Riders Off-Season Begins With A Lot of Questions
Future of 16 Free Agents and General Manager In The Air
The future of General Manager Eric Tillman is a question that's been lingering throughout the whole season, but now there are questions about the future of Tillman and what that means to some of the 16 Rider free agents this season.
Veteran defensive tackle Marcus Adams admits there is some doubt over who's going to be running Saskatchewan's front office heading into free agency, "We talk about that all the time, 'what's going to happen in the front office' and I feel like guys are waiting to see what happens in the front office before they sign back."
Since Tillman was put on administrative leave after being charged with sexual assault Head Coach Ken Miller was put at the top of the front office and heading into the off-season hopes the question of his General Manager's future is finally answered, "The sooner that we can get clarity than our operation can go forward much faster and a much smoother pace."
The Roughriders free agent list is a daunting one, as 11 of the possible free agents started in the Riders Grey Cup loss.
Western All-Star defensive end Stevie Baggs says he would love to comeback to Saskatchewan after the opportunity he was given to become a regular starter with the Roughriders. Baggs is also pondering the future of the general manager, "I think that's one of the things you have to take into consideration, not knowing what's going on in management so you don't know what's going to go on with yourself."
Miller says they will know begin the process to prioritize their free agents, "Well, as soon as possible and that's one of the things we have to get done in the very near term."
PLAYERS WANT DAVIS BACK
If the players had to decide who should be at the top of the priority list for their free agents it would be 36-year old Eddie Davis.
"Eddie Davis knows his football, he teaches well to the other guys, everybody learns from Eddie" stated linebacker Renauld Williams, "It's just a pleasure to be around him, to learn from him and that's how you become a better football player."
Potential free agent James Patrick tutored under Davis for the last two seasons, "He's vocal, he's the legend of the team, it's just not the secondary, it's the whole team, it's the defense (that gain) just to come in and see him do what he do."
As for Davis, "The decision (to play) isn't something that has to happen right away. I'm going to take my time and enjoy this off-season and once it comes time for me to sign a contract or whether or not Saskatchewan wants me back or whoever will want me, we'll sit down and talk about that with my wife and family and go from there."
Some are speculating that this was Davis' last season but he feels he's still got a few more years left. Now it's up to the Riders, "I don't know which way the organization is trying to go right now. I know I'm in my 15th season and they may be trying to go in a totally different direction so I'm just going to wait and see."
FREE AGENT LIST
QB - Steven Jyles
RB - Wes Cates
RB - Hugh Charles
RB - Stu Foord
FB - Chris Szarka
WR - Gerran Walker
OL - Marc Parenteau
OL - Chris Best
DT - Marcus Adams
DE - Stevie Baggs
DL - Luc Mullinder
LB - Tad Kornegay
DB - Eddie Davis
DB - Omarr Morgan
DB - James Patrick
LS - Jocelyn Frenette
Comments
Riders
Get rid of Cates, Walker and Patrick - sign the rest.........
agreed with the first 2 but
agreed with the first 2 but JP has had a pretty decent season...i think he should be re-signed
I don't think so! Cates is
I don't think so! Cates is awesome! He did great in the grey cup and throughout the season!
Free Agents
I wish the decision would be that easy. I'm thinking Jyles gets traded before the FA period begins. Some of the vets will not be re-signed. Stu Foord is a keeper
Re-Riders
Buddy, where have you been all year ????
Get rid of Cates, Walker, Patrick ??
All three are quality players, & the Riders should try there best to sign them again.
I can truthfully see one out of the three going, but will not say which one.
Fumbling Jyles can take a
Fumbling Jyles can take a hike
Did you mean Jyles CAN'T
Did you mean Jyles CAN'T take a hike... since he fumbles... anyway, I hope they can keep the core of the team together and management can resolve the legal issues. If so, next year will be another exciting one.
Stevie Baggs better come
Stevie Baggs better come back. I just got a Baggs jersey :(
I also agree Stevie Baggs
I also agree Stevie Baggs should stay
There is a Free Agent out of Calgary that would be a good fit!
Maybe it is time to put Cates as a secondary rusher and add a guy like J. Renolds from the Stamps. Nothing like taking the only thing left in their line-up worth keeping. That would be an instant push downwards for the Stamps and something that the Riders need more consistancy from in their line-up. Cates is a a very good player but injuries and inconsistency hurts the Riders. Renolds from Calgary hasn't been injured in a few years and would help the Riders a lot knowing they won't fall short on the run game!
Reynolds and stuff
While I will agree that aquiring Reynolds would be an instant boost to the Riders offense and huge burn to Calgary, I don't think the Riders would have the cap space left to lock down the core of those 16 free agents and still be able to sign Durant to a long term extension.
Cates is still a serviceable starter. He had the same amount of 100 yard rushing games as Fred Reid. He only missed out on the 1000 yard season because he missed the first 2 games of the season and I highly doubt he was 100% when he got back. Then add to the fact that as Durant progressed throughout the season, they went to more of a pass first offense. He still had over 1200 yards from scrimmage and 7 touchdowns. Cates needs to be a priority re-sign.
