Sunday 28 March 2010

Simpson to Saskatchewan

It was announced on Friday that Linebacker Barrin Simpson has signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Simpson played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2009.

It doesn't really surprise me that Simpson would sign with the Riders. The Riders are always looking to upgrade their team, and Simpson is an upgrade at LB. What does surprise me is that he didn't go to another team, his former team, the BC Lions. The Leos just lost JoJuan Armour to retirement and are in the market for a veteran Linebacker. Simpson had previously played in BC prior to going to Winnipeg, and it seemed that a return to the left coast would have made the most sense.

While Simpson is getting up there in age, he is still a very serviceable LB and could help a very young, very talented Saskatchewan team by providing some veteran leadership. Saskatchewan has probably dealt with the most talent turnover of any of the teams, especially when it comes to losing key players on defense. Back in the winter both of the Riders' starting DEs from last year's Grey Cup game, John Chick and Stevie Baggs, signed NFL contracts – Chick with the Indianapolis Colts and Baggs with the Arizona Cardinals. While Simpson won't fill the void created at Defensive End, he will fill the leadership void left by Baggs's and Chick's departures.

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