Noeller

...opening Wednesday in Florida. Ted Wyman: BRADENTON, Fla. — Unable to secure a big-play receiver through free agency, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have to go the in-house route to fill a void that haunted them last season. The process of unearthing that potential gem started last year when the Bombers brought in promising but CFL-untested receivers Corey Washington, Kenbrell Thompkins, Charles Nelson and Kenny Lawler. It continues Wednesday and Thursday, when the Bombers’ scouts, coaches and management will take a look at 15 American receivers at a free-agent camp here at the IMG Academy. It’s expected about seven of those pass-catchers will move on to the Bombers main camp — assuming the league’s labour impasse is resolved — in May. “It’s generally a passing thing and that won’t change,” Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said of the mini-camp. “It’s heavily loaded on receivers and defensive backs. “The goal is to find receivers who can help right away but the track record of the CFL shows that for a rookie receiver to come in and learn the playbook in a two-week training camp, it’s very difficult. When we look at these receivers, it’s less about ‘We think he’s gonna come in and start Day 1,’ it’s ‘We think this guy’s got a chance at some point during the year, once he learns everything and figures out what he’s supposed to do.’” Of the 38 players invited to the camp, 29 will be either receivers or defensive backs. There will also be two quarterbacks, three running backs and four linebackers. There will be no linemen or kickers and all of the players in the camp are true American rookies. Some are under contract, others are neg-list players, and still more are free agents who are in on a tryout basis. The Bombers already have 16 receivers under contract and nine of them were with the team last year. However, only three of those players — Darvin Adams, Drew Wolitarsky and Nic Demski — were season-long starters. Thompkins saw the most playing time among the others, making 29 catches for 421 yards and one touchdown in 12 games, while Washington got into three games and Nelson got into one. The Bombers also have second-year Canadians Daniel Petermann and Rashaun Simonise in the mix and both should push for more playing time. In all likelihood, one or two of those players will be starters in 2019, though there is certain to be fierce competition throughout this mini-camp and the full training camp. “The biggest one for the receivers this year is the guys who we had last year that were all in their first year and ended the year with the team,” Walters said. “Those are the guys I expect to step forward. Guys like Corey Washington, Kenbrell Thompkins, Charles Nelson, Kenny Lawler. Those guys made good impressions on us last year in their first year and we expect them to make the big jump. They were the names last year that jumped out. I think those are the young guys that are going to have the advantage, strictly based on seniority.” On the other side of the ball, the Bombers have a whopping 21 defensive backs under contract and nine of them are returning. With the departures of Chris Randle (released, signed with Ottawa), Kevin Fogg (signed as free agent with Toronto) and Taylor Loffler (signed as free agent with Montreal), the Bombers have holes to fill, but have a decent base with veterans Brandon Alexander, Marcus Sayles, Anthony Gaitor, Chandler Fenner and Jeff Hecht all returning. “We hope there are some tough decisions at the end of this because that means we’ve got a lot of good guys and only a few of them are able to make it to training camp,” Walters said. “We do want to see guys physically taxed for a couple of days. We want to put them through the fitness tests and give them the once-over. A big part of this is to see who can handle the fitness component. If you struggle getting through a couple-day camp, with full training camp just three weeks away … they need to be in good shape and be ready to compete, which will be a big part of the evaluation process.” This is the first time in five years that the Bombers have held their mini-camp in Florida. For the last few years, the camp has been held at Investors Group Field and has included a mix of American and Canadian rookies, all of the quarterbacks and some veterans. Because of the contentious collective bargaining agreement negotiations between the CFL and the Players Association, this year’s camp is limited to first-year players. That means the quarterbacks in mini-camp will be rookie Bryan Schor from James Madison and another pivot that will be added at the last minute. “They’ll get plenty of work,” Walters said. “I said to (assistant general manager) Danny (McManus) that he might have to chuck the ball around, or (quarterbacks coach) Buck (Pierce). We’ve got some backup arms in house, if needed.” While there are no guarantees the Bombers will find stars or even starters through this camp, these kinds of players have become vital to CFL teams in dealing with the salary cap. “You’re gonna see around the league, I think, with the escalating salaries, that something’s got to go,” Walters said. “Teams are gonna be relying on a lot of these young guys to come in and contribute. We’re no different. We’ve had young guys in the secondary come in and play, linebackers, D-linemen. “From the American side, you have to be able to rely on your scouting department. With the way we’re operating the salary cap, even with guys getting certain raises on our team, then something’s got to give. You need to rely on some young guys, I call them first-contract players, to come in and contribute.” The job of finding the best first-contract players available falls to McManus, who is director of U.S. scouting, director of player personnel Ted Goveia and director of college scouting Ryan Rigmaiden. Now they have a chance to see how the players move in person, how they show the athletic ability that was previously seen on tape. Some of these players haven’t been playing football since they got cut from an NFL camp. They’ve been training and but now it’s about getting back into the mould of playing football. Are they able to do some of the basic things that the coaches ask them to do? Follow directions? Line up where they are supposed to? Do their job? “This is the slowest it will ever get during the season as far as your instruction,” McManus said. “You’re gonna have some nice one-on-one instruction with the coaches. Once you get into rookie camp, the speed picks up a little bit more. Once main camp starts, things go 100 miles an hour. If you’re not on top of it as a young player right now at this camp, you’ll be lost by the time we get to the middle of May and the veterans come in.” The scouts have had a challenging year, with the creation and demise of the Alliance of American Football and plans for a re-boot of the XFL adding to an already packed scouting season. The AAF training camp and season may have actually helped the scouts identify some potential CFL players and Walters expects a few players from the now suspended league to be at mini-camp. “Ted and Danny and Ryan, they’ve done the legwork on these guys,” Walters said. “Now it’s a chance for them to see them in person. The scouting has been going on for a couple of years with some of these guys and we are finally getting them in. We haven’t seen them play a lot recently, so it will be a good chance for those guys to see them. “‘Here’s what these players have done in the past and maybe they don’t look 100% in game shape, but you saw glimmers of what we saw. This guy has a huge upside, he’s just out of shape or he’s rusty.’ “It’s an interesting process to not just go with the top five guys. It’s the top five guys that might be lifting the Grey Cup — helping us win the Grey Cup — not just winning the free agent camp.” BLUE BOMBERS MINI-CAMP ROSTER At Bradenton, Fla., April 24-25 Player Pos Ht Wt Age College Malik Boynton DB 6-0 190 22 Austin Peay Terrance Baldwin DB 5-10 180 22 West Liberty Malik Reaves DB 6-2 200 23 Villanova Christian Boutte DB 5-10 190 23 Nicholls State Joe Este DB 5-11 200 24 Tennessee Martin Eric Patterson DB 5-11 195 26 Ball State Mykkele Thompson DB 6-1 195 25 Texas Jimmy Pruitt DB 6-0 205 26 San Jose State Amari Coleman DB 5-11 188 22 Central Michigan Chinedu Okparaku LB 6-1 210 22 Fairmont State Dale Warren LB 6-0 225 23 Chatanooga Otha Peters LB 6-0 235 25 Louisiana-Lafayette Jarnor Jones LB 6-3 210 24 Iowa State Bryan Schor QB 6-2 215 24 James Madison Jalen Simmons RB 5-8 205 27 South Carolina State Larry Rose RB 5-11 195 23 New Mexico State Marquell Cartwright RB 5-8 203 NA North Carolina A&T Dom Williams WR 6-2 200 26 Washington State Garrett Johnson WR 5-11 175 23 Kentucky Rasheed Bailey WR 6-2 200 25 Delaware Valley State Evan Clark WR 5-10 190 23 St. John’s Tim Wilson WR 5-9 170 25 East Stroudsburg Kenny Walker WR 5-9 188 25 UCLA Dennis Parks WR 6-0 200 24 Rice *At least 16 more players to be added Wednesday Twyman@postmedia.com