Stevie Baggs, Eddie Davis, Omar Morgan and Chunky Adams must also be a priority re-sign. Our defense is the backbone of this team and must be kept intact.
Reynolds and stuff
As long as Edmonton doesn't dominate the free agent market again
Re-Reynolds and stuff
I don't think that Edmonton has many $,s left in the cap after the guys they signed last year.
"GO-GETTEM-RIDERS" !!!!!
What about Getzlaf and Rob
What about Getzlaf and Rob Bagg? Aren't they free agents as well?
Bagg
What happened to Rob Bagg what is broken
I think Bagg broke his
I think Bagg broke his collarbone but I'm not sure. With regards free agency I think our priority is to lock up the hoggies. Parenteau and Best are future all-stars. Jyles can move on and let's develop Bell and Harrell(sp?). Frenette isn't too expensive, did a good job at longsnapping so probably not a tough re-sign. It's always nice to have an o-lineman as your longsnapper as you never know what happens with injuries during the game. Kornegay is a must and Morgan and Davis just get better with age. Stevie Baggs needs to be re-signed as well. I think you bring Cates in along with Charles and have an open competition at running back. Cates is good but was 8th in league rushing and not getting any younger. I think Mullinder is valuable as can play any position on the d-line. As for the rest (James Patrick, Marcus Adams, Gerran Walker, Chris Szarka and Stu Foord) I wouldn't be heart broken to lose them.
Eric Tillman ?
It seems the players have been talking about what is going to happen in the front office.
I presume they mean Eric Tillman.
I wonder if they mean that they will,or will not sign if Eric is still going to be the G.M.?
I personally think that if Eric is found not guilty, he should be kept on as the Riders G.M.& to hell with what the public may think.
If he is found giulty, I can't really say that I would want him back, or not.
He has done allot for the Riders, but would the public opinion be enough force the Riders to let him go?
Again, just my thoughts, but I think that if he is found guilty, his carrier in football could very easily be finished.
Either way, guilty or not, there will be fingers pointed @ him.
I really hope that if there is enough evidence to find him not guilty, he should be kept on, but on the other hand if there is enough evidence to find him guilty, then he should be punished the same as any other person.
I honestly thought that the charge(s)against him would be dropped along time ago, but I guess there must be enough evidence against him to have it going to court in Jan/2010.
Either way, guilty or not, it's going to be a very tough call on the Riders Board of Governers part.
I was realy glad to here that COACH MILLER is going to be back next year.
He deserves another "GREY CUP RING".
"GO-GETTEM-RIDERS" !!!!!
I hope they keep Jyles. He
I hope they keep Jyles. He is an excellent QB. You people are just being rediculously short sighted in Jyles. When Durant had a 56k headwind, Durant could not throw the ball, but Jyles connected downfield without issue. His paases are accurate and he gets the job done. Who will do short yardage without Jyles? Jyles deserves playing time and a starting position. Toronto, Winnipeg, and Hamilton are likely prospects for Jyles. I hope he stays in Saskatchewan.
Wes Cates is AMAZING!!! Who cares about Reynolds? Look how Calgary did against Saskatchewan this year with Reynolds. I will take Cates over Reynolds any day. Cates can block and create plays that many other running backs cannot do. So there!
All the players we had this year can stay. They are all excellent, and don't pick on any of them!
Jyles & Cates
I have nothing personal against Jyles & he could be a great quarterback someday, but... almost for sure he is going to Winnipeg in the offseason. With Durant proving he is a bonafide starter & Graham Harrell being around, there's just no room. & let's not forget that Graham Harrell cost a pretty penny to bring to sask., hence the reason Graham was put on the injured list right away so that he didn't count against the salary cap.
As far as Cates goes he MUST be a priority resign. People have looked at his rushing stats for this season & the forget a few important facts:
1) Wes missed a few games.
2) He came back injured and played a few games while not at 100%.
*3) (Most importantly) Even if his rushing stats weren't as impressive this year as in the past, Wes is one of the best blocking running backs in the league & also he has the best receiving hands for a running back in the league also.
4) Our offensive line tends to be stronger at pass blocking than run blocking.
Just some thoughts.
get rid of
You obviously have to get rid of jyles. No ofence to him,
but he cant hang on to the ball when it comes to short yardige. plus we have D.Bell who could easily do short yardige. Then Harrel at third string.and cates just doesnt hit the holes we need someone like Renolds. He runs right through the hole. If you cant get him then give the job to Foord. he deserves it!!! We need JP. He is all over the field every play. Kornagay and Baggs are a MUST. We for sure cant loose Baggs. Szarka isnt a must, because we have Hughes, but i would like to see him back in the green and white!!!! Davis and Morgan are just getting better with age!!! They are a must. Chris Best just got signed and thats a good thing, he is a future all star. Get rid of Charles! Walker isnt needed, but I prefer we sign someone else to replace him. Green is going to the cup next year!!!!
hmmmm
lose frenette, best, charles, walker and jyles....
must haves; cates, foord, szarka, mullinder, davis and morgan