thompson
K Justin Medlock

Saskatchewan (11)

LB Mike McCullough
DL Kitwana Jones
DB Lance Frazier
DB Chris McKenzie
LB Sean Lucas
RB Neal Hughes
OL Joel Bell
OL Jeremy O'Day
OL Gene Makowsky
OL Wayne Smith
DB Daniel Francis

Winnipeg (9)

RB Yvenson Bernard
C Obby Khan
DB Jonathan Hefney
DL Dorian Smith
LB Joe Lobendahn
FB Jon Oosterhuis
RB Daryl Stephenson
S Shawn Gallant
DB Keyou Craver

Toronto (10)

DL Adriano Belli
OL Shannon Boatman
SB Chad Rempel
OL Jeff Keeping
ST Bryan Crawford
DT Kevin Huntley
DL Ronald Flemons
DL Eric Taylor
SB Jeremaine Copeland
DB Lin-J Shell

Hamilton (8)

OL George Hudson
OL Alexandre Gauthier
OL Brian Ramsay
DB Geoff Tisdale
DL Jermaine Reid
SB Chris Bauman
SB Adam Nicolson
ST Steve Schmidt

Montreal (14)

QB Anthony Calvillo
SB Ben Cahoon
FB Avon Cobourne
WR SJ Green
DB Jerald Brown
K Damon Duval
LB Chip Cox
ST Andrew Hawkins
SB Danny Desriveaux
DL J.P. Bekasiak
QB Chris Leak
LS Martin Bedard
DE Shawn Mayne
KR Larry Taylor

THIS CERTAINLY IS STRANGE

2010-12-03T05:28:00.000-08:00

By Bob Hughes for EXIT Realty Fusion

What have the Saskatchewan Roughriders done three times in the last four years?If you said, appear in three Grey Cup games, you are correct.

But that’s not the answer.The answer is, three times in the last four years the Roughriders, Canada’s most envied organization, has had to go searching for a new head coach.

Ken Austin came here in 2007. He worked a miracle no other coach in the game had been able to work. He made a star out of quarterback Kerry Joseph, who hadn’t done anything before that Grey Cup win and hasn’t done anything since. Before the champagne had dried, Austin had left the scene for the green, green grass of home, a job at Mississippi.In came Ken Miller.

In three years as head coach, Miller got the Riders to back-to-back Grey Cup games on the strength of quarterback Darian Durant. They lost them both, in 2009 on the biggest miscalculation in CFL history, and this year because they didn’t have the offensive firepower in the second half. Both losses were to Montreal.

So, what does Miller do less than a week after the Grey Cup ended? He surprises quite a few people by announcing that he was resigning as head coach and, at the age of 69, would exclusively be the vice president in charge of football operations.

Normally, coaches who win Grey Cups don’t even consider leaving their teams unless they get a better offer. But, here, it’s like they can’t wait to get out of the hotseat. And, it’s as if CEO Jim Hopson has developed some sort of rent-a-coach program that keeps producing winning teams and Grey Cup contenders.

Go figure.In some ways, likely most ways, it’s flukey the way the Riders lost Austin and Miller. Austin said he had always wanted to coach at Mississippi, a school he played at. So, it was understandable when he jumped at the job. But a year later he had left the school he always wanted to coach at and went to something called Cornell University as a head coach.

Fair enough.Miller was already an official senior citizen when he took over from Austin. So, he was not going to be a long-term head coach. He lasted three years as head coach before the drain on his mind, body and commitment was too much to endure a fourth year. So, he quit.

Somebody asked him why he didn’t “gut it out” for one more year and try to win the Cup. “That,” he replied, “was what I did this year.”It seems logical, then, that Miller had decided before the start of the 2010 season that this likely would be his swan song.

Was he setting the table for his successor when he hired Doug Berry as his offensive coach this season and gave him two titles. Offensive coordinator. And, more telling, Assistant Head Coach.

What does that mean or indicate? It is a promise of sorts.Berry has been a head coach before, in Winnipeg, where he took the Bombers to the 2007 Grey Cup game, representing a woefully weak Eastern Division of the CFL.The Rider Nation is not sold on Berry becoming the head coach here, mostly because of perceived flaws in offensive coaching this season.

The Riders’ offence never really seemed to settle on just what exactly they were all about.So, Doug Berry should not be an automatic choice as head coach, and if Miller is the guy making the final recommendation, then he has to put his loyalties aside, and do what is best for (a) Darian Durant and (b) the team.

There can be no other way.Just as quickly as Austin turned the Riders into a powerhouse of sorts, it all can turn the other way just as quickly. And, we all know how long it can take to salvage a sinking ship.

This choice of head coach will be one of the most critical the team has made in a long time. And, every avenue has to be thoroughly explored before that final decision is arrived at.

Perry Lefko - THOUGHTS ON THE ROUGHRIDERS - SPORTSNET.CA

2010-12-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

A passing thought on the team that wins at the gate but has come up short in the past two Grey Cups.

Having the Roughriders in the Cup guarantees the city hosting the game a huge turnout, which translates into big business.

To use an expression, the Roughrider fans "travel well," meaning they come out in droves and spend, whether it’s for hotel occupancy, all manner of food and beverage, merchandise and, oh yes, tickets.

Back in 2007, when the Toronto Argonauts lost to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East Final, they lost out on that rare opportunity of playing the Grey Cup in their home city.

It could have been a really big disaster for the Argos because B.C. and Saskatchewan played in the West Final. A Grey Cup featuring Winnipeg and B.C. would have had considerably less appeal than Winnipeg and Saskatchewan (even if by quirky CFL standards Winnipeg is in the East and it produced an all-West championship game).

When the Riders won, it meant tickets would be scooped up at ridiculous prices, hotels would be packed and the local businesses in downtown Toronto would do well.

For the past two years, the Riders organization has leased storefront space in the downtown area of Grey Cup cities and hawked all kinds of merchandise. It is one of the reasons the Green Riders are No. 3 overall in merchandise sold by Canadian sports franchises.

The Riders could hawk used Kleenex with the team logo and make money. We would like to see the team sell some toilet paper with the emblem, but maybe shilling something with their opponents’ logo may have more practicality.

Whatever.

It’s amazing to think that back in 1997, this franchise was on the verge of bankruptcy. The CFL, which was also in dire straights at the time, needed financial help from the National Football League with a $4 million loan to stay afloat.

The Riders received an immediate infusion of $500,000 to have operating capital. Those telethons they did only went so far.
It was for that reason that the Riders annually didn’t do well. They didn’t have the money to keep their good players or attract free agents. The CFL salary cap was a misnomer because teams could pay players under the table. Because the Riders were a community-owned franchise, they had to account for all money spent. Playing for the Riders meant virtually no chance of even making it to the playoffs.

As for the Grey Cup, well, that was for other teams.

The privately-owned teams could spend under the table and hide the money trail. Is it any coincidence the Argos were able to pay free agent Doug Flutie $1 million in 1996 and win back-to-back Cups?
The Argos needed Flutie and the CFL needed a strong Argo team, but even though the Argos won back-to-back Grey Cups, beating the Riders one year, it did not equate to anything off the field. The franchise still lost tons of money.

The rise of the Roughriders in recent years is in direct relationship to the CFL’s hard cap. The Riders were whacked right away after going over the cap by less than $100,000 in the first year of the cap’s enforcement, which they attributed to a mass of injuries.

A strong Riders’ team helps season-ticket sales, creating sold-out games, which in turn drives merchandise. It’s a business modal that can be analyzed and appreciated for what it is compared to what it had been back in the hellish, free-for-all, drunken-sailor like spending by some CFL teams that just couldn’t help themselves.

Does that remind you of any other leagues?

A healthy Roughriders franchise also helps TV ratings, which the CFL needs to sell its product. Inasmuch as it is a ticket-driven league, TV ratings can be monopolized in a variety of ways.

When you add all of this together, the CFL needs the Riders to be competitive. There will come a point when the Riders won’t be in the Cup, which they’ve done three of the last four years, and they may not be as competitive.

The Roughriders’ faithful go back many decades. They will never die. Literally. Their loyalty is passed from one generation to another.

The city and the province appreciate and understand the Roughriders.
They are as much a staple out there as grain.

At some point when the Riders slip in the standings, things won’t be as rosy financially and, in turn, it will hurt the club’s bottom line and carry over to the league itself.

So last week when the Riders fans were given the commissioner’s award, which didn’t sit well with the French media that felt the Montreal Alouettes legitimately deserved some props for their faithful, it was a recognition of not only 100 years as a franchise, but their undying loyalty.

Rider fans "ooze pride," to use the commissioner’s words, but they also
ooze greenbacks.

RIDERS FREE AGENT LIST

2010-12-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

The following is an unofficial list of players who are eligible to become free agents this off-season and those entering the option year of their respective contracts . . .

Free agents: DB Lance Frazier, DE Kitwana Jones, DB Chris McKenzie, LB Sean Lucas, RB Neal Hughes, OT Joel Bell, C Jeremy O‚Day, G Gene Makowsky, LB Mike McCullough.

Option year: LB Jerrell Freeman, CB Omarr Morgan, RB Wes Cates, RB Hugh Charles, LB Tad Kornegay, SB Jason Clermont, SB Weston Dressler, SB Andy Fantuz, DT Keith Shologan, DT Marcus Adams.

CATES HAD A GOOD YEAR AND LOOKING FORWARD TO 2011

2010-11-30T19:57:00.000-08:00

After the end of their season on Sunday, the Riders' annual garbage bag day saw most of the players show up to clean out their lockers. Stu Foord with Wes Cates.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Wes Cates wishes the outcome in Sunday's Grey Cup game would have ended with his team on top.

But the Saskatchewan Roughriders veteran running back said he will reflect on the 2010 CFL season as one of the best in his five-year career.
"I'm pretty proud of this season just based on the fact that a lot of people didn't think I had the potential to be a difference maker this year," Cates said Tuesday as he and his teammates congregated at Mosaic Stadium to clean out their lockers.

"I came out and helped my team win games and made a difference. To bounce back and have that resilience showed me a little bit about myself and helped me gain some of that confidence back that I might have lost from 2009."

After a disappointing '09 season that saw him rush for 932 yards, the lowest total among starting 'backs in the CFL, Cates enjoyed a productive 2010 campaign. The product of California, Penn., rushed for 1,054 yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns, which was three shy of a Riders' record in a single season.

Cates also proved to be durable late in the season. He gained more than 60 yards in each of the Riders' three playoff games, including 83 yards rushing in the Grey Cup. He also reached the end zone in each post-season game.

"Wes is a huge part of our offence," explained Riders centre Jeremy O'Day. "I couldn't be more proud of him for coming back from last season where he was nicked up ... and people were writing that maybe we needed a new running back. Wes took it upon himself to come into this year in good shape and stay healthy and do a great job for us."
Cates wasn't immune to the grumblings in Rider Nation that suggested he was getting up there in age and that maybe he had lost a step. The presence of a younger and perhaps more explosive Hugh Charles didn't help matters.

But Cates stayed focused on providing a steady performance each week.
"The people who thought (Cates) might have been finished probably would have thought he would have be worn out by the end of the season," said Riders centre Jeremy O'Day. "But a lot of people don't understand what he means to our team not only running the football but securing it and catching it and, more importantly, help us O-lineman in pass protection."

Cates, 31, will enter the 2011 CFL season as the oldest starting running back next to Montreal's Avon Cobourne, who is a few months Cates' elder. But Cates feels like he has a lot left in the tank.

