Simon traded to Riders

[WestCoastJoe]

A number of Riders' fans are concerned that Geroy is making more money than Dressler.

So Taman has to be thinking that Geroy will lead the Riders in receiving. But no, they still expect Dressler to do that, as their primary target.

With reduced expectations from Geroy's great years, I have to wonder why the Riders went so large on the contract. If Geroy was still considered the number one receiver in the CFL, it would make total sense. But the Riders don't even consider him number one on their team.

If Dressler was not there, a different story ...

A lot of pressure on Geroy. The fans won't be happy if his results are not all star calibre (loyalty to Dressler who is paid less than Geroy). Or if he injures his hamstring.

I guess the Riders feel Geroy can still be a 1200-1500 yards receiver. And they feel he can set the tone for their younger guys. And it has obviously given a boost to their season, fan excitement, jersey sales, et cetera.

A bit puzzling (in the early morning). A bit of a gamble by Taman (Doesn't it seem that Geroy has to have an outstanding year, without injury, lest the fans feel they paid too much?) Will Durant and Cortez figure out how to get great mileage from Geroy in their offence? And a bit of a gamble by Geroy (He could have accepted a very good contract from B.C., and continued on his way into everlasting glory here).

Wally wanted him back, in a reduced role, with a reduced salary (guessing $125,000). Geroy chose the bigger salary (Understandable, but he is giving up considerable marketing revenue here. And this will be much reduced on his eventual return. He could have been a marketing icon here forever.)

And no doubt Geroy wants all those CFL records (Understandable, but he could have done that here).

Geroy made the decision. More money? Yes. Less marketing revenue long term? Probably. More records? Probably. Primary focus of the offence? Not likely.

I wonder how many GMs saw the situation the same as Taman in terms of salary. But then football in Regina may be somewhat different than the other CFL cities (biggest game in town; huge merchandise sales).

[cromartie]

They Riders will make any contract excess up on the marketing side. And more power to them. As for the on the field results, only time will tell. I don't quite share the optimism Taman does, though I think Geroy will be fine, ultimately.

[cromartie]

Willes: Geroy Simon’s trade could be poor final act to his CFL career

By Ed Willes, The ProvinceJanuary 27, 2013

In honour of the NFL's Pro Bowl, here's something else no one pays attention to: the Monday morning musings and meditations on the world of sports.

After 12 seasons with the B.C. Lions, Geroy Simon certainly earned the right to leave on his own terms but there's still something about his decision which doesn't sit right.

Money, we're told, wasn't the problem, largely because his off-field endorsements in the Lower Mainland would have compensated for any haircut he'd receive in re-signing with the Lions.

That leaves his much-debated role with the team to examine and that's where things get murky.

At 37, there were questions about whether he could contribute at his customary level. But if Simon still believes he's a “1,500-yard receiver,” why didn't he demonstrate that to the Lions' coaching staff?

Admittedly, we weren't privy to the conversations between Wally Buono and Simon but it just doesn't figure the great receiver was told explicitly, he couldn't compete for the feature receiver role. During the Buono era the Lions have been about winning. That has meant putting the best players in the best position to succeed. If Simon was still the team's best option as the feature receiver, you have to believe he would have been given that opportunity.

Simon became the CFL's all-time leader in receiving yards because, first and foremost, he's a ferocious competitor. Clearly, things had changed for him but if he could still deliver the goods, he'd get his opportunities with the Lions. Now, he's going to Saskatchewan and a system and players with which he isn't familiar.

Sorry, it just doesn't seem like the best decision for the final act of his brilliant career.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Wille ... z2JJVhm9gv

Someone had to write the nonsensical skeptics column, and I guess WIlles drew the short straw.

[Toppy Vann]

Admittedly, we weren't privy to the conversations between Wally Buono and Simon but it just doesn't figure the great receiver was told explicitly, he couldn't compete for the feature receiver role. During the Buono era the Lions have been about winning. That has meant putting the best players in the best position to succeed. If Simon was still the team's best option as the feature receiver, you have to believe he would have been given that opportunity.

The only part that is true is not being privy to the Buono-Simon-agent talks.

