Blue Bombers re-sign veteran defensive tackle Jake Thomas
WINNIPEG, MB., January 16, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extension with veteran defensive tackle Jake Thomas, who was scheduled to become a free agent next month.
Thomas (6-1, 280; Acadia University; born: December 6, 1990, in Douglas, NB.) returns in 2025 for his 13th season with the Blue Bombers. He is not only currently the longest-serving member of the team, but among the franchise leaders in games played at 205 – fifth all-time behind only Bob Cameron (394), Troy Westwood (293), Chris Walby (249), and Stan Mikawos (220).
Originally selected by the club in fourth round, 29th overall, in the 2012 CFL Draft, Thomas suited up for every game in 2024, including the Western Final and Grey Cup, and has now not missed any action for seven consecutive seasons.
He registered a career high 23 defensive tackles in 2024, adding two quarterback sacks, and a forced fumble. Thomas has 33 sacks in his career with the Blue Bombers, ranking him tied with Mikawos for 11th spot in franchise history.
Yeah for Jake, unstoppable motor and work ethic built in.
Welcome back Fatboi!
Fatboys on Jake!
Jake has always been a heart and soul guy for this club. He has rotated, backed up and started and doesn't miss a beat. Lately he has taken some heat from some but he's a welcome addition imo to bring depth, leadership, continuity and a vetern pressence. I believe he will retire a Bomber and I'm proud of this awesome Canadian.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 20, 2025, 06:09:46 PMJake has always been a heart and soul guy for this club. For those that don't remember this is his 2nd round with the club. Years ago he left the Bombers and played somewhere else but has been "home" for many years. He has rotated, backed up and started and doesn't miss a beat. Some were hard on him when he came back the 2nd time and he proved them wrong imo. Lately he has taken some heat from some but he's a welcome addition to bring depth, leadership, continuity and a vetern pressence. I believe he will retire a Bomber and I'm proud of this awesome Canadian.
Are you sure he played somewhere else???
He did not.
I think there was one off season where it looked like we were going to move on from him but had a bunch of injuries and he signed back with us late in Free Agency.
He absolutely never played anywhere else.
One of the better value 4th rounders ever.
Was this a draft that Kyle was involved in? He was STC at the time, and took over when Mack was fired the next season...
Just Jake and Cleyon Lang left of the 2012 draft class.
Quote from: Jesse on January 20, 2025, 06:40:13 PMI think there was one off season where it looked like we were going to move on from him but had a bunch of injuries and he signed back with us late in Free Agency.
He absolutely never played anywhere else.
You guys are fast! And thanks for clearing that up. After I wrote that I fact checked myself and I edited the post. Took me a bit to sort this out in my mind but yes we moved on from Jake, not sure if attended another teams camp? Calgary? Stretching here.... and then we brought him back. A solid move. At 1st I thought he got some reps with another club but I stand corrected. But my point I was trying to make was when we brought him back late in May 2018 some people complained on here and he sure did put together a solid career. Kinda like when we brought Denny back lol (not really). It doesn't feel that long ago but wow 2018 is farther than this old brain works back too!
Nice the Bombers have a year by year record of their players, I had to go back to that after I originally post this to fix my memory banks. One of the best things about this forum, some on here remember a lot of cool facts.
People might see a trend here, I always love the underdog. Always liked Jake, Gauthier, Briggs, Denny etc. On the Oil, Hemsky, the Nuge. Mind you the Nuge is a 1st rounder and star in his own right just over shadowed by couple of best ever. Opps wrong forum.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 20, 2025, 07:16:42 PMOne of the better value 4th rounders ever.
Was this a draft that Kyle was involved in? He was STC at the time, and took over when Mack was fired the next season...
Just Jake and Cleyon Lang left of the 2012 draft class.
Where is Laing now?
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 20, 2025, 07:23:21 PMYou guys are fast! And thanks for clearing that up. After I wrote that I fact checked myself and I edited the post. Took me a bit to sort this out in my mind but yes we moved on from Jake, not sure if attended another teams camp?
Nice the Bombers have a year by year record of their players, I had to go back to that after I originally post this to fix my memory banks. One of the best things about this forum, some on here remember a lot of cool facts.
Where is Lang now?
Re-signed again with the RB's, the two have had very similar careers.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 20, 2025, 07:46:52 PMRe-signed again with the RB's, the two have had very similar careers.
Similar in duration perhaps. Thomas has played 27 games more but has recorded 57 less DT's and 17 less sacks. Laing was a more dominant player in the past.
Thomas was a reliable and steady performer that played at the highest level he was able. Hardly ever injured and a team player. Nothing wrong with that.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on January 16, 2025, 05:51:03 PMFatboys on Jake!
I've said for years they need to have a season or game where the special PAS food is the Fatboi Fatboy.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 20, 2025, 07:23:21 PMBut my point I was trying to make was when we brought him back late in May 2018 some people complained on here and he sure did put together a solid career.
MBB has a hate-on for Fatboi to this day. I bet they are seething about this re-signing!
I like the signing. He was no worse in '24 than usual, can play every game and every down, has the best passport (which is kind of critical to our flexibility if we lose Ford), and fits in with MOS's stated philosophy of having a mix of old vets and noobs so they can effectively pass on knowledge and methods.
Plus, how can you deny the longest-standing Bomber the chance to hoist the cup at home!