On Eric Tillman, Roy Shivers and Brad Banks…
Kicking myself today for predicting in our weekly Huddle page that Danny Barrett would be bumped upstairs in Saskatchewan in the wake of the Roy Shivers’ firing. I guessed that Eric Tillman would re-surface in Ottawa this fall but it makes more sense for him to take the job in Regina. And that announcement is imminent.
Tillman was actually the first choice of the Rider board in 1999 but balked at taking the gig. But now, having seen how Shivers spent much of the year in the US scouting, Tillman can take the Rider position knowing there is a suitable template for him. A caring family man, Tillman is close to his friends and family in Mississippi and is now a father of two. He’ll be able to keep the Riders stocked with talent and keep his family commitments under the arrangement in Saskatchewan.
I will say this about Shivers’ departure: he rankled a lot of folks for his candid manner, but he’ll be missed by us hacks in the press because he was a great quote and was never short of speaking his mind. A team like the Hamilton Tiger-Cats  or any CFL outfit, for that matter  would be wise to tap into his knowledge.
Finally, I’ve got to say this about what I saw from Brad Banks at Bomber practice this week: where have you been, Mr. Banks? He often looked bamboozled by Doug Berry’s offence this season but he zoned in over the past few days as the starting QB job was dangled in front of his eyes this week. He likely won’t start this Friday against the Argos  Mike Quinn will get another crack  but don’t be surprised if Berry has a quick hook.
Cheers
