Blue Bombers add trio to scouting staff
WINNIPEG, MB., January 10, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has added three scouts with extensive Canadian Football League backgrounds in Jim Jauch, Eric Deslauriers and Brock Sunderland.
All three will hold the titles of Senior Director of Player Personnel.
"All three of these individuals have experience in scouting and finding talented football players," said General Manager Kyle Walters. "We are very pleased to add them all to our scouting group, having them work closely with Danny McManus, and we are already looking forward to training camp in May."
JIM JAUCH
Jauch joins the Blue Bombers after spending the last three years with the B.C. Lions as their Director of U.S. Scouting. Jauch is the son of former Blue Bombers player and head coach Ray Jauch (1978-82 as head coach) and played five years in the CFL with Calgary (1989), Edmonton (1990-91) and Hamilton (1992-93) where he also played with his brother Joey.
After his playing days Jauch became a college scout with the San Diego Chargers in 1994, joining the Cleveland Browns in 2006, where he was then promoted to Associate Director of College and Pro Scouting, a position he held until 2010. Jauch returned to the Chargers and worked with them from 2010-14 before joining the New York Jets as a National Scout until 2018. He then returned to Canada to become the Director of Pro Scouting with the Toronto Argonauts before heading to B.C.
ERIC DESLAURIERS
Deslauriers comes to Winnipeg after serving as the Senior Director of Football Operations/Player Personnel with the Montreal Alouettes. Deslauriers played nine seasons in the CFL, all with the Alouettes, after being selected by the club in the first round, seventh overall, in the 2007 CFL Draft.
A native of Calgary who grew up in Quebec, Deslauriers brings experience in several areas, including in the evaluation of Canadian players for the CFL Draft and in pro scouting.
BROCK SUNDERLAND
Sunderland has extensive CFL management experience, having most recently served as the General Manager of the Edmonton Elks from 2017-21. The product of Great Falls, Montana first came north to the CFL as a regional/advance scout for the Alouettes (2004-05) before becoming Montreal's Director of Scouting, a position he held through 2007.
He then joined the New York Jets as a Pro Scout through 2012 before serving as the Ottawa RedBlacks Assistant GM from 2013-16. Sunderland was part of the staff that helped the RedBlacks capture the 2016 Grey Cup championship before heading to Edmonton.
Anyone know these names?
Pretty solid additions to our scouting team. Our talent pipelines look to be in good hands.
And The beat goes on....
2016 Montreal ...... Deslaurier
"His new duties will comprise, among other things, of analyzing and evaluating all the talent for the upcoming CFL Canadian Draft. The former Eastern Michigan University Eagle will also be responsible for advance scouting once the season gets underway.
Deslauriers was also a pilar for the Together at school with the Alouettes program, reaching thousands of kids throughout Quebec schools, helping them make the right decisions and to stay in school.
2019 MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes announced Wednesday that they have promoted Éric Deslauriers, who was Coordinator of Player personnel in 2019, to Director of Football Operations. "
2024 Montreal not renewing Deslauriers.:
"The native of Gatineau, Que. won two Grey Cups as a player and one as a member of Montreal's personnel department.
The Alouettes finished atop the East Division this past season at 12-5-1 before being upset by the Toronto Argonauts in the East Final by a score of 30-28."
"Yeah let's fire that guy who was a success story for us". Seems a Dumb move by them.
And Good for us. Kind of reminds me of the Mike Miller story. The way we got Mike.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 10, 2025, 08:07:47 PMAnyone know these names?
Are you kidding? These are excellent additions with extensive knowledge.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 10, 2025, 09:14:03 PMAre you kidding? These are excellent additions with extensive knowledge.
I was simply asking if anyone knew much about them, I don't know the names personally but yes the bios read well. Just like when we get new players in, I like to know if folks have anything to add about who we got. Wealth of knowledge on here, simply asking for more info for those in the know.....
Thanks for those that chimed in or provided more info.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 11, 2025, 12:26:49 AMI was simply asking if anyone knew much about them, I don't know the names personally but yes the bios read well. Just like when we get new players in, I like to know if folks have anything to add about who we got. Wealth of knowledge on here, simply asking for more info for those in the know.....
Mostly behind the scenes guys, so I doubt anyone knows much about them with the exception of Sunderland who caused a few sparks to fly when he was the Esks GM. He fell off a cliff, can't recall a GM having to start again almost from the bottom.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 11, 2025, 12:46:16 AMMostly behind the scenes guys, so I doubt anyone knows much about them with the exception of Sunderland who caused a few sparks to fly when he was the Esks GM. He fell off a cliff, can't recall a GM having to start again almost from the bottom.
I was wondering about that but sounds about right when I seen the Elks referenced.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 11, 2025, 01:15:31 AMI was wondering about that but sounds about right when I seen the Elks referenced.
A quick Google search reveals Sunderland is most famous for firing Jason Maas and banning Joey Moss from the Esks. dressing room.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 10, 2025, 08:07:47 PMAnyone know these names?
