Rob Vanstone
The Leader-Post

REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping to accommodate Jason Clermont within the mosaic of their salary structure.

This cannot be easily done -- considering that Clermont merits a six-figure salary -- but it is feasible.

Some difficult days may ensue, but such is life in a salary-capped CFL. There are reverberations anytime a team adds a significant stipend.

A player of Clermont's repute is well worth the expense, and not just because he happens to hail from Regina. The fact that Clermont is a Canadian, period, and an elite receiver explains why several teams are wooing the 29-year-old slotback -- who was released Tuesday by the B.C. Lions.

Saskatchewan is the logical destination for Clermont, who spoke Sunday with Riders GM Eric Tillman. As the CFL's foremost capologist, Tillman should be able to make the numbers work within the allotted $4.2 million.

If you need a road map detailing how a Clermont deal may unfold, the following quote warrants consideration.

"There will always be American GMs and coaches who will overpay Americans at the expense of a strong Canadian nucleus,'' Tillman said shortly after being hired as the GM in August of 2006. "Good or bad, I am not one of them.''

Given the degree to which Tillman has emphasized Canadian talent, and compensated homebrew players accordingly, you can bet that he is interested in Clermont.

An oft-overlooked, yet critical, factor is the degree to which Clermont would positively affect the composition of the team. As a Canadian who can start at a so-called skill position -- much like Saskatchewan slotback Andy Fantuz -- Clermont is a ratio-breaker.

He would enable the Roughriders to replace their worst non-import position player with an American. Or, he could give Saskatchewan the luxury of using an import solely as a return specialist, clearly addressing an area of need.

On the down side, Tillman could be faced with a choice between signing Clermont and losing a veteran receiver -- Matt Dominguez or D.J. Flick. Both import pass-catchers received six-figure salaries while enduring injury-plagued seasons in 2008.

Any domino effect involving Dominguez, in particular, would be excruciating when you consider his contributions to the team and the community.

This is all speculation. Perhaps the Roughriders will look elsewhere when striving to free up $100,000-plus. That said, Flick and Dominguez are the obvious candidates, given their salaries and the misfortunes they encountered in 2008.

Another issue pertains to the open market. The list of looming free agents includes Flick, quarterback Darian Durant, linebackers Maurice Lloyd, Anton McKenzie and Sean Lucas, defensive halfback Lance Frazier and guard Mike Abou-Mechrek.

Would the elimination of Flick's salary enable Tillman to offer a decent raise to, say, McKenzie?

And what of Lloyd? The Roughriders have not boasted a middle linebacker of his calibre since Cleveland Vann. Lloyd would like to return, and the Roughriders would be delighted to have him, but it is reasonable to wonder whether the numbers will work in his case.

Another factor could be the Lions' recent release of linebacker Otis Floyd. A Floyd-for-Lloyd swap is sensible from the Lions' perspective, especially in light of the fact that former Roughriders GM Roy Shivers -- who brought Lloyd into the CFL -- is now in charge of player personnel for B.C.

When assessing the equation, it is difficult to imagine a scenario that does not include the departure of a prominent and popular player from the Roughriders. Any discomfort would be eased by the signing of Clermont, who would help the team in so many respects.

His talents would bolster an offence that needs to move the ball with more efficiency. If Durant is the quarterback, the emphasis will be on short- and intermediate-range passes, which are Clermont's forte. He would also give the Roughriders another rock-solid person.

A deal with Clermont is also sensible for public-relations reasons, but it can be justified strictly within a football context. It can and should be done.

Courtesy: www.leaderpost.com