"I feel good," Cates said. "Right now, I couldn't even tell you how much longer I could play because I feel like I can go for a few years at least. I'm definitely going to do a better job of keeping my body together this off-season than I have before.

"I'm excited to see what kind of shape I'll be in coming into camp next year."

But he also expects to be pushed at training camp by Charles and others.
"That's the name of the game — it's all about competition," Cates said. "You have to relish those moments and appreciate the people who drive you and motivate you to be better.

"If you just want to be mediocre and think that nobody will challenge you for your spot then that's the day you'll probably lose it."

RIDERS GATHER FOR THE LAST TIME IN 2010

2010-11-30T19:51:00.000-08:00

After the end of their season on Sunday, the Riders' annual garbage bag day saw most of the players show up to clean out their lockers. Weston Dressler packs his bags.
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — As Weston Dressler emptied the contents of his locker into a garbage bag, he couldn't help but ponder the finality of it all.

The 2010 Saskatchewan Roughriders gathered for the last time on Tuesday before going their separate ways. In some cases, the players will depart with a simple "see you next year." In other instances, it could be a final "good-bye."

"It's always a weird day, that last day when the season is over, cleaning out the lockers, because it's really the last time you're going to have this whole team together," noted Dressler, a three-year CFL veteran. "You don't know how many guys are going to come back. You'd like to think you're going to have the same team next year, but there's always at least a few that are sent to a different team or done playing football and you may never see those guys again."

Regardless of how the Roughriders' season had ended — they lost 21-18 to the Montreal Alouettes in Sunday's Grey Cup — the arrival of the off-season would inevitably bring many of the same questions and uncertainties. That includes Dressler. The dynamic slotback is entering the option year of his contract, which means he can explore his options south of the border.

"I haven't talked with any agent or anyone about that yet," he said. "We'll see what he says and take it from there. It's going to depend on what types of situations I'm in (with potential NFL opportunities). I'd really have to evaluate once the time comes."

That equation could change if Saskatchewan offers him a contract extension.

"Yeah, if I'm going to be in the CFL, this is where I want to be," he said. "This is the team to play for, the organization I want to be a part of. I would definitely look forward to that."

The Riders have at least nine players who are eligible to become free agents in February — a list which includes a mixture of backups and starters, young up-and-comers and grizzled veterans. One of the latter is Canadian linebacker Mike McCullough, a valuable backup and special-teams captain.

"You'd like to have everybody back but there's always some changes," said McCullough, who left no doubt as to his intentions. "I'd love to be back. This is where my heart is, it's where I've always played and I want to play here. Hopefully they want me back."

McCullough chuckled when it was pointed out that his stance might not be considered a shrewd negotiating tactic.

"I think they know I want to be here," he added. "I've been here eight years and I haven't tried to escape yet. I know my role on this team and I enjoy it. I guess if I had to go somewhere (else) I would. I don't want to, though. I'm not going to piss around and waste people's time by telling them I am going to go somewhere because I don't want to go somewhere else."

The same goes for defensive end Kitwana Jones, who's another potential free agent.

"I would love to retire a Rider but as of right now I don't know what the situation is," said the six-year veteran. "I'll find out in the next couple months. I'd like to be a Rider until I'm done playing ball."

That said, there are times when sentiment has to be weighed against the business side of football. That's the case for veteran running back Neal Hughes, a native of Regina who has already talked to the Riders' brass about sticking around.

"Obviously I'd like to stay here, but I want to be making some money, too," he told the Leader-Post's Craig Slater. "It's my seventh year in the league and I feel I contribute in a lot of different ways for this team."
One of Saskatchewan's highest-profile free agents is linebacker Sean Lucas, a former West Division all-star who missed the 2010 playoffs with an elbow injury. Lucas said he'd like to be back with the Riders but he also knows there are no guarantees.

"This is the greatest place to play in the CFL," he said. "The longer you play here, you grow to appreciate the community and the fans and just the way people support our team. But I haven't really talked to the team about any of that (contract stuff). I'm just waiting till I get a phone call, basically. There's always the anticipation of where you're going to be and where you're going to go. There's always the unknown. It's kind of the toughest part of the business."

gharder@leaderpost.comRead more:

GREY CUP - BOB HUGHES

2010-11-29T15:12:00.000-08:00

TURN OUT THE LIGHTS, THE PARTY'S OVER!

By Bob Hughes for Exit Realty Fusion

How is it that this always seems to happen? Why is it that Montreal Alouettes get the lousy hotel, but we always seem to end up checking into the Heartbreak Hotel?

How was it that in 1967 Eddie Buchanan was wide open and Ron Lancaster hit him with a perfect pass, and he dropped it, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders were done in the Grey Cup game.

How was it that in 1972 the Riders were poised to win the Grey Cup until some rookie, yes, a rookie, named Chuck Ealey found a tight end named Tony Gabriel for consecutive catches that led to an Ian Sunter field goal and another Cup loss.

How was it that in 1976 the Riders were this ( ) far from winning the Grey Cup when Tony Gabriel blew through the whole Rider defence for the game-winning touchdown?

And, how was it, that in 2009, the Saskatchewan Roughriders had won the Grey Cup when what’s-his-name Duval shanked a game-winning field goal with no time left, only to have the Riders called for too many men on the field, and, well, shoot!, you know the rest.

Then, there was yesterday. Ah, as the Beattles once twanged, “But that was yesterday, and yesterday is gone.” Is it ever!

She always seems to reach out at times like this, this Mistress of Misery who hides in the shadows of Saskatchewan’s “sure” wins and then reaches out and wraps her suffocating tentacles around the Riders and the Rider Nation and chokes the dreams out of them all.

It is a terrible cruel death.She did it in 1967, 1969, 1972, 1976 and 2009.

And, she did it again last night in Edmonton in a place called Commonwealth Stadium in front of 60,000 fans, and millions more on TV, most of whom were screaming for Saskatchewan and ended up screaming in agony.

It is no wonder this province leaves the country in depression cases the week following the Grey Cup.One year, we beat the Mistress of Misery, in 2007, but obviously she must have been on paid maternity leave. Other than that, not much to write home about. Because she will not leave us alone.

The score yesterday was 21-18 for Montreal. Who cares what the score was? Saskatchewan lost. And, that loss carried a sting that was felt throughout North America, from the house of my sister in New Jersey where my New York nephew threw a Grey Cup party to the place in Calgary where my sons died a thousand deaths to the parties in Saskatchewan which ended with a dull thud.

Three people showed up in the dark aftermath of this devastating loss on the Green Mile, parking themselves at the corner of Victoria and Albert. One shrugged, and went home. The other two girls screamed their allegiance to the Riders, and went home.

It is not easy being a Rider fan. There are so many tears. No wonder we have more lakes than anybody in North America. It’s like running a 100-yard sprint in record time, only to tire out with 10 yards to go.You see, champions are not born, they are made. And, this one is still in the making.

Is it ever!I’ve said this before, and I will say it again, Darian Durant is the next great quarterback of the Roughriders. He will live his dream of becoming remembered in the same affection and admiration of Ron Lancaster. In just two years as a starter, he has taken the Riders to the Grey Cup, only to end up as the little kid with his nose pressed against the candy store window, unable to get in.

When he threw the game-ending interception, it was the product of sheer stamina, courage and a fire that burns within him.

He somehow escaped the clutches of the smothering hordes of Alouettes and in a misguided attempt to salvage something, he threw the ball towards out of bounds.

But he was hit as he threw and the spiral intended for out of bounds turned into a wobbler that was intercepted. Game. Set. And match.

The thing is, there is no quit in Darian Durant. He is a rarity. He is the diamond in the rough. He is pure gold. He is a winner. And, some day, he will win the big one, and more after that.

He should accept no blame for Sunday’s harrowing defeat. No, the blame should go where it should go.The whole season, the Riders’ special teams did not return a single kick for a touchdown.

And, as usual, they got gagged on a fake punt.The whole season, the defence, as wondrous as it may have been in the first three quarters, was figured out in the fourth.

The whole season, the offence was not allowed to use its best weapon – Darian Durant moving around and even running.That is not Darian Durant’s problem.

He is the real deal. But, the Riders need somebody coaching them who understands that.And, if they are going to become the dynasty they should become, it has to happen this winter.

Then, maybe the Mistress of Misery will move elsewhere.

MR TOUCHDOWN

2010-11-28T06:29:00.000-08:00

Call him Mr. Touchdown.

Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Wes Cates led the league with 16 touchdowns during the regular season — a trend he has continued throughout the playoffs so far.

If there’s a stats column a football player wants to lead all season long aside from wins, it’s touchdowns.

But that’s the whole point, right?

“Yeah, it’s about scoring,” said the 31-year old, who has spent the past four seasons with the Roughriders and will be playing in his third Grey Cup during that time. “I was lucky enough to be on a team that found the end zone a lot and I was the guy that found it the most out of everybody on my squad.”

The Roughriders were third in scoring, with 497 points — behind the Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes. Cates accounted for 96 of those with 15 rushing touchdowns and another one through the air.
But Cates is quick to spread the love among his offensive mates.
“There were kind of a lot of situations where receivers were doing a great job of receivers getting penalties in the end zone and things of that nature,” he said. “And up front, we’ve just done a great job of blocking and on the short-yardage situations, we always get that yard.

“So I’m just the recipient of a lot of good teamwork.”

While the smash-mouth style of scoring from just a few yards out of the end zone are some of the hardest yards he’s compiled, nothing is more satisfying than breaking a long run for a major. Even with all his trips to the end zone this year, it’s something that’s eluded Cates.

“I’m not sure what my longest TD is, but I don’t think it’s over 20. It’s been in that 15-yard range,” he said. “I had an 83-yarder but I got caught on the 10, so I won’t talk any more about that one.

“I’ve had a couple long runs, but the receivers seem to get all the long TDs. It doesn’t matter to me as long as we’re scoring.”

Cates finished the regular-season fifth among rushers with 1,054 yards on 203 carries. While the short-yardage touchdowns might have hurt his stats, he still ended up with an average carry of 5.2 yards.

“It’s been a blessing, man. It’s really about staying healthy,” he said. “Like I said, it’s teamwork in tough yardage. I like to pride myself on being a tough, short-yardage back and always able to get that yard.

“As an offensive line and backfield, we’ve been getting it done.”

It was the second time the running back surpassed the 1,000-yard mark. His career high was 1,229 yards in 2008, but that year he only had 14 touchdowns.

Finding the end zone was a trend he continued into the playoffs, scoring a rushing touchdown in both the West semifinal against the B.C. Lions and last week’s divisional final against the Calgary Stampeders.

He’s looking to continue the streak on Sunday.

“I hope so, man,” he said. “It’s going to be hard to deny me from getting in the end zone. That’s my focus, I’m trying to come out and have one of my best games of the year, if not the best, and scoring would definitely be a part of that.

“My goal is to help our team any way I can, but to put some points up myself and add to the scoring total would be nice.”

gerry.moddejonge@sunmedia.ca

RIDERS TRYING TO GET READY

2010-11-27T19:27:00.000-08:00

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Ken Miller (L) with Riders quarterback Darian Durant (#4) at the end of the Saskatchewan Roughriders walkthrough at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton at the 98th Grey Cup on November 27, 2010.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

EDMONTON — The day before the Grey Cup is different than the day before, say, a Week 14 clash.

For Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Tad Kornegay, that means an increased need for downtime.

