RIDERS TRYING TO SHORE UP DEFENSE

Roughriders GM Brendan Taman
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

REGINA — Brendan Taman knows the Saskatchewan Roughriders' defence has taken some hits this off-season.

While the Roughriders' general manager is addressing that issue — "We go shopping every day," is how he put it Wednesday — he remains confident the CFL team will be able to survive the losses of players like Stevie Baggs, John Chick, Eddie Davis and Rey Williams.

"We have some good young players who didn't play a lot last year and that group will be a big piece of what we do," Taman said. "Chris McKenzie, Joe Sykes, Willie Evans, Jerrell Freeman — those guys have a great chance to grab a spot. Are we anointing them? No, because we're going to have competition.

"Our offence is going to be based around guys with name recognition, whereas the defence is going to have some younger guys. Either way, we're going to be good."

The Roughriders lost Baggs (Arizona Cardinals), Chick (Indianapolis Colts) and Williams (Pittsburgh Steelers) to NFL teams this off-season, while Davis retired after becoming a free agent.

Sykes and Evans are among those who could replace Baggs and Chick at the defensive end spots, Freeman played some middle linebacker last season while Williams was out with a knee injury, and McKenzie filled in when Davis had a knee problem.

Taman said the Roughriders also are talking to other players, including those on the team's negotiation list as well as experienced players who are free agents. That latter group, Taman confirmed, includes veteran middle linebacker Barrin Simpson.

"We've built up our neg list a little bit on defence," Taman said. "Our recruiting on offence is pretty much in place. Our defence has some holes that have opened up. I'm convinced we could go out tomorrow and be good, but we want to increase our level of competition.

"It's March 24 and we go to camp in June. The NFL draft is coming up, so we have to be patient. It's not that we're doing nothing, but we're not in a panic situation, either."

The Roughriders have added some players this off-season — including offensive linemen Kelly Bates and Dan Goodspeed and tailback/kick returner Dominique Dorsey via free agency, and wideout Prechae Rodriguez through a trade — and have re-signed all but four of their own free agents.

Taman said the club is still "monitoring the situation" when it comes to its crop of quarterbacks. Darian Durant is the undisputed starter, but the backups right now are Graham Harrell and Cole Bergquist — neither of whom has thrown a pass in a regular-season game.

"We're glad we have a starter who we're very happy with; that's Step 1," Taman said. "The challenge is, do you go out and sign an experienced guy with a name just to add that aspect or do you give young guys the confidence they need to be capable backups? That's the magical question."

The list of big-name veterans includes Kerry Joseph and Buck Pierce, who were released by the Toronto Argonauts and B.C. Lions, respectively.

When former Roughriders GM Eric Tillman resigned Jan. 8, he told reporters the Roughriders had 75 players under contract — the league maximum. After the departure of some players and the arrival of others this off-season, Taman said the Roughriders again are close to the limit. As a result, signings soon won't be possible without deletions being made from the roster.
n The Roughriders are expected to finalize their player personnel department in the coming days.

It's believed Joe Womack, the Roughriders' director of player personnel for the past three seasons, will remain with the team in some capacity — and he could be based in the U.S.
As well, Craig Smith — previously the east regional scout with the Lions — is expected to arrive in Regina this week to formally join the Roughriders' staff.

ihamilton@leaderpost.canwest.com

10 QUESTIONS WITH WESTON DRESSLER

It has been a different type of off-season for slotback Weston Dressler, the third year pro had his 2009 season cut short due to a leg injury which occured in Week 15. The rehab has been going well, and barring any major setbacks Weston is expected to return to full strength for the 2010 regular season.We had a chance to catch up with the former CFL Most Outstanding

Rookie and ask him a few questions.

Where have you been spending the Off-Season?
The majority of my off-season has been split fairly evenly between my home in Bismark, ND and here in Regina.

What have you been up to since the 09' season ended?I've been busy this off-season doing a lot of charity work with the Red Cross, as well as obviously rehabbing and working out to prepare for the upcoming season and another run at the Grey Cup.

What was the first thing you did when the season ended?I headed home to Bismarck and spent some time with my family.

What are you looking forward to most about getting back on the playing field?The biggest thing for me is just seeing all the guys again, and of course the atmosphere in Regina on gamedays.

If you had to narrow it down to one thing, what would be your favourite thing about being a Roughrider?The fans, without a doubt.