Friesen absolutely had it coming. Don't forget the Bombers banned him not that long ago....

Wasn't Konar an absolute liability for the Esks last two years?? Lapo OWNED him with mid-level catch-and-runs....

Strike vote incoming....

I sort of get it because I'm like that about the Bombers but I just don't get that worked up about hockey. They'll give em a run on Saturday... Not sure it'll be enough, but they'll give em a run.

Jesus.... Call the infirmary. Lotta broken ankles incoming...

Calgary is 10 ply soft. Too many Americans and Euros. Just not built for playoff hockey...

there's a reason nobody's brought him back. Everyone always loves the memory, but the reality isn't as good....

Quinn is good...he's all business and doesn't attempt to be funny, which I love. Beyak is just atrocious...he comes across as a confused old man, a la Bob Cole, and gets stuck on one talking point all game ("Did you know that Jarome Iginla WASN'T drafted by the Calgary Flames???" ad nauseum...)

I'm a big Pierre McGuire fan, but I realize I'm very much in the minority...

I follow the Jets, Oilers and fLames regional crews closest, and sadly the Jets are by far the worst in radio and TV. It's such a shame 'cause they deserve a lot better...

I like someone who is a great communicator and speaker, who clearly understands the game and seems very relaxed...someone I'd like to have a beer with. It's an extremely rare combination. Fwiw, I thought Shane Hnidy and think Kevin Sawyer are two of the worst....

