RIDER PRIDE

REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders may be more spectators than participants in the 2009 CFL draft.

Due to a series of trades, the Riders have just a third-round selection (22nd overall) in the six-round draft, which is to be conducted May 2.
Ken Miller, the Riders’ head coach who is overseeing football operations while general manager Eric Tillman is on paid administrative leave, said there were two factors which prompted the Riders to trade away their draft picks.

“The draft this year isn’t particularly deep,’’ said Miller. “There are some really good players but (the draft) doesn’t have a lot of depth throughout.

“The other thing is, Eric has done a really good job of getting us Canadian talent. When you talk about Canadian players like (Mike) Stadnyk and (Keith) Shologan, the possibility of getting Jonathan St-Pierre and then take into account the Canadian players we have under contract … our Canadian content is really strong.’’

The Riders have boosted their Canadian talent through the draft, trades and free-agent signings. The Riders are believed to have 31 Canadians under contract heading into the 2009 season.

“We would like to have another pick or two but because of some really good decisions in the past, we have some really good Canadian players,’’ said Miller. “If we had more picks this year, we may not have them on our roster and under contract.’’

The Riders may have addressed the 2009 draft in 2008. Saskatchewan took defensive tackle Shologan with the fourth overall pick and centre St-Pierre with the 10th overall selection. Tillman then made a deal with the B.C. Lions. The Riders acquired B.C.’s 14th overall pick for Saskatchewan’s first-round selection (sixth overall) in this year’s draft.

The Riders selected Stadnyk, a Regina product, with the 14th pick.
St-Pierre returned to Illinois State for his senior season and is among the top-rated centres eligible for the 2009 NFL draft. The Riders have St-Pierre’s rights if he doesn’t make it with an NFL team.

Stadnyk, who returned to the University of Montana for his senior season, signed with the Riders on March 13.

The Riders traded their second-round pick in the 2009 draft Feb. 23 to the Montreal Alouettes for non-import cornerback Donovan Alexander. The Riders are hoping that Alexander, who has NFL experience with the Seattle Seahawks, can start at cornerback. That move would allow them to start an import at safety.

The other trades brought running back Wes Cates and punter Jamie Boreham to the Riders. Saskatchewan also traded its fifth-round pick to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for import offensive tackle Jermese Jones. Those three shared in the Riders’ Grey Cup victory in 2007.

The Riders also made some significant additions via signings and trades during the offseason. They signed slotback Jason Clermont, who was released by B.C. Through free agency, the Riders signed offensive tackle Joe McGrath, who hails from Moose Jaw. Saskatchewan also traded future considerations to the Toronto Argonauts for Canadian linebacker Aaron Wagner.

Miller said the Riders have been preparing for the draft in the same manner as they would if they had their full list of picks and have compiled a list of draft-eligible players.
“Part of the reason for that is there may be an opportunity between here and the draft to get a draft pick,’’ said Miller. “We want to be thoroughly prepared if the opportunity rises to get some people.’’

NOTES: Training camp opens June 7 in Regina. Each team is allowed 75 players to attend training camp. Miller said the Riders have 69 players under contract and expects announcements regarding additional signings soon … Miller said the Riders aren’t interested in quarterback Casey Printers, who was recently released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats …

The Riders haven’t extended contract offers to veteran non-import receivers Corey Grant and Michael Palmer. Grant had been with the Riders for six seasons. Palmer played 11⁄2 seasons with the Riders after signing as a free agent.
mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com