How do you feel about all the changes that have taken place in Riderville?There will be plenty of opportunities for new guys to step in and make plays. There are also some new challenges anytime you add new coaches to the staff, but I definitely feel positive about all the changes taking place.

What's your favourite memory from college football?Going to Northern Iowa and beating the #3 team in the nation, even though they were a division above us.

What's playing on your ipod right now?There's a lot to choose from, I guess the last thing I listened to would've been Linkin Park.

What's the last movie you saw?Shutter Island. Loved the twist at the end.

What is one thing Rider Nation doesn't know about you?Rider Nation is so smart, they know everything!


Despite his season being cut short, Weston still finished with a team high 62 receptions for 941 yards, to go along with four touchdowns on his way to being named a CFL Western Division All Star. In just two seasons with the Riders, the speedy slotback has receiving totals of 118 receptions, 2064 yards, 10 touchdowns and has consistently been a big play threat, averaging 17.5 yards a catch.

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Fan Comments

RIDERS SIGN A PAIR OF RECEIVERS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have signed import wide receivers Aaron Fairooz and Cary Koch to contracts. Financial details of the signings were not released.

Fairooz (6’6 – 210 lbs) played 47 games at Central Arkansas. He ranks second in school history with 186 receptions and 26 touchdowns, setting the school record with 2,797 yards (15.0 avg). He rushed five times for 17 yards (3.4 avg) and gained 78 yards with a pair of scores on two blocked punts. He recorded two tackles and scored 170 points. As a junior, Fairooz shattered school single-season records with 76 receptions for 1,197 yards (15.8 avg), adding 12 touchdowns. He gained 17 yards on four reverses and blocked two kicks, returning one 49 yards for a score. He earned All-American and All-Gulf South Conference first-team recognition on offense and second-team All-GSC accolades on special teams.

Koch (6’0 – 198 lbs) began his college career at Tulane before transferring to Virginia where he played his final three seasons.

In 29 games played, the Baton Rouge native tallied 63 receptions for 702 yards and three touchdowns. In high school, Koch won a number of awards including being named MVP as a running back when Dunham claimed a state championship. He rushed for over 1,700 yards and 27 touchdowns in his senior year. Koch (pronounced Coke) also played basketball and was named a member of the All-State team as a guard.

RIDERS TALKING TO BARRIN SIMSPON - LP

REGINA — Having lost another veteran middle linebacker this off-season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders may be set to bring in an experienced replacement.

Barrin Simpson, who has been named a CFL all-star six times during his nine-year career, confirmed Tuesday he has talked with the Roughriders.

"(Coming to Saskatchewan) could be a possibility," the 32-year-old free agent said from his home in Keller, Texas. "It's just a matter of seeing what happens with it ...

"You know how the business side of things has to go. That's where we're at right now is handling the business side of it and making it work for both parties.''
Simpson said the sides are "definitely close," noting that "it's not a money issue" that's holding up an agreement.

"You have to go through the procedures of a contract, getting a chance to talk with everybody and everything," Simpson said. "We're basically going through the procedures."

If Simpson signs with the Roughriders, he'll join a team that has lost middle linebackers Maurice Lloyd (who signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2009) and Rey Williams (who joined the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers this spring) during the past two off-seasons.

As a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2009, Simpson finished with 84 tackles — good for sixth in the league — in 13 regular-season games. He added three special-teams tackles, two sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Simpson also had a much-publicized spat with then-Bombers head coach Mike Kelly that resulted eventually in the linebacker being told to stay away from the team. He missed four games before being welcomed back for the stretch drive.

"I felt like I had a good season last year, outside of all the distractions that came with it," said Simpson, who spent four seasons in Winnipeg after playing five seasons with the B.C. Lions. "To me, last year was one of my best years in the league. I was in excellent shape, I was faster and I had a lot of fun.

"Even through all of that last year, I had so much fun playing the game. That's how I know I still love the game."

In Saskatchewan, Simpson also could take on the mantle of leadership the Roughriders' defence
lost with the departures of Williams, defensive ends Stevie Baggs (who signed with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals) and John Chick (who joined the NFL's Indianapolis Colts) and defensive back Eddie Davis (who retired).

"Being a leader is just a part of who I am," Simpson said. "I don't have to try to be a leader. That's just part of what I do and part of the position that I play."
Simpson said he's interested in the Roughriders because of their fans, their status as a perennial playoff team, and the organization itself.

