Monday Morning Sentimonies: The Offseason is Upon Us

It’s a week before Christmas and the Riders have already named a head coach… the likely means there will be as much Rider news over the next couple of weeks as there will news on the Easter Bunny. Those of you who have been with the blog for a while now will be used to what happens this time of the year. I either attempt to turn the few minor snippets of CFL news into a loosely coherent post… or I just make up filler posts that are only loosely based on football.

Today I will opt for the former since there are actually a few tidbits of CFL News floating around out there. After that I can’t make any promises. There will likely some Christmas based filler post to close out the week. I will then take a not-so deserved break over Christmas and be back in the New Year… likely with more filler of varying quality and coherency. I figure if I set expectations low, my readers are less likely to be disappointed. Under-promise and over-deliver (or at least deliver on par), that’s what I always say.

One of the bigger stories is the Fantuz drama. There are reports (albeit from less than reputable sources) that the Riders have made an offer to Fantuz for a 3 year deal that would make him the highest paid non-QB in the league. This deal has not been accepted by Fantuz and his agent. This of course has sent Rider Nation into hissy fit of whiny little girl proportions. People are freaking out that he is for sure leaving us now, they are calling him all sorts of names… I’m sure a few are even plotting a Tonya Harding-style hit on the guy.

Sad as it may be, I yet again have to be the calm voice of reason here (you people should all be ashamed). Calm down people! For one, yes that seems like a ridiculously large amount of money if it’s true. Fantuz is awesome but to pay him more than a Geroy Simon (who I believe is currently the highest paid WR and a future hall of famer) or a Josh Bourke (an elite Canadian tackle) seems a bit crazy… but this is Taman we are talking about. He paid Dorsey and Sean Lucas 6 figures a piece so the fact that he is offering crazy money to someone with talent is at least a positive.

As for the people assuming Fantuz is a greedy bastard who will be bolting the first chance he gets… firstly yes he is greedy. I don’t blame him, its just plain smart business to maximize your value in the workplace. Secondly, all this means is Fantuz won’t sign any deal until free agency. He wants to see what else he can get. Again, I don’t blame him for doing that. He’s a worker in a career with a limited length, not a charity case. If our offer is competitive he’ll stay. There is a risk we lose him which would suck… but I say if someone is willing to pay him more than we are then power to them. They can take that cap hit and Taman can put the money towards other ridiculous contracts… I mean Wes Cates needs a new deal and he’s like our MVP :) Four More Years! Four More Years!

I for one won’t get caught up in this drama. If he stays great, if he rejects our crazy offer and bolt for an even crazier offer then so be it.

NFL Watch

Khalif Mitchell – has a workout with Miami

Marcus Thigpen – has a workout with Miami

Jovan Olafioye – has a workout with Miami, Minnesota, Cleveland, Pittsburg and the NY Jets.



CFL Ins and Outs

Edmonton

In: OL Greg Wojt, K Derek Shiavone (contract extension)

Toronto

In: LB Gregory Alexander (2011 Draft Pick signing), DL Jonathan Pierre Etienne (free agent signing)