Sunday Morning 'Rider Blogging

So far, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' offseason looks thoroughly unimpressive.

Sure, a team can't stop key players from retiring like Jeremy O'Day, or taking their shot at the NFL like Andy Fantuz. But it can try to make up for those losses by looking for young, high-upside Canadian talent - and on that front the 'Riders have given away more than they've taken in, while a rapidly-rebuilding Edmonton team not only snatched up ex-'Rider Donovan Alexander but also grabbed former Ram and #1 pick Chris Bauman for free.

Meanwhile, the 'Riders' one player pick-up involved winning a bidding war to pay top dollar to a 34-year-old lineman who's been so much as a divisional All-Star exactly once in his career - making for as much of a low-upside, high-downside transaction as one could possibly imagine.

But the offseason is young, and there are still plenty of players available (to say nothing of the glut of rookie talent that may come on the market if the NFL does lock out its players). For now, the 'Riders' sights figure to be limited to the CFL's free agent list - so let's take a look at who beyond Saskatchewan's own free agents might be worth pursuing based on the combination of talent and price.

1. Brandon Browner, CB - In most cases, I'm not a fan of paying big money to try to lure a player away from another team. But every rule has its exceptions - and Browner looks to be far too good a fit for the 'Riders to pass up if he returns from the NFL's Seattle Seahawks in 2011.

After all, two of the 'Riders' biggest weaknesses in 2010 were an inability to cover a single top opposing receiver (due in large part to a secondary filled mostly with smaller players), and a propensity to give up big kick returns. And those areas of need mesh perfectly with Browner's talents: he's a big, athletic defender who can single-handedly take even a top receiver out of a game, and also a special-teams demon known for cutting down returners before they get started.

Of course, the Stampeders will figure to want Browner back as well. But he'll have his pick of CFL teams if he does return - and the 'Riders should do everything they can, including offering an elite-level contract, to get Browner into the green and white if they get the chance.

2. Chris Leak, QB - No, he hasn't had the chance to prove much in the CFL yet. But with Anthony Calvillo back for another season in Montreal and Adrian McPherson next in line for playing time, it wouldn't be surprising if Leak is looking for a chance to move up someone's depth chart sooner rather than later. And the 'Riders would seem to be able to offer a better opportunity to win a backup job to start the 2011 season than any other CFL team.

3. Jermaine Reid, DT - The one area where there's loads of free-agent talent available is the defensive line. But instead of going for an older, higher-priced option like Kevin Huntley or Eric Taylor, the 'Riders might be best served picking up a non-import who may have some untapped upside if he can earn more regular playing time. And Reid showed enough promise in 2010 (4 sacks for Hamilton) to be worth a look.

4. Adam Nicolson, WR - Of course, Bauman would have been a better fit in every way than Nicolson, who was already deemed expendable by the 'Riders last year when they shipped him out for Prechae Rodriguez. But Saskatchewan does have an opening for a big possession receiver, and even if he's on the verge of falling into journeyman status Nicolson is the best option left on the free-agent market.

5. Justin Medlock, P/K - I noted last season that Medlock would have been an ideal fit for the 'Riders to provide a strong punter who could step in to replace Luca Congi as placekicker in the event of another injury. This offseason, both Medlock and Damon Duval fit that bill among the CFL's free agents - and while Eddie Johnson is a great fallback option as a punter, the 'Riders may want to see whether the price is right in looking for more special-teams flexibility.