Ed Tait...Mini Camp Preview (and) Reports

[Mr Dee]

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/

 

[wbbfan]

I dont think we can expect to see too much out of the lone linemen in camp....

The 5 for me,

WR Rashon ceaser, handsy  guy who plays slot and fits what we do really well. Seems like we will have a open spot up for grabs.

RB kendall roberson, great size / speed combo crazy high level producer but at d3. 

LBer Will smith, probably the pre season favorite to take the mlb spot. 

Qb Myles carr. Being the only young guy its hard to see him not ending up the PR. Camp should be a great chance to see his raw ability.

DB Terrence parks. Really big athlete, hard to imagine him playing corner but he has the base tools to play most defensive spots other then the line. 

 

[TBURGESS]

What is Jeffcoat going to do? No OL for him to go against. 

[mbrg]

4 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

What is Jeffcoat going to do? No OL for him to go against. 

Infinity sacks.

[Noeller]

Hope some folks are able to get down there today and check it out...

[Atomic]

41 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

What is Jeffcoat going to do? No OL for him to go against. 

I'm wondering if they are going to put him through some linebacker drills.  Seems odd to only bring one DL to camp.

Regardless, I think these mini-camps are no-contact so even if OL were there it wouldn't make a difference.

[Taynted_Fayth]

could be testing the RBs blocking skills

[BBlink]

Maybe Jeffcoat is a Jason Vega type that has the ability to work as a blocking or even catching TE

[Nickthesizz]

19 minutes ago, BBlink said:

Maybe Jeffcoat is a Jason Vega type that has the ability to work as a blocking or even catching TE

probably not

[Nickthesizz]

Really hope we can get a few reports from somebody on this site. Sounds a lot like an orientation, and just getting guys up to speed with the CFL rules. If there are cuts it will probably be due to players being out of shape.

[Noeller]

Darrin Bauming‏ @DarrinBauming  17m17 minutes ago

More

CFL vet and new #Bombers receiver @Kstaff07 not afraid to be vocal towards the young DBs on Day 1. #alittletrash

 

[Taynted_Fayth]

are these camps open to the public? i might swing by on friday if so

[Noeller]

they sure are...

[mbrg]

35 minutes ago, Gotmilt said:

Really hope we can get a few reports from somebody on this site. Sounds a lot like an orientation, and just getting guys up to speed with the CFL rules. If there are cuts it will probably be due to players being out of shape.

The purpose is part evaluation and part orientation in both the CFL and the Bomber offence.  That way the players who make it to main camp don't start so far behind the incumbents and the staff has a better chance of making it an apples to apples comparison.  The Bombers have to cut 10 players by May 1, but it's not abnormal to have a few unsigned football players taking prolonged vacations at the stadium this time of year, getting the special on-field tour.

[TrueBlue]

A brief statement from the first practice:

Very cold and windy, and obviously making things look difficult out there for the first day.  It's been very basic so far.  Timing and communication issues are evident between the QBs and receivers.  Roberson and Duncan appear to be as advertised when it comes to foot speed.  Duncan getting some good looks at the boundary spot and was probably the most consistent of the group.  Greenwood tracked down an errant pass and had a deep over the shoulder pick on the wide side of the field. 

On a side note, great seeing the guys on the field after what has been a long off-season.

[GCn20]

5 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

What is Jeffcoat going to do? No OL for him to go against. 

Yes, I suppose there is zero value in him coming to town, getting acclimated to the stadium, coaching staff, and new potential team mates. No value in our coaching staff seeing him in some shuttles etc to get a sense of his athletic ability,

[wbbfan]

5 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

What is Jeffcoat going to do? No OL for him to go against. 

probably going to have him line up and do solo drills to get him used to yard off the line n stuff. Plenty of acclimatizing for him to do, but yeah he isnt gonna show much with out drilling against some one.

[mbrg]

Plus he needs time to set up his account at Red River Co-op.

[kelownabomberfan]

3 hours ago, TrueBlue said:

 

On a side note, great seeing the guys on the field after what has been a long off-season.

Truer and Bluer words have never been spoken.

