Williams looking for a new home
REGINA — Rey Williams isn’t opposed to a second stint with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Williams is looking for a CFL team after being released by the Hamilton TigerCats on Wednesday. Williams, who spent two seasons as Hamilton’s import middle linebacker, started his CFL career with the Roughriders in 2007 and remained with the Roughriders through the 2009 season.
“I would love to go back to Saskatchewan, but everything would have to be right,’’ Williams said Friday from Southfield, Mich., where he operates a home-care health business. “I’ve had a couple teams interested in me — Montreal, Calgary and Winnipeg. I have ties in Saskatchewan and it’s a football Mecca for me.’’
Williams signed with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers after the 2009 CFL season. He lasted until the fourth preseason game before injuring his left knee. He missed the 2010 season. In 2011, Williams signed with Hamilton as a free agent.
Williams made an impact with the Tiger-Cats. In 2011, he was fourth in the CFL with 91 defensive tackles. In 2012, he finished third in the CFL with 95 defensive tackles.
Williams is familiar with the business of football and understands his situation. He’s 32 and is reportedly earning more than $100,000 per season. He was just unhappy with the timing of his release.
“This is the worst time of the year to release me because everyone has spent their freeagent money and they are all set,’’ Williams said. “If they were going to release me, they should have done it before the (free-agent deadline). Then I might have been able to find a job because the last two seasons have been good to me.’’
Riders assistant general manager Jeremy O’Day said Friday they have had discussions with Williams.
“I don’t know where that will lead,’’ O’Day said. “There are a lot of factors like which other teams might be interested in him and the financial aspect. We inquired and we’ll see where it goes.’’
Williams feels that he can still contribute, but is reluctant to take a pay cut just to keep playing football.
“I don’t want to get paid what the guy who got 50 tackles last year and he didn’t do anything close to what I did (gets paid),’’ Williams said. “I lay it on the line every day for my team. You will have to pull me off the field and that’s the reputation that I’ve built in this league. If you feel I’m not worth it, then I’m not worth it. I do know that it comes to an end for everybody. I understand that and that’s why I’ve set myself up for life after football.’’
Williams has ties to the current Riders staff. Head coach Corey Chamblin was Hamilton’s defensive co-ordinator in 2011 and George Cortez, Saskatchewan’s offensive co-ordinator, spent the 2012 season as Hamilton’s head coach and director of football operations. Cortez was fired in December after one season in that role.
“I really got along well with George as a man,’’ said Williams, who dressed for a total of 31 regular-season games with the Riders and recorded 98 defensive tackles and six sacks. “He’s very smart and a good guy. Corey and I talk all the time.’’
The Riders have a veteran middle linebacker in Joe Lobendahn. Lobendahn, 30, signed with the Riders in late August and recorded 40 defensive tackles and two interceptions in nine games.
There have been reports that Lobendahn has recently agreed to a contract extension with the Riders, which may cool some of the team’s interest in Williams.
“I would say my chances of playing (in 2013) are 50-50,’’ Williams said. “I’m not in any rush to sign on the dotted line. If it’s less money, I’ll talk about it with my family and we’ll see if it’s worth it. ’’