Winnipeg Blue Bombers add two to roster - Kickel and Brown

[TecnoGenius]

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.

How do you/we know?  Do we have it documented who's "responsible" for the Schoen or Pokey find?  Couldn't that have been Danny?

Many thought Rigmaiden was the genius, but we found Pokey after he was long gone, no?

[Blue In BC]

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.

Neither were perfect but both were very good. Part of the discussion just at the end of last season was that a LS is easy to find. I don't know if that's true but it doesn't answer the question.

It's not impossible that Benson decides to retire before TC. I'm not expecting that but it's not outside the possibility.

Having a consistent LS is very important so that is worth noting. Posters will have to watch Leroux in TC and determine whether he might be ours in 2026 or whether we'll might be in the hunt.

I pointed out some of the SMS issues and roster spots on the PR to retain any player over another. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's not necessary the best use of roster management.

Let the TC battle determine the outcomes. I won't be upset if Benson plays another couple of years. I might be upset if we cut Leroux and he signs elsewhere to play top level for a decade. Obviously that's only speculation.

It's no different than wondering when we part ways with other older players.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

How do you/we know?  Do we have it documented who's "responsible" for the Schoen or Pokey find?  Couldn't that have been Danny?

Many thought Rigmaiden was the genius, but we found Pokey after he was long gone, no?

McManus has been with the team for over a decade and although overall recruitment has been very good, they've been weak finding high quality QB's and receivers. As I mentioned in an earlier post, other than Pokey, Schoen and Chris Matthews I can't think of any all-star caliber receivers brought in though scouting.  It's worse when you look at QB's, the 2 highlights may have been Dru Brown and Streveler. 

[Blue In BC]

How do you/we know?  Do we have it documented who's "responsible" for the Schoen or Pokey find?  Couldn't that have been Danny?

Many thought Rigmaiden was the genius, but we found Pokey after he was long gone, no?

What we don't know is whether he was added to our neg list or by who or when. Or whether he had been scouted or just showed up at a try out camp and was discovered.

It's not a straight line to any acquisition. A player could be on our neg list for a few years or a few weeks.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

What we don't know is whether he was added to our neg list or by who or when. Or whether he had been scouted or just showed up at a try out camp and was discovered.

It's not a straight line to any acquisition. A player could be on our neg list for a few years or a few weeks.

I think Pokey came in through the neg. list, not sure how Schoen was acquired but I think he surprised everyone.

[TecnoGenius]

other than Pokey, Schoen and Chris Matthews I can't think of any all-star caliber receivers brought in though scouting.  It's worse when you look at QB's, the 2 highlights may have been Dru Brown and Streveler.

I don't know, I think 3 great RECs and 1.5 great QBs scouted in a decade is probably on par with many/most other teams?  (Ask me that question before we found Schoen though and I'll give you a different answer!)

A legit top-5 QB is scouted maybe once every 2-4 seasons in the CFL.  That's why they now play until mid/late-30s, because they are so rare.

[TecnoGenius]

I think Pokey came in through the neg. list, not sure how Schoen was acquired but I think he surprised everyone.

I remember his rookie TC MOS and everyone here who went to practice were screaming about him being great and I was skeptical.  I was still skeptical until around week 6, then I was a convert!  He doesn't look like much, but he sure gets the job done, and the TDs!

[Blue In BC]

A two-time D3 All-American, Kickel started his collegiate career at Arizona State before making the jump to play for Don Beebe at Aurora. He's a well-built lineman at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds who has tackle-guard versatility, though he projects better at guard due to his nasty, finishing mentality. He's a powerful lineman at the point of attack who keeps a low center of gravity and maintains good footwork, reflective of his initial basketball background. With his level of success, the Benet Academy alumnus deserves a shot to showcase himself at the next level.