THE CANADIAN PRESS
Brendan Taman got his man Friday.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager re-signed towering offensive lineman Dan Goodspeed to a three-year deal, hours before Goodspeed was slated to become a free agent.
"Yeah, it’s fortunate to get him off the market, no doubt," Taman said. "Especially with our O-line with Obby (Khan) ill and Matt (Sheridan) going to go to free agency.
"I knew those two scenarios weren’t playing out to my liking so had Dan’s not, I really would’ve been in a boat-load of trouble."
The Bombers aren’t sure if the versatile Khan, who can play all three offensive line positions, will be ready come the start of training camp. He missed time last season due to colitis — an acute or chronic inflammation of the membrane lining the colon.
Sheridan was also a starter on Winnipeg’s offensive line and the veteran guard is slated to become a free agent at 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday.
The Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders were also busy Friday, re-signing veteran defensive back Eddie Davis and fullback Chris Szarka to a one-year deals, plus an option. And the Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed veteran safety Sandy Beveridge. Both were slated to become free agents.
Re-signing Goodspeed was a priority for Taman. The six-foot-six, 315-pound tackle was the East Division’s top lineman last year and anchored an offensive front that paved the way for running back Charles Roberts (over 1,300 yards rushing) while giving up a league-low 27 sacks.
.Goodspeed couldn’t be happier to be returning to Winnipeg.
"You can get another opportunity to go to another team but you develop good relationships in the locker-room with your teammates, coaches and the fans," he said. "It’s hard to say you want to go somewhere else just because when you like Winnipeg.
"My wife and I are really glad to be coming up there."
.Goodspeed said having the security of a three-year deal is important.
"At least you know what you’re going to be doing the following season," he said. "That’s the thing with free agency, too.
"You go to the gym every day and run and train but you’re not really focused. Now, I can focus because I know the system and what needs to be done. That’s the best part for me."
And Goodspeed can focus on helping Winnipeg avenge last year’s 23-19 loss to Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup.
"That took some time to get over," he said. "It was very unsatisfying, but that’s a good thing because it means you’re hungry again the following year."
Goodspeed’s outstanding ’07 campaign came after he sustained a serious knee injury the previous season. He was looking for a contract that would put him among the CFL’s top offensive linemen and there was also the possibility of returning to the NFL. Needing just one more regular-season game to qualify for a full pension south of the border, Goodspeed had a workout this week with the New Orleans Saints.
Prior to joining the Blue Bombers in 2005, Goodspeed spent five seasons in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins and won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003.
With Goodspeed locked up, Taman can continue working to re-sign Sheridan and rush end Tom Canada. Sheridan’s return is important to the Bombers, given Khan’s medical issues and veteran offensive lineman Andrew Greene being released Thursday.
Canada’s return would also be a big boost to Winnipeg’s defence as he posted 12 sacks last year. However, re-signing all three would mean Taman having to re-shuffle the Bombers’ roster to comply with the CFL’s $4.2-million salary cap.
."If I get them at a price that’s good for us and good for them I can keep all three," Taman said. "But it’s not going to come without consequences on our football team.
"I would’ve loved to have gotten Dan, Tom and Matt done by tonight. But Matt has told me through his agent that he won’t be signing before then and as for Tom, we’re working at it but I don’t know if we’ll get there. I’m just somewhat relieved Dan’s not in that boat as well."
.In Regina, the Roughriders managed to secure the services of one of their top and longest-serving defensive veterans.
Davis, a 14-year CFL veteran entering his eighth season with the Roughriders, signed a one-year deal, plus an option.
"Eddie is a consummate pro, on and off the field," Riders GM Eric Tillman said. "He’s much more than just an outstanding cover guy — he’s the quarterback of our defence.
"Last year we were fortunate enough to win a championship, and, trust me, Eddie’s leadership was a very big factor in us achieving that goal. Young players need role models in how to study, how to practise, and how to take care of their bodies. In those regards, and many others, Eddie is an absolute coach’s dream."
Davis missed nine games last season with a shoulder injury but did start both of Saskatchewan’s playoff games as well as its Grey Cup win over Winnipeg. Davis registered 43 tackles, two sacks and an interception in the regular season before adding two interceptions in the playoffs.
.Davis has appeared in 202 career CFL games, registering 684 tackles, 33 interceptions and 13 sacks.
The six-foot-two, 214-pound Beveridge, a native of Port Coquitlam, B.C., is entering his sixth season with Hamilton. The 26-year-old had 17 defensive tackles, 14 special teams tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and two pass knockdowns last year.
"We’re excited to re-sign Sandy as he’s a talented, experienced player who is great on special teams and will have the opportunity to compete for a job as our starting safety," said Ticats general manager Bob O’Billovich.
Szarka has spent his entire 11-year CFL career with the Roughriders. The burly fullback appeared in 15 regular-season games before injuring his hand last season. He returned for the West final and Grey Cup games.
"Not only is he one of our most popular players, but he’s also one of our most valuable," Tillman said. "Chris’ contributions go far beyond stats; he’s an outstanding lead blocker, a good pass protector and one of our better special teams performers."
The Ticats are expected to let linebacker JoJuan Armour test the free-agent waters. League sources requesting anonymity say Armour is looking to be paid around $110,000 a year is expected to draw interest from Edmonton, Calgary, or Montreal.
If Armour leaves, the Ticats are prepared to have Canadians Ray Mariuz and Jason Botterill battle for Armour’s spot in the starting lineup.
There’s persistent talk, too, that Montreal will let defensive tackle Dario Romero become a free agent. Romero is reportedly looking for a contract worth about $115,000 annually and league sources suggest he’ll head west to either Calgary or Edmonton.
Saskatchewan slotback Corey Grant is also heading into free agency and the chatter is the native of Stoney Creek, Ont., could returning to Hamilton, where he began his CFL career in ’99.
The same with Tristan Clovis, a safety with the Riders who played his college football at McMaster.
