Better know a free agent: Paul Woldu

The last of our profiles on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ major offseason free agent signings was actually the first of the four to be announced. Sorry, Paul, but that’s what happens when your brother doesn’t let me cheat off of his Spanish 102 final exam. Moving on …

PAUL WOLDU, Cornerback

Tale of the Tape: 6-foot-0 … 170 pounds … 27 years old … four CFL seasons … 2011: Montreal Alouettes

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: Member of 2009 and 2010 Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes … 2007 CIS First-Team All-Star … Played in 2006 Vanier Cup for the U of S Huskies.

Upside(s): Versatile – led the Als in special teams tackles in 2009 … Non-import at an import-heavy position … Hometown boy will help in the marketing department … Product of a winning culture.

Downside(s): Yet to establish himself as a consistent impact player on the corner … Still awaiting the long-overdue release of the first book in the Where’s Woldu? series.

Better know a free agent: Dominic Picard

With yesterday’s news that the Saskatchewan Roughriders are more or less finished dipping into the CFL’s free agent pool, it appears GM Brendan Taman has TOTALLY REDEEMED HIMSELF in the eyes of the Rider Nation and it’s time to examine some of the Riders’ new additions.

DOMINIC PICARD, Centre

Tale of the Tape: 6-foot-2 … 298 pounds … 29 years old … six CFL seasons … 2011: Toronto Argonauts

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: Two-time Vanier Cup champ with Laval … J.P. Metras Trophy winner as top CIS offensive lineman … part of a Blue Bombers O-line in 2007 that gave up the fewest sacks in the league.

Upside(s): Unlike last year’s additions to the offensive line, was not alive at the time of Elvis’ last concert … winning pedigree … shares a name with arguably the greatest Christmas song of all time.

Downside(s): One-time college recruit of Danny Maciocia … Not related to Captain Jean-Luc.

Celebrity Lookalike: Turtle from Entourage.

Fun fact: Picard beat down cancer in 2004-05 and has done considerable work with the Canadian Cancer Society.

Shocker: Early contender for quote of the year NOT provided by hockey player

“I didn’t think I’d miss practising every day and the early-morning practices, but I’m enjoying running hard and puking and whatever there is to do, just because I’m out there.” – University of Regina Cougars men’s basketball post Vule Grujic, as told to the Leader-Post’s Ian Hamilton.