Roughriders extend GM Brendan Taman: now, can he lock up Durant, replace Sheets and Dressler?

It's not particularly surprising that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have extended the contract of general manager Brendan Taman; after all, the team's coming off a Grey Cup win, and they gave head coach Corey Chamblin an extension through 2017 earlier this offseason. Taman's contract was set to expire after the 2015 season, and it looks like the Riders want him to stick around through 2017 as well. That's probably a good move, given the success he's found so far, but there will be challenges ahead for him and the team.

Taman has been with the Riders since 2009, starting as the director of football administration, and he's been the full general manager since Eric Tillman's resignation in January 2010. That span's had some ups and downs for the team; they made it to back-to-back Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010, but lost both to Montreal, and then went 5-13 in 2011. 2012 saw them post a 8-10 record and a first-round playoff exit, but it was this year that was particularly impressive, with the team going 11-7 in the regular season and then making a dominant run through the playoffs to win the Grey Cup at home. Taman's moves over the years played a big role there, too. He inherited a capable quarterback in Darian Durant, but made the decision to stick with him despite struggles in 2011. He took a major leap of faith on Chamblin, who had only been coaching for six seasons and had only spent one year as a coordinator when he was hired as Saskatchewan's head coach in December 2011. The team also found star running back Kory Sheets on his watch, and he made smart signings and trades for proven CFL stars like Dwight Anderson and Alex Hall. All of those moves proved crucial to the Roughriders' 2013 triumph.

It's what comes next that may be the biggest task for Taman, though. Attrition is common for champions, but even still, the amount Saskatchewan has suffered is staggering. They lost two of their most important offensive players (Sheets and slotback Weston Dressler) to the NFL, while linebackers Craig Butler and Abe Kromah went to Hamilton in free agency and backup quarterback Drew Willy was traded to Winnipeg. Plenty of other free agents left, too, including running back/receiver Jock Sanders (Calgary), punter Ricky Schmitt (B.C.), defensive tackle Jermaine McElveen and defensive back Graig Newman. Taman and his staff believe they've already found some potential replacements, a few of whom were in evidence at the team's minicamp in Florida last weekend, but we'll see how they do once the season rolls around. There's more business to take care of internally, too, including signing Durant to an extension (talks are ongoing). Taman may have an extension, but he won't be able to rest easy for a while; the challenges are just beginning.