"It's really hard to relax when you're playing in a big game like this," Kornegay said Saturday after the Roughriders' walk-through at Commonwealth Stadium, where Saskatchewan is to play the Montreal Alouettes in Sunday's CFL final.

"You've got all the excitement around the game. It's a big event. Right now, it's all about trying to stay relaxed and calm and be ready for next year . . . I mean, next week . . . tomorrow. Excuse me. I'm excited. I can't even talk right now."

Linebacker Mike McCullough wasn't having any difficulty in that area.
"We're pretty relaxed," he said. "We're not doing a whole heck of a lot. We're just trying to take it easy. We have a lot of time to ourselves and to get mentally ready. I like to watch a movie and my wife's in town, so I might go for a meal. Nothing crazy for sure."

This is the Roughriders' third Grey Cup appearance in the past four seasons, so most of them know how to handle the buildup. However, there still are issues to be addressed.

"It's the last game of the year, so you don't have to worry about what's going on next week," said Saskatchewan centre Jeremy O'Day. "But there are a lot of distractions. You're worrying about your family making it here safely and you're worried about getting them in the right spots

and making sure they know where to go.

"But as you go to more to these, it makes it easier — even for the families. They know what to expect, too."

Roughriders defensive back Lance Frazier planned to take members of his family to the West Edmonton Mall on Saturday to give them a chance to hit the amusement park. After that, he was going to return to his hotel to continue poring over film in preparation for Sunday's game.
The walk-through and his workload may have been the same, but Frazier still considered the day before to be different.

"You're playing for what you've prepared for all your life: To win a championship," he said. "It doesn't matter how many of them you go to, it's the same preparation, it's the same feeling and the focus goes up.
"It's the biggest game of your life — it's the only game of your life. It's definitely different. You've just got to go out and do it now."

It's also different because of the length of their stay in town.

In the regular season, a team slated to go on the road prepares at its home field before heading to the location a day or two before the game. During Grey Cup, both teams are in the host city for days before the game — and that can be a problem at times.

"You're here the whole week and everywhere you walk, you're reminded of what the game is," O'Day said. "It makes it all the more exciting — and that's the way it should be."

Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant is eager to get it all over with. The Roughriders have been meeting and practising at different times than they do in Regina and the number of media requests that go along with the Grey Cup is greater than the team faces at home.

Even so, Durant has tried to remain on an even keel — and that may have allowed him to adopt a different mindset this week.

"I think I'm less amped and more focused," he said. "I think being amped up can kind of take a little energy out of you. If you're focused, you're thinking about football all the time and you're thinking about your reads and things like that.

"When you're amped up, you're focused on running around, jumping and high-fiving and it kind of takes you off of football. I'm a lot more focused on football this time around."

That could result in a different outcome that 2009, when the Roughriders lost to Montreal in the Grey Cup.

"I've been waiting so long, a full year, for this opportunity," Durant said, "and it'd mean everything to me to be able to capture this one."
ihamilton@leaderpost.com
Leader-Post sportswriter Murray McCormick will be tweeting Roughrider news this week from Edmonton. You can follow him at twitter.com/McCormickMurray
Don't forget, the leaderpost.com will be frequently updating you during the Grey Cup game on Twitter at twitter.com/leaderpost and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LPRoughridersNews
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-PostRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+shake+distractions+focus+championship/3894586/story.html#ixzz16XnOVd3X

FROM STRUGGLE TO SATISFACTION

2010-11-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive tackle Ryan Lucas (#96) during morning practice at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton at the 98th Grey Cup on November 26, 2010.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

EDMONTON — The road to Sunday's Grey Cup game has been long and twisted for Brent Hawkins and Ryan Lucas.

This time last year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive linemen were working regular jobs. Hawkins was working at an oil refinery in Wood River, Ill., putting in 16-hour days. Lucas was a project manager for a construction company in Vancouver. Lucas's job required him to do everything from meeting with clients to digging ditches.

On Sunday, the two will be battling in the trenches against the Montreal Alouettes.

"Brent and I talked and we have just kept believing in ourselves,'' Lucas said in advance of Sunday's game (5:30 p.m., TSN, CKRM). "We knew in the back of our heads that we were meant to play. It was just a matter of the right situation. I'm so glad that it happened.''

Hawkins, a first-year defensive end, wept after the Riders beat the Calgary Stampeders 20-16 in the West Division final last Sunday.
"I broke down crying and Ryan Lucas can relate because he was doing the same thing working construction,'' said the 27-year-old Hawkins. "He asked me why I was crying and I said they were happy tears. I came from working 16-hour days, starting at four in the morning and it was hell. It knocked me down a few pegs and I'm happy on the team, but I'm a different player because of what I went through at the oil refinery.''
Lucas, a defensive tackle, supplemented his income by working in Vancouver nightclubs as a bouncer while waiting for his chance. He also counted on friends to help him financially and emotionally.

"I've been able to surround myself with people when I didn't have $2 in my pocket, they were able to help me out,'' the 26-year-old Lucas said. "They didn't expect anything in return. I do this for them, for my teammates and for Saskatchewan. I know that everybody back home takes a lot of pride in this. I know they will be watching back and they feel part of it. That means a lot to me to have those kind of people behind me.''

Hawkins said he remains in contact with his co-workers and with friends from his hometown of Jerseyville, Ill.

"All of us didn't come from the greatest beginnings,'' said Hawkins, who dressed for 20 games with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars over the 2006 and 2007 seasons while recording 23 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks. "We all grew up poor and to see a guy from a small town pop up and be in this position ... They are all proud of me. (Sunday's) game is for them and our fans in Saskatchewan.''

After three seasons at Western Washington University, Lucas signed a free-agent contract with the Alouettes in December of 2006. He spent the 2007 season and the 2008 pre-season with the Als before being cut. He said he had tryouts with the Stampeders, B.C. Lions (twice) and Edmonton Eskimos and also was in training camp this spring with the Arena Football League's Spokane Shock.

Lucas was added to the Riders' practice roster in May. He made his first appearance on the active roster against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sept. 25 and dressed for four regular-season games. Lucas recorded a fumble recovery in the Riders' 31-23 victory over the visiting Eskimos on Nov. 6.
Lucas is living the life of a professional player, but still has problems believing it's actually taking place.

"It feels surreal,'' Lucas said. "I had emotions after the West final, but I was so focused on coming here. This is the big prize. I bottled up my emotions after the West final because we had this game ahead. I guarantee when we win this thing, I will have to run in the locker room so no one will see me cry.''

Hawkins is enjoying his life in Regina so much that he plans on remaining there through the off-season.

"I want to be close to my doctors and my coach,'' Hawkins said. "I'm the type of guy who likes to really get at it during the off-season. I want to spend some time getting better. This experience has been great because I've never played for a championship in my career.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.com

A MUST READ ARTICLE BY THE FAMOUS RIDER WRITER

2010-11-27T18:40:00.000-08:00

By Bob Hughes

Somewhere, he is smiling. Because no matter where he was, whether it was in Edmonton or Hamilton or parked in a television booth, his heart was always with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

I used to think that Ron Lancaster was invincible. During his 18 unequalled seasons as a quarterback in the Canadian Football League, all but three of them with Saskatchewan, Ronnie took ground-shaking hits from the likes of Wayne Smith, Angelo Mosca, Tom Brown, Wayne Harris, Bill Baker, Dave Fennell, John Helton and on and on. He broke ribs, bruised bones and muscles, was knocked out, gave blood, and always defiantly rose from all those injuries to play another day.

They called him The Little General. They called him The Little Assassin of Taylor Field. Short and thick, the brushcut his trademark for many years, Ronnie stood taller than just about anybody who ever played the game up here.

He was a leader, by word and by actions. The most telling words I ever heard spoken about what he was like on the field of play came from Calgary Stampeder centre Basil Bark after he had stopped crying in the Stampeder dressing. Ronnie had brought the Riders back in an amazing second half comeback to score a win that clinched first place for Saskatchewan in 1976.

“I’ve known him for a long time now,” said Bark, his words raw yet ringing with admiration. “I know that when you get him down, you better put your foot on his chest because he never gives up.”In his storied career, Lancaster engineered 50 comeback victories.

The fourth quarter was his theatre, the stage where he gave his most electrifying performances, where somehow he would yank the fans out of their seats and his teammates out of their comfort zone and bring them all along on the giddiest of rides to victory.

And, when the game was over, and the city and the province were alive with the fumes of victory, Ronnie would sit in the dressing room, shrug his shoulders, get that little grin on his face, and sip on a beer with his buddy George Reed.

When he died two years ago in September after seeming to have whipped cancer only to have his heart give away, the province, indeed the country, went into mourning. I had never seen such an outpouring of unrelenting grief for any Saskatchewan figure who died as I did for Ronnie in the week following his death.

It was if everybody had been hit in the stomach with a sledge hammer.In the 100 year history of the Roughriders, you can count on one hand the number of truly remarkable quarterbacks they have had. Glenn Dobbs was one. Maybe Frank Tripuka. Ronnie was another. Kent Austin was one.

And, now, on the eve of the Grey Cup championship in Edmonton, there is emerging yet another chapter in the rise of a guy who may be the next great Rider quarterback.And, in some ways, the emergence of Darian Durant as a bonafide starter in the CFL is intriguingly similar to Lancaster’s story.

They both began their careers with Ottawa. Lancaster played three years there before coming to Regina in 1963. Durant went to Ottawa, having set 51 records at the University of North Carolina. When Ottawa folded, he went to Hamilton and then was traded to Saskatchewan in 2006.

He was Riders’ third string quarterback in 2007, their Grey Cup year.

But, he didn’t become the starter until coach Ken Miller finally stopped juggling his quarterbacks and gave the number one job to Durant in 2009. When Miller made Durant his guy, Darian took off. When Eagle Keys made Lancaster his guy, Ronnie took off.Sunday’s game against the Montreal Alouettes will be Durant’s third Grey Cup appearance, his second as a starter.

And in the two seasons he has started, the Roughriders have become perhaps the most feared and definitely the most watched team in the league.

He brings to the game a fierce determination to win and a rare talent to turn that desire into points. He is everything you could want in a quarterback. He can throw the ball, with the accuracy of anybody.

He can run it, better than most. He thrives in an element where when all else appears coming down around him, he is just taking off. He is as good and as dangerous a running quarterback as if there ever has been.

And, he has that extraordinary ability to involve each of what is the best set of receivers in the league in virtually every game. And, like Ronnie, he has class and respect. Neither one of those two ever trash talked anybody.

Now, there is nothing especially pretty about how Darian Durant plays the game. He can throw interceptions you can’t figure out. He can hang around the pocket so long you figure he must think he’s invisible. He can look about as interested in what’s going on as the guy who is in charge of cleaning the snow off residential streets. There are times when you think he’d rather be somewhere else.

ut put the game on the line, maybe even the season, and he somehow finds the nearest phone booth, makes a quick change, and shows up wearing a Superman outfit. The eyes suddenly look like bright lights on a dark night, he gets this smile on his face, and he launches himself right into the other team’s party.

It’s like he’s been waiting all game for the moment when he could take it over.

f there is anything the Montreal Alouettes should be afraid of on Sunday afternoon in Edmonton, it will be that moment when Darian Durant decides this is his time and his place, and nobody is going to stop him. They tell me that Darian Durant has this tattoo on his left bicep which reads, “Against all odds – I’m going to shine.”Ron Lancaster didn’t have any tattoo. But, he had that same fire-eating attitude.