He also has a history with a number of the team's coaches; receivers coach Bob Dyce and offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry were in Winnipeg when Simpson was there, and defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry was in B.C. when Simpson joined the Lions in 2001.

As well, Simpson has a working relationship with Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman, who previously was the Bombers' GM.

"That's a class organization over there in Saskatchewan," Simpson said. "It's definitely a place I'm considering. There are some other options out there, but you want to be in the best situation — and for me, that's having an opportunity to win a championship ...

"If I land in Saskatchewan, my deal would be to go out and try to be the best player I can be, the best teammate I can be and try to help the team win a championship."
* According to league sources, Craig Smith — the Lions' east regional scout and a former director of player personnel with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — may be joining the Roughriders as an assistant to Taman.

MORE CFL TALK

From Ian Hamilton of the L-P:

Having lost another veteran middle linebacker this off-season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders may be set to bring in an experienced replacement.Barrin Simpson (pictured above), who has been named a CFL all-star six times during his nine-year career, confirmed Tuesday he has talked with the Roughriders."

(Coming to Saskatchewan) could be a possibility," the 32-year-old free agent said from his home in Keller, Texas. "It's just a matter of seeing what happens with it . . .

"You know how the business side of things has to go. That's where we're at right now is handling the business side of it and making it work for both parties."Simpson said the sides are "definitely close," noting that "it's not a money issue" that's holding up an agreement."That's a class organization over there in Saskatchewan," Simpson said. "It's definitely a place I'm considering.

There are some other options out there, but you want to be in the best situation -- and for me, that's having an opportunity to win a championship."

---From Lowell Ulrick's Vancouver Province blog:The release of Buck Pierce last week fulfilled a promise by Wally Buono to reduce the backlog of Lions quarterbacks for training camp, but the coach of the CFL team might not be done yet.The contract extension of Casey Printers has put the Lions in a position where they can look at making another move involving Jarious Jackson, whose name continues to be linked to the Toronto Argonauts.Buono said he has not had talks involving the 32-year-old backup lately but had ample opportunity at the league's Canadian college evaluation camp in Toronto on the weekend."I'm open to anything," the coach said, hardly sounding uncomfortable with a potential opening-day roster of Travis Lulay and Zac Champion behind Printers.Toronto is not the only team which could benefit from a quarterback with CFL experience but has three pivots on the roster who have yet to start a game in the league.

---IN SHORT... The final piece of the Lions coaching staff will be put into place no later than the start of next week when the replacement for retired defensive line coach Mike Roach starts work. Ex-CFL great Michael Gray was the primary candidate but he took a NCAA coaching job at UNLV in January. James (Quick) Parker is among those to have been interviewed for the opening. Also looking to move from the CIS to the CFL is former UBC interim head coach Dino Geremia...

---Craig Smith, who served two terms for the Lions in player personnel roles, is about to formally take a similar position with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.---

From Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press:The CFL Entry Draft is less than two months away and Blue Bombers coach Paul LaPolice says the club is not interested in trading away any of its picks despite lots of offers."There's lots of trade talk and lots of offers like, 'we've got a good American linebacker that can help you, we'll take a fourth-round pick for him,' but we're not interested in dealing our picks," said LaPolice."The key to this league is Canadian content. We want to keep our picks. We're not going to be in the business of trading our picks."

RIDERS TALKING TO BARRIN SIMPSON

By Ian Hamilton Tue, Mar 16 2010 COMMENTS(0) Rider Rumblings

I just got off the phone with free-agent linebacker Barrin Simpson, who said he has had conversations with the Roughriders.

The 32-year-old spent the past four seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after playing with the B.C. Lions for five seasons. He was released by Winnipeg after the 2009 season.

"That’s a class organization over there in Saskatchewan," Simpson said. "It’s definitely a place I’m considering. There are some other options out there, but you want to be in the best situation, having that opportunity to win a championship.”

Having lost Rey Williams to the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers this off-season, the Roughriders may indeed be interested in Simpson's services.

He's also well-acquainted with Saskatchewan general manager Brendan Taman, Roughriders receivers coach Bob Dyce and Saskatchewan offensive co-ordinator Doug Berry (all of whom were in Winnipeg during Simpson's time there) and with Saskatchewan defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry (who was in B.C., when Simpson came into the league).

For more, see Wednesday's Leader-Post.

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