It is true that Wally has historically made decisions on players about their best before date or their role.

Lyle Green - a good example who good do more than he was allowed.

Paris Jackson - you'd have to be on the moon not to know they said what his role was to be.

Jamall Johnson - assigned to spec. teams only.

Angus Reid a few years back - no compete - Valli to be Center. Not invited to voluntary off season meetings as in prior years.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/footba ... story.html

Riders welcome Geroy Simon in many roles

By Murray McCormick, Leader-Post January 29, 2013

Riders welcome Geroy Simon in many roles

The Saskatchewan Roughriders rolled out the green carpet Monday for newly acquired slotback Geroy Simon.

Simon was officially introduced as a member of the Roughriders after being acquired from the B.C. Lions on Thursday for receiver Justin Harper and a third-round selection in the 2014 CFL draft. The hoopla and ceremony surrounding Monday's happenings were similar to what takes place when a new head coach is hired.

Simon's first media conference was conducted in the Riders' Mosaic Stadium locker room. Off-season media events are usually staged in the visitors' locker room. Simon not only met with the media, he was to meet with the team's coaching staff and with fans during a 90-minute autograph session at the Rider Store.

The full day of events around Simon's off-season appearance in Regina underscores the significance of the trade for the league's all-time leader in receiving yardage.

"How do you pass up on Geroy Simon?'' Jim Hopson, president and CEO of the Roughriders, said Monday. "He's an iconic figure in the CFL. I think of George Reed and Ronnie Lancaster and (Simon) will be in that category. He's an all-time great player and an all-time great guy.''

The Riders view Simon as a triple threat. He may be 37, but they feel he can still contribute as the No. 2 receiver behind veteran slot-back Weston Dressler. Head coach Corey Chamblin said they are counting on Simon to be a team leader. They are also looking for Simon to be active off the field in marketing the team.

"We have so many guys like Dressler and Chris Get-zlaf who are very active in the community,'' Hopson said. "Having Geroy represent us or be the face of the team only helps us. It may also help outside our market because Geroy is so big outside of Saskatchewan. He's someone that people across Canada can relate to.''

The Riders are hoping that Simon returns to being the receiver who recorded nine successive 1,000-yard seasons (starting in 2003) until that streak ended last season. Simon said a hip injury limited him to 13 games in 2012, in which he caught 54 passes for 700 yards and two touchdowns. Simon's drop in production ultimately led to the six-time CFL all-star and the Lions parting ways. Chamblin is still sorting out how Simon will fit into the team's offensive scheme.

"It's hard for me to say who is the No. 1 or No. 2 (receiver) because I still haven't figured out who gets that many balls,'' Chamb-lin said. "(Simon) is one of the key guys to build our offence around so we get great production.''

Chamblin felt the Riders need the type of leadership that Simon, a Grey Cup winner in 2006 and 2011 with the Lions, can provide.

"Just by talking to Geroy you see that he's a humble guy and is very positive in his thinking,'' Chamblin said.

"He's a proven winner and he's going to win on each and every play. He fits into what we're trying to do around here. He's a leader just because he comes to work every day.''

Simon is ready to embrace all of his roles with the Riders, including the ones away from the field.

"I'm comfortable with that because I was a high-profile guy in Vancouver,'' Simon said. "I had to do a lot extra because I was considered the face of the franchise. A lot of people know me from the success I've had as an individual and with the Lions.'

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Riders ... z2JQOP65Xj

[WestCoastJoe]

Simon's first media conference was conducted in the Riders' Mosaic Stadium locker room. Off-season media events are usually staged in the visitors' locker room. Simon not only met with the media, he was to meet with the team's coaching staff and with fans during a 90-minute autograph session at the Rider Store.

The full day of events around Simon's off-season appearance in Regina underscores the significance of the trade for the league's all-time leader in receiving yardage.

"How do you pass up on Geroy Simon?'' Jim Hopson, president and CEO of the Roughriders, said Monday. "He's an iconic figure in the CFL. I think of George Reed and Ronnie Lancaster and (Simon) will be in that category. He's an all-time great player and an all-time great guy.''

