Taman deal makes sense

Ordinarily, an extended losing streak is not a precursor to an extended contract.

But these are not ordinary times for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. And this has not been an ordinary offseason. (For confirmation, please contact Environment Canada.)

A chilling minus-136 was in the air after the Roughriders’ miserable 2011 season. Saskatchewan had allowed 136 more points than it had scored while finishing dead last in the eight-team CFL.

Last year, by contrast, it was a balmy plus-48 as the Roughriders outscored their opposition 457-409 over 18 regular-season games.

When you go from minus-136 to plus-48, that is a swing of 184 points. And that dramatic turnaround is one reason why Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman received, and deserved, a contract extension.

Granted, some of the other numbers were not as impressive. At 8-10, Saskatchewan finished with a losing record for the second successive season. Factoring in a first-round playoff loss to the Calgary Stampeders, the 2012 Roughriders won but eight of their 19 meaningful games — losing the last five.

That untimely aversion to winning did not deter the Roughriders’ hierarchy — principally, president-CEO Jim Hopson and chairman of the board Roger Brandvold — from pursuing a contract extension with Taman. His deal, which was to expire after the 2013 season, now runs through 2015.

Some eyebrows have been raised, along with Taman’s salary, we presume. Normally, an eight-win season would not be enough to placate the powers that be. But other factors are at play here.

“I think continuity is important,’’ Hopson said.

Hopson also spoke of the organization’s confidence in Taman. Words are one thing. Actions are another.

The Roughriders were transmitting a mixed message as long as Taman was on the final year of his deal. They entrusted him with assembling a team during a pivotal year in which the Grey Cup will be held in Regina, but had not demonstrated the same degree of confidence — at least contractually and officially — until Thursday’s announcement.

Taman has been empowered to rebuild the team, with generally impressive results. The Roughriders of today are not even remotely comparable, talent-wise, to the version of two years ago.

In collaboration with head coach Corey Chamblin, Taman took a stick of dynamite to the roster and upgraded it significantly.

Last year, Taman added notable players such as guard Brendon LaBatte, centre Dominic Picard, offensive tackle Xavier Fulton, tailback Kory Sheets, linebacker Abraham Kromah, receiver/tailback/returner Jock Sanders and cornerback Terrell Maze.

The Riders’ GM also signed quarterback Darian Durant to a contract extension, ensuring that the team’s franchise player would be in the fold through 2014.

During this most eventful and productive winter, Taman has added slotback Geroy Simon, middle linebacker Rey Williams, defensive backs Dwight Anderson and Weldon Brown, and defensive end Ricky Foley. Taman also re-signed the best of the Riders’ free agents, linebacker Tyron Brackenridge.

Moreover, the Roughriders’ payroll now includes offensive co-ordinator George Cortez, whose signing was a coup. Chamblin did most of the legwork, given his responsibility for the coaching staff. However, Cortez would not be working in Saskatchewan right now if Taman had not hired a head coach who has some drawing power.

In making that appointment, Taman gave Chamblin job security that exceeded that of the GM.

Chamblin was signed through 2014 at a time when Taman’s contract was to expire following the 2012 campaign. Taman’s deal was extended through 2013 last spring, and two more years have now been added.

Eliminated in the process is the scenario of a lameduck GM. The Roughriders opted for a big-picture approach, as opposed to myopically addressing the 2013 season. By extending Taman’s deal, the team established that it has a plan and a vision.

That mindset was not in effect following the 2005 season. There was a philosophical chasm on the board regarding whether general manager Roy Shivers (who had one year left on his deal) should be retained. He was, but not with a mandate beyond 2006.

As it turned out, he didn’t have a mandate beyond Aug. 21, 2006.

Shivers was fired near mid-season, at which time he was criticized by the decision-makers for not planning for the future. However, the disinclination of the Riders’ ruling class to engage in forward thinking was the main problem. The clock simply ticked away on Shivers’ tenure, exacerbating the tension that enveloped the organization and creating far too many distractions.

It was a lesson learned, as Hopson acknowledged on Thursday.

“I don’t dispute why we did it, but when you look at it in hindsight, it was clearly not the best situation,’’ he said.

This year and last, the Roughriders have decided against allowing Taman to enter a season with just one year remaining on his contract.

Taman himself has applied that philosophy with regard to Durant. Saskatchewan’s quarterback was entering his option year in 2012 before Taman ensured that the deal was extended.

Along the way, the Roughriders delivered an emphatic message to Durant: You are our guy. Taman is now getting a similar vibe from his bosses.

“We had confidence in Darian and we didn’t want to lose him,’’ Taman said. “I’m hoping we can parallel our careers with a Grey Cup win very shortly.’’

And what if that should come to pass?

For starters, the annual contract extension would be in order.