RIDER MEMORABILIA !!

Chris Coult of Edmonton shares a photo of his Rider shrine.
Photograph by: Courtesy of Chris Coult, handout

REGINA — In Regina, it's almost a requirement of citizenship that you own a piece of clothing in Roughrider green.

Then there are the fans who have gone beyond wearing that green shirt to amassing collections of team memorabilia that show their pride in Saskatchewan's team.
Some live in this province, but others have taken their pride with them as they've travelled the world.

Over the last 100 years, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' logo has found its way onto mugs, records, cookbooks, plates, garage doors, and now, even Saskatchewan licence plates! Some of it was purchased in support of the team while other pieces were designed and put together by creative fans.

These items are on basement bookshelves, on fireplace mantels, in cupboards and even in garages.

Bring those items out and take a photo or shoot a video. It's time to share your Roughrider memorabilia with all those other Roughrider fans during the team's centennial year.
Here, at leaderpost.com, we want to amass the biggest collection of Roughrider memorabilia ever seen. Send in photos and videos of your Roughrider memorabilia to become part of the Roughrider online museum. Your name will be attached to your submissions.

Click here to send us your photos or video.
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RIDERS SIGN SHOMARI AND HE NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the signing of Shomari Williams, the first overall pick in the 2010 CFL draft, on Wednesday.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders' Shomari Williams is ready to call Regina home, but he remains concerned about finding a place to stay.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the signing of Williams, the first overall pick in the 2010 CFL draft, on Wednesday.

Since the draft, the former defensive end for the Queen's Golden Gaels has been working out in Houston and searching for a two-bedroom apartment or suite to live in with his wife,

Dominique, while they are in Regina. Williams is expected to arrive in the city on the weekend and will continue his search for a home in person.

"It's hard when you're looking online to see what the place looks like,'' Williams said Wednesday from Houston. "I hope to find one by Monday or Tuesday.''

It may not be easy finding an apartment in Regina because it has Canada's lowest vacancy rate at less than one per cent. Williams hopes that a member of the Rider Nation might be able to assist him in his search.

"If anyone wants to help, I'll take it,'' said Williams. "I would even take a basement apartment. I'm willing to look at anything.''

Brendan Taman, the Riders' general manager, wasn't surprised to hear about the challenges Williams faces in finding a home during the football season. Taman said many of the new coaches with the Riders this season were faced with similar issues when they moved to the city.

"We might look at establishing some relationships with people during training camp who might be able to help the players out,'' said Taman. "It's the little things like that that add to the stress level. They are trying to make the team and once they do that, then they have a week to find a place to live.''

Negotiations between the Riders and Williams went a lot smoother than his early pursuit of a home. Taman was expected to sign Williams shortly after the draft ended May 2 but it took longer than that to reach an agreement.

"It took a little longer to work out but there weren't any problems,'' said Williams. "There was just the business side of things that had to be worked out with my agent (Darren Gill).''
Taman said Wednesday that Craig Smith, the Riders' director of player personnel, did most of the legwork on getting Williams signed.

"We knew that the intentions of Shomari (before the draft) were to play wherever he got picked,'' Taman said. "We weren't nervous about a holdout situation but any time you have a first-round pick, you want to be fair to him relative to what the other picks signed for over the years. Craig was able to do that with (Gill). We were confident that we would be able to get him signed before mini-camp.''

Williams, a 25-year-old native of Brampton, Ont., spent three seasons with the University of Houston Cougars before transferring to Queen's in 2009. He recorded 32 tackles and four sacks in six regular-season CIS games. He became a force in the Golden Gaels' run to the 2009 Vanier Cup championship. Williams had 26 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks and 7 1/2 tackles for losses in four playoff games.

Williams returned to Houston to continue training for his rookie season in the CFL. Taman said it's unlikely that Williams will start the season at defensive end. Williams is expected to contribute on special teams while working his way onto the defensive line.

"I want to do the best that I can,'' said Williams. "If that means helping out on special teams, that's what my role is. I want to put myself in the best possible position to see the field as much as I can.''

