https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/05/28/blue-bombers-transactions-may-28/
That really thinned out the import rookie receiver group. Still quite a number competing though.
Blue Bombers Transactions - May 28, 2024
WINNIPEG, MB., May 28, 2024 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:
Released from roster:
American receiver Peter Afful
American receiver Tyler Adams
American receiver Jaylen Hall
American offensive lineman Khalil Keith
Quote from: ModAdmin on May 28, 2024, 11:08:36 PMBlue Bombers Transactions - May 28, 2024
WINNIPEG, MB., May 28, 2024 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:
Released from roster:
American receiver Peter Afful
American receiver Tyler Adams
American receiver Jaylen Hall
American offensive lineman Khalil Keith
He was just TOO AFFUL to make the squad!! ;) Kinda knew that cut was coming! :D Poor guy.
Adams is interesting, he seemed to fare well in SSK. Although for some reason, even with his name on a bar across his back, the Riders broadcast team couldn't figure out who he was...
Well our new receiver and KR are as clear as mud
Quote from: kkc60 on May 29, 2024, 01:21:28 AMWell our new receiver and KR are as clear as mud
My money is on Chris Smith as the kick returner. Just a hunch but he has speed and, I think, savvy returning skills and ability.
AK Gassama would be a fun choice as KR... no DI spot given up.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 29, 2024, 03:15:58 AMAK Gassama would be a fun choice as KR... no DI spot given up.
I'd like to see him get a crack at it friday, but not too sure that'll happen
Quote from: theaardvark on May 29, 2024, 12:47:57 AMAdams is interesting, he seemed to fare well in SSK. Although for some reason, even with his name on a bar across his back, the Riders broadcast team couldn't figure out who he was...
Wasn't Adams the one wearing the red gloves and shoes?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on May 29, 2024, 12:57:08 PMWasn't Adams the one wearing the red gloves and shoes?
Nope that was Myron Mitchell I think
Quote from: ModAdmin on May 29, 2024, 02:41:04 AMMy money is on Chris Smith as the kick returner. Just a hunch but he has speed and, I think, savvy returning skills and ability.
He looked the best in the first game. Let's see what happens on Friday.
Yes, a player needs the physical attributes to be a top returner. That is a given. And many, many players start with that.
What differentiates them is how they adapt to the three down rules. Returns in the CFL are so completely different than 4 down football.
NAT players who played at U Sports schools (I hate that U Sports looks like US sports) have a big leg up in that. Just knowing when to let a kick go into the endzone, or through the endzone, or out of bounds are all things some American players never wrap their heads around, or forget and let the training that goes back to PeeWee take over.
Finding a player with the skillset and mindset is the key. We have lots of players with demonstrable skills that we've brought in, and we have a coaching staff will the ability to coach up a player with the mental ability to adapt.
There may have been moments when a returner has gone down, and we've struggled to replace them immediately, but we've also produced some good ones.
We also have Demski, Holm, and others that are decent returners.
Here's an interesting thought... can Streveler return kicks? he's got speed and power, would be amazing to see him take on a cover team.
Quote from: kkc60 on May 29, 2024, 02:44:57 PMNope that was Myron Mitchell I think
Yes, it was. Wearing them today at practice. Time to put on some Blue.
Quote from: theaardvark on May 29, 2024, 04:38:56 PMYes, a player needs the physical attributes to be a top returner. That is a given. And many, many players start with that.
What differentiates them is how they adapt to the three down rules. Returns in the CFL are so completely different than 4 down football.
NAT players who played at U Sports schools (I hate that U Sports looks like US sports) have a big leg up in that. Just knowing when to let a kick go into the endzone, or through the endzone, or out of bounds are all things some American players never wrap their heads around, or forget and let the training that goes back to PeeWee take over.
Finding a player with the skillset and mindset is the key. We have lots of players with demonstrable skills that we've brought in, and we have a coaching staff will the ability to coach up a player with the mental ability to adapt.
There may have been moments when a returner has gone down, and we've struggled to replace them immediately, but we've also produced some good ones.
We also have Demski, Holm, and others that are decent returners.
