Darrell Davis: Elimimian wants to play for Riders

Only some members of the local media might be upset with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for signing all-star linebacker Salmon Aluminum. Er, Sullivan Elnumum. Ah, here it is: Solomon Elimimian.

It’s a tough name to spell, remember and pronounce properly. He’s also a tough guy to play against, as he demonstrated for nine seasons with the B.C. Lions. We spent part of Thursday’s Green Zone stumbling over his name, but we also listened carefully to Elimimian’s interview describing his tackling prowess, the “want-to” factor that made him a two-time winner of the CFL’s outstanding defensive player award, plus once as the league’s top overall player.

When B.C. signed high-priced quarterback Mike Reilly, the Lions had to trim some salaries. Elimimian was limited to four games last season because of a broken wrist. When the Lions waived him he was quickly being wooed by Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day. Really, who wouldn’t want to add a veteran, healthy Aluminum — ah, Elimimian — to their defence?