MORE ON DURANT EXTENSION

By MURRAY McCORMICK, Leader-

REGINA — It could be a sign of how far the Saskatchewan Roughriders have progressed under the leadership of quarterback Darian Durant.

It was announced Wednesday that Durant, who was heading into his option year in 2010, had signed a contract extension with the CFL team. Durant and Riders head coach Ken Miller both answered questions during a media conference in the Riders' Mosaic Stadium locker room about the extension and what it means to the future of the football team.

"To have Darian extended really provides us with some security in our offence,'' said Miller. "We look forward to seeing him continue to develop and become one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.''

But the focus wasn't entirely on Durant, who is headed into his fifth season with the Riders. Some of the questions dealt with the Riders' depth at the quarterback position. The Riders ended the 2009 season with five pivots on the roster — Durant, Steven Jyles, Dalton Bell, Cole Bergquist and Graham Harrell.

They are now down to three with Jyles leaving for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers via free agency and Bell being traded Tuesday to the Toronto Argonauts for a fifth-round selection in the 2010 CFL draft on May 2.

"We've developed a quarterback here and we're confident that we can do that again,'' Miller said when asked about the lack of CFL game experience for Harrell and Bergquist. "We certainly have young men in Harrell and Bergquist who have the athletic ability and the knowledge. In practice they have shown the skills to be able to get the job done. I'm looking forward to having them in camp and being able to evaluate them in our pre-season games.''
The emergence of Durant as a starter allows the Riders the luxury of developing another group of young quarterbacks. Harrell and Bergquist both joined the Riders during the 2009 season. Harrell starred with the Texas Tech Red Raiders before joining the Riders in 2009. He is signed for another season and an option. Bergquist, a product of the Montana Grizzlies, remains on the team's negotiation list but the Riders are believed to be close to re-signing him.

"Our goal would be to develop a really excellent No. 2 quarterback,'' said Miller. "Then we will work on an excellent No. 3 quarterback.''

There are some veteran quarterbacks available. The Argonauts released former Riders quarterback Kerry Joseph on Feb. 21 and the B.C. Lions cut Buck Pierce on Tuesday. Miller didn't rule out adding another quarterback or two to the roster before training camp.
"We will consider what our options are,'' said Miller. "Right now, we don't have a specific one in mind.''

There have been other changes to the Riders' offence during the off-season. Offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice left to become the head coach of the Blue Bombers. LaPolice later added Jamie Barresi, the Riders' quarterbacks coach, as his offensive co-ordinator.
The Riders replaced LaPolice with Doug Berry. Berry is a former Blue Bombers head coach and spent seven seasons as the offensive co-ordinator with the Montreal Alouettes.

"I can't say enough about the gift and tutelage that Coach Barresi and Lapo have given me,'' said Durant. "They have done a great job in my development and for this organization.

"Going forward we have a guy in Doug Berry who is known to be a great offensive co-ordinator. He worked with Anthony Calvillo for years and you know that I have looked up to him for years. He turned Anthony into a 5,000-yard-plus quarterback and all-star. I'm hoping he can do the same thing with me.''
mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

CATES / DURANT FACE THE MEDIA

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Durant, Cates face the media
By Murray McCormick Wed, Mar 10 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

Wednesday the Riders’ mini-version of March Madness. Not only was quarterback Darian Durant in town to announce his contract extension, the Riders also announced that running back Wes Cates had re-signed. It would be an understatement to say they are both significant signings.

Here are the highlights from the 30-minute love in, I mean media conference, with head coach Ken Miller, Durant and Cates in the Riders’ lockerroom.— Durant and Cates are both glad to be back (surprise!). Durant was headed into his option year and the Riders had targetted him as one of their priorities this offseason. Both players are glad to get the business side of the game out of the way and concentrate on getting ready for the 2010 season

.— Durant is expected to be in the province for two weeks or so. He’ll be involved in promotional events as well as getting to know the new members of the Riders’ offensive coaching staff. Durant also mentioned he has been studying film from the 2009 season and will continue to do so until training camp.

— Miller revealed that it was Dalton Bell who the Argos asked about when looking at the Riders’ quarterbacks. The Riders were in position to trade Bell because they feel comfortable with Graham Harrell and Cole Berqguist as backups.

— Harrell is signed for at least an another season. Berqguist is on the Riders’ negotiation list and they expect to sign him soon.

