GRETZLAF IS A RIDER FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS

By Rob Vanstone Sun, Dec 20 2009 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

I just filed this . . .

By ROB VANSTONE Leader-Post

With a new deal secured, Chris Getzlaf anxiously awaits the 2010 CFL season.“It feels really good,’’ Getzlaf, a Regina-born receiver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, said Sunday after it was confirmed that he had signed a contract extension calling for two years plus a club option for a third.“It’s good to get it out of the way. Now I don’t have to worry about anything next year except going out and playing hard and hopefully getting to the same place

— but with a different outcome.’’Getzlaf had a team-high six touchdown receptions during the 2009 regular season, in which he had 41 receptions for 531 yards. He added another TD grab to help Saskatchewan defeat the visiting Calgary Stampeders 27-17 in the West Division final. One week later, the Montreal Alouettes defeated Saskatchewan 28-27 in the Grey Cup.“I think the team is heading in the right direction,’’ said Getzlaf, who helped the Roughriders finish first in the West for the first time since 1976. “We had a hell of a year. It didn’t end the way quite the way we wanted it to, but we still played well.“If we can keep the same group of guys together, like it sounds like they want to, we should have a good team for years to come. Being from here and liking the situation factor in as well. I’d like to play here as long as it’s feasible because the situation is great.’’The Roughriders have yet to formally announce Getzlaf’s new deal, but it was confirmed by team sources on the weekend. A formal announcement is expected in the New Year.In addition to playing with the Roughriders, Getzlaf is a financial planner with Investors Group.Getzlaf is a product of the Usher Unicorns, Regina Thunder and University of Regina Rams football programs.The Roughriders acquired Getzlaf from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in August of 2007. In the deal, the Roughriders obtained Getzlaf and receiver-returner Corey Holmes for receiver-returner Jason Armstead.Armstead, who rejoined the Green and White in late August, was named the Roughriders’ special-teams player-of-the-year in 2009.Fourteen members of the 2009 Roughriders are eligible to become free agents in mid-February.

Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman is also believed to be negotiating with other players who are entering their option years — including receivers Rob Bagg and Weston Dressler.