NOTES: On Wednesday the Riders also announced the signing of Taylor Wallace, a linebacker who spent five seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. Wallace, a native of Unity, was the 2009 Canada West most outstanding defensive player. Wallace had 38 defensive tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He dressed for 32 games in his career and recorded 133 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and three fumble recoveries ... Rookie camp is June 2 at Mosaic Stadium. Veterans are to report June 6.Read more:

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders+pick+Shomari+Williams+contract+place+live/3020132/story.html#ixzz0noPBVQjw

SHOMARI REMINDS US ...WHAT IT IS REALLY ALL ABOUT

"There is time for one more play, the team is down, and it is all on the line."

Any kid that has ever thrown the ball around in the local park or played hockey on a frozen pond has said something like that in his mind as he catches the throw from his buddy or scores the winning goal, before the street lights come on and it is time to head in to do homework.

In this year's CFL draft the first pick overall reminded everyone what playing sports is all about, and it is not the money. When Queens linebacker Shomari Williams was handed his Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey by none other than the great George Reed, his smile said it all. He didn't have to say a thing - you could tell that this young man was sincerely honoured to not only be picked by an organization with a tremendous football tradition but that, by getting drafted, he has been given an opportunity to live out his childhood dream.

Williams will not become an instant millionaire by being picked first overall in the CFL, and because he won't get a signing bonus equivalent to winning the lottery, he won't automatically be given three or four years to develop and make the team. What Williams has been given is a chance, an open door to put his foot through and see if he has what it takes to go that next step and enter a small fraternity.

There are two professional football leagues in the world and Williams - like 47 other players in this year's CFL draft - has been given an opportunity to play in one of them.

His interview was sincere and his facial expression reminded us that it is not about the money. We are all trying to make as much cash as we can, and I certainly don't begrudge an NHL or NFL first-round pick for becoming an instant millionaire, but that is not why we play, or at least it shouldn't be.

I have always felt that the money an athlete makes is simply a product of the market and the willingness of an owner to sign the cheque. I once had a conversation with an NHL hockey star who will remain nameless, and I asked him, "If you were getting paid $100,000 a year instead of $6 million, would you still play or would you do something else, and if you were paid less would you change your approach and effort level?" He of course said absolutely not, that he loved the game and while he obviously appreciated the lifestyle the money provided him, it wasn't his main motivation to play. An athlete should not be famous because he or she is rich, but famous because he or she has dedicated a life to being the best in the sport and playing at the highest possible level. When they are out there doing their thing, we as fans marvel at their skill level, and find inspiration in their competitive nature.

When it all comes down to it, that's really what every child that has played road hockey or thrown the ball around on the streets has in mind. Kids aren't counting money as they try and keep their toes in-bounds by the curb, or make that perfect pass to the front of the net; they are doing the play-by-play of themselves catching the winning touchdown in the Grey Cup or the Super Bowl or scoring the winning goal in the Stanley Cup final.

In this year's CFL draft the first pick overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Shomari Williams, reminded us of that with his reaction.

"Last play of the game, the Grey Cup is on the line...Williams drops back into coverage, there is the throw, it's picked off...Williams at the ten, Williams at the five, touchdown! The Riders' first round pick in 2010 wins the game in overtime!"

Hey, you never know, it could happen for Shomari Williams, and the first step for him on that journey at the professional level has begun. What we do know is that a chance to be part of a championship moment in sports like that is why you play the game, not the money.
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SHOMARI WILLIAMS INTERVIEW

SHOMARI WILLIAMS INTERVIEW.....CHECK OUT RIDER VISION

http://riderville.com/

RIDERS SELECTIONS IN THE 2010 DRAFT

Leader-Post staffMay 2, 2010

The Class of 2010

A closer look at the Saskatchewan Roughriders' selections in the 2010 CFL draft with comments from general manager Brendan Taman.


Name: Shomari Williams
Selected: First round (First overall)
Position: Linebacker
Age: 25

Dimensions: 6-foot-2, 235 pounds
Hometown: Brampton, Ont.
School: Queen's University Golden Gaels

The skinny: Registered 32 tackles and four and 8.5 tackles for losses in six regular-season games with Queen's in 2009 ... Had 26 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks and 7 1/2 tackles for losses during Queen's four-game playoff run to the Vanier Cup championship ... Dressed for 27 games at University of Houston over three seasons before transferring to Queen's to pursue an education degree ... Graduated from Houston with a degree in entrepreneurship.
Taman's take: "He's athletic and very good pass rusher. He's smooth, very strong and makes a lot of plays. This team has been built on character over the last little while and he fits into the mold nicely.''