— Miller said they would likely have announcement on the offensive line coach next week. That move would complete their coaching staff.

— I pressed both players for additional contract information, like how long, etc. because I know you want to know. They both declined to reveal that information. Durant suggested his is a year-to-year thing. I have learned that he’s up there with the other top quarterbacks in the league like Ricky Rey, Anthony Calvillo and Henry Burris and Durant has earned that lofty status. I don’t know the numbers though. because those are kept secret. Those may come out in time.

— Loads of other stuff and it will be online later or in Thursday’s Leader-Post. As always, I have to pound.

RIDERS SIGN CATES TO NEW CONTRACT

Roughriders' Wes Cates
Photograph by: Dan Riedlhuber, Reuters files

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed import running back Wes Cates to a new contract.

Cates joined the Roughriders in 2007, making this his fourth season in the CFL. He was also with the Calgary Stampeders.

He was sidelined early last season recovering from shoulder surgery. In 2008, he was named a CFL all-star.

DURANT SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION

By Murray McCormick Wed, Mar 10 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

The latest news from Riderville. Darian Durant is to meet with the Riders today so more details are to follow.

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club announced today that import quarterback Darian Durant has signed an extension with the team. Financial details of the signing were not released.Durant solidified himself as the Riders starting quarterback in 2009. He completed 339 of 561 pass attempts for 4,348 yards and 24 touchdowns in 18 regular season games. In addition he had 60 carries for 501 yards and three touchdowns.In 2009, the 27-year old was named a West Division All-Star and was the Riders’ nominee for Most Outstanding Player.

Since joining the Green and White in 2006, the North Carolina product has played 59 games and completed 417 of 691 pass attempts for 5,484 yards and 31 touchdowns, while adding an additional 725 yards off 88 carries including four touchdowns.Durant was heading into his option year with the Green and White in 2010.

RIDERS TRADE DALTON BELL TO AGROS

Roughrider backup quarterback Dalton Bell has been traded to the Toronto Argonauts.
Photograph by: Don Healy, Leader-Post

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders reduced their quarterbacks and increased their picks in the 2010 CFL draft Tuesday.

The Riders accomplished that by trading backup import quarterback Dalton Bell to the Toronto Argonauts for a fifth-round selection in the draft, which is to be held May 2. The Riders now have four picks in the six-round draft — second and fourth overall and two selections in the fifth round. The Riders re-acquired a fifth-round pick that was sent to the Argos on Oct. 14, 2009, for import offensive tackle Cliff Washburn.

"To pick second and fourth is really nice,'' Riders general manager Brendan Taman said Tuesday. "It's always good to have some opportunities to select some guys too. Hopefully this trade will help Toronto with its quarterback depth and help us get a good Canadian at some point. Having three picks . . . we wanted to get four or five. We're close to that.''

Bell, 27, spent two seasons with the Riders. In 2009, he was the third-string quarterback and dressed for 18 games. Bell's trade — with the loss of backup Steven Jyles to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers via free agency — leaves the Riders with only one quarterback with CFL game experience. Darian Durant remains the starter. He's backed up by Cole Bergquist and Graham Harrell, who spent parts of the 2009 season with the Riders but never dressed or took part in any regular-season games.

"The lack of experience those two guys have will be their negative,'' Taman said. "Their talent and ability will be their positive. Experience is always a wild card to gauge but I'm always big on talent and ability and those two kids have it. They just haven't been able to prove themselves because they were both brought in the middle of last year.''

The Riders may add another quarterback or two before training camp opens in June. It's unlikely that it would be Buck Pierce, who was released Tuesday by the B.C. Lions. Taman feels that Pierce's medical condition and his salary (believed to be $280,000 a season) are two impediments that the Riders may not be able to overcome.

"That takes him out of the mix here,'' said Taman. "The head issue is something that has to be looked at as well.''

Bell appreciated his time with the Roughriders but is also looking forward to an opportunity with the Argos. The Argonauts have released all of their quarterbacks from their dismal 2009 season. That included Kerry Joseph, who was named the most outstanding player while guiding the Riders to a 23-19 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2007 Grey Cup game.
"With Darian doing a good job last year and Steven leaving, I thought I was staying and would be the No. 2,'' Bell said Tuesday from his offseason home in Dallas. "I still think it's a good opportunity for me and for the Riders to get a draft choice. I'm excited about it.''
Bell is aware of the situation he's headed into with the Argos, who have a new coaching staff after going 3-15 in 2009.

