Mr Dee

It may have taken awhile for me to really appreciate all the scoops and inside knowledge that Lawless have put out over the years, but man, that's going to be quite a loss - information-wise, for all our CFL fans..and beyond. Who knew we were going to miss that mug? Anyways, it won't be long before he puts his unique stamp on all things Vegas. Viva Laws Vegas!

Here's my own mock draft... DRAFT

Some Dates: May 1st – CFL rosters reduced to 75 May 13th – U SPORTS East/West Bowl The U SPORTS East/West Bowl will be held in Quebec City, Quebec. May 7th – 2017 CFL Draft May 24th – Rookie Camps Open May 28th – Training Camps Open June 6th – Preseason opens June 22nd – 2017 Regular season kicksoff What they said: Kenny Stafford wr, said he was also pleased with the talent both at receiver and with the crew of defensive backs that covered him during one-on-one and team drills. He gave particular props to a pair of DBs, including a Roc Carmichael, a 28-year-old Virginia Tech product, and Darnell Walker Jr., 22, who played his college football at Pittsburgh State. As far as receivers go, Stafford spoke highly of Cincinnati’s Alex Chisum, 24, who spent some time with the Detroit Lions before signing with the Bombers. Richie Hall said Thursday the primary goal for the Bombers defence this season is to shut down the charity. Some new names I expect to be in #Bombers camp: WRs Alex Chisum and Ryan Lankford, DBs Terrance Parks, Roc Carmichael, and Darnell Walker Jr - Darrin Bauming ?‍?Big Whoops, on Chisum Argos announce: retirement of CDN OL @JeffPerrett. #CFL - Alex Bazzie released by the Colts. #CFL #BCLions Canadian, #Laurier DL Kwaku Boateng accepts #Bears mini-camp invite 3downnation.com/2017/05/01/can… #Chicago #NFL #CFL #USports Darrin Bauming: - "For me, the best day of the year is draft day," Walters said. “It doesn’t change our draft board a whole lot, it just confirms what we thought.” - Walters - Draft landscape solidifying. ? | ow.ly/m4jB30bl5ak “When you go through this process, you go through every possible scenario,” said Walters. “We’ve had discussions about all these guys and whether we are prepared to wait two, three, four years to see them or risk not seeing them at all.” ?‍?More from Walters: "I have a feeling this year when a team calls a name, certain clubs will look at their board and go, 'Wow, I didn't see that coming,"' he said. "Not that it's right or wrong ... they (prospects) are so even and there's no real separation. "You're going to be able to poll all nine teams and their top-20 is going to look vastly different this year, I predict." "For me, the best day of the year is draft day," Walters said. ***The Bombers believe most, if not all, of the mini-camp invitees will find their way to CFL training camps in late May. • LB Christophe Mulumba, Maine; Tampa Bay Buccaneers • CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 6 • DE Kwaku Boateng, Wilfrid Laurier; Chicago Bears • CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: 12 • LB Jordan Herdman, Simon Fraser; Kansas City Chiefs • CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: NR • REC Alex Morrison, UBC; New York Giants • CFL Scouting Bureau Ranking: NR • K Felix Menard-Briere, Montreal; New York Giants Saskie native DB Kahlen Branning heading to mini-camp with #Detroit #Lions 3downnation.com/2017/05/01/sas… #NFL #CFL #Bombers... Winnipeg added Branning to their negotiation list shortly after that NFL regional, meaning the Bombers control his CFL rights. ?‍?And this week's bit of Jones/Riders buffoonery involves their sniffing around QB -Michael Vick. I swear, I have a tough time keeping up with all these tidbits of unvaluable (sic) information that's pumped out every week since Jones has been hired. This is the best that those multitude of rabid scouts can come up with? Or is it just standard fare to keep the Rider forum buzzing? CFL As the May deadline looms, #CFL Teams are starting make some cuts to their rosters. Full List - http://www.cfl.ca/2017/05/01/roster-roundup-teams-make-cuts-may-deadline-hits/ Edit https://3downnation.com/2017/05/01/saskie-native-kahlen-branning-heading-to-mini-camp-with-detroit/

Winnipeg has 4 picks in the top 23, but only 5 in the top 50. Walters, and his staff, have made it their goal to focus on the top 23 prospects. In a weird kind of way, the selection of these players should make it somewhat easier on their focus. That and the fact that they've done a lot of homework on the remaining choices. What remains is any further reach outs from the NFL, and the interviews that the Bombers have already, and might still conduct. We're going to get at least a couple of good players, and the depth build up continues...

