Fuel for the feud?

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This article was published 18/03/2009 (6346 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Forgive me, dear readers, for the glob of drool running down my chin.

Can’t help it.

Ever since reading the words "Brendan Taman" and "Saskatchewan Roughriders" in the same sentence on Tuesday the saliva gland has taken on a life of its own.

There are precedents to such an occurrence: "Beer" and "Free." "Gisele Bundchen" and "Victoria’s Secret." But those examples are more instinctive.

"Taman" and "Roughriders," instead, evokes an immediate and unbridled response of glee, complete with a treasure trove of potential storylines. Just imagine: The recently resigned Taman who, according to Bombers head coach Mike Kelly, operated with little more than intuition and paper napkins, joining forces with the evil Roughriders.

My goodness, that would be sweet.

But possible? That’s another matter, although the Regina Leader-Post reported Monday that Taman’s name has come up with current GM Eric Tillman on administrative leave due to legal issues involving sexual assault charges.

"At this point in time, we’re comfortable with the staff we have," Riders president and CEO Jim Hopson told the Leader-Post. "You’re always looking for good people, though, and Brendan Taman is a good person.

"Eric and I had spoken about Brendan early in the year as someone who can bring value to an organization," Hopson added. "And he will resurface in the CFL. I know he wanted to take a bit of a break, but you get better by hiring good people. If there was an interest on Brendan’s part, we’d be happy to talk to him."

Of course, this would only be possible if Taman, who could not be reached by the Free Press Tuesday, reversed his contention when leaving the Bombers that he was simply burned out. Taman said the relentless pressure of the position was beginning to affect his health and sanity. So he walked.

Now if that’s still the case, Taman should run away from the Saskatchewan job as though it was Medusa. Because we’re pretty sure that the only occupation more stressful than coaching or generally managing the Roughriders would involve chainsaws, feral monkeys and a cross-eyed knife-thrower.

But let’s not forget that Taman, a proud son of Saskatoon, was planning to load up his Beverly Hillbillies truck and move back to Regina anyway. So maybe he could take on a more minor role in scouting and the Riders could promote director of player personnel Joe Womack and beef up the duties of head coach Ken Miller.

That might make Taman’s joining the Riders front office more feasible. Here’s hoping it happens. We can see it already: "Paper Napkin Night" at Canad Inns Stadium during the Banjo Bowl. All fans would get a napkin on which they could write down the names of their favourite players.

Besides, the Roughriders-Bombers rivalry needs a few new sparks to stoke the feud. After all, it looks like we won’t have Troy Westwood to point out the orthodontic challenges of the melon-headed Roughrider faithful who, according to the former Bombers kicker, often had more victories in any given season than teeth.

Westwood will be missed.

But in Taman there would be a wealth of possibilities. We’d get Kelly to suggest that with the little guy in Regina, he’s now keeping track of prospects with lists compiled on empty fertilizer bags.

Oh, the possibilities!

Winnipeg fans could gloat: Hey, did you hear the one where the Roughriders sent Brendan Taman to scout a combine and he ended up at a John Deere dealership in Weyburn? LOSER! Sure, we understand that Taman was looking forward to a summer to himself, where he could hack up any number of Saskatchewan golf courses with their flag pins all in gopher holes. He could take his fishing pole and blissfully troll one of the province’s three bodies of water.

How selfish.

If Taman has an ounce of civic responsibility, he should head directly to Rider headquarters, which we understand is located in an empty grain silo in Estevan, and throw his lot in with the Green and White.

Then he could scribble off a snarky note to the Bombers head coach, something like, "Hey, Kelly, want another report? File THIS, pal!"

Written on a paper napkin, of course.

 

Tillman’s sexual assault case pushed to April

 

REGINA — A sexual assault case against Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman has been put over to next month.

Tillman’s lawyer, Aaron Fox, appeared very briefly in a Regina courtroom before the case was adjourned to April 7. Tillman, 51, has yet to enter a plea and did not appear in court.

He has been on paid administrative leave from the CFL club. The general manager who helped lead the Riders to a Grey Cup in 2007 was charged in January after a complaint by a 16-year-old girl that he sexually assaulted her last summer.

— The Canadian Press