Winnipeg Blue Bombers add two to roster - Kickel and Brown

[Blue In BC]

Log jam and both those positions, so these are likely TCF. Maybe a diamond in the rough, though. Who knows

It's never certain when 2024 PR players are surpassed in TC. It's also possible that some players won't accept a 2nd year mostly on the PR like Wheatfall or Case. So you have to have a look see of replacements one way or the other.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I really wonder what prompted this rule change, there seems to be no urgency or reason to shuffle the deck at this time.  I guess there had to be a number of GM's complaining to make the change.

It isn't a rule "change". It is actually correctly applying the language in the latest CBA and it was the CFLPA who pushed for this change. You can draw your own conclusions probably.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Yes, very little time to evaluate. 

It changes a little but not a lot.

Anyone who was sent back to school already had a full camp and were therefore already cut once. You're looking to see whether they've improved in the areas you've asked or not. Usually these are bubble players and guys who get "sent back to school" rarely go on to make it in any meaningful way later. Yes, there are exceptions. No, it's not common.

Current year draft picks are still non counters so they're getting all camp and there's no rush.

All they're doing is narrowing down the window for returning Canadians and teams should be able to make a decision on those guys more quickly. Either you're interested or you're not. You have had a full camp, a full season of tape after the camp and then the rookie camp to figure out if they are worth a snowball's chance and if you want more time the easy answer is to fit them into the count.

[Blue In BC]

It changes a little but not a lot.

Anyone who was sent back to school already had a full camp and were therefore already cut once. You're looking to see whether they've improved in the areas you've asked or not. Usually these are bubble players and guys who get "sent back to school" rarely go on to make it in any meaningful way later. Yes, there are exceptions. No, it's not common.

Current year draft picks are still non counters so they're getting all camp and there's no rush.

All they're doing is narrowing down the window for returning Canadians and teams should be able to make a decision on those guys more quickly. Either you're interested or you're not. You have had a full camp, a full season of tape after the camp and then the rookie camp to figure out if they are worth a snowball's chance and if you want more time the easy answer is to fit them into the count.

Interesting way to look at it. This change may have more of an impact going into 2026 when they will face this issue. I don't know whether they will still retain the rights to those returning to college?

For 2025 they've already re-signed a few of the 2024 draft choices.

Kornelson attended the last 2 TC before returning to college. Samson spent the entire season on the PR before being activated for the Grey Cup.

Leroux and Gassama may just be fighting for PR spots. Gassama might be fighting for a depth spot on the AR.  That's a TBD.

We see many draft choices also spend their 1st season on the PR and then return for the next season. In some cases they are successful and make the AR or part of the roster on the AR and part on the PR.

Granted many of them never achieve much beyond being ST players but you have to have those as well.

We'll see how those I mentioned work out and whether they make our rosters one way or the other. There were 2 OL drafted last year that I thought would be invited to TC but now that's less clear.

It makes you wonder if the draft will continue to be 9 rounds with what I'd call a new limitation. It's sort of one and done potentially.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Interesting way to look at it. This change may have more of an impact going into 2026 when they will face this issue. I don't know whether they will still retain the rights to those returning to college?

For 2025 they've already re-signed a few of the 2024 draft choices.

Kornelson attended the last 2 TC before returning to college. Samson spent the entire season on the PR before being activated for the Grey Cup.

Leroux and Gassama may just be fighting for PR spots. Gassama might be fighting for a depth spot on the AR.  That's a TBD.

We see many draft choices also spend their 1st season on the PR and then return for the next season. In some cases they are successful and make the AR or part of the roster on the AR and part on the PR.

Granted many of them never achieve much beyond being ST players but you have to have those as well.

We'll see how those I mentioned work out and whether they make our rosters one way or the other. There were 2 OL drafted last year that I thought would be invited to TC but now that's less clear.

It makes you wonder if the draft will continue to be 9 rounds with what I'd call a new limitation. It's sort of one and done potentially.

The number of draft rounds won't change. At least not due to counting previous year picks in the official training camp number.

All that is happening is that teams must decide after rookie camp if their prior year draft choices are worth a training camp spot or not. I argue (and frankly I'm sure this is what the CFLPA is thinking too) - they should have more than enough information to make that determination.

Look at it another way, teams typically decide on keeping rookie Americans (who always count) based on nothing more than college tape and three day rookie camp.

[Blue In BC]

I wonder which of the rookie receivers is going to be the next Wilson? Although we signed 3 CFL free agent receivers, I'd say only Mitchell is a lock. The other 2 are good but will face enormous competition.

The new guy might end up on the PR to start the season and learn more of the CFL game. We appear to be in good shape to start the season with the veterans but it will be interesting to see what rookie impresses as well.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Not sure another rookie receiver will survive beyond the PR, not much room.  They've been on a hot streak lately recruiting Wilson and stumbling upon an unheralded Schoen, but before that you'd have to stretch back to Chris Matthews in 2018 to find a new receiver they brought in that made a significant impact.