Name: Jordan Sisco

Selected: Second round (Eighth overall)
Position: Slotback
Dimensions: 6-foot-1, 214 pounds
Age: 22
Hometown: Regina
School: University of Regina Rams

The skinny: Played 30 career CIS regular-season games .. Has 2,051 yards and 11 touchdowns on 141 receptions ... Canada West all-star in 2008 and 2009 ... Played quarterback for Riffel Royals.
Taman's take: "He's a football player, period. He's not going to run away from people but he knows how to play football. Getting Jordan was a real feather in our cap.''


Name: Patrick Neufeld.

Selected: Fifth round (33rd overall)
Position: Offensive line
Dimensions: 6-foot-5, 291 pounds
Age: 21
School: University of Saskatchewan Huskies
Hometown: Regina

The skinny: Spent three seasons with Huskies ... Canada West all-star in 2009 ... Graduate of Luther High School.
Taman's take: "He's an up and comer with a future. Realistically, he'll likely return to school for another year but he'll come to camp and have a good experience.''


Name: Bruno Lapointe

Selected: Fifth round (38th overall)
Position: Defensive end
Age: 24
Dimensions: 6-foot-4, 235 pounds.
Hometown: Lennoxville, Que.
School: University at Buffalo Bulls

The skinny: Has dressed for 27 games in four seasons with the Bulls ... Was slowed by shoulder injuries in 2007 and 2008 but started 12 games in 2009 ... Recorded 30 tackles, one sack and six tackles for losses.
Taman's take: "He's had some injury issues but there is a huge upside. He will probably play at Laval next year but he was too highly ranked on our board for us not to pick him.''
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RIDERS LAND JORDAN SISCO WITH #8 PICK

Jordan Sisco
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post files

REGINA — The football future looks bright for prospect Jordan Sisco.

The University of Regina Rams receiver could be playing in the NFL or the CFL after developments over the weekend. Sisco started the weekend by taking part in a mini-camp with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Shortly after completing that camp, the Regina product learned that he had been selected in the second round of the CFL draft by his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"I didn't even think about the draft once during practice today,'' Sisco said Sunday from Indianapolis. "As soon as it ended, I realized that the CFL draft started in five minutes and that my name could be called at any time. Going from not knowing if I was going to play pro football to having on opportunity to play on two teams is pretty exciting.''

The Riders landed Sisco with the eighth overall pick. The selection of Sisco and that of linebacker Shomari Williams from Queen's University with the first overall pick left the Riders feeling pretty good about their two top picks in the draft.

"Getting Jordan was a real feather in our cap,'' said Riders general manager Brendan Taman.
The Roughriders were so pleased with the acquisition of Sisco that they are willing to wait and see what takes place with the Colts. Sisco wasn't sure what takes place next but thought he might be invited to another mini-camp on May 16. He also thought that he could be invited to the Colts' main training camp in the summer.

"We'll have to see what happens after my agents talk to them,'' said Sisco. "If the Colts invite me back I will be here until I hear otherwise. I won't be disappointed wherever I go. It wouldn't be a bad thing going home to play football if things don't work out here.''
It sounds like the mini-camp was an eye-opener for Sisco.

"There is a lot of terminology and the playbook is just crazy,'' said Sisco. "You think of (Colts quarterback) Peyton Manning, who is a genius, along with (senior offensive assistant) Tom Moore putting together a playbook . . . Just learning it and doing the plays was a lot of hard work. The coaches helped me out. They told me when I was doing something right and when I was doing something wrong. I learned a lot and it was good.''

Sisco was also impressed with Manning.

"He came out, introduced himself and shook the hand of every player at the mini-camp,'' said Sisco, who didn't run any routes with Manning. "It's not as if we didn't know him. I thought that was pretty nice.''

Sisco, 6-foot-1 and 214 pounds, is projected as a slotback. The Riders selected him despite being well-stocked with Canadian receivers. Among those receivers is slotback Jason Clermont, another graduate of the Rams.

