Winnipeg Blue Bomber Thread

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Ed Tait discusses the Bomber free agency situation including those already signed and likely free agents, as well as the fact that having already spent significant money on Nichols, Kenny Stafford, as well as former Argos Darvin Adams and Tristan Okpalaugo, they won't be going for high priced free agents on February 14th. Current starters by position holes and depth are also discussed at the end of the article.

Over the last few years, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have approached the opening of the Canadian Football League free agent market the same way deal-obsessed shoppers attack a Boxing Day sale. They would religiously line up overnight to be at or near the line before the doors swung open. And when they did – BOOM! – they attacked the available talent with a fervour, desperate to fill holes on the depth chart.
That changes next week when the 2017 free agent market opens on Valentine’s Day, in large part courtesy of the stability that comes from last year’s turnaround and a desire from more players to want to stay or sign here, not escape.
GM Kyle Walters told bluebombers.com this week. “It’s a busy day, a full day… it’s nuts. But this year is going to be nothing like that. We’re going to follow along and see who signs. It would be nice to get some good value with some young Canadian kids that we like, but we’ve already done a lot of our work.”
That included signing quarterback Matt Nichols and receiver Darvin Adams to new deals, adding receiver Kenny Stafford and, on Thursday, landing their big offseason prize in defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo.
A dozen Bombers will be headed to free agency unless they sign before Tuesday. Walters has already confirmed that linebacker Khalil Bass, defensive tackle Euclid Cummings, receiver Rory Kohlert and offensive lineman Jeff Keeping will not be offered new contracts. The remaining eight include receivers Clarence Denmark and Tori Gurley, linebackers Jesse Briggs, Tony Burnett and Sam Hurl, defensive backs Macho Harris and Teague Sherman and fullback James Tuck.
The Bombers lineup isn’t without its question mark as the offseason talent grab really begins to come into focus, especially with the departures of Shologan, Cummings and Bass. But the Canadian depth – and six of the seven Canadian starters in Andrew Harris, Sukh Chungh, Matthias Goossen, Julian Feoli-Gudino, Taylor Loffler and Jamaal Westerman – is as good as it has been in years and that’s always the starting point to any CFL roster.
Walters said the club won’t be chasing any of the high-end talent expected to become free on Tuesday, but will be kicking the tires on some of the players who might still be available after the initial spending spree subsides. He went go over the club’s salary cap plans one more time on Friday, now factoring in the addition of Okpalaugo, to see what they might have left for next week. “We thought all along that defensive end was the biggest need on our team. Period,” said Walters. “We went out and got our guy and now the ramifications are being felt.”

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/1...nal-breakdown/

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This 3D Nation article discusses the top five free agent targets of the Bombers.


http://3downnation.com/2017/02/12/to...rgets-bombers/

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In the Blue Bomber podcast at the url below, John and Tim Hodge discuss the signings of former Argo Tristan Okpalaugo and Kenny Stafford and which free agents the Bombers should pursue.
http://3downnation.com/2017/02/13/blue-bomber-talk-podcast-episode-43/

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Looking back at the 2016 free agency, it's clear now that Winnipeg was the big winner, enabling to greatly improve their record over the previous year.

The winner of last year’s free agent frenzy was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, hands down. Before we look ahead at what we might see come Feb. 14, let’s take a look at how 2016’s busiest team went about its business.
We knew the Bombers were going to make a huge splash in free agency one year ago and they wasted no time in doing so. Winnipeg had a lot of cap room and a desire to turn things around on the field dramatically. As such, the Bombers signed added six new players on day one of 2016 free agency and transformed their team in the snap of a finger. ...

