Winnipeg Blue Bomber Thread

**jerrym** · 06-01-2018, 12:20 PM

The Canadian country music duo The Reklaws will be playing at their regular season opener on June 14th and their song "Long Live the Night" will be the intro song throughout the summer as the Bombers try to attract more fans by improving the entertainment tied to the game.

**jerrym** · 06-03-2018, 01:43 AM

The Bomber DL appears well stocked for the start of the season following their performance in their first pre-season game.

The Bombers D-line was simply ferocious from start to finish, veterans and rookies alike. Working against an Eskimo line that featured Tommie Draheim (13 starts) and Kelvin Palmer (10 starts) at tackles, the Bombers were particularly effective from the edge – ends Tristan Okpalaugo and Chris Casher both registered sacks and Craig Roh had one wiped out by an unnecessary roughing penalty – while tackle Drake Nevis also picked up a sack. Winnipeg is stacked at defensive end, with Sam Montgomery making three tackles later in the game in his time on the field… Steven Clarke was credited with an interception in the first quarter, as the Bombers forced two turnovers and limited Edmonton to just nine first downs and 151 yards net offence.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2018/06/...season-vs-edm/

**jerrym** · 06-04-2018, 12:39 AM

Ed Tait discusses Bryan Bennett's nomadic career since he was first with the Bombers in 2016 and where he now fits in the Bomber backup QB picture.

The Bombers have long been intrigued by Bennett’s athleticism and that’s a big part as to why he is back for a second time with the organization. He first signed here in October of 2015 after being one of the final cuts of the Indianapolis Colts. He spent the rest of 2015 and all of 2016 on the Bombers practice roster – even taking turns at receiver and on special teams during practices – before signing with the Roughriders at the end of the 2016 season. ...

Bennett was having a solid camp with the Riders a year ago, but was released after posting so-so numbers in two preseason games. Since then, he has coached receivers and track at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, Ca., where he was a prolific track-and-field star back in the day that competed in triple-jump, long jump and ran hurdles and was on the 4×100 relay team. ...

Now the question is this: where might Bennett fit in the QB picture with the Bombers? Matt Nichols is the lock QB1, and in Friday’s preseason win over the Edmonton Eskimos, rookie Chris Streveler was a perfect 10-for-10 with a TD strike, while Alex Ross was just 1-for-8 and Zack Mahoney did not take a snap.
Bennett, it would seem, is a bit of depth insurance as a player with a cannon arm, superb athleticism and who is familiar with the offence. But with Sunday being his first day taking live reps, he also has some catching up to do.

“He’s looked over the playbook… I think he understands the playbook and will be able to process the progressions and stuff on the field,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “Now it’s physically whether he’s going to be able to go out there on the field and do it and add speed with somebody trying to hit him. There will be a little bit of catch-up for him and we’ll see what it looks like. He’s an athletic guy, he’s got a strong arm and his work ethic was really high. And I thought his teammates liked him. So we bring another guy into the fray and let him play a game and see how the roster plays out.”

https://www.bluebombers.com/2018/06/...une-3rd-recap/

**R.J** · 06-05-2018, 04:46 PM

http://winnipegsun.com/sports/footba...e-with-bombers

he’s not exactly turning heads this spring and he could be a candidate to be cut after Friday’s final exhibition game in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions.

That would be a steep fall for a first-overall pick, but it’s not like the Bombers can wait forever, especially when they are reportedly paying the Brampton, Ont., product $90,000 this season.

Would be great if we picked him up if he gets released. It would right a wrong IMO, but I think the Bombers give him one more year.

Side note: Interesting that the previous two first overall picks (not including 2018) seem to be bombing, since it looks like Josiah St. John appears to be struggling in Regina as well.

**paulwoods13** · 06-05-2018, 06:21 PM

Someone oughta resurrect that old thread about how valuable and essential high draft picks are.

**R.J** · 06-05-2018, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by paulwoods13

Someone oughta resurrect that old thread about how valuable and essential high draft picks are.

The draft is a crap shoot. Even in saying that; I'd rather have a pick with only 30% chance of making it, then no pick at all.

**OV Argo** · 06-05-2018, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by R.J

http://winnipegsun.com/sports/footba...e-with-bombers

Would be great if we picked him up if he gets released. It would right a wrong IMO, but I think the Bombers give him one more year.

Side note: Interesting that the previous two first overall picks (not including 2018) seem to be bombing, since it looks like Josiah St. John appears to be struggling in Regina as well.

Both were very questionable picks IMO; St-John was not even an established starter in college ball; and Ekakite was hardly a star DT with lots of recognition or stats to back it up (the Bombers shoulda picked Junior Luke IMO if they wanted the best DT in that draft crop); but both had NCAA Div I resumes - which seems important to a lot of CFL personnel thinkers. Not convinced Walters has that much of a clue as a CFL GM.

We'll see if this year's 1st overall Chapman even shows up for the Ticats and can make an impact.

