By Joel Gasson

Riders busy on day 2 of CFL free agency

Feb 11, 2015 | 2:15 PM

The Riders may have been quiet on day one of CFL free agency but that certainly is not the case on day two.

Six separate moves have been announced including, the re-signing of offensive lineman Dan Clark, re-signing fullback Scott McHenry, the official signing of Canadian linebacker and former University of Saskatchewan Huskie Keenan MacDougall, the re-signing of defensive end Alex Hall and the addition Canadian linebacker Joash Gesse. They also released American receiver Brett Swain.

“It’s been busy for all us, everybody takes a hand in this,” said vice-president and general manager Brendan Taman.

“It’s been hectic and quite busy but we’re getting through it.”

The biggest surprise of the day might be the re-addition of Hall, who spent last season on the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

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Frankly, Hall wasn’t really on anyone’s radar outside of the league’s general managers. He was hardly discussed as an option by fans and media of the league alike.

Taman has been in discussions with Hall’s camp since around December.

“Obviously we kept track of him when he was down there,” said Taman.

“He wanted to get something done quick, knowing that salary cap money gets spent money quick.”

Taman feels that Hall’s experience with the Riders in 2013 helped sway him to return as there was a few other teams trying to acquire his services.

This will be Hall’s second stint with the Riders. The 29-year-old was traded to Saskatchewan late in the 2013 season from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld.

In his two previous seasons in the CFL Hall racked up 71 tackles and 25 sacks in 32 regular season games.

Clark is back for his fourth season in Green and White after joining the team in 2009 from the Regina Thunder.

Come June, it looks like Clark will be battling with Corey Watman to be the team’s starting centre. A spot he and the team feel he might be better suited for.

“That opportunity is huge for myself and Watman. Whether it’s him or I we’re going to support each other 100 per cent,” said Clark.

The 26-year-old played in 16 games in 2014, starting in 10 of them at both guard and centre. The Regina product also picked up his second career touchdown on Aug. 24 against the Lions in B.C.

McHenry signed a two-year extension with the team on Wednesday meaning the Saskatoon native will be around for his fifth and sixth seasons with the team.

The 27-year-old former Huskie has 30 career catches for 269 yards and two touchdowns in 67 regular season games, along with 14 special teams tackles.

McHenry missed most of last season with a fractured neck, an injury that appears to be coming a long well.

“It’s all about getting confidence back over the next five months,” said McHenry, who had his brace taken off in December and starting working out with teammates a week later.

MacDougall joins the Riders after three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. The Stamps drafted MacDougall 15th overall in the 2012 draft. Since then, the Saskatoon native has registered 30 special teams tackles, eight defensive tackles and two fumble returns for touchdowns in 36 games.

For MacDougall it all came down to the coaching staff believing in him.

“That was kind of the deciding factor. It looked like it was going to be a good opportunity to help the team out,” he said.

Gesse will add some depth to the Riders Canadian linebacking group while also helping out on special teams. The Montreal native has 40 special teams tackles in his 51 game career. The 28-year-old was originally drafted by the B.C. Lions in the third round of the 2010 draft and spent the last couple of year with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Swain joined the Riders as a free agent last season making 25 catches for 377 yards and three touchdowns.

The Riders have been in conversation with quarterback Tino Sunseri. But they’ve also touched base with Kevin Glenn and Dan LeFevour.

So far, Taman hasn’t lost out on any free agents that he was working hard to try and land.

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