"The guys we brought in here are going to push and compete extremely hard at training camp." - Mike O'Shea "My main focus is getting my head in the playbook." - Nick Temple "I was very impressed with the guys that were out here." - Matt Nichols "You can never have enough good football players around and I think we have a lot of good ones here this week.” "As a football team, what you're always striving for is to get that depth." - Coach Richie Hall --O'Shea impressed with defensive backs, while Nichols lauds receivers https://twitter.com/cfl_headlines/status/858098344329195520 Buck Pierce - QB Coach... BUCK’S TAKES Bombers quarterbacks coach Buck Pierce gave his assessment of each of the Bombers pivots after mini-camp. On Matt Nichols “What impresses me is just how he prepares his schedule of what he needs to do on a weekly basis to prepare to be the guy while continuing to bring other guys along. He’s always had great leadership ability but now it’s the communication. It’s a daily thing for him that he has to grab his teammates and bring them along.” On Dominique Davis He had great development last year. We like what he does, he’s prepared. He practises well and he’s consistent in what he does. He’s the same guy every day and that’s something we talk about with our group of quarterbacks: You can’t be up one day and down the next. You’ve got to be able to build that trust with your teammates and coaches. He’s done it. He knows where he has to get to and we’re pushing him to get there.” On Dan LeFevour “I think he’s been with nine teams in eight years or something like that so he’s seen a lot of systems. So now it’s just him getting his head wrapped around how we call things. I’m really impressed with how he’s throwing the football and getting the ball out of his hands on time.” On Myles Carr “It’s his first experience in pro football. This is an evaluation camp, so we watched everything that he’s doing, how he’s learning, how he reacts on plays he wishes he had back at times. But he’s doing a good job. He’s a good communicator, he asks good questions, so we like what he’s doing so far.” ?‍?Nice piece on Buck "the QB Coach" Pierce http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/04/28/pierce-making-smooth-transition-to-coaching-with-bombers?token=c01a6270b3a2bafb7682d4628614b4fd ?‍? Congratulations are in order to Wade Miller and Melissa Malden on their recent wedding!

KING ARTHUR - as in a preview viewing last night in Kelowna. Jax Teller, er, Charlie Hunnam is the new King, and Jude Law, plays his evil uncle. There are villains galore and action aplenty. And monsters, did I mention monsters? Or rather, giant elephants, birds and snakes. There's a wizard, Merlin (briefly), but mostly a Mage (a sorceress) who helps Arthur along the way. (She can control animals) The movie is fast, so pay attention right from the beginning. Charlie is better in the Sons of Anarchy, but is passable here as the new King. Jude Law is very a good villain. Lots of characters and fun parts. The Guy Ritchie directs the movie he co-wrote. I give it 3.5 stars. Would I recommend it? Why not? It's entertaining and as an adventure movie..it passes the grade. Lots of dead bodies and the scope of the movie is impressive.....Hail the King...and Excalibur, the mighty sword!

Blue Bomber Talk I'm sure he's improved, but consensus in Bomber camp last yr was that Bennett was distant 4th on WPG's QB depth chart. #CFL #Bombers #Riders ?‍?Looks like Vince Young did enough to move on to Main Camp in Saskatchewan...#ridersnowinvinceable... Dan Lefevour throws yet another fabulous deep pass hooking up with Stephen Burton. -Bob Irving Matt Nichols says mini camp is for knocking off the rust--No rust on this guy as he fires darts. - Bob Irving Jeffcoat was the lone lineman at minicamp. He stayed one day. I'm told he will be at main camp in late May. - Darrin Bauming CFL Headlines Bombers hopeful Roberson once rushed for 420 Yards.. And finally....

Reporting from the recent Rider Camp... The top quarterback on Day 3 was @B_BENNETT03 This was borne out by the numbers, and coaches' assessments. - @rodpedersen #CFL #Riders 2 things about this statement: 1) It would bother me if the Riders benefitted from getting a QB from us. And 2) It's Rod Pedersen reporting this, and that is no benefit to anyone...

Fine. Have it your way. But that WAS my very point...?