**jerrym** · 06-05-2018, 10:45 PM

The Bombers have released International free agent DB Steven Clarke, whom they had signed away from BC. Since he signed for around $60,000 this was a performance related cut rather a salary cut.

**R.J** · 06-06-2018, 02:10 PM

RT .@jeffkhamilton

Initial reports re: #Bombers QB Matt Nichols, who was helped off the field Wed. after suffering an injury on a non-contact play, aren't great. No word on how serious it is but safe to say team is hoping for the best. "Unbelievable" one team official said. #CFL
— CFL News (@CFL_News) June 6, 2018

If Nichols misses significant time - Bombers could be in for a long season.

**jerrym** · 06-06-2018, 11:36 PM

The Bombers already had a fairly long list of valuable players among those not practicing, including newcomer to the league Marcus Sayles.

Not practicing Tuesday were LB Maurice Leggett, LB Ian Wild, SB Adarius Bowman, OL Manese Foketi, OL Jermarcus Hardrick, DB Marcus Sayles, DB Brendan Morgan, WR Tyrone Pierre and LB Adam Bighill.
O’Shea was asked about Sayles, who had shown well in practice before being injured but did not play last week and might not be available for Friday’s final preseason game in Vancouver.

“He put a lot on tape before he got a little nicked up,” said O’Shea. “There were several practices in a row and several times in practices where he attacked the ball and made big plays. So, it’s tough if they’re not going to get the chance to play a game, but certainly he’s shown a lot through camp.”

https://www.bluebombers.com/2018/06/...une-5th-recap/

**hugoagogo** · 06-07-2018, 01:40 AM

Originally Posted by R.J

If Nichols misses significant time - Bombers could be in for a long season.

Word is it's his right knee again - terrible news. A huge part of the Bomber success - and a very nice guy to boot. Hopefully the early speculation about the severity of the injury is wrong. On the other side of things, Kyle Walters is probably on the phone to the other GM's looking at options just in case.
Get well soon Matty!

**R.J** · 06-07-2018, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by hugoagogo

Word is it's his right knee again - terrible news. A huge part of the Bomber success - and a very nice guy to boot. Hopefully the early speculation about the severity of the injury is wrong. On the other side of things, Kyle Walters is probably on the phone to the other GM's looking at options just in case.
Get well soon Matty!

Maybe Popp can trade Bethel Thompson to the Bombers. A first round pick, a 3rd rounder, and a db sounds like a good price lol.

**R.J** · 06-07-2018, 12:06 PM

If @MattNichols16 injury is serious and @Wpg_BlueBombers have to look outside for QB help, a name to keep in mind is Toronto’s McLeod Bethel-Thompson. He was on @Wpg_BlueBombers net list for a long time before rights were traded to @TorontoArgos last spring. #bombers
— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) June 7, 2018

Great example of why the CFL’s rule preventing teams from naming players traded from Neg List is ridiculous. When @Wpg_BlueBombers traded McLeod Bethel-Thompson from neg list to @TorontoArgos in 2017 for a player on Toronto’s neg list, that deal was never announced. #CFL
— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) June 7, 2018

**R.J** · 06-07-2018, 02:12 PM

Blue Bombers QB Nichols out 4-6 weeks
https://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-qb-n...eeks-1.1106092

**gilthethrill** · 06-07-2018, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by R.J

Blue Bombers QB Nichols out 4-6 weeks
https://www.tsn.ca/blue-bombers-qb-n...eeks-1.1106092

Those non contact injuries are scary. Could have been a lot worse.

**Flutie** · 06-08-2018, 09:25 AM

It's going to be tough for them now. Who do they start at QB? with no Nichols they could end up 0 - 6 before he comes back. In the west if you go 0 - 6, it's impossible to come back and take a playoff spot.

**R.J** · 06-09-2018, 01:23 AM

Happy to see Bennett get another CFL shot - he's a gamer IMO. He's got the talent, but time will tell if he can figure it out up here. I'm not so sure about Ross; nothing impressive. Streveler has talent, but you can tell he's a rookie QB.

**Flutie** · 06-09-2018, 09:41 AM

Except for a couple of passes the Bombers QBs didn't look good at all. Harris was not in there and most of their starting receivers but they are going to need a QB who can get them the ball.

**Argo** · 06-09-2018, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Flutie

It's going to be tough for them now. Who do they start at QB? with no Nichols they could end up 0 - 6 before he comes back. In the west if you go 0 - 6, it's impossible to come back and take a playoff spot.

I've always thought that Domineque Davis would develop into a good CFL QB. But the Blue Bumblers cut him... currently he's playing pretty well.

**R.J** · 06-09-2018, 09:50 PM

#Bombers announce cuts and practice roster spots - Winnipeg Blue Bombers @Wpg_BlueBombers https://t.co/V0rLG8dy6z #CFL pic.twitter.com/i6dDtwLyMB
— CFL News (@CFL_News) June 10, 2018

We've got Heath back, and I'd like to see Ekakitie brought in. I doubt Petermann is going anywhere though lol.