Bob Hughes column sponsored by Exit Realty Fusion

RIDERS LOVE BEING THE UNDERDOG !!

2010-11-27T18:29:00.000-08:00

By Rob Vanstone Sat, Nov 27 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

EDMONTON — To hear select members of the Montreal Alouettes tell it, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are favoured.

Oddsmakers have a different view.

The word from that former CFL mecca, Las Vegas, is that Montreal is a 3 1/2-point favourite to defeat the Roughriders in Sunday’s Grey Cup, to be played at Commonwealth Stadium.

Some of the best and the brightest in the gambling industry believe that the Alouettes will valiantly overcome hardships such as a cramped, minimally equipped dressing room and (gasp!) hotel accommodations that are not, in their view, opulent.

That has to be good news for the Roughriders, who are already savouring the lavish surroundings of the Edmonton Eskimos’ dressing room and the plush Sutton Place Hotel.

The Roughriders, you see, are more apt to win a Grey Cup when they have carried the “underdog’’ label. The research sample is not extensive, considering that Saskatchewan has won the CFL championship on only three occasions, but there is a commonality to those three seasons.
Most notably, there is 1966.

The Ottawa Rough Riders were heavily favoured to dispose of Saskatchewan after vivisecting the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 72-17 in the two-games, total-points Eastern Conference final. (Comparably, Montreal annihilated the Toronto Argonauts 48-17 in this year’s East Division final, whereas the Roughriders scratched and clawed their way through the tougher West playoffs.)

Ottawa had finished the 1966 regular season with a league-best 11-3-0 record. Despite placing first in the Western Conference, Saskatchewan was an unremarkable 9-6-1, and figured to be easy prey for the eastern Riders.

Surprise! Saskatchewan won 29-14 on the strength of three touchdown passes by Ron Lancaster and 133 rushing yards by George Reed. The underdogs had their day.

Fast forward to 1989 — when the greatest Grey Cup ever was played. Saskatchewan (9-9-0) outlasted Hamilton (12-6-0) by a 43-40 count, thanks largely to three Kent Austin TD passes and Dave Ridgway’s game-winning field goal.

The biggest shocker of ’89 had occurred one week earlier, when Saskatchewan had upended the prohibitively favoured Edmonton Eskimos 32-21. The 1989 Eskimos set an enduring CFL record for regular-season victories (16), but that was immaterial to the Roughriders.

A somewhat similar scenario applied in 2007. Like the 1989 Eskimos, the B.C. Lions of three seasons ago established a franchise record for victories, going 14-4-0. Nonetheless, the Lions lost 26-17 to the Roughriders (12-6-0) in the West final.

The following week, Saskatchewan — cast in an unaccustomed role as favourites — defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 to win the Grey Cup.

This bombardment of background is required to underline the following point: In each of the Roughriders’ three Cup-winning seasons, they have been perceived as an underdog.

So maybe, just maybe, this is a good omen as the Roughriders prepare to face Montreal in a rematch of last year’s Grey Cup.

Montreal was also favoured last year, when it appeared that a monumental upset was in the making. The Alouettes (15-3-0) never led the 10-7-1 Roughriders until the final play, when Damon Duval’s 33-yard field goal produced a 28-27 Montreal victory.
In that instance, the Roughriders did not prevail as the underdog, but the 2009 game was certainly more compelling than was widely expected.

History has demonstrated that the Roughriders do not thrive in the role of front-runner. They were huge favourites to win the 1976 Grey Cup, only to be ambushed by Ottawa when Tony Gabriel caught THAT pass with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

As was the case with the 1989 Eskimos and 2007 Lions, the Roughriders did not even reach the Grey Cup to culminate a season in which they set a franchise mark for victories. In 1970, Saskatchewan went 14-2-0, only to fall to the Calgary Stampeders in the Western final.

Moral of story: Despite what the oddsmakers may say, the Roughriders are much better off in situations such as the one they face this year.

If that trend continues, the Alouettes may end up lamenting a different form of accommodations — in the boiler room of the Heartbreak Hotel.

2010-11-27T18:23:00.000-08:00

By Murray McCormick Sat, Nov 27 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

EDMONTON — The Riders completed their final walk-through Saturday with players dancing in the middle of the huddle.It’s a tradition with the Riders use to welcome new players to the roster. I asked Darian Durant who was the best dancer and he said placekicker Warren Kean.Kean did a pretty good job of break-dancing on the turf. It’s a sign of how relaxed the Riders were on Saturday. It was a day for grown men to have fun.

They are in the Grey Cup and there is pressure there, but there has to be some fun involved.“If you’re too serious about playing a game, which this is, you’re never going to get anything done,’’ Durant said.

“Having fun is something that all football teams and coaches preach. Go out there have fun and let the chips fall.’’Here are the other highlights Saturday’s events. Sorry, I didn’t make it to the Alouettes’ walk-through.

I'm sure they are still unhappy with the hotel and the locker room.—

Omarr Morgan and Barrin Simpson will play. Simpson said he’s great, great and even greater. He feels the best he has since injuring his ankle. Morgan is about 95 per cent, which is more than good enough.

Linebacker Sean Lucas was added to the 46-man roster and head coach Ken Miller said he would play in the event of an emergency. Not dobuting Ken, but Lucas told me he’s not playing. Details online later but not in the paper Sunday. We have no paper, so you we exclusive on-line coverage of today’s happenings when I get the stories finished.

— It was a bright, sunny day and the workers are still shovelling snow from the stadium. If you’re going to the game, be careful on the steps. They are slippery.

— I dug down real deep and went to Riderville last night. I go to any length to please my readers. The place was filled with Riders fans. There were guys in fur coats, cheerleaders, people in green jerseys and just about every costume you could imagine. Warren Woods was there holding court. I lasted until mid-night then decided to beat the cab rush. Not sure if I need to do any follow ups tonight. We’ll see when I get done.

— That’s it. If you want to save time and enjoy me in 140 characters or less, follow me on Twitter. I have a bunch of fuzzy pictures posted for you to enjoy. I’m much better at 1,000 words than taking pictures.

REMEMBERING THE LITTLE GENERAL

2010-11-27T07:11:00.001-08:00

THERE IS A VERY NICE VIDEO REMEMBERING RON LANCASTER

http://communities.canada.com/montrealgazette/blogs/stuonsports/archive/2010/11/27/remembering-ron-lancaster.aspx

LETS MAKE IT 4 IN 100 YEARS

2010-11-27T07:02:00.000-08:00

EDMONTON — The Saskatchewan Roughriders' storied history has been widely celebrated during this centennial season. But the time has arrived to respectfully spit in the face of tradition.

Given the "Grey Cup or nothing'' mentality that was articulated earlier this week by quarterback Darian Durant, the Riders cannot adhere to great expectations without one great expectoration.

The Riders, for all their charms, have been generally feckless in Grey Cups. They have lost more Grey Cups (14) than any of their CFL brethren, winning only three times — in 1966, 1989 and 2007.

If the Roughriders were to go 3-and-14 during the regular season, there would be calls for firings and a brand new, 6,000-seat stadium. Apply that nose-plugger of a record to the championship game and, well, the numbers tell the grim tale.

The 0.824 losing percentage, as ugly as it is, does not reveal the extent of the Roughriders' Grey Cup miseries. Saskatchewan also has a penchant for losing Grey Cups in excruciating, even unprecedented, fashion.
The old Regina Roughriders set an ignominious record in 1923 by surrendering the most points in a Grey Cup, losing 54-0 to Queen's University. (Queen's, by the way, has won as many Grey Cups as Saskatchewan, despite not having competed for Earl Grey's grail since 1924.)

Saskatchewan lost in the final minute of the 1972 and 1976 Grey Cups, with Tony Gabriel figuring prominently on both occasions. Three catches by Gabriel, then of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, set up Ian Sunter's game-winning field goal in 1972. Four years later, Gabriel's late touchdown catch allowed the Ottawa Rough Riders to record an upset win.

The latter game endured as the Roughriders' most heartbreaking Grey Cup defeat until Nov. 29, 2009, when the Montreal Alouettes won 28-27 on a last-play, 33-yard field goal by Damon Duval. Moments earlier, Duval had missed from 43 yards away — inciting a momentary victory celebration by the Riders — before the West Division champs were called for too many men on the field.

The Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers were tied for the most Grey Cup defeats, until the 13th man produced the 14th loss.
Kudos to the Roughriders for shaking off that devastating result and returning to the Grey Cup. Sunday's rematch with Montreal is to be played at Commonwealth Stadium, where the Roughriders hope to make an emphatic statement.

The days of the lovable losers are gone, or they should be. The once-impoverished Riders are flush with cash. They are the only CFL team to have produced a double-digit victory total in each of the past four seasons, but a genuine breakthrough will not occur until the Riders habitually win Grey Cups.

This is part of the culture change that Durant has consistently advocated since blossoming into an elite starter in 2009.

"It's about making a difference, and it starts with the quarterback who has been here for more than three years, winning the Grey Cup, winning the West,'' the 28-year-old passer said. "All those things that come along with changing the culture, I'm all about that.

"The locker I sit in back in Saskatchewan, Gordie (Gilroy, equipment manager) asked me if I wanted to sit there because every quarterback who has sat in that locker hasn't been with the team for more than three years. I said, 'Give me the locker. I'll take it,' because I'm all about changing this culture and changing the way fans look at this team and the way people look at it.''

Durant has already helped to engineer a notable sea change, and applaudably so. But he knows, as well as anyone, that the battle is far from won.

Consider the fact that the 2010 Grey Cup is being played in Edmonton — the erstwhile City of Champions. The Edmonton Eskimos have won 13 Grey Cups since capturing their first title in 1954. Beginning in 1978, the Eskimos won five consecutive titles — two more than Saskatchewan has captured, period.

For Durant and the Roughriders, the reminders are everywhere. They have taken over the Eskimos' opulent dressing room during Grey Cup week.

"As soon as you walk into that locker room, you see all the Grey Cups that they have on the wall,'' Durant noted. "That's something that I want to bring to Saskatchewan. I hate the fact that there's only been three in 100 years. Let's make it four in 100 years.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTONE+Riders+must+reverse+tradition/3891450/story.html#ixzz16Ulwv4x4

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PLAYERS

2010-11-27T06:57:00.001-08:00

Rider players Gene Makowsky (left to right), Jerrell Freeman, Marcus Adams and Chris Getzlaf
Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post files

EDMONTON — Ken Miller is a former biology teacher, but he can also teach lessons in chemistry.

Miller has created an environment that has helped the Roughriders develop into a close-knit team — not to mention a Grey Cup participant for the second consecutive year.

The Roughriders' head coach is quick to defer to the players when asked about the cohension within the ranks.

"First of all, it's their relationship with each other,'' said Miller, whose CFL team is to play the Montreal Alouettes in Sunday's Grey Cup at Commonwealth Stadium.

"There's a thread of respect between players, whether it's in the receiving corps or on the defensive line, whether it's offence or defence, whether it's special teams. All of it kind of fits together in some kind of a crazy patchwork quilt. When you look at it on the underside, it looks unorganized or whatever it might be — but when you turn it over, it really is pretty attractive.''

The leadership of the veterans is a key factor.

"I have seen the promise in the nucleus of the veterans that we've had over a period of time,'' Miller said. "That's another intangible. Our veterans are so inclusive. When we get a new player, they bring them in and they kind of initiate them into the Rider way — the way that we operate in our locker room, and the way we conduct ourselves. That is kind of a self-perpetuating environment, I believe.''

