Mike

Scratch what I said about the roster because apparently I'm hearing we added another receiver to the rookie camp roster.

For anyone wanting to post articles, reports, thoughts, questions, etc regarding the first day of rookie camp - here's the spot to do it. Only a one hour practice today. Also - for what it's worth - rookie camp roster limit is 75 + non-counters (current year draft picks and a max of two other non-counters defined by eligibility) and we currently have 82 bodies. As far as I know, counting draft picks and the two non-counters, that maxes us out so you won't see any additions prior to camp other than Richards and Waggoner. Wednesday, May 27—Rookie Camp Practice: 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Cameras can record practice from 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Still photography of practice can begin at 3:25 p.m. Players and Head Coach Mike O’Shea will be available following practice on the field.

I wonder what his health is like right now ... couldn't pass a physical a few weeks ago. Had heard there was a good chance he wouldn't play this year. Now he's signed? Interesting story to follow.

The last thing Hamilton needs is MORE Canadian defensive role players. They have about a million of them.

Mr. Perfect being our QB would really limit our need for receivers.

Did some inquiring this morning / last night ... still waiting to hear back from a few but the sense I got was that this is nothing serious. Don't want to suggest the rumor is false, so I won't plus you really do just never know, but it's nothing the usual suspects knew about. What I do know is that Hamilton and Winnipeg have been having talks since way back just prior to the draft, so maybe something comes from those. That being said - I've had a few people tell me the sense around the league is that Evan Gill could be had for pretty cheap - he's somewhat damaged goods and won't return anywhere near the first rounder Hamilton spent on him. Keep in mind, they spent a late first rounder on him in one of the weaker drafts in years. My guess is you could probably have him for a third or fourth rounder (with a special teamer thrown in for optics maybe)

Who is our backup tailback? No doubt Gbill is going to pull a Grigsby in week 5 after he's not getting enough credit for his role in the offense.

This is always fun before the first practices get going ... QB - Willy RB - Cotton REC - Denmark, Moore, Kohlert*, Tuinei, Logan OL - Bryant, Greaves*, Picard*, Chungh*, Mims DL - Westerman*, Turner, Collins, S. Brown LB - Hurl* (WIL), Allen (MAC), Wright (SAM) DB - Bucknor*, Washington, Adams, Randle S - Leggett Scares me because that's a lot of turnover on defense, but there's my uneducated guess at it before the bullets start flying.

Apparently that's all there is to it.

Chris Schultz wants to know about intangibles that they look for in a player. Walters says the number 1 thing is if a player loves football. Says you need love of the game to have good CFL career. Toughness and grit - gives Chungh as an example. He was passionate about football during an interview and when they showed him film during the interview, they could tell he loved football and would be willing to sit there and break film down with them all night. Coaches look for the coachable players - looking for middle ground where you have collection of the physical attributes as well as the intangible guys - that's what makes a team.

Darrin Bauming ... Question for Walters / O'Shea - who is going to compete at MLB? Where do you see Briggs/Newman/Hurl fitting in positionally? Khalil Bass, Rodney Lamar will compete at MLB. Excited to see Lamar in pads. Bass was interesting because he can compete at MAC/WIL. Sam Hurl has chance to win MAC job. Briggs will compete at MAC, athletic enough to play WIL. Added a couple guys since Florida that they like at LB. Missed a bit of the answer due to a phone call, but I think I heard them say Waggoner can compete at MAC and WIL too, as well as safety. Sammy Brown will compete as a pass rusher, not a linebacker. (Thanks to Bauming for asking my question this morning)

Tyler Creighton? from Brandon media has 3 questions Wade - anything planned for Brandon in the lead up to the Grey Cup - Miller says yes there are plans that will be announced over the next month. Plans on package for transportation from Westman area to game with tickets, etc. Fan Experience vehicle will be touring Westman area during summer. O'Shea - potential and expectations of Jordan Reaves - O'Shea says he's raw, going to take time for Reaves to get used to football again, terrificly sized, gifted athlete and "if he puts his mind to it, he'll continue to grow and achieve success" Walters - any interest in Chris Bauman? - Walters says no. Bauman's agent has contacted him, but they're not interested.

