Sell Reilly on perks of living in Sask.
One strategy might be to sell free-agent quarterback on perks of living in Regina
The CFL’s salary cap is all about maintaining a level playing field among the nine teams.
But the Saskatchewan Roughriders may have an off-field advantage when it comes to signing a high-profile quarterback when the league’s free-agency period kicks off Tuesday at 11 a.m.
“Saskatchewan is right at the top of the list in terms of opportunities for players off the field — not just in the off-season, but during the season as well,” says Rob Fry, an agent who represents several CFL players.
The Riders boast the amenities that many free agents are looking for in regard to benefits beyond a salary. There are the world-class facilities at Mosaic Stadium. Other drawing cards range from a rabid fan base to the cost of living to the ease and convenience of travelling around a smaller city. And there may be off-field perks as well.
“Saskatchewan has a unique sense of a small football community where a player feels he can be above most other places,” says Fry, who grew up in Regina.
“Most quarterbacks are a brand in whatever city they play in. When you get to other players, like star receivers, Saskatchewan is pretty high up there providing a player with the feeling that he can really be a brand in the community. It’s very enticing for a player in a career that can be so short.”
That means the Riders will be a player when it comes to landing one of the elite free-agent quarterbacks — Mike Reilly (Edmonton Eskimos), Bo Levi Mitchell (Calgary Stampeders) and Trevor Harris (Ottawa Redblacks).
There are reports that Mitchell is open to other CFL offers, contrary to speculation that the league’s reigning most outstanding player either will head to the NFL or re-sign with the Stampeders.
The Riders’ first call, however, should be to Dan Vertlieb, Reilly’s agent.
Although Mitchell is just under five years younger than the 34-year-old Reilly, there is some uncertainty regarding Mitchell’s commitment to the CFL.
There will be competition for Reilly, who was the league’s highest-paid player ($500,000) in 2018 and is reported to be seeking $700,000 a season.
On Friday, multiple media reports said the Eskimos have granted Reilly permission to talk any CFL team, including the B.C. Lions, ahead of Tuesday’s freeagent deadline. The move would allow the Eskimos to learn where Reilly stands in terms of free agency.
B.C. is among the front-runners to land Reilly, due to a connection with Lions general manager Ed Hervey and the fact that Reilly hails from nearby Seattle. Reilly originally was acquired by the Eskimos from the Lions in 2013 when Hervey was Edmonton’s general manager.
The Lions’ interest shouldn’t deter the Riders from tossing their hat into the ring. An advantage for the Riders might be an opportunity for Reilly to have the sports spotlight to himself in Regina.
“One of the reasons why the Roughriders have the cachet they have is that they are the biggest show in town and there isn’t any NHL competition,” says Tom Mayenknecht, Canada’s foremost sports business reporter and host of the Sport Market on CJME and CKOM
“In any NHL market, there is competition, but especially in Edmonton where Connor McDavid’s shadow casts more widely than (do those of ) stars in Calgary, Winnipeg or Vancouver.
“With Elias Pettersson in Vancouver (with the Canucks), there is the potential star player that Reilly would be in the shadow of if he made the move there. That’s not an issue in Regina.”
Alan Ford, a former Riders player and general manager, feels there are opportunities for players to supplement their income in Regina, but cautioned that playing for the Riders has its risks.
“It’s a fishbowl and if you’re playing here and you’re Mike Reilly, you just don’t get that acceptance unless you’re really playing well,” Ford says. “In other places where you don’t play as well, it’s not that big of a deal because it’s not the No. 1 game in the province, and here it is. If you play well, people will line up to support you.”
There are examples of local businesses supporting the Riders’ moves to draw players. That was evident in 2014, when receiver Weston Dressler had his pick of most CFL teams after being released by the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
Suds Full Service Car Wash offered free car washes if he joined the Riders, the Elphinstone Street Dairy Queen promised free Blizzards, Milky Way was promising free sundaes and the Conexus Credit Union was willing to throw in no-fee banking.
The Italian Star Deli jumped in by naming a sandwich “#7 The Dressler” and promising him free sandwiches for a year if he re-signed with the Riders, which he did.
“The Riders are a community-owned team and we have a big voice in the league,” says Carlo Giambattista, owner of the Italian Star Deli. “The support that comes from the business community is relevant in the team’s success.”
The Riders are in need of a quarterback because they have only the unproven David Watford under contract for 2019. Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge, who combined to handle most of the quarterbacking for the offensively starved Roughriders in 2018, are poised to become free agents.
The departure of head coach and general manager Chris Jones for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns added an unexpected twist to the Riders’ anticipated pursuit of Reilly. Jones and Reilly shared in the 2015 Grey Cup victory and a possible reunion might have attracted Reilly.
There are still opportunities for a reunion. Riders head coach Craig Dickenson and offensive co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo were members of Edmonton’s Grey Cup-winning team in 2015.
Former Riders receiver Matt Dominguez feels that more than connections and off-field perks are involved when free agents decide where to sign.
“You’re not talking about a 24or 25-year-old dude,” Dominguez says.
“We’re talking about somebody who has been in the business and wants the pieces around them. Off the field is part of a benefit, but guys won’t make a move if they don’t see the talent already there. They have to see the talent, the structure and who are the guys who are coming back for them to say yes.”
Belton Johnson, a native of Coffeeville, Miss., spent four of his seven seasons as a CFL offensive lineman with the Riders. He decided to remain in Regina after retiring and figures that Reilly could also find the Queen City to his liking.
“Regina is unlike any CFL city, especially for life after football,” Johnson says.
“Look at all of the guys who have come from the United States, played up here and now live here. To me, that would be a selling point for Mike Reilly.”