Roughriders receiver Jason Clermont was asked about Miller's role in creating that environment.

"He keeps us grounded by teaching us about small life lessons in the big picture,'' Clermont said. "We just build those up over the season. We prepare for obstacles that haven't even presented themselves, and we have a plan to overcome them before we even know what they are.
"Guys are on an even keel. We have a great sense of reality. We know who we are. For the most part, we know who the teams in the league think we are. We just know how we're going to have to play.''Read more:

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+chemistry+about+players+Miller/3889954/story.html#ixzz16UkU4VCz

EDDIE JOHNSON VIDEO DIARY

2010-11-27T06:49:00.000-08:00

CHECK OUT EDDIE JOHNSON'S DAY 2 VIDEO DIARY. EDDIE, STU, COLE BERQUIST, AND RYAN DINWADDIE

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Video+Riders+punter+Eddie+Johnson+Grey+video+diary/3891009/story.html

Saskatchewan Roughriders punter Eddie Johnson is writing a daily Grey Cup diary for the Leader-Post. Here is the fourth instalment of a five-part series. In addition, check out Johnson's video diary at leaderpost.com. And now for the written version . . .

EDMONTON — On Sunday, I will play in a championship game for the first time since 1996. Yes, it has been a long time between this year's Grey Cup and the 1996 Orange County high school football league final in southern California.

Back then, I was 15 years old and punting for the Newport Harbor Sailors in my hometown of Newport Beach. We played the Santa Margarita Eagles, whose quarterback at the time was Carson Palmer — who went on to star at the University of Southern California (winning the 2002 Heisman Trophy as the best player in U.S. college football) and is now the Cincinnati Bengals' starting quarterback.

We got smoked by Carson Palmer. He was just a man-child. He was like a grown man. It was like playing against John Elway in high school. It was 38-0 at the end of the first half, and then we held them for the rest of the game. It was a bad one.

As it turned out, I tried out for Cincinnati in 2004, after spending the 2003 season with the Minnesota Vikings. I remember sitting next to Carson Palmer at the breakfast table and saying, "Man, dude, you guys smoked us in high school!'' Of course, he was really humble and nice about it. He's a beach guy, too, you know?

That game against Santa Margarita was in my sophomore year in high school. That shows how few and far between these opportunities are.

You hear a lot of pro athletes talk about, "Man, I thought I was going to go to the Super Bowl every year after I went there in my rookie year.''

Look at me. I'm in my first year with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and I get to go to the Grey Cup. It seems to happen easily, even though you know it doesn't happen easily. You could easily fall into that hole of,

"This is going to be a natural thing. Yadda yadda yadda,'' but it is not that easy. I'm excited to go out there and hopefully seize this opportunity.

Just like I was when I was playing in Orange County, I'm almost like a fan who gets to go on the field and punt the ball to the other team. It's like Kick For A Million, but you just kick it to the other team. You don't get a million bucks. You just get to play every week. Maybe it's Kick For The Minimum. You cruise out there. You get to grow some facial hair. It's a good gig — especially this week.

Everybody on our team has been taking care of business all week, and they were professional. I feel like the guys got a really good practice in on Friday, but they were still loose, too. They had just the right amount of professionalism balanced with the relaxed kind of feeling.

The guys know it's the end of the year and they know it was the last practice on Friday. This is the last game coming up. It's for the whole deal. If there's ever a time to focus in and leave it all out there, now's the time. The guys are still loose, which is good. You don't want to be too stiff and you don't want to be too loose. You want to be just right. I feel like things are just right. Hopefully it carries over into the Grey Cup game on Sunday against the Montreal Alouettes.

I think a couple of guys are nervous, but nerves are good. As long as you use those nerves to your advantage and not against you, that's when you do well. When I'm nervous, I know I'm where I need to be as far as preparing for the game. I'm sure I'll probably be a little nervous before the game. It's going to be a huge game, but all you can do is your best. As long as you can go out there and do your best, you have nothing to worry about.

We have a walk-through today. When I go to bed tonight, I think I'll do what I usually do. I'll just take my mind off it and maybe watch a movie.

I'll probably read the Keith Richards autobiography that I just picked up. There's nothing like reading to put me to sleep, although Keith Richards' autobiography is pretty good — like the diary, of course. I'll probably do a little reading of the book, chill out, get to bed early and get a solid eight hours of sleep. Hopefully we'll have some "Satisfaction'' on Sunday.

The Grey Cup game is going to be another great opportunity to go out and showcase what we've all been practising all year. Opportunities like this are few and far between in football — 14 years apart, in my case.
I'm excited for it. We all are. We're all going to go out there and lay it on the line on Sunday.

© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-PostRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/EDDIE+JOHNSON+chance+like+this+between/3891284/story.html#ixzz16UjIylig

RIDERS TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO COUNT

2010-11-27T06:41:00.000-08:00

EDMONTON — The Saskatchewan Roughriders, who had difficulties counting in the 2009 Grey Cup game, don't have any problems with accountability.

That has been the tone as the Riders concluded their preparations this week for Sunday's Grey Cup rematch (5:30 p.m., TSN, CKRM) with the Montreal Alouettes. The Alouettes beat the Roughriders 28-27 in the 2009 CFL final after a penalty for too many men on the field gave placekicker Damon Duval a second chance at a game-winning field goal. Duval didn't miss the 33-yard attempt and the 13th man took on a new connotation across the nation.

The identity of the 13th player is a secret the Riders have vowed to never reveal. That was until this week. Cornerback Omarr Morgan told reporters that he was the 13th man. Defensive halfback Lance Frazier said he was the 13th man.

"He was sticking up for me,'' Frazier said after the Riders concluded their final outdoor practice Friday at Commonwealth Stadium. "He's a veteran and he wants to take the heat off the younger guy. He took it over for me and I appreciate it, but Lance Frazier was the 13th man.''

Not so fast. Special-teams captain Mike McCullough said Frazier and Morgan are both wrong.

"I was the 13th man,'' McCullough stated. "It was everyone's fault. No one counted and it doesn't matter who was out there. None of us did what we were supposed to do and the play failed.''

Frazier, Morgan and McCullough have never been identified as the 13th man. Replays on TSN singled out linebacker Sean Lucas, who earlier in the season confirmed that he was one of 13 men on the field. Alouettes veteran defensive halfback Jerald Brown agreed with the Riders' team-first approach to the gaffe.

"It takes a bunch of stand-up guys to do that and not place the blame on one man,'' Brown said. "Everyone is accountable for an extra guy on the field.

The Riders have taken steps towards reducing the possibility of a similar error taking place on Sunday. McCullough said that each player is responsible for counting the number of Roughriders on the field. In the past it was the middle linebacker making sure there weren't too many players on the field.

"There isn't really an assigned guy now,'' McCullough said. "We all do it. I just count. I don't want to make it more difficult than it seems. It was a blunder on our part and it won't happen again.''

There was some irony to the Riders being penalized late in the Grey Cup game. Since Ken Miller took over as head coach in 2008, the Riders have posted the fewest penalty yards in the league. In 2008, they were first with a CFL-low 1,092 yards. Last year, the Roughriders were penalized a league-low 1,208 yards.

In 2010, the Riders finished the season as the league's least-penalized team (136 infractions). They were also second to the Toronto Argonauts in the fewest yards penalized (1,179). Toronto was flagged 138 times for 1,058 yards.

"That's playing smart football and we take pride in not making mistakes,'' said Riders linebacker Jerrell Freeman.

Sunday's game brings together teams at different extremes in regards to penalties. The Alouettes led the league in yards penalized (1,952) and were seventh with 195 penalties. They maintained that trend in the playoffs when they were flagged 12 times for 92 yards, yet still beat the Argonauts 48-17 in the East Division final.

"It's not a concern, but it's a legitimate gripe that I've had with our team,'' said Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman. "This is going to be a game where teams are very similar and we all know what's at stake here. The team that can limit penalties, will put itself in a much better position going into the fourth quarter.''

That could explain the Riders' recent playoff run. The Roughriders have been penalized a total of 10 times for 55 yards en route to victories over the B.C. Lions in the West Division semifinal and Calgary Stampeders in the division final.

"The coaches don't even talk about penalties,'' said Riders middle linebacker Barrin Simpson. "We police ourselves, so the coaches don't even have to mention that we should stay away from penalties.''
Frazier wasn't surprised to see the Alouettes were among the league leaders in penalties.

"They have some guys who like to play head games,'' Frazier said. "They are an aggressive bunch and they will get after you. They are going to hit you after the whistle and mouth off. That's a sign of a confident ball club and they are just trying to get into your head.

RIDERS GET READY TO PLAY SUNDAY

2010-11-27T06:35:00.000-08:00

Leader-Post staff November 26, 2010 EDMONTON — Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Barrin Simpson is savouring the prospect of winning the Grey Cup.

"You can almost taste it," Simpson said while looking ahead to Sunday's CFL championship game against the Montreal Alouettes at

Commonwealth Stadium. "It is huge. This is the pinnacle of CFL football right here. All the accolades, players of the week and individual goals do not count when it comes to this game."

Simpson, 33, has yet to win a CFL title during his 10-year career. He was asked Friday about appearing to be positively giddy during the Roughriders' practice.

"I can't really help it because I'm having so much fun," Simpson replied. "I always say to my teammates and the coaches, 'I'm like a kid with cotton candy at a circus.' This is beyond fun. This is a joy to be able to come out here and do something you love to do and be in that championship game. It's unexplainable."

Simpson tested his injured left ankle this week and, while saying he would have ruled himself out of Sunday's game if he wasn't physically ready, proclaimed himself good to go.

"I feel great right now," said Simpson, who was injured Nov. 6 against the Edmonton Eskimos. "It's the best it has felt since the injury."

* * *

Riders head coach Ken Miller was asked if he was concerned about the possibility of his team having to kick a long field goal with the game on the line.

"To be perfectly honest with you, I have some concern with that, and (with) just how we might go about that,'' Miller responded.
Saskatchewan has been without its primary placement specialist snce fifth-year Rider Luca Congi was lost for the season Oct. 17 with a serious knee injury. Miller has since used Warren Kean on shorter field-goal attempts — say, those under 40 yards — while indicating that punter Eddie Johnson will attempt longer placements.

"If we need a long field goal to win or to score right before the half or something like that, I'm fairly confident that (Johnson will) have the leg strength to drive it through,'' Miller said.

The Roughriders' longest field goal since Congi's absence has been by Johnson, from 37 yards away. Neither Johnson nor Kean has had to attempt a pressurized field goal with Congi out of the lineup.

Unless the game is on the line, would Miller be more inclined to punt and play for field position, as opposed to having his team attempt a lengthy field goal?

"Not that this game will unfold like the game last week, but last week we did punt the football in a situation where, earlier in the year, we might have kicked the field goal,'' said Miller, whose team defeated the Calgary Stampeders 20-16 in Sunday's West Division final. "So the answer to your question is that it will have some impact, perhaps, on how we decide to go about what it is that we're doing.''

* * *

A rollercoaster season for rookie Roughriders receiver Cary Koch took an unexpected turn on a rollercoaster Thursday.

Koch and three teammates — defensive linemen Shomari Williams, Ikenna Ike and Brent Hawkins — decided to go for a ride on the indoor rollercoaster at the West Edmonton Mall on Thursday. Koch said his teammates are big men and fitting them into the seats took some extra time getting them settled.

Once they had started rolling, an unidentified child in a blue hoodie threw coffee at the men in the rollercoaster.