Yeah they are all very well known. The one I sort of know is Jim Jauch - Ray's son - and I sort of know Ray as I am getting up there in years and actually went to a number of University of Iowa games when Ray was a star HB there. That was late 1950's and I was a letter carrier for the Des Moines Register. We got to go to Iowa games if we sold enough papers. I got to see Ray and Kenny Ploen, Bobby Jeter and a bunch of future CFL stars - long before I knew there was a CFL.
Wow. Losing Goveia was a blow, but replacing him with this trio really makes me wonder about front office $SMS. Either Ted was making an awful lot, or we found a loophole...
Grabbing guys from other organizations seems to sometimes end up with teams chasing after neg list trades, or at least watching neg list cuts. A guy might be a fav of someone who has moved on, so gets cut by the old Org in favour of a new guy fav, and the old guy snags him for his new org.
If only the CFL were transparent in these things.
Still no idea why salaries, contracts, neg lists aren't all public. Would really help with the league's fantasy/gambling potential.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 11, 2025, 07:07:33 PMWow. Losing Goveia was a blow, but replacing him with this trio really makes me wonder about front office $SMS. Either Ted was making an awful lot, or we found a loophole...
Grabbing guys from other organizations seems to sometimes end up with teams chasing after neg list trades, or at least watching neg list cuts. A guy might be a fav of someone who has moved on, so gets cut by the old Org in favour of a new guy fav, and the old guy snags him for his new org.
If only the CFL were transparent in these things.
Still no idea why salaries, contracts, neg lists aren't all public. Would really help with the league's fantasy/gambling potential.
IIRC we lost another operations person that went to Hamilton as well. His name escapes me at the moment.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 11, 2025, 09:21:05 PMIIRC we lost another operations person that went to Hamilton as well. His name escapes me at the moment.
Cyril Penn. Which was an unexpected loss.
All sound like fantastic additions. I'm familiar with all three names, whether it be through playing or managing on other teams.
Great job.
Hopefully these signings prove fruitful in this year's season
So, we added intel from BC, Mtl and Edm, scouting should be interesting, each of these guys must have a list of names, neg listed or not.
Much deeper pool of scouting than we've ever had, and we've done pretty OK up until now...
Quote from: BBRT on January 11, 2025, 04:46:06 PMYeah they are all very well known. The one I sort of know is Jim Jauch - Ray's son - and I sort of know Ray as I am getting up there in years and actually went to a number of University of Iowa games when Ray was a star HB there. That was late 1950's and I was a letter carrier for the Des Moines Register. We got to go to Iowa games if we sold enough papers. I got to see Ray and Kenny Ploen, Bobby Jeter and a bunch of future CFL stars - long before I knew there was a CFL.
Awesome thanks for the info, exactly what I knew people would be able to provide
Quote from: ModAdmin on January 10, 2025, 08:01:45 PMERIC DESLAURIERS[/b]
Deslauriers comes to Winnipeg after serving as the Senior Director of Football Operations/Player Personnel with the Montreal Alouettes.
Was Deslauriers responsible for finding Ento? This would be pure gold if he can find us an Ento!
Sunderland is a bit of a strange situation, going from GM to lowly scout! However, maybe he is fine now just chilling on USA beaches checking out southern talent all year. :P
These are some stellar additions.
MOS says he isn't in a hurry to sign OC. Still talking OC candidates.
Argo's QB coach Mike Miller was a name that the Bombers got permission to speak with just now.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 14, 2025, 06:27:26 PMArgo's QB coach Mike Miller was a name that the Bombers got permission to speak with just now.
Apparently we spoke to him last month (according to the 3down article).
Quote from: Jesse on January 14, 2025, 07:24:12 PMApparently we spoke to him last month (according to the 3down article).
In a case where O'Shea steals a coach from another CFL team, delaying his decision could put them in a bit of a bind to come up with a replacement. In the world of 3-D chess, maybe that's the game he's playing.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUVpERxD-wwEvlnxfylofk4tY8Hgi0--VKsw&s)
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 14, 2025, 08:03:46 PMIn a case where O'Shea steals a coach from another CFL team, delaying his decision could put them in a bit of a bind to come up with a replacement. In the world of 3-D chess, maybe that's the game he's playing.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUVpERxD-wwEvlnxfylofk4tY8Hgi0--VKsw&s)
I don't think so. Also the Argos are aware they may lose him. So they will have a contingency plan.
