Rod Pedersen
CFL.ca
Happy New Year?
The start of 2010 has proven to be interesting times for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Friday, January 8, 2010 won’t go down as a red letter day in Rider history because on that day, Eric Tillman announced his resignation as General Manager after three and a half seasons at the helm of Canada’s Team. It marked the end of the most successful run the football club had enjoyed in more than a generation which included two Grey Cup appearances and a CFL championship in 2007.
Later that day it was learned the Riders’ top defensive player – and the 2009 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player – John Chick had signed a three year contract with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. The losses of Tillman and Chick look to be devastating blows to the franchise.
After a few days of absorbing the news, Rider President Jim Hopson began the search for Tillman’s replacement and hopes to have someone named before long.
“I’d say somewhere within one to three weeks,” Hopson told CKRM Radio in Regina. “Having said that I know people will be saying ‘hey it’s been three weeks’ but I don’t want to wait too long. February 15 is the start of the free agency period and we need to get ready for the Canadian Draft. I don’t want to take too long but I do have a high degree of comfort with where we’re at right now.”
Hopson’s referring to the consortium of personnel who have handled football operations over the past 11 months while Tillman was on paid administrative leave. The group includes Director of Football Operations Brendan Taman, head scout Joe Womack and head coach Ken Miller.
Ken Miller has already indicated he’s not interested in a GM/head coach combo while Hopson acknowledged the leading candidates are Taman and Womack. However ideally, he’d like to keep them both under the Riders’ employ.
“Yes, as crazy as that sounds,” Hopson explained. “That would be unusual because people have egos and feelings but both these guys are pro’s and they love being a part of this franchise. They want to be here. If you have respect for people and what they bring, and the environment they’re in is one of collaboration. You always want to be in an environment where you’re valued and if either one of those two isn’t the guy, I think if they feel they’re contributing and appreciated I think we can keep them.”
“On the other hand I’m hearing Brendan is a strong contender in Winnipeg and both have the ability that they could go elsewhere. That’s what happens when you get good people.”
Hopson has also spoken to CFL Director of Officiating Tom Higgins, who has expressed interest in the job. The Rider President also revealed he has received inquiries from people “who I was surprised to hear from to be honest with you.”
As for the Colts’ signing of Chick, it was an easy pick-up for Indianapolis. The NFL team’s Canadian scout is Cal Murphy, the Canadian Football Hall of Famer who makes his home in Regina. He saw most of Chick’s 2009 games as well as several of the Rider practices.
“First of all his character is impeccable as you know,” Murphy reported. “But he’s a tough football player who plays every play right to the end. He plays across the field; he doesn’t only play at the long. He plays the long perimeter, in other words from sideline to sideline.”
“We’re looking at him at defensive end, no question about it. First of all we worked him out, and we’re not the only team. Other teams tried to sign him so they saw some things as well. People say we’ve got Freeney, we’ve got Mathis, but we play more than two defensive ends. He’s got speed, he can get up field and he’s going to be tremendous.”
Chick and Rider teammate Stevie Baggs combined to form the CFL’s most formidable defensive end duo, but the Riders are facing the prospect of going into 2010 without both of them. Baggs is set to become a free agent February 15 and has hired American agent Chad Speck as he plans to sign with the top bidder.
Interesting times indeed.