"I recorded the whole thing and we're screaming — then we get hit with hot coffee,'' Koch said Friday. "We got coffee in our faces. Brent was so mad because he got hot coffee in his mouth. He was infuriated.''
Another civilian in the front of the ride was also hit by the coffee. Hawkins and the man chased after the kid, but weren't able to catch him.

"We ended up getting our money back,'' Koch said. "Brent's hoodie was covered in coffee. It was a good prank and it's pretty funny now.''
Koch said the season has been similar to the ride at the Mall.
"It has been a rollercoaster,'' Koch said. "We had four straight losses (and) then came back to play some great football. I've been on and off the practice roster, personally. Just being here is a dream come true.''

* * *

Win or lose Sunday, the Roughriders' homecoming is set for Monday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium.

Fans are asked to be at the stadium by 1:30 p.m. The team is expected to arrive on the field at approximately 2 p.m. Players and coaches will address the crowd. Admission is free.

Leader-Post sportswriter Murray McCormick will be tweeting Roughrider news this week from Edmonton. You can follow him at twitter.com/McCormickMurrayRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/RIDER+NOTEBOOK+Riders+have+coffee+thrown+them+rollercoaster/3891524/story.html#ixzz16UeshyU6

PICTURES FROM FRIDAYS PRACTICE

2010-11-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

ALOUETTES CRYING FOUL

2010-11-27T06:18:00.000-08:00

The new diggs of the Edmonton Eskimos dressing room at Commonwealth Stadium have been taken over by the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the 98th Grey Cup. Photo taken on November 26, 2010.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

EDMONTON — Some members of the Montreal Alouettes are green with envy when it comes to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Mathieu Proulx and Etienne Boulay told a Montreal radio station Thursday that the CFL was exhibiting favouritism towards the Roughriders, who are to play the Alouettes in Sunday's Grey Cup game (5:30 p.m., TSN, CKRM). The Canadian safeties said the league did that by putting the Riders in a superior hotel and allowing them to use the Edmonton Eskimos' luxurious locker room.

"I was asked a question on the facilities and the hotel and what we had to prepare with and I feel, at this stage of the season, when two teams show up for the Grey Cup, both teams should be put at the same level,'' said Proulx, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the East Division final and won't play Sunday. "The meeting rooms are inadequate, we don't have a pool, or any cold tubs, no training room and we're not allowed to use the weight room (at Commonwealth), as well. I didn't want to attack anyone on a personal level."

Proulx apologized Friday for telling the radio station that the CFL wanted the Riders to win the Grey Cup, adding those were his feelings and not those of the team. CFL commissioner Mark Cohon declined Friday to get into a verbal battle with the players over the

accommodations. Cohon did discuss the situation with Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman on Thursday. Cohon added that there isn't favouritism involved in any aspect of the Grey Cup.

"When we're in the west, the west is the home team and when we're in the east the east finalist is always the home team.'' Cohon said during his annual commissioner's address Friday. "So, we look for the best hotels. If the (Hamilton) Tiger-Cats were in, or if the (Toronto) Argos were in, that would have been the hotel that they were in.''

Riders head coach Ken Miller declined to get drawn into the controversy that threatened to overshadow the Grey Cup festivities.

"I have no idea about what they have or what they don't have,'' Miller said. "I just know that being in the Edmonton locker room, is it's pretty palatial in comparison to what we're used to. We would be happy in a broom closet so we kind of rattle around in that place.''

Cohon also found himself defending the Commissioner's Award, which he presented to all Riders fans during the CFL awards gala on Thursday. Cohon was questioned about singling out one group of fans over

supporters of another team.

"When you look at our fans, we have the greatest fans in this country,'' Cohon said. "The Rider Nation is celebrating 100 years of pride. But when you look at their fan base, almost 10 of those 18 games that were over a million viewers were games that the Roughriders were in. When you look at visiting teams that fill our stadiums, they fill our stadiums.

"They're about half of our licensing business. So they ooze pride, and that pride helps our other teams. In no way are we saying that they are better than our other fans ... It's recognizing fans who have had a profound impact on our game, and celebrating that.''

Lance Frazier, a veteran defensive halfback with the Riders, felt the award was well-deserved.

"There isn't any favouritism because we are the fan favourites,'' Frazier said. "They've earned that. Montreal has good fans as well and it's wonderful to play there but Rider fans go to the extremes. They are out there, half-naked and with watermelons on their heads. It's a beautiful thing and it gets us going.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.com
Leader-Post sportswriter Murray McCormick

DRESSLER EARNS PLAY OF THE YEAR !!

2010-11-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

It began with 20 incredible plays taken from 72 games over the 19-week CFL regular season. With the help of over 55,000 votes cast by CFL fans across the country, the winner of the 2010 CFL Play of the Year Showdown has been crowned.

Weston Dressler's sensational diving catch and run into the end zone earned nearly 60% of the final vote, besting S.J. Green's diving one-handed two-point convert.

With the 98th Grey Cup looming on Sunday, no doubt this win is just the beginning of what the Roughriders and Rider Nation hope is a victorious weekend over the Alouettes.

While both plays were fantastic, for many, it was Dressler's presence of mind to scramble home for the TD following his catch that sealed their vote.

As CFL on TSN analyst Jock Climie noted: "It's typical Dressler, it's typical Saskatchewan Roughriders."

Dressler earned his way to the final by first winning a very competitive Pool C with 54% of the vote and then dispatching West Division rival Nik Lewis in the second Semi-Final with a convincing 73% of the vote.

Though Green earned accolades for his catch across the pro football world, even earning a tip of the hat south of the border, the Alouette could not overcome Rider Nation's support for Dressler. It's the second straight year that a Roughrider was won the Play of the Year Showdown.

A year ago, Darian Durant's scramble to avoid the sack and throw a TD earned top honours.

To view all the plays and see the results, click here.

COMMISSIONER'S AWARD - RIDER NATION

2010-11-26T05:33:00.000-08:00

Commissioner's Award:

This award is presented annually to someone or a group who have made a tremendous contribution to the Canadian Football League.

This year's recipient of the Commissioner's Award is 'Rider Nation'. While every team in the CFL has tremendous fans, Saskatchewan fans are known for filling stadiums for their team's road games as well as home games, making the Riders the league's best draw.

They are responsible for more than half of the CFL's merchandise sales. And their team's games are routinely among the most watched on TSN.

ALs ACCUSE CFL OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF RIDERS

2010-11-25T21:17:00.000-08:00

Two Montreal Alouettes accused the CFl of favouritism towards the Saskatchewan Roughriders while speaking to a French-language radio station Thursday.

Injured safety Matthieu Proulx and his replacement, Etienne Boulay, dropped the bomb during an interview on Montreal's CKAC AM, an all-sports station, just days before the Als will play the Roughriders in the Grey Cup at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium.

"It seems like the league wants to give us problems by forcing us to do crazy stuff," Proulx said. "In our minds it's clear they want Saskatchewan to win the game. I'm going to drop a bomb but I don't really care ... it got worse this year than it was last year."

To back up his argument, Proulx pointed to the hotels the teams were allocated by the CFL and the dressing rooms.

He said the hotel the Als are staying in is well below the standards of the hotel the Riders are calling home this week. Saskatchewan is also using the Edmonton Eskimos dressing room while Montreal has been relegated to the cramped visitor's room.

"This year again, we still got the cheapest hotel," Proulx said. "We have the visiting locker room, which is small, and we can't use the training room there. But we don't really care. It sucks at first but we got over it.
"Our goal is to win the Grey Cup. We're going to do that, take it back to Montreal and party with our people."

Boulay agreed with Proulx's statement that the Roughriders are getting preferential treatment in Edmonton.

"I feel like it's a slap in the face," Boulay said. "I'd be crazy to think otherwise. It's obvious they put the Riders in the five-star hotel. We're still in the cheap hotel with small rooms that aren't adequate for our needs.

"There was no pool, no hot tub, no ice baths."

Boulay added that the team is using the perceived snub as extra motivation to win their second consecutive Grey Cup. The Als beat the Roughriders in the championship game last year in Calgary.

RIDERS LOVE TO HEAR SOMEONE SAY THEY CAN'T DO IT

2010-11-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

EDMONTON — One of the tastiest morsels at Thursday's Grey Cup media breakfast was served up shortly after the final piece of bacon had been (burp) digested.

This correspondent waddled over to Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Jason Clermont, who was cordial and chatty. About five minutes into the conversation, Clermont referenced a pre-breakfast meeting that had included the Roughriders' quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.

The informal session apparently was more formal than usual, being that the players were resplendent in suits — recommended attire for the media breakfast — while discussing possible strategies and poring over footage of the Montreal Alouettes' defence in preparation for Sunday's CFL final.

"Those are things that we look forward to doing — finding ways to win, especially when the rest of the league doesn't feel like we should be,'' Clermont said after explaining the purpose for the meeting, which was over and above the coach-driven sessions.

Sensing a column in the making, a salivating scribe asked Clermont if he cared to elaborate.

"You draw your own conclusions,'' he responded. "After we beat Calgary last week, we had two all-star defensive backs (Brandon Browner and Dwight Anderson) talk about our receiving corps in not such a great light. So you draw your own inferences as to where the respect lies there.
"We take pride in the fact that no matter what people are saying or how they feel, we just win. We want to continue to do that. The way we do that is we work together and we come up with plans and find different wrinkles in defences and things we can exploit, and try to get those into our game plan.''

It quickly became clear over breakfast that the skeptics have been noted, and hopefully discredited.

"But that's not why we do it,'' Clermont emphasized. "I think that's just our identity. A lot of the guys who are on this team are guys who were counted out or dismissed as being too small, too slow. Chris Getzlaf . . . where did he get drafted? The fifth round? Rob Bagg was undrafted. Weston Dressler is an under-sized player who a lot of NFL scouts wouldn't have even taken a look at out of the University of North Dakota. We've got guys like that all across the board. They're not trying to prove anything, but they've had to work a little harder, a little bit extra, to be able to stand out with their play, as opposed to maybe standing out with their physical attributes.''

Darian Durant is among those players. At 5-foot-11, he is hardly out of Central Casting when it comes to quarterbacks. Yet, he has reached the Grey Cup to punctuate both of his seasons as the Roughriders' unrivalled starting pivot.

"That's what makes us successful — when we hear naysayers, when we hear people say what we can't do,'' said Durant, whose team has won three consecutive games since losing four in a row. "We had people telling us about the kind of slump we're in when we're thinking the complete opposite. I think that's motivation for us.

"You hear everyone say we're lucky, and this and that. Well, luck didn't throw or catch a touchdown pass. Luck didn't run into the end zone. That's us being good and making plays. I think when people don't give us the credit, it kind of motivates us to go out there and prove people
wrong.''

Durant was then asked about the fact that the Riders had only two all-Canadians — slotback Andy Fantuz and safety James Patrick. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had four CFL all-stars while winning an equal number of games.

"That's fine. Where's Winnipeg?'' Durant said. "You can have as many all-stars as you want to. If you're playing for individual goals, then you're playing the wrong game, because 12 guys are on the field at the same time, and this is the ultimate team sport. They can have MVP. They can have all-stars. They can have league leaders. They can have what they want. We're where we're supposed to be, and we're where they wish they were.''

This is clearly a source of satisfaction.

"It's just a great feeling to prove people wrong,'' Durant said with a smile. "When someone has something negative to say about you when they don't even know you, you just take it and you want to stick it up their you-know-what, because, 'What have I done to you for you to tell me that I can't do it or that I'm terrible or that I'm sorry? No one says that about your kids, so why would you say that about someone else's kids?'

