Mario Annicchiarico
The Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON -- Simeon Rottier professed his love to his new bride Jennifer two Saturdays ago. He'll begin an entirely different relationship come Saturday.

The University of Alberta Golden Bears left offensive tackle is still rated the No. 1 choice heading into the Canadian Football League draft.

The 25-year-old Westlock native's phone is likely to ring early as proceedings get underway at 9 a.m. MDT. He couldn't afford to be late for the altar at City Centre Church, but he's not in so much of a rush for the outcome of the draft.

"It actually might wake him up," chuckled Golden Bears teammate Gord Hinse, of the expected call.

Hinse, one of Rottier's groomsmen, is also expected to be drafted Saturday, but in a later round. Both are clients of agent Darren Gill.

"Yeah, I'm thinking he may get called a little earlier than me," laughed Hinse, a right offensive tackle who moved over from guard.

No. 1 or not, Rottier will likely sleep well.

"I'm not too bad," said Rottier, when asked of his anxiousness. "I'd say I'm more excited than anything, just to see where I'm going."

All signs point to Hamilton as the Tiger-Cats have the first and third overall picks. The Toronto Argonauts are sandwiched in between before the B.C. Lions go fourth, fifth and sixth overall. The Montreal Alouettes select seventh and the Calgary Stampeders complete Round 1. The Eskimos don't select until No. 11 and also have the 12th choice.

There are whispers that the Green and Gold may make a play for Rottier, as Canadian offensive linemen are a valuable commodity.

"In order to do something, it's always going to cost you something. There has been some consideration," said Esks head coach Richie Hall. "Will we do it? We'll see Saturday."

If a deal was to be worked out. it would be costly.

"I've heard rumours like that, too," admitted Rottier. "They don't have a first-round pick and I really don't know what the chances of that happening are."

So for now, he focuses on TSN as they broadcast the first two rounds. That is, if he's awake.

"No. 1? It would be a real honour," Rottier said of the chance to be chosen ahead of Laval defensive lineman Etienne Legare, Acadia slotback Matt Carter, O-linemen Dylan Steenbergen of Calgary and Matt Morencie of Windsor, Queen's defensive lineman Dee Sterling and Regina defensive back Tamon George, all rated from No. 3 to 8.

Bishop's running back Jamall Lee, son of former CFLer Orville Lee, is ranked No. 2, but he signed a deal with the National Football League's Carolina Panthers on Monday.

However, Rottier, who sizes up at six-foot-six, 295 pounds, remains at the top of most lists.

"I'm a bit biased, but in my mind he's the No. 1 guy," said Tim Prinsen, Rottier's coach at the U of A and himself a former Eskimos O-lineman.

"Obviously it depends on what Hamilton needs, if they need an offensive lineman or not, but at the same time you don't find Canadian O-linemen, out of CIS schools, who can play tackle.

"Normally they are guards. If you can find a Canadian to play tackle, in my mind you're crazy not to take a guy like that."

Prinsen is excited about his player's chances, but he insisted Rottier has remained calm and humble.

"He's got all the tools. He knows what's ahead of him, he knows he's going to have a real good opportunity to play in the CFL. He's got a real level head; it hasn't got to his head that he's the guy," stressed Prinsen. "He's stayed humble through the process and I believe that will help him.

"If you start believing all the hype, you set yourself up for a big fall. He hasn't done that and he's going to get a good opportunity."

That's all he's asking for.

"I try not to think about it too much," said Rottier, who didn't start playing football until after high school. "I don't want to put too much stock in it.

"These are just the first steps. The next step is to make the team that selects you. I think I'm ready for that next challenge."

He's not alone in those thoughts.

"Wherever he goes, he's going to compete; it doesn't matter who gets him," insisted Prinsen, who is also backing Hinse. The teammates recently worked out for B.C. Lions

O-line coach Dan Dorazio, who was in Edmonton for a coaching clinic.

"I've been told my chances (of getting drafted) are pretty good," said Hinse, a 21-year-old who stands six-foot-four and weighs 310 pounds. "The only team I haven't talked to is Montreal.

"This is something I've always wanted to do. I really want it to happen, but I'm just going to take it as it comes."

Unlike Rottier, he can't sleep in on Saturday. Hinse is due to be at Golden Bears spring camp. He'll have to take his call later.

Golden Bears slotback Damon Fraietta, the six-foot, 190-pound son of former Eskimos DB and return man Emilio Fraietta, is also eligible for the draft.

Courtesy: www.edmontonjournal.com