"It's kind of strange to come into a new team that has all new quarterbacks and we're all on the same playing field,'' said Bell, who had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks after starring for West Texas A&M. "All you can ask for is a fair shot at it.''

With Durant and Jyles established at the top of the depth chart, Bell never really got a shot with the Riders in 2009. He received limited repetitions in practice but didn't have a chance to showcase his talents in game situations.

"I was frustrated that I didn't get to play but (former Riders quarterback coach) Jamie Barresi and I talked about things,'' said Bell, who signed with the Riders as a free agent in May of 2008. "He knew that I wanted to play more but he thought I was getting a good experience in learning how things happen. He was right about that. I leave on positive note. We also made it to the Grey Cup and not everyone can say they did that.''

Bell also became friends with the other quarterback on the rosters, especially Bergquist and Harrell. He feels the team is in good hands with the young pivots.
"Graham has a good pedigree and a lot of people underestimate Cole,'' said Bell. "He has a good arm and he's athletic. Both of them are really good guys and they will do fine.''

APPEARS THAT CATES WILL RE-SIGN WITH RIDERS !!

By MURRAY McCORMICK, Leader-PostMarch 6, 2010 4:02 AM

REGINA — It appears that import running back Wes Cates is to remain a member of the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Culley Curran, Cates's agent, said Friday that he expects a deal to be completed early next week.

"Wes is more than excited about the prospect of remaining in Saskatchewan,'' Curran said from Toronto. "His heart and passion is to stay with the Green and White. We're really close to getting something done that will allow him to remain with the Roughriders.''

Cates, who had spent three seasons with the Riders, became a free agent on Feb. 15. There were reports of other teams like the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats being interested in signing the 30-year-old Cates. Ultimately, Cates want to stay with the Riders.
"To say that Wes Cates didn't attract some attention from other teams would be an insult to everyone's intelligence,'' Curran said. "The truth is Wes wasn't terribly interested in entertaining any other teams. He wanted to make sure that his relationship with Saskatchewan was strong enough and that it was his choice.''

Cates started his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders in 2006. In 2007, Cates was traded to the Riders in a package that saw centre Rob Lazeo head to Calgary. During the 2007 regular season, Cates rushed for 866 yards on 152 carries with five touchdowns and had 45 receptions for 452 yards . In the playoffs, Cates rushed for 125 yards on 25 carries and helped the Riders beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 in the Grey Cup game.

In 2008, Cates was named a CFL all-star after rushing for 1,229 yards on 216 carries and recording 39 receptions for 451 yards. Cates also scored 12 rushing touchdowns and caught two others.

Cates underwent off-season shoulder surgery and missed the first two games of the 2009 season. He still rushed for 932 yards on 195 carries and had 33 receptions for 336 yards. He also scored two rushing touchdowns and caught two passes for majors. He rushed for 148 yards on 27 carries in two playoff games.

Cates, a native of Columbus, Ohio, has also become involved in the community through his ties with the Riders.

"It took him a while to understand how Saskatchewan works and getting used to that,'' said Curran. "But you're talking about a kid who came from Columbus, where football is a religion. He's come to learn that Columbus isn't the only place where football is a religion. He's warmed up to the community. He's comfortable there and the community has embraced him with open arms.''

Curran has had experience with the popularity of Cates because he has family that lives in Saskatchewan.

"I had calls from them telling me that I had better get this done,'' Curran said with a laugh.
Riders general manager Brendan Taman said before the free-agent deadline that his priority was re-signing his own players. The re-signing of Cates means that Riders have re-signed 13 of their free agents.

The squad lost just two players to other teams — backup quarterback Steven Jyles signed with the Blue Bombers and wide receiver Gerran Walker was picked up by the Argonauts. Veteran defensive back Eddie Davis retired rather than re-sign and import offensive tackle Cliff Washburn won't be offered a contract.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

RIDERS SIGN DAN GOODSPEED

The Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club announced today that they have signed import offensive lineman Dan Goodspeed to a contract. Financial details of the signing were not released.Goodspeed (6'6 – 313 lbs) is heading into his sixth year in the CFL. He spent the 2009 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after being acquired from Winnipeg as part of a three team trade. He originally joined the CFL when he signed with the Blue Bombers as a free agent in July, 2005. The 33-year old has played a total of 75 CFL regular season games.The Kent State product also spent time with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins.