Tick Tock

It's the Canadian Football League's version of Christmas Eve. Free Agency strikes tonight at 12:01 am EST. So, some of the players at the top of Santa's Wish List include:

WR Toby Ziegler, LB Rocky Schwartz, RB Lavarus Giles.....ooops wrong list.

OL Rob Murphy, LB Maurice Lloyd, LB Anton McKenzie and RB Jesse Lumsden among others.

Many Rider fans are wondering will Mo Lloyd still be around under the Rider tree or will he be scooped up by some Grinch west of here? What about Anton McKenzie? Number 42 apparently verbally agreed to a deal with the Riders and then changed his mind. The players honored their contracts with the Riders and earned their time to check out what the market will bear as far as Free Agency Clink goes. Certainly I know very little about where these guys will call home in 2009. However, I get a queasy feeling when thoughts turn to where the top Dawgs on this year's market will end up.

In 2005, Henry Burris gave Rider Fans the ol' don't worry.....everything will work out.....yada yada. Certainly players have to say the right thing when it comes to dealing with the media regarding free agency. Never say too much, never tip your hand and never burn bridges. It's kind of disconcerting to hear players negotiating with their team through the media. I guess that's why I feel that MoLo is as good as gone. He did however, come out on his Maurice Lloyd Facebook Fan Club page and comment that negotiations continue on....despite the fact "some reporter" apparently had Mo hitting the dusty trail. I said it before and I'll say it again. Maurice Lloyd is the heart and soul of the Rider D and I hope he stays. So, if your listening Mo?.....Section 28 and the rest of the Rider Nation wants you back in Mo'town'.

Anton McKenzie had an outstanding year. He replaced Reggie Hunt and was close to the top of the league in tackles all year until he was slowed by a stinger. He was solid. Great speed and he sticks his nose in there. He's on my list of favorite players to watch. Losing one of these two may not be the be-all-to-end-all....but, losing both will have the LB core lacking some continuity in 2009.

The not so surprising release of Matt Dominguez was a move that surely freed up some cash to put towards the signing of Free Agents. Now it's time for Santa Miller to Show the Dough to Mo and Co.

edit: DB James Johnson has been traded by the Riders to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in exchange for a future late round draft pick....... Another salary dump to have money to throw at Lloyd and McKenzie???
http://communities.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/blogs/roughriders/archive/2009/02/15/james-johnson-traded.aspx