Here's an interesting thought... can Streveler return kicks? he's got speed and power, would be amazing to see him take on a cover team.
You are joking, right?
Quote from: theaardvark on May 29, 2024, 04:38:56 PMHere's an interesting thought... can Streveler return kicks? he's got speed and power, would be amazing to see him take on a cover team.
CFL rules do not permit a QB to play on return teams.
Having said that, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats used Kai Locksley on returns twice last season (twice that I noticed). Each time, they should have been penalized 25 yards for illegal participation - yes 25 yards for a QB!
The first time, Locksley was used on the hands team for a short kickoff - the second time was on a punt return. Kai Locksley responded to my tweet after the 2nd offence. Apparently he was told that he could no longer return punts but he didn't know why until he read my tweet.
Thats a weird rule and I don't follow why it even exists. I think it would be good to have a Qb out there to field a punt and then throw/lateral it across the field to screw up the coverage ala the Titans in the superbowl years ago, althought their lateral was a forward pass, and a blown call by the officials lead to a TD, still an exciting play...why not let teams do this??
Quote from: theaardvark on May 29, 2024, 12:47:57 AMAdams is interesting, he seemed to fare well in SSK. Although for some reason, even with his name on a bar across his back, the Riders broadcast team couldn't figure out who he was...
Ya, out of the whole game the only thing I took away was:
Strev looking good
Wilson looking good
Adams looking good.
And now we release him... Must have Bailey's spot locked up with someone else already... but who?
Quote from: TecnoGenius on May 30, 2024, 03:28:28 AMYa, out of the whole game the only thing I took away was:
Strev looking good
Wilson looking good
Adams looking good.
And now we release him... Must have Bailey's spot locked up with someone else already... but who?
They probably do have someone at the top of their depth chart that is the front runner. What we don't know is what the real ranking looks like. The game 1 depth chart didn't mean much and Friday's game will be more of the same.
In that sense it may not be a surprise that Adams was released but that he was one of the 1st to be released.
I mentioned / questioned for the 1st game whether many of the players were the front runners or just getting their last chance to shine. It was probably a combination of both, but look how many of game 1 rookies have been released already.
I count 9 gone from game 1 roster. Might have missed a couple.
A large number of releases seem to be injury related, getting nicked in camp is death. Will be interesting to see how many of those "cut" players stay in Winnipeg...
It's not unusual to see players cut early due to injury, get added to PR when they are healthy. It's a numbers game.
I wouldn't expect that to be true with most of those released, but there might be a couple. The problem is that the ones that end up on the PR early have that much longer to show more and keep those spots.
As mentioned, getting nicked early in TC is tough on the rookies.
Quote from: Stats Junkie on May 30, 2024, 01:17:37 AMCFL rules do not permit a QB to play on return teams.
Having said that, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats used Kai Locksley on returns twice last season (twice that I noticed). Each time, they should have been penalized 25 yards for illegal participation - yes 25 yards for a QB!
The first time, Locksley was used on the hands team for a short kickoff - the second time was on a punt return. Kai Locksley responded to my tweet after the 2nd offence. Apparently he was told that he could no longer return punts but he didn't know why until he read my tweet.
Didnt Bryan Bennett play some special teams while he was with the Bombers? I thought there were different restrictions on QB eligibility depending on whether they were the 1st and 2nd QB or the the 3rd stringer.
Quote from: gobombersgo on May 31, 2024, 08:45:53 PMDidnt Bryan Bennett play some special teams while he was with the Bombers? I thought there were different restrictions on QB eligibility depending on whether they were the 1st and 2nd QB or the the 3rd stringer.
I'm not sure if he did or he didn't but Edmonton in particular used to have their 3rd string QB play on ST coverage steams.
Quote from: gobombersgo on May 31, 2024, 08:45:53 PMDidnt Bryan Bennett play some special teams while he was with the Bombers? I thought there were different restrictions on QB eligibility depending on whether they were the 1st and 2nd QB or the the 3rd stringer.
The rules state that a designated QB cannot play as a member of team B (team that starts the play on defence). A QB can play on coverage teams but not on return teams.