Now, as has been proven many times, throwing balled up wads of cash at a bunch of players doesn’t always work as a strategy to improve your team. Luckily, Bombers general manager Kyle Walters went about his business a little more strategically and he knocked the ball out of the park.
Just how successful was Walters with his work in free agency? Well, five of the six players he signed started Winnipeg’s Western Semi-Final showdown with the BC Lions. Furthermore, the Bombers wouldn’t have been in that position had it not been for those new faces and the work they did all season long.
Running back Andrew Harris is the obvious player you turn your eye to when thinking about Winnipeg’s busy February. Harris did what we’ve come to expect from the outstanding Canadian: he was a force on the ground and a dangerous threat in the passing game. Harris finished the season with more than 1,500 total offensive yards for the fourth time in his career while only playing in 15 regular season games. Suffice to say, the Bombers got what they wanted from their native son.
It went beyond just Harris, though. The Bombers signed receiver Ryan Smith and he helped give the team a shot in the arm in the 11 games he played in. Oh, and if you’ve read this column before, you know how I feel about kicker Justin Medlock. Mr. Money led the CFL with 60 successful field goals in his first year with the Bombers, and at 88.2 per cent was the league’s second most accurate kicker. Had it not been for a rough first few games, that percentage would have been a whole lot higher. ...

Don’t forget about the other side of the ball, though. Winnipeg’s signings of defensive tackles Keith Shologan and Euclid Cummings immediately and drastically improved their front four. Both players appeared in all 18 games for the Bombers and both players started the team’s most important game in years against the Lions.
As I mentioned earlier, free agency is no slam-dunk and 2016 was no different. Saskatchewan, for instance, didn’t get the return it was hoping for from big time signing Justin Capicciotti; in fact he didn’t even finish the season with the Riders. At least one team this month will spend a lot of money and get a whole lot less to show for it than desired.
The obvious and assumed risks of free agency don’t diminish what Winnipeg did one year ago, though. The Bombers had the room and had the cash and Walters made sure he made his shots count. There were a few different factors leading to their impressive 2016 turnaround and their work in free agency is absolutely one of them.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/13/steinbe...-frenzy-begin/

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The team has re-signed linebacker Jesse Briggs.
📝 | https://t.co/wkb6HXGpy0 pic.twitter.com/1ibkLwfPJz

— WPG Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) February 13, 2017

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The team has extended the contract of offensive lineman Sukh Chungh through the 2018 season.
📝 | https://t.co/JXiHRLWDKY pic.twitter.com/ISnKaKaWwX

— WPG Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) February 14, 2017

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Bombers resign LB Sam Hurl.

Sam Hurl LB signs back with @Wpg_BlueBombers @cfl #cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 14, 2017

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Winnipeg has added DT Drake Nevis from Hamilton.

Drake Nevis DT has agreed to terms with @Wpg_BlueBombers @cfl #cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 14, 2017

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National WR and free agent Matt Coates has left the Tiger Cats to sign with the Bombers.

Coates (6-2, 200, Hamilton Hurricanes (Jr.), July 15, 1991, in Markham, ON) has spent the previous three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, playing a total of 34 games over his three-year CFL career. ...

The Markham, Ontario receiver spent time on the Tiger-Cats practice roster before making his CFL debut in 2014, playing in all 18 regular season games and both playoff games, including the 102nd Grey Cup.

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/1...r-matt-coates/

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Former Argo AB Dan LeFevour has signed with Winnipeg.

there's the insurance at QB @Wpg_BlueBombers wanted as they sign Dan LeFevour #cfl @cfl

— gary lawless (@garylawless) February 16, 2017

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Drake Nevis upgrades Winnipeg's DL.

Nevis (6-2, 300, LSU, May 8, 1989, in Marrero, LA) has spent the past two seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where in 2016 he started 14 games at defensive tackle. Nevis recorded 29 tackles, five quarterback sacks and one pass knock down.
Prior to joining Hamilton, Nevis spent time in the NFL from 2011-2014 after being selected by Indianapolis in the 3^rd round, 87^th overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. Nevis has recorded 50 tackles (23 assisted), one sack and one pass deflection in 26 career NFL games. Following his time in Indianapolis, Nevis also spent time with Dallas (11 games played), Jacksonville and San Diego.

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/1...t-drake-nevis/

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GM Kyle Walters indicates that the Bombers are not done with free agency.