There's been big turnover in the scouting dept. as well, so we'll have to wait to see how that changes player recruitment, not too surprised Goveia took Cyril Penn with him. For some strange reason Danny Mac has not been great recruiting high skilled import positions such as receiver and QB, which he should have an eye for.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Not sure another rookie receiver will survive beyond the PR, not much room.  They've been on a hot streak lately recruiting Wilson and stumbling upon an unheralded Schoen, but before that you'd have to stretch back to Chris Matthews in 2018 to find a new receiver they brought in that made a significant impact.

There's been big turnover in the scouting dept. as well, so we'll have to wait to see how that changes player recruitment, not too surprised Goveia took Cyril Penn with him. For some strange reason Danny Mac has not been great recruiting high skilled import positions such as receiver and QB, which he should have an eye for.

Agreed. Barring injuries it's going to be pretty tough for the rookie receivers this year to find their way onto the field. Especially early. .

Way more depth ahead of them.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It changes a little but not a lot.

Anyone who was sent back to school already had a full camp and were therefore already cut once. You're looking to see whether they've improved in the areas you've asked or not. Usually these are bubble players and guys who get "sent back to school" rarely go on to make it in any meaningful way later. Yes, there are exceptions. No, it's not common.

Current year draft picks are still non counters so they're getting all camp and there's no rush.

All they're doing is narrowing down the window for returning Canadians and teams should be able to make a decision on those guys more quickly. Either you're interested or you're not. You have had a full camp, a full season of tape after the camp and then the rookie camp to figure out if they are worth a snowball's chance and if you want more time the easy answer is to fit them into the count.

I kind of thought going back to school was often the players choice, deferring their pro football career for a year or two while they finish their degree while continuing to play college football. I certainly wouldn't be keen dropping out to pursue a short-term CFL football career that has a very good chance of going nowhere and isn't likely to pay very well. In that case getting drafted years prior to graduating isn't much of a blessing. 

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I kind of thought going back to school was often the players choice, deferring their pro football career for a year or two while they finish their degree while continuing to play college football. I certainly wouldn't be keen dropping out to pursue a short-term CFL football career that has a very good chance of going nowhere and isn't likely to pay very well. In that case getting drafted years prior to graduating isn't much of a blessing. 

You're right. CFL teams don't force players back to school. Typically though, this is a conversation for guys who don't really project to be very effective at the CFL level anyway. And don't forget they're virtually always Canadians playing in the CIS which right out of the gate reduces a players odds to win a starting spot in the CFL dramatically (yes, Demski, yes Kramdi, yes maybe it's changing slightly, but not much.)

[Blue In BC]

Early I thought we'd be bringing back the 2 OL we drafted in 2024. Now that's less certain. I was already not sure if Gassama and Leroux had any more chance to make anything beyond the PR.

Leroux might have been considered the LS for 2026 or sooner if they choose to move past Benson. Benson can still perform but when does the team make that decision?

Is there a chance that the team deletes some Canadians on the current roster before TC? We already had a couple that are long in the tooth.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Early I thought we'd be bringing back the 2 OL we drafted in 2024. Now that's less certain. I was already not sure if Gassama and Leroux had any more chance to make anything beyond the PR.

Leroux might have been considered the LS for 2026 or sooner if they choose to move past Benson. Benson can still perform but when does the team make that decision?

Is there a chance that the team deletes some Canadians on the current roster before TC? We already had a couple that are long in the tooth.

I thought Benson retired after last season?  If not probably time to move onto the younger Leroux anyway.

[Blue In BC]

I thought Benson retired after last season?  If not probably time to move onto the younger Leroux anyway.

No he's still on the roster at the moment. Like I said, Benson can play but he's 38 this season. Risk of injury increases and there would be some SMS savings using Leroux.

I don't know if Leroux has the " right stuff " so to speak. If we keep him on the PR all season that has something approaching $1K per week plus how ever much more we pay to retain Benson. It also uses a spot on the PR that is limited to 10 non global players.

When is the right time with a player that is 38?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

No he's still on the roster at the moment. Like I said, Benson can play but he's 38 this season. Risk of injury increases and there would be some SMS savings using Leroux.

I don't know if Leroux has the " right stuff " so to speak. If we keep him on the PR all season that has something approaching $1K per week plus how ever much more we pay to retain Benson. It also uses a spot on the PR that is limited to 10 non global players.

When is the right time with a player that is 38?

I'd put the age of retirement at 36 but having a consistant long snapper is super important.

[TecnoGenius]

I'd put the age of retirement at 36 but having a consistant long snapper is super important.

I'm sure Rempel could have played 2-3 more seasons at his high level, but Benson was there for the taking and bought us a little time.  And he's been solid, as solid as Rempel.

I can't recall the last over-the-head punt snap by Rempel or Benson.  That's a good thing.