Sunday, January 02, 2011

Sunday Morning 'Rider Blogging - Saskatchewan Free Agents

With the most significant decision of the 'Riders' offseason apparently having been made already, the next order of business for the team will presumably be to make the best possible use of the CFL's free agent list. So let's use the same classifications as last year to take a look at the 'Riders' list of remaining free agents.*

Must-Signs

C Jeremy O'Day - He remained the 'Riders' Most Oustanding Offensive Lineman in 2010, so the team figures to be plenty happy with his production on the field. And with the 'Riders having traded Jonathan St. Pierre (seemingly O'Day's heir at centre) last season, he should have the chance to anchor the 'Riders' line as long as he wants to.

DB Lance Frazier - Along with James Patrick, one of two current 'Rider defensive backs who combines the veteran savvy to know when to take risks with the athleticism to take advantage when the opportunity arises.

DB Chris McKenzie - With any luck, the next to join the same group. The one caveat in re-signing both Frazier and McKenzie is that it would once again leave the 'Riders fairly small at the halfback position - but there's one intriguing possibility to remedy that once the rest of the league's free agents hit the market.

Worth Bringing Back

OL Gene Makowsky - Not classified as a "must" due to the fact that he's hinted that he may decide to hang up the cleats. But from the 'Riders' standpoint, Makowsky's versatility and experience make him well worth bringing back if he wants to play football in 2011.

T Joel Bell - Again, more a matter of whether he wants to return than whether the 'Riders would choose to sign him. Bell's size and athleticism would seem to give him a chance to catch on in the NFL - though naturally Saskatchewan would prefer to see him settle in as a fixture on the 'Riders' line for years to come.

LB Sean Lucas - Might find another team willing to overpay for his tackle totals from an outside linebacker position - and if so the 'Riders have plenty of replacements waiting in the wings. But as long as the price is right, he's worth keeping around for his combination of tackling and coverage skills.

LB/DB Daniel Francis - If Lucas does go elsewhere, Francis should take advantage of the opening. If not, then Francis will get to choose whether to wait for an opportunity in Saskatchewan or look elsewhere.

LB Kye Stewart - Another piece of the 'Riders' depth at linebacker who figures to be looking for a starting job if one is available.

LB/DL Kitwana Jones - Jones' future may depend on the 'Riders' second wave of coaching choices over the next few weeks. In a Gary Etcheverry scheme which relies on speed and misdirection rather than size, he's an extremely valuable player. But if Richie Hall is put back in charge of a more traditional defence, Jones may no longer be a fit for the 'Riders.

Probably Looking Elsewhere

FB Neal Hughes - He's getting less chances to play offensively than he did a couple of seasons ago, and his window to replace Chris Szarka as the 'Riders' top fullback looks to be closing as Szarka hangs on into his mid-30s. So both he and the team may have reason to want to test other options.

T Wayne Smith - Still has the potential to be one of the league's better offensive linemen. But he's probably spent enough years on the IR for the 'Riders to move on and let somebody else take the risk that he'll get hurt again.

* Note that Mike McCullough isn't included above since he's already re-signed with the team.

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