If it's too late in the off season they may not grant permission. We did that to Lapo right here. That was January 20th of 2019.
https://3downnation.com/2019/01/20/riders-denied-permission-to-interview-bombers-paul-lapolice-for-head-coach-job/
Khari Jones has taken a job at UBC so it seems he is out of the running now.
https://3downnation.com/2025/01/14/longtime-cfl-player-coach-khari-jones-joins-ubc-thunderbirds-as-qb-coach/
Quote from: Waffler on January 14, 2025, 09:26:14 PMIf it's too late in the off season they may not grant permission. We did that to Lapo right here. That was January 20th of 2019.
https://3downnation.com/2019/01/20/riders-denied-permission-to-interview-bombers-paul-lapolice-for-head-coach-job/
Khari Jones has taken a job at UBC so it seems he is out of the running now.
https://3downnation.com/2025/01/14/longtime-cfl-player-coach-khari-jones-joins-ubc-thunderbirds-as-qb-coach/
They did grant permission though. When that happened or where he is on our list of choices IDK. He has extensive experience in NFL, USFL and so on. That includes coaching most aspects of the game at some point.
I'd say he's well qualified and has a better depth of experience than Lapo or Pierce had when they went into coaching.
He could be a good choice.
Yes, he is highly experienced if he is in fact the choice. Just worried we are waiting too long. Hopefully everyone he wants to talk to has had the first interview already.
Hard to know since MOS gives no info. "O'Shea in no rush to hire new OC" headlines in the Free Press for example.
Quote from: Waffler on January 14, 2025, 11:05:00 PMYes, he is highly experienced if he is in fact the choice. Just worried we are waiting too long. Hopefully everyone he wants to talk to has had the first interview already.
Hard to know since MOS gives no info. "O'Shea in no rush to hire new OC" headlines in the Free Press for example.
Whoever the OC is, he'll work with the players given and be grateful.
I want to see a high-brain uber-genius OC. Buck started off great inheriting the Lapo system, but every year got less and less "smart".
By '24, where were the 3-quarter long setups to get some guy mega-open in the 4th? Where were the 5 games setups to get some guy mega-open in the 6th game?
We regularly saw both under Lapo and in Buck year 1 & 2. But each Buck year we would see less and less. I don't remember commenting on a single one in '24! (Except maybe once where Kenny did the Bailey sweep.)
There was so little chess planning, so little creativity, so little "new". It was like we were just throwing the same 6 plays at the D's over and over hoping our execution was better (which it wasn't). Where was all the famous WFC "misdirection" and "bunch formations" and "tons of pre-snap movement"? It went the way of the "MOS is the trick play champion".
Look at TOR's OC in the GC! Mega-creative routes and plays to get nobody Brissett 2 TDs! And we just throw the corner fade to Kenny, and fail. Every O play TOR did was specially crafted and genius, so high a completion %, so many 1st downs. It didn't matter we mostly contained the run, they had Mediocre Arbuckle all set to eat us alive.
Bring back the high brains!!
Who has Zac worked with before that he was successful with?
Quote from: DM83 on January 22, 2025, 09:19:14 PMWho has Zac worked with before that he was successful with?
That's a great question, and possible avenue of attack in our OC hunt.
Who was the OC of HAM during Zach's best year(s) there? Not the OC his last year there, though! ;D
Zach also was doing well in SSK before he got Simoni'd. I think that was McAdoo though... and that's a hard no from me!!
Quote from: TecnoGenius on January 22, 2025, 10:23:21 PMThat's a great question, and possible avenue of attack in our OC hunt.
Who was the OC of HAM during Zach's best year(s) there? Not the OC his last year there, though! ;D
Zach also was doing well in SSK before he got Simoni'd. I think that was McAdoo though... and that's a hard no from me!!
He played well during the Kent Austin stint, not sure who was calling the plays at that time.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 11, 2025, 02:14:28 AMA quick Google search reveals Sunderland is most famous for firing Jason Maas and banning Joey Moss from the Esks. dressing room.
a scout is the best spot for a guy who made that move with Joey Moss...
That Edmonton Gm or scout does not impress me. No personal intangibles it seems. And. Who did he add to the Elks? Whatever if they let him go, they could not have been too impressed. Oh well better than Jimmy Roy or Bill Lesuk types. Lol,
We have to load up for a grey Cup run. So picking up proven guys, is my preference.
We seem to be set. Sign Lawler who is quality.
The OC I was thinking of was from Hamilton. He was let go, but he may have signed with someone else. He was a pass first type but presented many creative motion packages. LaPolice would be a great teacher, having Buck as His protege, who continued the use of motion and mis-direction. I would make it worth his while to leave TSN. I mentioned before, I theorized, his contract may be in place with the last game being the Super Bowl. Hence he may have go wait, to move on.
Bo Levi Mitchell strikes me as a great speaker, experienced and knowledgeable guy, but he is also signed as a Player.
This is very exciting!
Quote from: DM83 on February 03, 2025, 06:02:53 PMThe OC I was thinking of was from Hamilton. He was let go, but he may have signed with someone else. He was a pass first type but presented many creative motion packages.
You mean Condell? That's the skinny guy we beat handily in consecutive GCs vs HAM. Ya, he got a new gig calling the plays in OTT.
I wouldn't be interested in him. He's too one-dimensional, as we saw in the GCs.
;) I believe that's the guy! Thanks!