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Getting Through the CFL Draft

May 9, 2016 | 1:50 PM

Riders will trade first overall pick to Bombers for other picks later on – maybe

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to get through this thing called the CFL draft.

And after an off season unlike any other in Rider history, I suspect the CFL draft will take an interesting turn tomorrow.

The Riders should trade their #1 pick tomorrow and the likeliest suspect is probably the unlikeliest from my point of view and the point of view of any right thinking Rider fan.

Trade #1 to Winnipeg for one of Winnipeg’s second round picks, let’s say #9 and one of their third round picks (giving the Riders three in the third round if the new CFL website has moved to competent from inane since its introduction.

Winnipeg made a splash adding ex Rider receivers, but after reviewing some Rider bomber games from last season, unless the bombers boost their offensive line talent, keeping Drew Willy upright will depend only work if you nail him to something. So offensive linemen is a must – especially Canadian offensive linemen.

So let`s say Winnipeg drafts …
1.    Joshua St. John because when it comes to evaluating talent, Kyle Walters is good for making runs to Tim Hortons.
2.    Montreal – they go for Philip Gagnon because Charles Vallaincourt has an NFL free agent camp and who knows if he makes it there, why waste a first round pick on someone who might not show.
3.    BC – Another team looking for offensive line help as they get Dan Dorazio back as line coach and Wally is never afraid to pick guys who are trying out the NFL – Vallaincourt
4.    Toronto Argonauts – Trent Corney was not offered an NFL contract following his free agent camp and if you have a starting Canadian defensive lineman in Ricky Foley, you need a Canadian back up to make the Canadian ratio work.
5.    Hamilton Tiger Cats – With Zach Collaros not starting the season and the McMaster coach now installed as offensive coordinator – although we all know who is really calling the shots, Hamilton needs to beef up its offensive line to ensure Jeff Mathews remains vertical until Zach comes back – Michael Couture who dominated everyone including the buffet table attendants at the CFL combine fits the bill here.
6.    Calgary – An interesting draft as the Stamps move on from the John Murphy era with son of John Hufnagel involved in the draft. Just like Toronto needs a defensive lineman to back up a starting Canadian, Calgary having lost Matt Walter to Canada`s team, now needs a Canadian running back and Mercer Timmis of the University of Calgary saves the Stamps air fare flying him in.
7.    Ottawa Red Blacks – They tried to get linebacker Alex Singleton before he became a Canadian, I can`t see why they would stop now.
8.    Deadmonton – You would think that Jason (Jughead) Maas would go for a defensive player, but Deadmonton is taking a chance on a Chris Getzlaf with a faulty foot. I see Juwain Brescian getting picked.
9.    Riders get offensive lineman Jason Lauzon-Seguin and the real fun starts in the third round where the Riders as a result of my hypothetical trade get three picks.

So I will assume the Riders sign Eric Norwood and place him on the six game injury list to come off for the banjo bowl, which would be a good way to finish off Winnipeg and keep their Grey Cup winless streak alive at 26 years and without knowing the outcome of Tearrius George`s domestic violence case, if he comes through it, I would expect him to refile his papers to be an active player with the Riders. The Riders defensive line may be very interesting the second half of the season.

I had to laugh because the news about George came out after I filed my story last week about the players retiring, but didn’t catch George. But the retirements have raised some questions about whether Chris Jones and company are maybe overextending themselves and missing the signals that players are not coming to play here after they trade for them.

As far as retirements go, I am happy that Mo Price is gone. He showed in the 2013 western final he has no character by mouthing off before the game and then fumbling in truly spectacular fashion. His taking $30 k from the Riders fits the bill of a blowhard but then again, after all, it is easy for teams to cut players before paying bonuses.

I hated though losing draft picks to Ottawa and Toronto in the Campbell trade for players who didn`t show. That`s why I see the Riders trading away the first overall and relying on their expanding scouting system to identify potential contributors. The Riders have cut about two thirds of the 2015 3-15 team, so getting Canadian talent or grooming them through special teams, is an ongoing concern.

The draft is followed by pickle day on Thursday where the Riders unveil green jersey`s and pants to create the ideal walking pickle ad. No one looks forward to March 12, and even Darian Durant is not impressed. I got a pair of Zak Starkey drumsticks from The Who concert in Saskatoon, 47 years after they played their first show in the City with no Joy. The drumsticks make ideal scrunching utensils for Zoey the Magnificent Himalayan and perhaps will help quell the sob of what were they thinking when they unleash the pickle monster on March 12.

Apparently they may allow for white pants to go with basic green jersey, but the jerseys are apparently a lot alike to the basic green worn by the Riders in 1991. You have to wonder what Adidas brought to the dance if they revert to a 1991 look and add green pants to it as well.

So enjoy the draft, and if I am right and the Riders make a trade, well, let’s hope we get something out of it.