Hardly a week goes by without some news of Saskatchewan, either doing something oddballish, or having already been found doing something oddballish. The Riders new motto, with Chris Jones at the helm..."Everything's fine"

What they're saying... QB Dan LeFevour looking accurate and comfortable in the passing skeleton as the third session of #Bombers minicamp wraps up. Darrin Bauming Today's first session of #Bombers mini-camp done. Continue to be impressed with the DBs and receivers here. QB Matt Nichols had a good a.m. - Ed Tait The #Bombers mini-camp receivers have been impressive - Ed Tait QB's Nichols, Lefevour, Davis and Carr all throw gorgeous deep throws at mini camp--why wouldn't they, right? ?? Bob Irving "Character." - Coach O'Shea on the deciding factor if two players are neck-and-neck. "We're sitting in pretty good shape to get into camp and get rolling." - Coach O'Shea "As a football team, what you're always striving for is to get that depth." - Coach Richie Hall "You have to be consistently performing." - Coach LaPolice “It’s an adjustment, man. Besides the weather, it’s just getting used to all the motioning,” said Chisum Thursday. “But I feel more confident on the second day already. "(Calvin Johnson) came back and got his jersey retired and that’s the night I broke his record.” - Alex Chisum http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/04/27/mini-camp-feature-alex-chisum/

Last thoughts from Day One - Mini Camp "From a coach's standpoint it's just great to have players in the building and guys that are eager to work hard." - Coach O'Shea "I'm looking forward to making my mark on special teams and fitting in wherever I can." - John Rush "Coming into here I have no knowledge whatsoever of Canadian football,” Carr said after the first day of Winnipeg Blue Bombers mini-camp “I came out here the first day and I didn’t realize how wide the field was so I was skipping a lot of the field throws. I’m starting to get used to it. It’s a process.” "Definitely throw first, but if the pocket breaks down I can use my legs as well.” Myles Carr “This is an evaluation camp. We’re trying to figure out which of these guys comes to the next opportunity. There is some installation, some meeting time and some film time with these guys and a little bit of playbook stuff. That’s all part of the process of evaluating a player, how they learn, how they pay attention in meetings, are they able to make corrections very quickly, do they go home at night and study their playbook and come back and know a little bit more than they did the day before.” - Coach O'Shea: From an athletic standpoint, the Bombers obviously have some speed at both running back and receiver. Lache Seastrunk from Baylor showed off his quickness while running pass routes from the tailback position, while among the 11 receivers Kieren Duncan, T.J. Thorpe, T.J. Lowder, Xavier Rush and Ryan Lankford all flashed their speed and catching ability. Ten defensive backs got their first introduction to the wide Canadian field and the fact that receivers can come at them with a head start out of their “waggle.” Robert Porter and Darnell Walker Jr. both acquitted themselves well. - Bob Irving http://www.cjob.com/2017/04/26/mike-oshea-enthused-about-day-one-of-bomber-mini-camp/?sc_ref=twitter

"I'm really hoping to get a better understanding of the plays, make sure I'm loud and vocal for my teammates." - Kyle Knox "Every time I've come to Winnipeg, whether (the team) has been winning or losing, the fans have always been great regardless." - Kenny Stafford "There's competition everywhere... he's just another guy I can learn from." - Dom Davis on new QB Dan LeFevour. "I can say without a doubt this is the hardest I've worked in an offseason." - Matt Nichols ready for the season to start. "There’s an opening, but it’s not my choice. I’m just going to play to the best of my ability." - Kyle Knox What will it take to crack the #Bombers roster? "You've got to make plays. That's the bottom line." - Mike O'Shea... Mike O'Shea says this minicamp is purely about evaluation. #Bombers need to be down to a roster of 75 by Monday — currently at 87. "I like the depth a lot. I like the way they're interacting with the room already." - Coach O'Shea on his QBs Lefevour hits Xavier Rush with back to back deep throws--a hilite of a frigid day at bomber mini camp - Bob Irving