The Riders view Simon as a triple threat. He may be 37, but they feel he can still contribute as the No. 2 receiver behind veteran slot-back Weston Dressler. Head coach Corey Chamblin said they are counting on Simon to be a team leader. They are also looking for Simon to be active off the field in marketing the team.

"We have so many guys like Dressler and Chris Get-zlaf who are very active in the community,'' Hopson said. "Having Geroy represent us or be the face of the team only helps us. It may also help outside our market because Geroy is so big outside of Saskatchewan. He's someone that people across Canada can relate to.''

The Riders are hoping that Simon returns to being the receiver who recorded nine successive 1,000-yard seasons (starting in 2003) until that streak ended last season. Simon said a hip injury limited him to 13 games in 2012, in which he caught 54 passes for 700 yards and two touchdowns. Simon's drop in production ultimately led to the six-time CFL all-star and the Lions parting ways. Chamblin is still sorting out how Simon will fit into the team's offensive scheme.

"It's hard for me to say who is the No. 1 or No. 2 (receiver) because I still haven't figured out who gets that many balls,'' Chamb-lin said. "(Simon) is one of the key guys to build our offence around so we get great production.''

I wish Geroy well. Whether he made the right move remains to be seen (many factors involved). Whether the Riders made the right move remains to be seen.

If Geroy stays healthy, and if they can fit him in well into their offence, it might turn out very well for the Riders on the football field.

If his production is clearly second to Dressler, I will kind of wonder why they made it such a priority to acquire him.

How will Dressler and the rest of the Riders feel about "the new guy" being highest paid receiver?

Lots of imponderables ... Did the Riders pay too much? Should Wally have offered more? Will Geroy stay healthy? Will there be second guessing by any or all of the parties?

It certainly adds to the interest of the coming season.

[Blitz]

The Riders were the only team that Geroy wanted to go to and it appears that the Riders are excited about getting him for this season and Geroy is looking forward to the opportunity. I hope he has a good season. Last year he had 700 yds receving, while missing 5 games so he very likely would have enjoyed another 1000 yd season if he had been healthy the whole year. He is cabable of another 1000 yd season in Regina.

However, at the same time, one has to ask the question how would our 2013 season been affected if he had remained. He would have been very disgrunted if his role had been reduced. His unhappiness was evident in 2007, when we wanted to run the football mroe and even last season, when he complained that the offence was changing (eg: he was not the primary receiver enough)

The salary we save on his contract will be utilized towards a free agent offensive lineman and possibly towards resiigning Gore, if we can keep him. It will provide an opportunity for Nick Moore, who along with Courtney Taylor, were more than ready to step into the starting lineup and provide us with faster options in the slot and open the offence up.

Simon's departure will enable Lulay to become the pure leader of the offence and he will be able to distribute the football where he thinks best without the added pressure of keeping Geroy happy.

I believe 2013 will be a very exciting year for our Leos. The changes we are making to get younger will keep us in the hunt. Teams that make these changes too slowly can take a few seasons to recover.

[TheLionKing]

Simon's departure will enable Lulay to become the pure leader of the offence and he will be able to distribute the football where he thinks best without the added pressure of keeping Geroy happy.

X2 Would also make it more difficult for the opposition to defend.

[Sir Purrcival]

A bit overdone (Willes article). Sometimes players don't get that opportunity to demonstrate they "have it". Because of the biases of the coach, GM or Owner involved, lots of players that might have done well just didn't get the opportunity to strut their stuff. By the same token, there have been some really, stupidly bad players that have continued to get chance after chance without any signs of progression over the years because they were a high draft pick, the son of the owner, and so on. I would like it if Geroy has a great year, he has paid his dues but somewhere deep inside, my fear is that time has finally caught up. Wally has been doing this a long time and for the most part, he hasn't been proven wrong. If it is the sense of many casual observers such as myself that Geroy was no longer the threat he was, then how must it be for Wally who arguably knows as much about CFL players as anybody in the game?

