Mr Dee

“We’ve got a lot of talent in this camp and that’s what’s exciting to see,” said Bighill. “We’ve got a lot of competition going on. The rookies are learning at a fast pace and we’re working extremely hard. We’re working hard to get better and we’re starting at a high level because of the continuity we already have in our defensive room.” Asked if any of the new guys in particular is jumping out, Bighill said he could name a lot of guys and then referenced draft picks Connor Griffiths and Tariq Lachance along with import defensive tackle Steven Richardson and then said that in the secondary “we’re always making plays.” Standing out: Chandler Fenner, who has been working at wide-side corner; SB Nic Demski; RB John Santiago; DT Steven Richardson… O’Shea was asked about the OL’s collective personality and how it ‘drove the team’ over the last few years but has now lost two players in Matthias Goossen and Sukh Chungh. “Still does. Still does. Not worried about it. Still does. These guys get it. Michael Couture and Cody Speller… they’ve been here and they understand it and they’re those type of guys.” https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/05/22/noted-camp-day-4-recap/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Not a bad article from....Paul Friesen. The Canadian-import player ratio is getting a tweak in the new collective bargaining agreement ratified by the CFL and the players union on Wednesday. It’ll take effect in the 2020 season. That’ll give coaches and GMs some time to get their heads wrapped around it — and they’ll need it. Bombers Chad Rempel described the new rule as a way for veteran Americans to become, essentially, non-imports. Those who qualify have to be with the same team for three years, or in the CFL for four. But the rule requiring each team to start seven natural Canadians remains in effect. Teams will have the option of adding three qualifying Americans, for a total of 10 “non-import” spots. Those qualifying American players may also be backups who go into a game to replace injured starting Canadians. Until now, teams had to have a Canadian backup to replace a Canadian starter. “So it provides more depth,” Rempel said. “When there is an injury, you’re not required to just replace a Canadian with a Canadian. It can be basically anybody. So the quality of play should go up. You’re not handcuffing GM’s.” “We’re continuing to work on the language around that to make sure it’s not abused.” https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/cfl-to-try-veteran-american-ratio#click=https://t.co/4Mh9G0rdB5

Very well. You tell him..

Speaking of Couture

Nothing like having a little Bailey in the morning..with my coffee.

Day 3 of training camp - Ed Tait “I feel great. Coming in and just contributing to the team… great environment, great people, great coaches. I just feel love. I feel like I’m at home,” said Rose. Coming in to Winnipeg and seeing what they did last year with just one game short of the Grey Cup, I just feel like me contributing to the team will help us get there and win us one.” One more on Rose, this from head coach Mike O’Shea: “I thought today was a real slick practice for him. It seemed like he covered well, he runs well and you can hear him out there getting the chatter going. He was quite noticeable today.” Catching our eye on Tuesday were receivers Drew Wolitarsky, Daniel Petermann and Rasheed Bailey – who was working with the starting unit – along with CB Winston Rose, DB Chris Humes, DE Willie Jefferson, OL Michael Couture, Cody Speller and Frank Sutton and DT Steven Richardson. https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/05/21/notes-camp-day-3-recap/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

So very much of Saskatchewan’s season hinges on Collaros..

Just hearing and reading reports I can see the Bomber Brass reflecting our our ratio..real hard. Those DL guys are forcing the issue. Not to mention Foketi. They’ll be thinking of tweaking the National lineup a lot in the upcoming days. It must be nice to have choices..

“Even now, given the months and months to reflect and rewind, Chris Streveler will admit that his first year in professional football was an absolute thrill ride.” What an absolute piece of good fortune to have this guy..

I really want to be at that camp..

👁‍🗨 Preseason (and just for fun) power rankings 3Down Power Rankings: There’s a new No. 1 (at least for now) We do our power rankings by having seven 3Down contributors (Edwards, Dunk, Hodge, Filoso, Ballantine, Gasson, Smith) rank the teams from No. 1 to No. 9. The team with the fewest “points” gets the top ranking, the second fewest is No. 2 and so on. 1) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (formerly No. 2) The Bombers have most of their key contributors back from last season (including their starting and back up quarterbacks), continuity in the front office and coaching staff and solid base of Canadian talent. With questions in Calgary, Winnipeg is the team to beat in the West (at least for now.) 2. Calgary Stampeders (1) No Micah Johnson, no Alex Singleton, no Ciante Evans… no problem? The champs lost a bunch of guys on defence and depth at receiver but still have Bo Levi Mitchell at quarterback and John Hufnagel’s ability to find players. Both will be tested again this season. 3. B.C. Lions (3) With Wally Buono gone, general manager Ed Hervey has remade the Lions with a new coach (DeVone Claybrooks) a new QB (Mike Reilly) and a massive roster turnover. Talented, yes. But how fast and how well they come together will dictate the Lions’ fortunes. 4. Hamilton (4) The top-ranked team in the East has a lot of talent, an established QB, a new coach and the advantage of competing against divisional rivals loaded with question marks. 5. Saskatchewan (6) The Riders are loaded on defence and they just signed a punter so that’s good news. But there are question marks at quarterback and it remains to be seen whether the departure of Chris Jones robs this team of its swashbuckling mentality. 6. Edmonton (5) The Esks are trying to re-load on the fly after losing franchise star Mike Reilly to B.C. and this seems like a make-or-break year for general manager Brock Sunderland and head coach Jason Maas. Oh, and the West Division is going to be tough as hell. 7. Toronto (8) Welcome to the bottom of the power rankings, otherwise known as most of the East Division. There’s some optimism around new head coach Corey Chamblin and a sense that maybe James Franklin could be good. Releasing starting Canadian offensive tackles (Chris Van Zeyl) on the eve of training camp not so good, however. 8. Ottawa (7) With Trevor Harris in Edmonton, the QB battle in Ottawa features the largely untested Dom Davis and the perpetual underperformer Jon Jennings. GM Marcel Desjardins was right about the cap not going up by much but the talent exodus could still hurt. 9. Montreal (9) The No. 9-ranked team begins the season where they ended it and will need some sustained success to get the stink of their perpetual basement dwelling off their fancy new uniforms. 👁‍🗨 Personally, I’d rank Hamilton over B.C. to start. But it is just the start.. https://3downnation.com/2019/05/21/3down-power-rankings-theres-a-new-no-1-at-least-for-now/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I did give a read and he certainly goes to on to point out the flaws in the Bomber roster. He throws a damp towel over the Bomber enthusiasm. In my opinion, where he doesn’t merit too much attention is he does not balance the losses with the gains. This Bomber team, especially with the key additions, is strong with several 2nd year (and more) who have been on this team and who know the system. They’re good players. So, it’s his opinion..and he’s welcome to it, and that’s where it ends.

STANDING OUT: Day 2 WR Chris Matthews, DE Willie Jefferson, WR Lucky Whitehead, DB Chris Humes, RB Brady Oliveira, RT Jermarcus Hardrick, LT Stanley Bryant. https://www.bluebombers.com/2019/05/20/notes-camp-day-2-recap/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Chris Streveler Looking forward to this