Kirk Penton wants to know about Garrett Waggoner Walters says "agreed to terms", just waiting for him to arrive for a signature. He'll be in camp tomorrow as well. Asks O'Shea about the ratio this year vs. last year - they say 3 on the OL, planning on two Canadians at receiver, anticipates finding a linebacker out of a great group that will play, says Bucknor and Jones had great years, Westerman and Ivan Brown provide options at defensive end, mentions Jake Thomas as well. Penton asks if the soccer has or will disrupted anything for the club. O'Shea says not a problem, it's very exciting, puts Winnipeg on a world stage and they're excited to be a host, it'll be a non-issue.

Graham Kelly from the Medicine Hat News ... wants to know if O'Shea's approach to defense has changed with new coordinator and new rule changes. O'Shea says the whole league is in the same boat as far as rule changes. Going to really instill hands off approach for DBs in camp, wants to have referees in camp so they're on top of calling penalties for infractions during camp. Lots of film review to learn what is a penalty, what isn't a penalty. He says the expectations of each player does not change effortwise. O'Shea likes Hall as a man and a coach. Likes how he teaches. They will consistently talk about philosophy, what O'Shea wants to see from a defense as they grow throughout camp and the season. Asks about QB depth chart - O'Shea says he's comfortable with QB situation, very happy with Drew, all QBs took offseason program very seriously, not fair to name #2 / #3 yet. Adamant Drew Willy is the starter.

Ed Tait wants update on Addison Richards. Walters says "we're close, agreed to terms, just going through paperwork" - they expect Richards on the field tomorrow for first day of rookie camp. Asks O'Shea what they have to do to take the next step and O'Shea says "become a team" - says it's a sense or a feel that you develop over time, hard to quantify what he means by that. Says he wants the guys to play for the guy next to them as well as themselves.

First question is from Chris Schultz ... What has O'Shea learned going from his first to second year as head coach. O'Shea wants to keep learning, keep developing, says it's an ongoing process. Says it was easier this year because the admin duties were more routine this year, wasn't such a learning process and he has been able to dedicate more time to finding and evaluating talent. Schultz asks what O'Shea enjoys and does not enjoy about coaching. O'Shea likes this time of year when things are starting to get going, excited to see how their plan unfolds. He finds the offseason a bit of a grind because there are no players around, it's a bit dry, etc. Excited to get started with camp.

Should be happening right away. I'll post a summary as I listen - Miller, Walters and O'Shea all on the line.

I wonder how big of a shitfit there will be if they give 11 to Waggoner.

Yeah ... I didn't love the pick because he's not the guy that I was expecting but it's not like he was a reach. He went pretty much exactly where he was expected to.

Guy like Waggoner might not even have his passport yet so I'm not surprised that it's not done as of right now.

Glad somebody else said it. My favorite was when, ten minutes after the news that the Bombers were drafting Chungh came out, he tweeted "well, it's taken four months but I'm finally convinced the Bombers must take Chungh over Groulx" Like really? What sold you? The fact that they've said that's what they're doing? And when he was asked why, he said "because I think Chungh is the next Brendon Labatte" ... if you thought that, why would you ever have chosen Groulx in the first place? He gets an A+ for effort but I find myself disagreeing with nearly everything he says.

It wasn't a full blown outcry but I remember towards the end of his career, there were a number of people calling for Stegall to be benched or put in a reduced role because he was dropping a lot of passes. As for drops ... if Adarius Bowman can become what he has today, then Poblah can get past it too. Bowman was the poster child for drops and now look at him.

I love it. I'm sure we'll be in on him when he gets released from Carolina.

Yeah he played in the PIT in the winter and helped out with finish first football. That was pretty cool of him. I'd take him back for the min. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure he founded FFF.

If Chris Bauman can, he can. I wouldn't mind seeing him here. For vet minimum.