Tillman front and centre

An interesting article from Rob Vanstone re: Joseph and his contract today entitled “JOSEPH CAN EXPECT SOME COMPETITION”. It essentially boils down what the most fans would have thought and that is Joseph didn’t really have much choice with the re-structuring. The market is limited and $225 K is better then starting out at a new job. The only question I have is the article title; it only talks about competition on the very last paragraph. Frankly unless Joseph gets hurt or absolutely cannot grasp Austin’s offensive system there will no competition and hopefully that is the way it shakes out. The last thing Austin needs in his first year is a QB controversy.

Another article from the Vancouver Province entitled “TILLMAN WOULD LIKE CLERMONT IN RIDER GREEN” talks about the GM meetings in Montreal and how the Clermont to the RIDERS story won’t die.

If any of you heard Clermont on the 104.9 the WOLF last month it was pretty clear that he was bidding his time before a return to Regina

….I am getting married in Regina…

….my future wife is in Regina…

….I just completed my realtor’s course and I am working for a local realty….

It’s pretty obvious that he will be here next year as a free agent so it does not give much leverage to Buono. Tillman is also good to play it cool and not get sucked into the PR game. The previous regime passed on Clermont and WR is not an immediate need for the RIDERS. Rumours of Buono chasing Wayne Smith or wanting unsigned non-import OL Chris Best should stay that way. Non-import talent is the key to winning in this league. With Fantuz establishing himself as a legitimate WR and Smith widely regarded as a Canadian OL combined with the potential of Best you would have a very strong core of skilled Canadians something you can have enough off.