Taman sheds unfair label

Brendan Taman is destroying his reputation.

The Saskat chewan Roughriders’ general manager has been unfairly, but undeniably, labelled as someone who prefers American players to those who possess Canadian passports.

So there he was on Thursday, trading an import (quarterback Drew Willy) to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a homebrew (Regina-born receiver Jade Etienne) in an exchange of players who were eligible to test CFL free agency, beginning on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The Blue Bombers promptly signed Willy to a two-year contract.

When the opposite scenario has applied, and Taman has dealt a Canadian for an American, the critics have howled — reaching octaves that can only be heard by terriers.

The stereotype has persisted even when Taman has added an American who instantly improved the Roughriders.

Consider, for example, a 2012 swap with the Edmonton Eskimos, who received a conditional sixth-round Canadian draft pick in 2013 for import offensive tackle Xavier Fulton, who has since become a mainstay.

Fulton was a member of the Grey Cup-winning Riders of 2013 — a team that boasted a wealth of startingcalibre Canadians.

And now, Taman has consummated a deal that could address a void. A receiving corps that was once known as the Canadian Air Force could use another homegrown player or two.

Etienne, should he sign here, would be a nice fit.

The speedy Luther Lions and University of Saskatchewan Huskies product has not been a consistent producer since being drafted fourth overall in 2011.

Some people who follow the Bombers have labelled Etienne as a bust. But, really, was the situation in Winnipeg conducive to success?

Without a real offensive scheme, or a bona-fide quarterback, how is a young receiver — especially a raw talent emanating from the U of S — going to develop?

Perhaps the 24-year-old Etienne will get an opportunity to hone and exhibit his skills in familiar environs on Taylor Field.

By acquiring the rights to Etienne, the Roughriders have put themselves in a position to receive something for nothing, given the inevitability of Willy departing via the free-agent route. If Etienne does not sign with Saskatchewan, the Roughriders are to receive minor considerations from the Bombers.

Willy is a quarterback of considerable promise but, barring an injury, he was not going to become the starter in Saskatchewan. Darian Durant, whose finest season culminated in a Grey Cup victory last November, is entrenched as the No. 1 pivot.

The lack of such a marquee player is one of many reasons why the Bombers have been so feckless over the past two seasons. At times, the Bombers’ coaching staff has used a flip-a-coin mentality while selecting a starting quarterback.

The scorched earth at one-yearold Investors Group Field does not make Winnipeg the most inviting destination, especially for someone who is coming off a championship season.

However, Winnipeg does present the 27-year-old Willy with the best opportunity to start. Moreover, there is the chance to earn a starter’s salary, which dwarfs a backup’s wages.

Now, the situation could always change by the time CFL training camps open on May 31.

Veteran Kevin Glenn may be expendable as a result of the Ottawa Redblacks’ recent decision to sign future Hall of Famer Henry Burris and anoint him the starter. Ottawa had claimed Glenn from the Calgary Stampeders in the Dec. 16 expansion draft, in which the Redblacks also plucked quarterback Thomas DeMarco from the B.C. Lions’ roster.

Between them, Burris and Glenn will devour more than $600,000 in cap space if the Redblacks opt to open their inaugural season with two 30-something passers.

It would be more sensible for the Redblacks to divest themselves of Glenn, and for the Blue Bombers to make some inquiries about a possible trade.

Such a transaction would not be the greatest news for Willy, but keep in mind that Glenn turns 35 in June. If Glenn were to resurface in Winnipeg and start for the Blue Bombers, he would be a stopgap measure. Willy could wait his turn, knowing that it would not be far off.

When the quarterbacking landscape was examined, it was obvious that Willy was going to land in Winnipeg. And so he did, a few days ahead of the projected timetable, with his former team receiving something in return — the opportunity to add a Canadian in an area of need before any rival teams can tender an offer.

It wouldn’t be a major move, but it would be a smart one — the latest in a series for Taman.