I had the same feelings about Jason Clermont in that last season he was here. He just wasn't fast enough to get open or had the jets to make much in the way of yac yards. With all the history Geroy had with this team, I can't help but think that this last gasp at being a starter has cost him more than he might realize. There will always be a little bit of bittersweet that comes from this move on the part of many fans. He would have had opportunities galore here after he retired. I'm not so sure that they will all be there now. A little bit of the 'he didn't want to accept a different role, so he moved on; mustn't have been that attached after all' train of thought. Sorry Geroy, I guess I am among those who have some mixed feelings about this move. The legend seems a little less to this viewer. As it did with Jason. That one was dressed up a little bit with the "play for the hometown crowd" rhetoric but as I recall, he kind of snubbed them the contract before when he was still getting to the play the kind of game he wanted here.

[TheLionKing]

Geroy's salary in Regina will be more than offset with increased jersey sales.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/footba ... story.html

Anatomy of the Geroy Simon trade

By Rob Vanstone, The Leader-Post January 29, 2013

The Geroy Simon trade was born precisely 46 years after Brendan Taman.

"It was Dec. 12 ... my birthday ... 12/12/12,'' Taman, the Saskatchewan Roughriders' general manager, said after Simon was introduced to the local sports media on Monday.

"I'll never forget it.''

On that day, Taman was forwarded a letter by Simon's agent, Dan Vertlieb. The letter was written by B.C. Lions general manager Wally Buono, who authorized the CFL's all-time receiving-yardage leader and his agent to contact other teams about possibly playing for them in 2013.

As it turned out, Simon and Vertlieb had a short, short, short list. Simon wanted to play for Saskatchewan, period. Thus the electronic dialogue between Vertlieb and Taman.

"One thing we wanted to do was add a veteran presence in the receiving corps to go with Weston Dressler,'' Taman said. "I figured, 'Ah-hhh, let's aim high.' ''

Simon's salary, a reported $205,000 per annum, was deemed to be too high by the Lions - with whom he had spent 12 seasons while becoming a mortal lock for enshrinement in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

The Lions envisioned a diminished role, with an accompanying reduction in pay, for the 37-year-old slot-back. Simon was not enamoured with that proposal.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics of Geroy's conversations with B.C., but obviously it became clear that that situation was untenable, and not for lack of trying for both sides,'' Vertlieb, a partner in the Vancouver-based Core Sports Group, said Monday.

"That is a very warm relationship and will continue to be so. But it became obvious that the goals of the two sides were just a little bit too divergent, and that's when we started to have to look at possible alternatives.''

Remove the "s'' from "alternatives.''

"We didn't talk to any other team but one,'' Simon said. "I wanted to play with an organization that treats its people right and has an opportunity to win.''

Simon was employed by such an organization for 12 years, enjoying nine 1,000-yard seasons and earning six CFL all-star nominations while with B.C. Moreover, he was named the league's most outstanding player in 2006, when he became a Grey Cup champion for the first time. He earned another Cup ring in 2011.

Other rings - those of the telephone - came into play, beginning Dec. 12. Simon, Taman, Vertlieb and Buono were all in conversation with one another at various stages over a span of six weeks.

"B.C. had to go through the process of getting to a point where they understood and could come to grips with him probably not being back,'' Vertlieb said.

"It was a wonderful marriage for 12 years. It just doesn't come to an end overnight. Geroy is beloved in that community and will continue to be.

"He and Wally have a very special relationship. I think ultimately Wally didn't want this day to come if he'd had his way, and I think he was pretty clear about that. Because of the delicacy of that situation, it just required a lot of patience, a lot of discretion, a lot of communication. It just took time. It sort of became public two days before it happened that he was being shopped, but in reality it was a much longer process than that.

"I can't say enough about the work that Brendan Ta-man put in. It's important that people know how much work that he really put in to ensure that this would happen.''

Taman reciprocated by thanking Vertlieb during Monday's media gathering. Simon also made a point of commending his agent for his integral role in the consummation of the deal.

Vertlieb was a crucial component of the negotiations due to his rapport with both general managers. Given the complexities and delicacies of the situation, considerable nuance was required.

The first step involved the brokering of a deal with Saskatchewan. How interested were the Roughriders? How would Simon fit into the offence? How would his renegotiated salary fit into the Roughriders' financial picture?