"When someone does it, it gives you that extra motivation — not only for yourself, but for your mom, who has raised you the right way and has taught you not to talk about people and things like that. And when people do it, you want to stick it in their face.''

rvanstone@leaderpost.com
Leader-Post sportswriter Murray McCormick will be tweeting Roughrider news this week from Edmonton. You can follow him at twitter.com/McCormickMurray
Don't forget, the leaderpost.com will be frequently updating you during the Grey Cup game on Twitter at twitter.com/leaderpost and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reginaleaderpost.
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-PostRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTONE+Naysayers+motivate+Riders/3885499/story.html#comments#ixzz16MUe42Xe

MOST INTERESTING MAN

2010-11-25T20:46:00.000-08:00

Riders coach CFL's 'Most Interesting Man'
By: Ed Tait

Saskatchewan Roughrider Ludovic Kashindi enjoys the privilege of a chat with head coach Ken Miller, the Most Interesting Man in the CFL, on Wednesday. (DAN RIEDLHUBER / REUTERS)

EDMONTON -- Maybe you've seen those 'Most Interesting Man in the World' beer commercials featuring the gravelly-voiced elderly gentleman surrounded by attractive ladies who offers up his views on life and wraps up the spots with the tag line: 'Stay Thirsty, My Friends.'

Small confession: I love that guy.

I love that, according to the ads on TV, he 'once had an awkward moment, just to see what it feels like.' That he 'is the life of parties he never attended' and that 'he's been known to cure narcolepsy just by walking into a room.'

The epitome of cool? Hey, remember 'his personality is so magnetic, he is unable to carry credit cards' and that 'alien abductors have asked him to probe THEM.'

We bring this up today because it was not long into Wednesday morning's annual Grey Cup coaches' press conference when it hit me like a 2 x 4 across the lips: The Most Interesting Man in the World and Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Ken Miller must have been separated at birth.

Yes, if the Riders' 69-year-old boss was to throw on a black sports jacket, lose his glasses and grow a beard you'd swear he could be featured on all those commercials. And Miller has got the interesting game down pat, too.

Fact is, Miller might just be 'The Most Interesting Man in the CFL.' Sure, his resumé overflows with football accomplishments -- he also coached baseball -- but he was also a high school biology teacher, paints landscapes to relax and is so adored in the Rider locker-room most of his charges would, literally and figuratively, go through a wall for the man.

Look, there are a lot of reasons the Roughriders are back in the championship game, including their deep Canadian talent, the emerging star that is quarterback Darian Durant and a superb coaching staff and front office. But make no mistake, Miller is steering the Rider bus. He is unquestionably their leader and most certainly the main reason so many in the organization have learned to deal with the heartache and scars that came courtesy last year's Grey Cup loss.

That much had already been established during the 2010 regular season but it was hammered home during Wednesday's gathering with the football press from across the nation.

As expected, the 13th-man angle is being beaten to a pulp here this week and it was the first question asked at the coaches' press conference. Now, granted, Miller has had a year to craft an answer, but what he said during the proceedings Wednesday was a small peek at how he's so cleverly managed the issue.

"For us it's an entirely new game," he began. "For those who talk about revenge or redemption... I have found through the years that's a very poor motivator. That's based on emotion. It's not based on intellect. I think revenge and redemption is shallow intellectually. I think the human mind can hold a positive thought or a negative thought, so from a Rider perspective we would much rather think about what lies ahead of us and what we need to do as opposed to what happened to us."
And then this, later on:

"There's no question about it: it was a devastating loss for me, it was a devastating loss for our players. But every one of us in this room has had something devastating happen to them in their lives -- a loss of a loved one, a failed relationship -- and somehow you compartmentalize that and you put it away somewhere and think about it periodically."

But those are things you don't let affect your day-to-day operation and the way you go about your life and preparing your team.
"That's how I've dealt with it personally and that's how I've asked my players to deal with it as a football team."

And so Miller's formula to success isn't exactly complicated. He treats his players with respect and expects them to approach their craft with a hard-hat and work-boot mentality. An example: his 'Rider Rule' -- be where you're supposed to be when you're supposed to be there and get done what needs to be done while you're there.'

OK, so it's not exactly Churchill-esque, but you get his point here. Do your job, play hard, respect your opponent and the game.
Here's the funny thing about the Rider boss, though: were it not for a phone call from Gary Etcheverry in 2002 -- he was the Toronto Argonauts head coach then and is the Riders defensive coordinator now

-- Miller would likely be at home with his wife Maureen right now, perhaps painting another landscape and maybe helping coach kids on the local high school team.

After all, eight years ago he had already taken early retirement from the University of Redlands and, while teaching biology at a high school, was contemplating helping teach special teams at Riverside City College just to, as Miller put it, "supplement my income for a couple of years before I finally slammed the gavel on everything and rode off into the sunset."
Instead, Miller came north to help Etcheverry, coached with the Argos until 2006 -- in that first year he had a sleeping bag under his desk and would roll it out when he was tired and sleep at the office

-- before joining Kent Austin's staff in Saskatchewan in 2007 as dioffensive co-ordinator. After Austin left, then

-GM Eric Tillman promoted Miller to head coach and all he's done is lead the Riders to two straight division finals and twice been a finalist for the CFL's coach-of-the-year award.

But his impact goes beyond the field. This multi-layered man -- The Most Interesting Man in the CFL -- has reached his players in a way many coaches cannot even imagine. And if he is coaching his last game this Sunday, as has been speculated, they'll deeply miss the grandfather figure.

"He's been around awhile, he's a very intelligent person with a lot of interests," said Rider veteran lineman Gene Makowsky. "He's a strong family man. He's always telling us to keep that as the main thing in your life. When things don't go well and break down you'll always have your family to fall back on.

He's just been so steady. Everyone that's been around him respects him. We'll go through a wall for him."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

SASQUATCHES !!

2010-11-25T05:21:00.000-08:00

They’re Saskatchewan, but at this time of year they’re Sasquatches.

They’re running around out there in -20 C weather, their hairy arms exposed to the elements in their elusive endeavours up here in the Pacific Northwest.

If you were scoring, and maybe I was the only person in the press box who was, there were seven men on offence, five on defence and three on special teams who were playing with bare arms in Sunday’s Western Final in McMahon Stadium, while most of the Calgary Stampeders were bundled up in -17 C temperatures.

Wednesday it was -20 C and the Saskatchewan Roughriders were on the field for two hours at the first practice of Grey Cup week while a crew shoveled snow from the stands.

There was a massive propane heater behind the bench but hardly ever did you see a Roughrider go over to benefit from a blast of hot air.

If there were any worries that the new state-of-the-art, as-good-as-there-is-anywhere-in-the-NFL-or-U.S.-college-football dressing room, a.k.a Edmonton Resort & Spa, would turn these Roughriders soft, it didn’t appear so on their first day of moving into the country club vacated by the Eskimos.

Only the dolts of the CFL, who consistently make such dumb decisions, would not allow photographers to go into the dressing room to shoot pictures of the Riders enjoying their new digs. They forced the players to do interviews immediately after practice in a tent-like structure outside.

Here they had all the media men assembled, with a chance to show a major-league setup to the nation and the football world, and they elect to illustrate they were bush league instead.

The team that moved in to the home of the franchise they’ve long referred to as the Evil Empire weren’t allowed to have fun with the media and tell stories about which player’s stall they had taken over.

Oh well. We had the Roughriders outside in -20 C weather for all that time and it turned out there was an angle there beyond the obvious, when the Montreal Alouettes decided to have a short walk through in the U of A Butterdome instead. The Als haven’t played a game outdoors since the second last game of the schedule.

As Rider practice ended, there was receiver Cary Koch, his mustache decorated with ice at the end of the session.

“I call it my ’stache-sicle,” he laughed.

“Hey, we’re used to this. This isn’t new to us. We’re used to the elements.

This is nothing. There’s no snow and no driving wind.

“What Montreal does is their decision. We’ll be out here making sure we’re 100% ready to play in this weather.”

Quarterback Darian Durant said this is week three in this weather and it was far worse last week in Regina.

“We’re used to the cold. Alberta is really no different than Saskatchewan. It’s just as cold. It’s really no big deal any more.”

Chris Szarka, who along with Gene Makowsky, played for Saskatchewan in the Party In Your Parka Grey Cup here in 1997 when the game-time temperature was -9 C (it’s supposed to be a balmy -3 C here by Sunday this year, with the deep freeze expected to end as the crowd arrives today), says it’s another day at the office.

“It’s a mentality. It’s the end of November. It’s going to be cold.”

Makowsky is in his 18th season and said this year in Regina prior to the West Final was the coldest practices of his career.

“Oh, you should have seen it. It was an absolute blizzard in Regina. It was snowing horizontal.”

Makowsky said he didn’t notice all the bare arms in Calgary at the start.

“It wasn’t until during the game that I noticed how many guys had made that decision. Jarrell Freeman had bare arms for warm-up.

“Some guys like me just like to dress the same whether it’s plus 30 or minus 30,” said the old war horse.

“It’s a mindset. It’s mind over matter. We’ve gone through way worse weather than this,” said Freeman.

He paused taking in the expression on the questioner’s face.

“We’re from Regina, man!”

Follow me on Twitter.com/sunterryjones

WIN TOGETHER TODAY.......WALK TOGETHER FOREVER !!

2010-11-25T05:12:00.000-08:00

By Ian Hamilton, Leader-Post November 24, 2010

EDMONTON — It's business before pleasure for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Ken Miller, the head coach of the CFL team, said Wednesday that he wants his charges to have fun this week as they prepare for Sunday's Grey Cup game against the Montreal Alouettes at Commonwealth Stadium.

In his mind, there are two ways to do that.

"In a football perspective, we define 'fun' as the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing a task worth doing," Miller said during the annual media conference involving the opposing head coaches. "That's a big bulk of the fun that we have.

"But in Grey Cup week, there are so many events that players and families are going to be involved in. We want our players to experience all of that and all of those feelings and all of those events and enjoy those as well."
It doesn't sound like that's going to happen for too many of the players.
Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant admitted it's easy to be distracted by all of the ancillary goings-on — whether they're gatherings held for the media's sake or events related to the Grey Cup festival — but he and his teammates aren't going to allow that to happen.

"That's what last year's experience has done," said Durant, referring to the Roughriders' appearance in the 2009 Grey Cup. "It teaches you that this week is all about the game; it's not about the festivities.

"If we want to be a part of the festivities, then we should just not make the playoffs or lose out and then come out here and have fun."

"It's like the old saying: You can have one week of partying (during Grey Cup week) or six months of partying if you win it," added offensive lineman Gene Makowsky. "You have to keep that in the back of your mind."

Makowsky, whose wife and three sons are slated to arrive in Edmonton this week, has been at previous Grey Cups with the Roughriders and also without them (when he was nominated for a CFL award). If he's playing in the game, he doesn't want much to do with anything else.

"I'm not really a party guy to begin with, so that other stuff really doesn't bother me or even matter to me," Makowsky said. "I'm focused on football."

The same goes for defensive tackle Marcus Adams, whose wife, son and mother are to arrive here Friday. With the Roughriders' time taken up by practices, meetings and other scheduled events, Adams has found it difficult in other Grey Cup years to take in the festivities.

"Oh well, it's worth it," Adams said. "We're at the Grey Cup."