It’s true; a lot of Walters ‘To-Do’ list had items scratched off before the market opened, including re-signing quarterback Matt Nichols, receiver Darvin Adams, kicker Justin Medlock and offensive lineman Stanley Bryant, while adding pieces like Stafford – the veteran receiver ex of the Montreal Alouettes, and Okpalaugo – the defensive end who was the East Division’s top rookie while with Toronto in 2014.
That doesn’t mean the team will close up shop now and stop making offers or listening to agents’ sales pitches.
“You’re always looking,” said Walters. “The agents right now certainly have their lists of clients that are looking for work. At this point a lot of the agents are less concerned about money, a lot of money has been spent so they’re doing their due diligence and trying to find a spot where they can come in and compete and make a team.
“There’s lots of names out there and we’re talking with agents, so I don’t know if there’s anything pending.”
“I certainly wouldn’t say we’re done by any means.”

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/1...-kyle-walters/

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Dan LeFevour will compete with the inexperienced Dominique Davis who did not throw a pass in 2016 and played only 1 game in 2015 for the backup role behind Matt Nichols.

“Dan comes in and gives us some quality CFL experience in the quarterback stable,” Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said in a statement.
“He’s been around this league for a number of seasons and will work well with both Dom and Matt, helping our offence in whatever is needed.”

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/1...-dan-lefevour/

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One of the reasons Rory Kohlert left for Calgary was he had lost his starter job to former Argo Julian Feoli-Gudino.

Longest-serving #Bombers player as of Tuesday signs on with Calgary. Lost starting job late last season to Julian Feoli-Gudino. https://t.co/DYaNyIaoJB

— Darrin Bauming (@DarrinBauming) February 16, 2017

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Which defensive tackle will the #Bombers target at 1st-overall in the #CFLDraft? It just may be UCLA's Eli Ankou. https://t.co/k3zJeiamtv

— Darrin Bauming (@DarrinBauming) February 17, 2017

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Clarence Denmark has resigned with the Bombers.

Denmark spent the past six seasons with Winnipeg, hauling in 359 receptions for 4,870 yards and 24 touchdowns in 98 career regular season games. He was named a West Division All-Star in 2014 after registering 1,080 receiving yards.
“There are certain players you simply have to figure out a way to make it work contractually. Clarence is one of those players,” said Blue Bombers General Manager Kyle Walters. “He is the definition of a pro both on and off the field and his production speaks for itself. He’s a leader by example, and we are very pleased to have him return to our organization.”
Denmark returned to Winnipeg in late July last season, playing in ten games and recording 53 receptions for 705 yards and eight touchdowns, including a career-high seven receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 win at Toronto in August.

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/17/bombers...rence-denmark/

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Matt Coates has taken a unusual path to the CFL.

Consider his football timeline; going from the Markham High School Marauders, to giving up tackle football to pursue a career as an electrician, to the Toronto Toros flag football team, to the Hamilton Hurricanes of the Canadian Junior Football League, to the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos, back to the Hurricanes, then to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
And now to the Bombers.
Yes, there is the road less travelled. And then there is the road Coates hacked and chopped through the forest himself to get where he is today.
“I know,” began Coates this week with a chuckle, “it’s a different route, isn’t it?”

You could say that.

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/1...entional-road/

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The Bombers have added Internationals DE Jackson Jeffcoat and DB Chris Greenwood.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and defensive back Chris Greenwood as they continue to build their roster for the upcoming season.
Jeffcoat spent the last three seasons in the NFL with three different teams: the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Seattle Seahawks. The 25-year-old American registered nine tackles, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble in nine games. Jeffcoat was named the NCAA’s top defensive end in 2013 during his senior season at Texas.
Greenwood returns to the Bombers following a season on the team’s practice roster. The 27-year-old American previously played three games with the NFL’s Detroit Lions in 2013.

http://www.cjob.com/2017/02/21/winni...r-nfl-players/

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The Bombers have a female pioneer - its first woman vice chair.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/spo...414642804.html

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GM Kyle Walters on his approach to selecting the #1 overall CFL draft choice:

“Do we need a defensive tackle? Absolutely. But we aren’t in the same position we used to be,” he said, referring to our absolute NEED to draft lineman in the past. Well, we’ve done that for three seasons now, and two of the three are into their second and third years as starters, while another is still being groomed nicely. “I definitely want to consider taking the best football player available,” he added. “We just haven’t been able to think that way until this season.”

http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/2...ing-offseason/