[Mr Dee]

"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

Edited April 26, 2017 by Mr Dee

[Rod Black]

Welcome to the 2017 Winnipeg Blue Bomber season activities. Fans, it was wicked cold out there so didn't spend more time than a cup of coffee. I primarily watched the receivers and qb's.

I counted 11 receivers out there and three rb's. The rb's had no reason to stand out, but were engaged and gave remarkable efforts.

#5 Stanford first in line for the receiver drills. Enthusiastic efforts. Chatting up other players. Looks like he wants to be a leader on this team.

#80 Chisum. He might be 6'3" but he ain't no 200 pounds. He's frail.

#89 Davis. Now he can handle some physical activity. Big and showed some good vertical skills going up for passes.

#84 Langford. Good hands at top speed and could turn on the jets further after the catch.

#82 Duncan. Noticeable by his resemblance to Rapunsel. Quick, agile, and a small 5'10. 

The recivers were having a very tough time running 25 yard routes headed north into the wind. #13 Lafevour threw some really nice balls into the wind. #18 Miles was serviceable. Hearded south, Nichols and Davis both looked like pro's, with the wind.

During the route running/passing drills, these guys didn't just walk onto the field and take direction. They were lining up, in position, and executing as a receiving group. They looked prepared and the readiness impressed me the most.

 

 

[wbbfan]

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/04/26/mini-camp-day-1-recap/

[Noeller]

13 minutes ago, Rod Black said:

Welcome to the 2017 Winnipeg Blue Bomber season activities. Fans, it was wicked cold out there so didn't spend more time than a cup of coffee. I primarily watched the receivers and qb's.

I counted 11 receivers out there and three rb's. The rb's had no reason to stand out, but were engaged and gave remarkable efforts.

#5 Stanford first in line for the receiver drills. Enthusiastic efforts. Chatting up other players. Looks like he wants to be a leader on this team.

#80 Chisum. He might be 6'3" but he ain't no 200 pounds. He's frail.

#89 Davis. Now he can handle some physical activity. Big and showed some good vertical skills going up for passes.

#84 Langford. Good hands at top speed and could turn on the jets further after the catch.

#82 Duncan. Noticeable by his resemblance to Rapunsel. Quick, agile, and a small 5'10. 

The recivers were having a very tough time running 25 yard routes headed north into the wind. #13 Lafevour threw some really nice balls into the wind. #18 Miles was serviceable. Hearded south, Nichols and Davis both looked like pro's, with the wind.

During the route running/passing drills, these guys didn't just walk onto the field and take direction. They were lining up, in position, and executing as a receiving group. They looked prepared and the readiness impressed me the most.

 

 

1) Stafford, not Stanford.... As in, CFL vet Kenny Stafford... 

2) Is one of the newbies actually wearing Denny's 89? Is that a thing they do for mini camp so there's enough to go around? 

[CodyT]

Went for the 230 practice. Caught most of it but it was freezing out there. Should have brought more than a hoodie

duncan stood out to me, pretty quick and really really good hands.   Read the reviews about Stafford, and to be honest I didn't really agree with them. I remember Stafford running a corner route and completely dropping it with just qb - wr.

he was sitting out atleast a portion of the 1v1s too. 

Xavier rush and deandre campbell both had good showings. 

all the quarterbacks missed badly on some throws and connected with ease on others. Nichols looked like the best of the bunch followed (by an inch or 2) lefeavuer. Dom Davis had some nice tosses too but was inconsistent as hell it seemed. Carr looked like a serviceable arm. 

Obviously, way too early to tell.  In some interesting news for me, I found out today that I have what I think will be a ridiculously good source. I've been on ourbombers/ MBB for ages and I have never come close to saying anything like that.

 

Hopefully will have some good info for you guys in the future 

 

Edited April 26, 2017 by CodyT

[Rod Black]

Yup. It should be Stafford. As in the CFL vet Kenny Stafford.

Many players were wearing numbers that they will not wear during training camp.

The bottom of today's mini camp roster states "*** Player numbers are for mini-camp only; some may wear different in training camp***"

Edited April 26, 2017 by Rod Black