One potential area of distraction is the players' significant others. As per usual, the head coaches were asked at the media conference for their stance on sex before the game — and Miller deferred to his players.
"I'm going to tell them to go with what's working for them," he said with a laugh.

ihamilton@leaderpost.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Riders+will+save+partying+Grey/3880424/story.html#ixzz16IdEycuk

RIDERVILLE PARTY 2010 IS SET TO START

2010-11-25T04:49:00.000-08:00

By Ian Hamilton, Leader-Post November 24, 2010

EDMONTON — Hugh McKay enjoyed the calm before the storm Wednesday.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders' manager of facilities and stadium operations was wandering around the West Edmonton Mall, picking up a few things.

Thursday, things will pick up for McKay, and in a big way.
In addition to his aforementioned job with the CFL's Roughriders, McKay also chairs the Riderville committee — and Riderville opens its doors here Thursday at the Shaw Conference Centre.

In Grey Cup parlance, that means the mother of all parties is about to begin.

"I totally expect crowds similar to Calgary last year and very long wait times," McKay said as his last relaxed day of Grey Cup week wound down. "But we're going to do everything we can to get people through."

Riderville in 2009 was indeed epic.

On the Saturday night before the Grey Cup game was played at Calgary's McMahon Stadium, the lineup outside the Telus Convention Centre at one point reportedly numbered 5,000.

The wait time to get into the place that night was four to six hours. One can only guess how long the wait time was to get into the bathrooms.
Over the three days that Riderville was open, more than 28,000 alcoholic beverages were sold. The average ended up in the neighbourhood of 9,500 drinks per day — and Thursday at Riderville is usually just a warmup day.
"There weren't any behaviour problems, though," McKay said. "We turned the room over a couple of times. We're talking maybe 4,000 people with a capacity (in the room) of 1,500. That's only a couple of drinks per person — depending on the person, of course."

The attendance figures likely were spiked because the Roughriders were playing the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup, bringing Saskatchewan fans (and ex-pats living in Calgary) to downtown Cowtown in search of a party.

The same goes this year: The Roughriders are to meet Montreal in Sunday's CFL final at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, so fans are expected to flock here from the province next door.

Riderville attracts fans of every CFL team, though, and likely even non-football fans who are looking to let their hair down. Liquid refreshments flow, bands play, cheerleaders do their routines, VIPs gather, people dressed in colourful get-ups mingle — and did we mention that liquid refreshments flow?

Patrons this year are to be entertained by the likes of Kenny Shields and Streetheart, Wonderland, Two for the Show and Mobadass. The people themselves often provide a few entertaining moments as well, but it's rarely anything too over the top.

"It's wild in a fun way," McKay said. "I've been at every Grey Cup but '07 over the past 10 years and the nice thing about the fans is that they love the party, but they're still great fans."

Those fans also may visit some of the bashes put on by other teams during Grey Cup week — the B.C. Lions Den, Tiger Town (home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' party), the Wiser's Double Blue Bash (where the Toronto Argonauts' fan(s) can be seen) — but it seems that Riderville truly is a must-see.

It certainly is that way for McKay, who said Riderville is "one thing I've

always enjoyed being part of."

He was to be at the Shaw Conference Centre Thursday at 8 a.m., to begin setup and, other than attending the Roughriders' team dinner Friday, he expects to be at Riderville for most of the next three days and nights.
"We found a couple of nice restaurants here and they've been filling us in kingly fashion," he said. "I'll have a good meal at one of them tonight, get to bed early and then, starting tomorrow, I won't see my hotel room a whole lot."

One thing McKay doesn't expect to hear this week is much griping over the name of the party he oversees.

To mark the Roughriders' centennial this year, the team held a "Where is Riderville?" contest. Avonlea won the competition and earned that title, but that burg is a long way from the lower level of the Shaw Conference Centre.

"I'm sure any town that wins the Riderville title in the future would give it up happily for three days of Grey Cup week," McKay said, before adding with a laugh, "especially if we win."

Party on.

ihamilton@leaderpost.com
Leader-Post sportswriter Murray McCormick will be tweeting Roughrider news this week from Edmonton. You can follow him at twitter.com/McCormickMurrayRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riderville+party+begins+Shaw+Conference+Centre/3880427/story.html#ixzz16IXJgwe8

DRESSLER WILL BE A FACTOR

2010-11-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

Weston Dressler — one of the CFL’s premier game-breakers — missed last year’s final as a result of injuries sustained in the Riders’ 14th game of the regular season. He was rendered a bystander after suffering a broken right fibula and a severely sprained right ankle.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

EDMONTON — Disregard the unceasing lament about the 13th man. If anything, the Saskatchewan Roughriders could have used another player in the 2009 Grey Cup.

Namely, Weston Dressler.

Dressler — one of the CFL's premier game-breakers — missed last year's final as a result of injuries sustained in the Riders' 14th game of the regular season. He was rendered a bystander after suffering a broken right fibula and a severely sprained right ankle.

Sans Dressler, the Roughriders lost 28-27 to the Montreal Alouettes in last year's championship game. It can be argued that Saskatchewan was not only one point, but also one player, shy of a championship.

"I try not to think about the 'what ifs' because I'm a guy who lives in the moment, but we're all human and you think about, 'If we'd had one of our big guns out there, he definitely could have made a difference in that game,' '' quarterback Darian Durant mused after the Roughriders practised Wednesday at Commonwealth Stadium.

"You can't change that. Injuries are part of the game and you have to move on.''

The Roughriders have moved on. After an excruciating loss in the 2009 Grey Cup, they are champions of the West Division for the second straight year. They are to oppose Montreal once again in the league final, which is to be played Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium.

This time, Dressler will be more than a spectator.

"Weston certainly makes them a completely different team — and a better team,'' Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman said. "When he's on the field, they're a better football team.

"He's one of the best players in our league and he can do it all. He can run every type of route offensively. He's a terrific route-runner. He can return when they want him to return. He's involved in running the football as well. He gives us all we can handle. He has always played very, very well against us. That's why this game is different this year than it was a year ago — because they're going to be a different team with Weston Dressler.''

Durant was quick to concur when asked about the importance of having Dressler in the arsenal for the Grey Cup.

"It means a lot,'' the Riders' quarterback said. "Weston's our guy and he does so much for our offence. He's very versatile in what he does. We missed having him last year, because we didn't have certain packages. Now we can have every single package for him in (the game plan), and everything we need him to do in. Now defences have to guess when he's getting the ball and how he's going to get it.''

Dressler is coming off a regular season in which he caught 81 passes for 1,189 yards. He had a team-high 941 yards despite missing four-plus games last season. The year before, he had 56 receptions for 1,123 yards — an average of 20.1 yards per catch — en route to capturing CFL rookie-of-the-year honours.

A Roughriders receiver will again be called to the podium Thursday night, when Andy Fantuz is decorated as the most outstanding Canadian during the CFL Player Awards. Fantuz will assuredly win the trophy after catching 87 passes for a league-high 1,380 yards in 2010.

Given all the attention Fantuz has commanded from fans, media types, opposing defences and cereal manufacturers, Dressler's splendid season is occasionally overshadowed. But it is hardly a coincidence that

Fantuz's finest season has coincided with Dressler's return to the lineup.
As a slotback tandem, Fantuz and Dressler rival Joey Walters and Chris DeFrance, or Ray Elgaard and Jeff Fairholm. If you are preoccupied with shutting down one elite slotback, the other one will burn you.
In the West semifinal, for example, Dressler caught eight passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-38, double-overtime victory over the visiting B.C. Lions. Fantuz was held to two receptions for 11 yards.

Fantuz was blanked in the West final, and he can expect his every step to be closely monitored by the Alouettes.

If that scenario unfolds, Dressler could enjoy a most auspicious Grey Cup debut. As Trestman suggested, Dressler will make a difference. In fact, he could very well be thee difference.

rvanstone@leaderpost.com
Leader-Post sportswriter Murray McCormick will be tweeting Roughrider news this week from Edmonton. You can follow him at twitter.com/McCormickMurray
© Copyright (c) The Regina Leader-PostRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTONE+Difference+between+this+year+Grey+last+year+Weston+Dressler/3880338/story.html#ixzz16GiNmzbm

SWEET SUCCESS

2010-11-24T21:15:00.000-08:00

Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Cary Koch (#84) has a frosted up moustache during practice at Commonwealth Stadium for the 98th Grey Cup in Edmonton on November 24, 2010.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

EDMONTON — Maybe Cary Koch's play of late is the result of a sugar high.

In his rookie season with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders, the 24-year-old wide receiver has discovered a sugary baked good which has become something of a lucky charm for him.

"I am the Butter Tart Kid," Koch admitted with a grin Wednesday after the Roughriders practised at Commonwealth Stadium — the site of Sunday's Grey Cup game between Saskatchewan and the Montreal Alouettes. "I'm butter tart-obsessed."

It all began for Koch earlier this season when he was on the Roughriders' practice roster. He attended a pre-game tailgate party on the Evraz Place grounds, where he was introduced to butter tarts baked by a Roughriders fan.

"I had never experienced them before in my life," Koch said. "I think they're a Canadian treat. I say that to people and they don't know. But I've only had them here and everyone seems to know what they are here."

Koch continued to visit the same tailgate party before Saskatchewan home games and kept having his share of butter tarts. When he had one before his first game as a starter — Sept. 17 against the Calgary Stampeders — and performed well, a habit was formed.

"Now it's a joke," Koch said. "Now they're actually shipping the tarts with people who are travelling to the games.

"It has kind of taken off on the Twitter world that I'm the Butter Tart Kid. Whatever it takes. If I need a butter tart to get me going, then that's what it takes.

"I have one the day of the game for sure. Whether or not I have 20 or 40 during the week before, that's my decision."

For Koch, the best decision he made this season was staying in Saskatchewan.

After spending the first 10 weeks of the regular season on the practice roster, Koch started the next two games. He was returned to the practice roster for three games, was scratched for another contest, and then started the Roughriders' final two regular-season games.

The 6-foot-0, 190-pound product of Baton Rouge, La., said his career up to this point has seemed to have an expiration date — "Time kind of runs out and I get put on the back shelf almost," is how he put it — but he stuck with it in Saskatchewan despite being inactive at various points of the season.

"It was kind of frustrating at times, but I think it was a real growing moment in my life," said Koch, whom the Roughriders signed as a free agent in April. "I learned a lot. I just had to sit, wait patiently and handle it just like any other business.

"You've got to go through the ranks, and do the rookie stuff first. Then, when you get your opportunity, you need to step up."

Koch finished the regular season with 21 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns in just four games. He has added seven receptions for 66 yards and a TD in the Roughriders' two playoff outings.

He appears to have proved himself to the Roughriders, especially quarterback Darian Durant.

"I went up to Cary a couple of weeks ago and I said, 'All I ask is for you to promise me one thing: If I throw you the ball, you will be in between the ball and the DB,' " Durant said when asked about developing trust with a rookie receiver. "He promised me that. Ever since then, I'll give him chances."

"He kind of tested the waters in the beginning, maybe two or three balls a game to me in a few situations," Koch added. "But now he throws to me second-and-six near the goal line and he's throwing up a touchdown ball to me."

That was the six-yard major Koch scored late in the first half that gave Saskatchewan a 14-11 halftime lead over Calgary in Sunday's West Division final — and he scored it mere hours after having a butter tart.
And, yes, he's planning to have another before Sunday's Grey Cup.
"I don't have any of them here yet, but they're coming," Koch said. "I'm looking to get a package for sure at some point."