The players... The latest numbers, by position: quarterbacks (4); running backs (2); fullback (1); wide receivers (10); defensive end (1); linebackers (8); defensive backs (9). The Goal... This is a tryout, first and foremost. Most of the key vets aren’t here, giving the newcomers – particularly at receiver, defensive back and linebacker – a glorious opportunity to shine before the rest of the bodies arrive in late May. What to look for... ?‍?The QBs. 4 of them, looking to take the next step. We all know who the starter is, but who's going to be the backup? Who's going to replace Khalil Bass? Could it be Kyle Knox? Nick Temple? Matt Nichols - “I can’t wait to tell the first receiver who lines up at the (slotback position) to back up 10 yards and start running,” said Nichols with a grin this week. “That’s something that’s always fun in these types of camps.” "The Bombers had big plans for veteran receiver Kenny Stafford when they signed him in January, and his signing looks even bigger after the sudden retirement of Ryan Smith at the end of March." Stafford had 732 yards receiving and nine TDs on just 47 catches two years ago in Edmonton – the Eskimos Grey Cup year – and spent that year working with Nichols. FIVE TO WATCH • #6 Dominique Davis, QB: Needs every rep possible to establish himself as the No. 2 man to Matt Nichols. Will be looking over his shoulder at Dan LeFevour. • #50 Kyle Knox, LB: The Bombers need a replacement for Khalil Bass and the team’s brass has been high on Knox since his arrival last year. • #82 Kieren Duncan, WR/KR: Quincy McDuffie signed with the Dallas Cowboys this winter, leaving a void in the kick-return game. Kevin Fogg capably handled the punt-return chores last year, but Duncan is lickedy-split fast and, while this camp might not be the best opportunity to showcase those skills, don’t underestimate the importance of the specialists. McDuffie had 65 touches last year as a returner (42 kickoff, 22 punts and one missed field goal). • #94 Jackson Jeffcoat, DE: The lone lineman in camp is the son of former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jim Jeffcoat and was a consensus All-American as a senior at Texas. • #19 Chris Greenwood, DB: The credentials of all the new DBs are solid, but Greenwood was a fifth-round draft choice of the Detroit Lions in 2012 and appeared in three games in 2013 before spending 2014-15 on the practice rosters of the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots It’s worth noting that all CFL rosters must be at 75 players by May 1st. The Bombers are at 85 right now. http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/04/25/mini-camp-preview/

There is such a thing, back in the Mack days, and thereafter, that free agents were not inclined to sign with the Bombers, them being the wreckage of a team that they were. Nowadays, there is a better total atmosphere that free agents feel more at ease with.

I did agree that both statements were correct, but Desjardins did have time before the team became an entity to envision a version of his team. And he did continue that effort in the following years. He did a good job. But, how would he have fared had he been hired to lead the Bombers? I really don't think he would have cut everyone and start from scratch. So, the idea to start from scratch is ridiculous, but I suspect you already know that.

Just wait 'till Edmonton finds out they have Chris Greenwood...

Re-drafts, for whatever reason, are pointless..

@SpeedFlex27 - Desjardins had a huge head start compared to the Bombers in 2014 starting from zero. We were already handicapped with overpaid & underperforming players under the salary cap. We didn't have the financial resources the RedBlacks had at that time" Actually I think you're both right. We can't minimize what Desjardins did, but we certainly can't omit the part where he had quite the advantage over what the Bombers had at that time. And what the older regimes did, is exactly why we were behind Ottawa. But, the statement that Speedo made IS correct, and we can't forget that..

?‍?As usual, a great read and substance from Ed Tait: What do Chris Walby, Joe Poplawski, Doug Brown, Andrew Harris, Jamaal Westerman, Bob Cameron, Gerald Wilcox, Ken Nielsen, Bob Swift and Jim Heighton all have in common? A few things, actually. They are all Winnipeg Blue Bombers legends. Each of them is Canadian. They have all been named as winners of the club’s Most Outstanding Canadian Player award at least once. Oh… and one more thing: not a single one of them was drafted by the Bombers. ?‍?He goes on to take a look at what the Bombers have done over the years and what to expect in the upcoming draft. Excerpts: -Dating back to 1956 and the first CFL Draft, the Bombers have had nine draft classes in which not a single player ever pulled on their uniform for a regular season game. -The Bombers’ woes of 2012-15 can also be linked – among other things – to the draft classes in 2012-13 that saw only three of 11 players selected actually play in games -Counter that with the work in the last three drafts where 13 of the 20 selections are on the roster; -Just to put that into perspective, the members of the 2016 class that made the club – Loffler, Trent Corney, Michael Couture and Shayne Gauthier – combined to play a total of 60 games last year. That’s more than the combined total games played of 21 draft classes in this team’s history. And those guys are all just entering their sophomore seasons. http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/04/20/canadian-content/

The penalty is just in keeping to the spearit of the offence is all.. But seriously, there is no room for that kind of offence in any sport, 1st offence or not. It was a conscious decision on his part and that should be an automatic one game suspension..

Is it time to get rid of the old guy? ? Let's see, he scored twice the amount of goals as his age last year, so, we're looking at 38 next season. Hooray!

CFL teams rockin' the NHL jersey looks.. http://www.thesnap.ca/cfl-teams-get-hockey-jersey-treatment/ Edit - I must add, these are 'mock up' jersey looks by Tim Hodge

It's been proven, in this league, that if you don't have a good backup....