Clermont signed with the Riders as a free agent in 2009 after seven seasons with the B.C. Lions. Taman said that Clermont remains part of the Riders' plans in 2010.
"When he came in here last year, the role that he was given maybe wasn't communicated to him the way it should have been,'' said Taman. "He wants to play and he will get every opportunity to do that.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.comRead more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Saskatchewan+Roughriders+happy+land+Regina+Jordan+Sisco+2010+draft/2978606/story.html#ixzz0mrqeFfvJ

RIDERS SELECT SHOMARI WILLIAMS #1

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected Shomari Williams as the No. 1 pick in Sunday's CFL draft.
Photograph by: Troy Fleece, Leader-Post

REGINA — Brendan Taman wasn't willing to risk losing a shot at linebacker Shomari Williams.
The Saskatchewan Riders' general manager wanted the Queen's University product so badly that Taman completed a pre-draft trade with the Toronto Argonauts for the first overall pick in Sunday's CFL draft. Taman sent the Riders' second and fourth overall picks and the rights to non-import punter Jamie Boreham to Toronto for the No. 1 and No. 8 selections.

Taman used the first overall pick to select Williams, who was the top-rated player by the CFL's Scouting Bureau. Taman then selected University of Regina Rams receiver and Regina product Jordan Sisco with the first pick of the second round.

"The talks (with the Argos) went on for a while because we really wanted the guy that we took,'' Taman said Sunday during a media conference to introduce Williams at Mosaic Stadium. "We were very concentrated on getting Shomari's rights. We didn't want to wait for our second pick and risk that if (the Argos) didn't pick him. There were some concerns that we might get one-upped by someone else. We didn't think we sold the farm to get the picks, so we felt it was a pretty good deal for us.''

The Riders then had to wait for the draft to work its way to their eighth selection. They used that pick to select Sisco, who had spent the weekend attending a mini-camp with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Sisco hasn't signed with the Colts, so his status remains uncertain. Taman said he's willing to wait no matter how long it takes.

"Jordan is a Saskatchewan kid and he's played in this environment,'' said Taman. "He knows what Saskatchewan is all about and he has been a productive player. We're excited to get him. We were doing jumping jacks after that.''

Sisco sounded just as pleased to be selected by the Riders when reached in Indianapolis before returning to Regina.

"When you're little you cheer for them every weekend,'' said Sisco. "I never expected that I would be picked by them. I know a lot of the guys because I've either played with them or been introduced to them. Its exciting and I can't wait to see where am I in the next month or two.''

The Riders concluded the draft with two picks in the fifth round. They selected University of Saskatchewan Huskies offensive lineman and Regina product Patrick Neufeld with the 33rd pick overall and Bruno Lapointe, a defensive end from the University at Buffalo Bulls, with the 38th overall pick.

"We got the top guys we wanted to get with our top two picks,'' Taman said. "We had those guys earmarked and we were able to get them.''

What would take place with the first-round pick was the subject of a great deal of speculation prior to the draft. Taman said he confirmed the deal with Toronto on Friday, thus was able to fly in Williams for Sunday's media conference. The two were expected to complete details on a three-year contract late Sunday.

Williams, a native of Brampton, Ont., was as close to a consensus No. 1 pick in this year's draft as there was. He had heard the buzz about being selected first and his named being included in the trade talks.

"I got to make history by being the No. 1 pick and I'm coming to a great organization,'' Williams said. "It was crazy and you never know how it's all going to play out. Toronto would have been a good fit for me because it was close to home. I also knew that Saskatchewan was a good organization to go to. As soon as I knew it was a done deal, I was ecstatic.''

Williams played defensive end with Queen's and shared in the school's 33-32 victory over the Calgary Dinos in the 2009 Vanier Cup. He's expected to play the same position with the Riders.
"He was a positional need,'' said Taman. "He's a defensive end who will be a big part of our special teams going forward. He'll get some playing time on defence as his career goes on. He's a guy with a big future and we're looking forward to seeing him develop.''

The uncertainty around the status of the draft was heightened by some of the top prospects signing NFL contracts or attending mini-camps on the weekend. Williams, who spent three seasons at the University of Houston before joining Queen's last year, didn't pursue any NFL options.

"My agent (Darren Gill) put me in the best position to be a top prospect in the CFL,'' said Williams. "As a Canadian growing up here and playing in the system, I wanted to be here. I figured this would be the best opportunity for me to develop as a player.

"If the NFL is something that happens in the future, I can hone my skills here but I get to be part of the community here and get to be a somebody.''Read more:

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