The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced today they have released import defensive back Omarr Morgan.“We thank Omarr for his years of service to the team and the tremendous leadership he provided on the field and in the locker room,” stated Vice-President of Football Operations Ken Miller. “We will miss his day-to-day contributions and wish him all the best.”
The veteran has spent a decade with the Green and White and played in 174 regular season games. In that time he has amassed 556 defensive tackles, 36 special teams tackles, 26 interceptions for 399 yards and 10 fumble recoveries.
*The Roughriders also announced they released defensive back Willie Byrd from the roster.
29 comments:
OK? So who are the starting premier DB's for Riders in 2011?
Morgan will be misses, he did slow down but his experience and motivation on field is valuable, he almost got the Cup last year, he should have not bolted to Esks in 07, blame it on Hall.
Yeah, whats the plan?
It's time to PANIC, PANIC, PANIC. The world is caving in again.
Now lets see how many comments on here follow this theme !!
Bill J
wow i don't get it !! they seemed hi on him last year, with davies and now morgan gone in two years it leaves one big hole in secondary ! good luck to you omar
He is 34 years old...that is old for a DB...lets see who the Riders bring to camp before we freak out.
Remember they can always re-sign him cheaper when no one else picks him up.
Mark
No worries, this was to be expected.
The GM / coaches have the plan and that's all we need to know.
Not a surprise in the least...Omarr lost a step and his age / salary caught up with him.
Anonymous - why blame Hall for Omarr not being here in 07? Not following you since Richie was still the DC here in 2007 and likely wanted to keep Omar - if you feel the need to blame someone then either blame Tillman's changes he made in 2007 to get within the salary cap or blame Omarr himself for thinking the grass was greener in Edmonton. It is too bad he could not have won a Cup though - he gave everything to this team for 10 years. Good luck Omarr.
WHAT A TERRIBLE WAY TO BE TREATED. OMARR GAVE EVERYTHING TO THE RIDERS. AT LEAST TREAT HIM WITH THE RESPECT THAT HE DESERVES. SHAME ON YOU RIDERS. I EXPECTED MORE.
if Omarr hadn't forgotten how to tackle and cover guys closer than from 15 yards out, he still might be here
Jim in victoria,
WTF are you talking about? It's a business. The RIDERS only do what they think is best for the team. It's not about not "respecting" Omarr. You must have forgot that Omarr didn't think twice about leaving the RIDERS for "greener pastures" in edmonton
heh Jim treat him with respect? So what keep him around because he has been good to the Riders for 10 yrs? Come on man when a guy is getting up there in age and has a lofty salary its time to go younger. If you think he did not lose a step last yr your sadly mistaken. Im tired of keeping guys around because they are "good" guys. Its time to get younger and better. Yes he was a great Rider but its time to move on.Im a little disappointed in letting Byrd go though he was actually a DB with some size and toughness. Jason
Jim in Victoria. I think that the Riders did treat him with respect! They released him early so he could find other employment rather than keep him until after training camp. At least they didn't treat him the way Buono treated all the players he let go in the last 2 years when they had bonus's caoming!
I had the thrill of seeing Omarr set a CFL record with his 108 yard fumble return. I'll never forget seeing him celebrate 80 yards from the end zone, because he knew he couldn't be caught. Sadly, Omarr has lost a step since then and it was time.
BB
I don't get it the Riders stick with washed up players like Clermont,Makowsky,Szarka. But they release a player like Morgan. Who maybe didn't have his best year last season but still has a 2-3 good years left in him.
A little off topic but Teubert was just traded to the Oilers for Penner. Edmonton also got a 1st rd pick in 11 and a conditional pick in 12.
All I can think of is Richardson out jumping him twice in Grey Cup game when it was on the line. He was a great Rider, but old man time and his salary have caught up to him finally. Thanks for the memories. It's a shame you left for Edmonton the one year we won Grey Cup in 2007.
Aside from being an amazing open-field tackler in his prime, I remember him blocking a last-play game-winning FG attempt against Edmonton to preserve the win.
Thanks for the memories Omarr.
NHL Trade deadline over and only 8 trades of marginal players . Big one was Dustin Penner to Kings, but other than that the day was a colossal failure . All hype and no trades.
Good move by the Riders. Shows they are making decisions based on performance. To address a few points:
- releasing Omar in this manner is the most RESPECTFUL way of releasing a player past his prime. They let him go before camp and thanked him for his years of service
- starting CBs for 2011 (unless they get beat out in camp) are Kornegay and Graham. Major upgrade from our starting CBs in the 2010 Grey Cup (Morgan and Mitchell)
- why keep Clermont, Szarka, Makowsky and release Omar? Easy answer. First and foremost the first three guys you listed are Canadian. It's WAY easier to replace an aging import DB like Omar than Canadian players (starters or not). Besides those three Canucks are still performing a high enough level to keep around.
This is the winning formula in the CFL - invest in your Canadians, but be cutthroat with your import talent.
I agree it's easier to replace imports then Canadians. But those three still performing at a high enough level?
Clermont: 27-300 yards with only 1 TD in 2 years as a Rider.
Szarka: 10- 21 yards 1 TD.
Makowsky: Along with most of the o-line it's a surprise that DD is still alive.
If that's a high level then we are in a world of hurt.
Omarr clearly had lost a step last year.Lets give credit to the organization who released a vet before training camp so if any other team needed a backup he could fill a role. I suspect the Riders have a trade or a pretty good replacement in mind. Maybe Byrd requested a trade or a release.Who knows?
I expect most of the Rider Fans want to tell you thanks for your efforts while playing for the team. Good Luck and best wishes for your future.
Robert in Riderville
Clermont, Makowsky and Szarka washed up. Jim, have you been to a Rider game? What a load of crap!
Jim sounds like a guy who is only watching the Ball when he goes to games...he doesn't appreciate blockers, or fullbacks, or guys who provide leadership in the lockeroom.
He appears to be sticking up for Morgan because the ball gets thrown Omarr's way a ton, and doesn't even realize, the more tackles a DB has, it's wrose.
Omarr saw better days no doubt, and was probably time for him to retire.
They will certainly miss his leadership presence in the locker room, but based on last years performance, he definately lost a step or two.
This best for all involved. It allows the Riders to move forward in the direction the feel best and allows Omarr the opportunity to sign on with another team early in the year and not be left hanging after getting released during TC when other teams may have already made decisions at that position. There is no disrespect to Omarr by the Riders they handled it in a fair business like manner. It's understandable for Omarr to be upset - if he didn't care it wouldn't bother him.
Best of luck Omarr
Thanks Omarr for your Rider Years .
Adams and Wes next .We have to get
faster and tougher with more size .
Sigh..
Clermont - very limited playtime, always coming through when called upon
Szarka - 10 for 21 ?? 10 carries when everyone in the stadium knew he was getting the ball and he plows forward for the 1st down
Makowsky - moved around the O Line to make up for Wayne Smiths injury and underperforming import play
Omarr - Can still play, may still play but if not...played a hell of a career
I cant even believe Makowski Szarka and Clermont were mentioned in a list of washed up players. Makowski especially who has been solid year in and year out with no signs of slowing down.
Szarka who may not rack up the yards but comes through with huge blocks and first downs when hes needed
Clermont who hasnt started but makes big catches when hes called upon.
Omar struggled all year missing tackles and busted coverage. Sure he wasnt horrible but he was becoming more of a liability. It was time.
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