Jamie Nye: O’Day needs no-names to become big names

I’m not sure how many Valentine’s Day cards General Manager Jeremy O’Day will receive from Rider nation after the consternation I’ve been reading about his performance during free agency.

And when O’Day met with the media, there was more criticism: Fans didn’t like Zach Collaros being tabbed as an automatic #1; the explanation about losing Willie Jefferson left some wanting more; and the fact O’Day said there weren’t many holes to fill on the roster going into free agency even had this observer raise a Spockian eyebrow.

But O’Day did say something notable. He can’t just sign the stars from other teams; he has to find his own through the work of free agent camps, scouting and drafting.

He’s bang on there. That is truly the Calgary model everyone yearns to have. When your stars start asking for too much, you have the next guy. Calgary has moved on smoothly from receiver to receiver, defensive end to defensive end, linebacker to linebacker.

No Willie Jefferson, it’s Chad Geter’s turn to step up.

The stars of the league started their careers with a news release with little to no fan fair. Free agency is just one piece to a large puzzle of constructing a Grey Cup contender.