Tillman Talks

I had the good fortune of speaking with Riders GM Eric Tillman yesterday on a wide range of topics. Always accommodating and candid, it is generally a good time to sit down with the General Manager.

First I asked about the holes in the Coaching staff. Tillman assured me that there will be an announcement within the week on some if not all of the open positions. The only thing possibly holding up one or two of the official unveilings is the possibility of these men being under contract somewhere else until the end of the month. Tillman basically said that the team will let someone else pick up the tab on these guys for the next couple of weeks.

Tillman also stands by his word that the hiring of coaches is virtually all Head Coach Ken Miller's to make. Tillman says he has had input, but that he is very confident in "Kenny" and ultimately it is up to him who comes on board the staff. One comment that I found interesting is one that may or may not mean much. When I suggested that giving Coach Miller the reins like this would suggest the team is prepared to move forward with Miller for 'years and years to come', Tillman chuckled and responded that Miller is in his mid 60's and may only do this (coach) for a couple more years. Nothing definite, but just an interesting tidbit.

The next area of discussion focused on free agents and one specifically, Maurice Lloyd. Tillman has spoke with the all-star as recently as Tuesday night. They have had good and open dialogue and of course the Riders have suggested they would like to have 'Mo' back in Saskatchewan. But, he is eligible to test the free agent waters in a few weeks and you get the vibe that this is the direction Lloyd may be leaning. That doesn't mean he won't resign with the Green & White. Tillman remains optimistic that they can have the middle linebacker here, but he is also a realist and knows that there may a number of teams lining up to woo number 47 to their team with some "stupid money".

When asked about the Riders salary cap position, Tillman went Tillman and brought out the metaphors. This is why I get a kick out him and love to interview him. He related the Riders salary cap position to that of a middle income family on a budget. Paraphrasing: 'If you want to take a trip or buy a big screen TV, you can, but you'll have to sacrifice somewhere else.' That's too funny, but too true. The Riders have some wiggle room, but its doubtful they could sign all their big name linebackers to the contracts that they'll probably command elsewhere.

Whatever the case, Tillman feels the Riders are shaping up nicely for '09. There are still a few signings to come, but the GM is quite confident that the club will be a contender for 1st in the West and looks to play on the Final Sunday of November.