Kornelson released

[VictorRomano]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/161k4DjwSH/

"We have released National defensive lineman Collin Kornelson from the practice roster."

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Transactions - August 20, 2025

WINNIPEG, MB., August 20, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:

Released from practice roster:

National defensive lineman Collin Kornelson

[TecnoGenius]

Guess Schmekel looking like a world beater finally tipped the scales and we made our decision.

[Blue In BC]

Guess Schmekel looking like a world beater finally tipped the scales and we made our decision.

Schmekel started to show improvement as the 2024 season progressed. I found it surprising that Kornelson made the AR while he sat on the 1 game IR although healthy.

Whether his performance last week was the reason for Kornelson's release must be part of the equation. It's possible that Kornelson played his way off the roster after being on the AR for 8 games.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Schmekel started to show improvement as the 2024 season progressed. I found it surprising that Kornelson made the AR while he sat on the 1 game IR although healthy.

Whether his performance last week was the reason for Kornelson's release must be part of the equation. It's possible that Kornelson played his way off the roster after being on the AR for 8 games.

Could be a FIFO victim, probably has more skill than Schmeck but puts in less effort.  Could also be the case with Woods, lazy individuals do not get ahead on a MOS team. 

Very good insight from Jeff Hamilton on O'Shea's inflexible mindset in the video below, according to him the reason Dillon Mitchell was grounded for 8 weeks was because he showed up to TC out of shape, which is a big sign of disrespect to O'Shea, he probably wanted to cut him day one.

[Jesse]

Could be a FIFO victim, probably has more skill than Schmeck but puts in less effort.  Could also be the case with Woods, lazy individuals do not get ahead on a MOS team. 

Very good insight from Jeff Hamilton on O'Shea's inflexible mindset in the video below, according to him the reason Dillon Mitchell was grounded for 8 weeks was because he showed up to TC out of shape, which is a big sign of disrespect to O'Shea, he probably wanted to cut him day one.

So your belief is that Colin Kornelson, a 5th round draft pick, who had to return to school for 2 years after being drafted, was more skilled than other players, but lacked effort?

The guy was a late round, token draft pick form the U of M. It's a testament to his effort that he made it this far but he just isn't a professional football player. It's not a conspiracy why some guys don't make it. It doesn't need to be FIFO, it's just a bottom of the roster player who had to be replaced.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

So your belief is that Colin Kornelson, a 5th round draft pick, who had to return to school for 2 years after being drafted, was more skilled than other players, but lacked effort?

The guy was a late round, token draft pick form the U of M. It's a testament to his effort that he made it this far but he just isn't a professional football player. It's not a conspiracy why some guys don't make it. It doesn't need to be FIFO, it's just a bottom of the roster player who had to be replaced.

Who said anything about beliefs?  I'm just speculating on the scenario that originally put Kornelson ahead of Schmeck on the AR.  One real clue, Schmeck made an impact in his first game back, Kornelson failed to do so in any of the 6 games he played this year, he was virtually invisible.

Every grinder in the NHL stole the job from dozens of more skilled hockey players on the way up, work ethic, attitude and grit are huge determining factors in their success, seems to me from his background as a grinder, O'Shea would be well aware of this.  Jake Thomas could be the poster boy for grinders everywhere.

[dd]

Who said anything about beliefs?  I'm just speculating on the scenario that originally put Kornelson ahead of Schmeck on the AR.  One real clue, Schmeck made an impact in his first game back, Kornelson failed to do so in any of the 6 games he played this year, he was virtually invisible.

Every grinder in the NHL stole the job from dozens of more skilled hockey players on the way up, work ethic, attitude and grit are huge determining factors in their success, seems to me from his background as a grinder, O'Shea would be well aware of this.  Jake Thomas could be the poster boy for grinders everywhere.

Agree. I've always said that the combine doesn't have an exercise to measure 'desire/heart', and the difference between making the team vs being cut often comes down to who has the greatest desire to compete.

[blue_gold_84]

Every grinder in the NHL stole the job from dozens of more skilled hockey players on the way up, work ethic, attitude and grit are huge determining factors in their success, seems to me from his background as a grinder, O'Shea would be well aware of this.  Jake Thomas could be the poster boy for grinders everywhere.

The NHL is not a good apples to apples comparison. You still need a modicum of skill to stick in the NHL and grinders generally serve roles restricted to addressing depth (predominantly 4th liners) or physicality (such as enforcers).

I'd suspect Kornelson's passport is what likely kept him around longer than anything related to skill, work ethic, attitude, etc. The CFL doesn't have an equivalent role to grinders in the NHL - for obvious reasons.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Most "grinders" in the NHL were stars in their community and teams until they hit the highest levels. Same with football players. It's the best league in the world outside of the NFL and the bar is just really high. Players who appear to be "less talented" are only less in relation to the other best players. Some guys just aren't talented enough but you don't get drafted in any pro league without being very talented as a baseline.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The NHL is not a good apples to apples comparison. You still need a modicum of skill to stick in the NHL and grinders generally serve roles restricted to addressing depth (predominantly 4th liners) or physicality (such as enforcers).

I'd suspect Kornelson's passport is what likely kept him around longer than anything related to skill, work ethic, attitude, etc. The CFL doesn't have an equivalent role to grinders in the NHL - for obvious reasons.

What would you call players who's career is mainly ST teams? Mike Miller, Hallett, Briggs, Gauthier, Cadwallader, lesser skills but lot's of grit, who knows Weitz might be the best grinder that ever lived!

[blue_gold_84]

What would you call players who's career is mainly ST teams? Mike Miller, Hallett, Briggs, Gauthier, Cadwallader, lesser skills but lot's of grit, who knows Weitz might be the best grinder that ever lived!

I'd call them special teams players. A specific set of skills is generally required relative to the unique role special teams play in pro football, particularly the CFL.
 
IIRC, Miller was listed as a FB. Hallett's listed as a DB. Briggs, Gauthier, Cadwallader, and Weitz are listed as LBs.

I just wouldn't label them grinders.

[Blueforlife]

No reason the be harsh a guy as he leaves imo
Any CFL club is successful based on players on PR to star generational talents
All are welcome
He is a pro and made a pro team sorry Jesse don't agree with your take
Wish him luck and I thank him for his time here
A business and numbers game

[kkc60]

Could be a FIFO victim, probably has more skill than Schmeck but puts in less effort.  Could also be the case with Woods, lazy individuals do not get ahead on a MOS team. 

Very good insight from Jeff Hamilton on O'Shea's inflexible mindset in the video below, according to him the reason Dillon Mitchell was grounded for 8 weeks was because he showed up to TC out of shape, which is a big sign of disrespect to O'Shea, he probably wanted to cut him day one.

yeah no i wouldn't say Kornelson or Woods are lazy or say anything about their effort without any verifiable proof. Kornelson probably made it because he might have been a better fit on the kick return team, but Schmeckel offers more on defense as a true nose tackle