Those questions were answered to the satisfaction of Simon, Taman and Vertlieb by early January. Then came the next stage - the negotiation of a trade between the Roughriders and Lions.

Taman didn't want to undercut the Lions, given his resolve to acquire Simon. Yet, Taman recognized that the lack of a trading partner could have forced the Lions to release Simon and divest themselves of his salary, without receiving anything in return.

Eventually, Taman and Buono agreed to a deal, calling for Saskatchewan to relinquish receiver Justin Harper (who appeared in only three games for the 2012 Roughriders) and a third-round selection in the 2014 CFL draft.

"At first, I didn't know how realistic it would be,'' Taman reflected in the Roughriders' locker room. "But as I look around today, he is here.''

And there were smiles all around.

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/VANSTO ... z2JR5oI8nk

[TheLionKing]

Very surprising that the Riders were Simon's first and only choice.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/footba ... story.html

"One thing we wanted to do was add a veteran presence in the receiving corps to go with Weston Dressler,'' Taman said. "I figured, 'Ah-hhh, let's aim high.' ''

Well, based on his achievements over the years, they aimed at the best.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics of Geroy's conversations with B.C., but obviously it became clear that that situation was untenable, and not for lack of trying for both sides,'' Vertlieb, a partner in the Vancouver-based Core Sports Group, said Monday.

"That is a very warm relationship and will continue to be so. But it became obvious that the goals of the two sides were just a little bit too divergent, and that's when we started to have to look at possible alternatives.''

Yup.

"We didn't talk to any other team but one,'' Simon said. "I wanted to play with an organization that treats its people right and has an opportunity to win.''

Since his family is moving with him, it doesn't matter that Regina is much closer to Vancouver than cities farther East.

"B.C. had to go through the process of getting to a point where they understood and could come to grips with him probably not being back,'' Vertlieb said.

"It was a wonderful marriage for 12 years. It just doesn't come to an end overnight. Geroy is beloved in that community and will continue to be.

"He and Wally have a very special relationship. I think ultimately Wally didn't want this day to come if he'd had his way, and I think he was pretty clear about that. Because of the delicacy of that situation, it just required a lot of patience, a lot of discretion, a lot of communication. It just took time. It sort of became public two days before it happened that he was being shopped, but in reality it was a much longer process than that.

"I can't say enough about the work that Brendan Ta-man put in. It's important that people know how much work that he really put in to ensure that this would happen.''

Taman got what he wanted.

The first step involved the brokering of a deal with Saskatchewan. How interested were the Roughriders? How would Simon fit into the offence? How would his renegotiated salary fit into the Roughriders' financial picture?

Those questions were answered to the satisfaction of Simon, Taman and Vertlieb by early January. Then came the next stage - the negotiation of a trade between the Roughriders and Lions.

Geroy and Regina negotiations.

Taman didn't want to undercut the Lions, given his resolve to acquire Simon. Yet, Taman recognized that the lack of a trading partner could have forced the Lions to release Simon and divest themselves of his salary, without receiving anything in return.

Eventually, Taman and Buono agreed to a deal, calling for Saskatchewan to relinquish receiver Justin Harper (who appeared in only three games for the 2012 Roughriders) and a third-round selection in the 2014 CFL draft.

Interesting that Taman didn't try to stiff the Lions. Gracious and classy. He could have waited and got Geroy without compensation.

[Rammer]

Two things that I don't buy, Riders being Geroy's first and only choice, just fallout for media consumption to make a soft landing in Regina. Second one is Taman doing the Lions a favour by offering up compensation when he could have had Geroy as a FA, why would any GM do that. The conclusion on the latter statement may have a ton to do with the former, that Geroy had other interests.

[TheLionKing]

Two things that I don't buy, Riders being Geroy's first and only choice, just fallout for media consumption to make a soft landing in Regina. Second one is Taman doing the Lions a favour by offering up compensation when he could have had Geroy as a FA, why would any GM do that. The conclusion on the latter statement may have a ton to do with the former, that Geroy had other interests.

I was wondering the same thing.