DeBrusk is the best colour guy going right now. Ferraro used to be, but he's become a bit of a cartoon character...DeBrusk is just a really knowledgeable hockey guy. The pair is the best one going in the playoffs. And honestly, if you regularly watch/listen to any of the Jets regionals (radio or TV) virtually anything is a step up...

I think the broadcasters have been doing a good job. You guys don't know how lucky we are having Randorf and DeBrusk, who are probably the best tandem available. I think you're just used to the regional broadcast blowing so much smoke up your ass, that anything close to even-handed seems like it's tilting the other way...

I'm no huge FM fan by any means, but I was at that last tour when it hit Calgary, and it was definitely a solid show. So many hits between FM and Stevie's solo stuff...

From the Taiter: Ed Tait‏ @EdTaitWFC 31m31 minutes ago More Ed Tait Retweeted CFL Communications This affects the #Bombers drafting positions after the second round. Still pick 4th, 5th and 14th, but now 25th, 34th, 43rd, 52nd, 61st and 70th overall -- each pick dropped down two spots due to the Toronto and Montreal territorial selections

Further to territorial exemptions...

knocking on wood, but if we can get Leafs and fLames fans outta the playoffs, Twitter is going to be SO MUCH more enjoyable...

2007 cheerleaders......I have my reasons......

https://3downnation.com/2019/04/17/cflpa-informs-cfl-that-players-will-not-report-to-training-camp-without-new-cba-in-place/

We scored 2 goals......one of which was the most precise (I dare say a bit of a fluke) redirect/deflection/tip that there could possibly be, and the other was a really good out-hustle, out-work, crash the net play. Full marks to the Jets, but I'm not sure how last night's game shows that "we've finally gotten to the guy at the other end"...

CFL‏Verified account @CFL 15m15 minutes ago More #GreyCup champion Akeem Foster (@Ak_Mr88) has signed with Finland's Kotka Eagles, showcasing another side of CFL 2.0.

I'm not even going to vote on this category.....this seems like a poll strictly for the old men who don't like that more recent players have been winning spots.....here, this one is all yours....

RHÉANNE M. @WPG_BLUEBOMBERS SHARE WINNIPEG, MB., April 16, 2019 – The Winnipeg Football Club today released its 2018 annual report and announced an overall operating profit of $2.6 million. “We are pleased with our overall financial results for 2018,” said Winnipeg Football Club President & CEO, Wade Miller. “These results are a testament to the strong support from our fans, season ticket members, and corporate partners. Our team should be proud of our financial results.” Total operating profit was down from 2017 as Investors Group Field saw a much quieter year in 2018 with no concerts or other major events other than the Manitoba Marathon. Total operating revenue reached $33.4 million (an increase of $970,000 over 2017) and is attributable to the Club’s decision to internalize food and beverage operations at Investors Group Field in 2018, thus not only improving the game day experience but also earning 100% of the revenues, less the associated expenses. This was offset by decreases in game revenue which was down $1.4 million (10.5%) as the Club did not host a home playoff game in 2018, and stadium management revenue which was down $1.8M in comparison to 2017. Operating expenses totaled $30.8 million, an increase of $3.4 million over 2017. While the Club continues to invest in its on-field product, overall football operations expenses increased in 2018 by $470,000 as a result of the Club’s success in playing in both the Western Semi-Final and Western Final playoff games. There were expected increases in expenditures in marketing, administration and game day expenses associated with bringing food and beverage into the Club’s internal operations. There was also a decrease in overall stadium occupancy costs of $830,000 as a result of fewer non-football events at Investors Group Field. Consistent with prior years and since the Club moved to Investors Group Field in 2013, the Club alone continues to fund the public transportation program for transit and park and ride services to and from Investors Group Field. The Club has operated the public transportation program since 2013 and has paid for all expenditures related to the program, totalling over $4.6 million. In 2017, Triple B Stadium Inc. formally acknowledged their legal obligation to fund a portion of the public transportation program, retroactive to 2013 and onward. The Club will continue its efforts to recover the payments due from Triple B. The Club recorded a payment to Triple B of $2.7 million based on the Club’s available Excess Cash at December 31, 2018, as defined in and required by the Club’s Management Agreement with Triple B. This is the fifth scheduled annual payment the Club has made to Triple B, fulfilling the Club’s ongoing obligations. Payments will continue over the next four decades based on the Club’s Management Agreement with Triple B that requires the Club to use its best efforts to generate sufficient Excess Cash through the collection of entertainment tax and facility fees to be applied to the annual payments. “Meeting our financial obligations continues to be one of the top priorities of the Winnipeg Football Club.” said Miller.

This is a guy that should never have been gone from our league...