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#1
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Bombers Release Chris Kola...
Last post by Pigskin - Today at 02:03:13 PMHe could be a good backup for Lawson, but he is coming off a season ending injury.
26 games in three years, 9 DTs, 2 QS.
26 games in three years, 9 DTs, 2 QS.
#2
Offside Forum / Re: Winnipeg Jets Discussion -...
Last post by blue_gold_84 - Today at 01:51:14 PM
#3
Offside Forum / Re: 2026 IIHF World Junior Cha...
Last post by blue_gold_84 - Today at 01:23:22 PMA nice "bounceback" win to take bronze, and a much more disciplined outing overall.
Nice win for Sweden. I look forward to Boumedienne in a Jets jersey.
Nice win for Sweden. I look forward to Boumedienne in a Jets jersey.
#4
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Bombers Release Chris Kola...
Last post by Sir Blue and Gold - Today at 01:12:31 PMI like Schmekel as a mauler. He just crashes and bashes his way through the line of scrimmage and you need a guy like that. Will also say for as wild as he was in his early years, last year before he got hurt he looked a tad more polished. It's always going to be a pretty straight forward game for him but I think he's a good resign for us and if things break right for him, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a pretty good year out there in 2026.
#5
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: 1st & 10 | The Blue Bomber...
Last post by Blue In BC - Today at 01:11:02 PMQuote from: Tecno on Today at 02:55:35 AMYour list is pretty good.
I'm not so sure on:
- Ko-man (if we do a line shakeup)
- Schmekel (we might do a DL blowup)
- Sterns (REC corps is a bit shaky beyond the obvious re-signs)
- Woods (we need a real, established, monster DT, not a "maybe" like we've had for 3 straight seasons)
Edit:
I just saw your post Ko-man was released. That answers that question. Please Lord, don't tell me our plans at C are now Eli! Yikes. I'd start an IMP there instead.
We needed Schmekel for Canadian depth behind Lawson and he did seem to be improving before his injury.
I don't know that either Sterns or Woods are locks to win starting AR roles. For the moment I don't think they'd be expensive to bring back to TC and could end up as PR players. Of course neither may accept that role.
#6
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: 1st & 10 | The Blue Bomber...
Last post by Blue In BC - Today at 01:08:00 PMQuote from: Tecno on Today at 02:51:32 AMNever letting Willie go. Do you know what Willie would do if you put him on a legit DL like SSK's?? He would light the league up and wreak terror on QBs.
The only reason Willie appears neutered on our team is we have no DTs, so every snap they double/triple-team Willie.
Never is a longtime. Yes we have to fix the rest of our DL and strategy, but he's overpaid now IMO. There is no guarantee we change our strategy on how we use him.
#7
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Blue Bombers roster - 2025...
Last post by gobombersgo - Today at 01:00:26 PMTransactions:
2026-01-05 WPG SCHMEKEL, Tanner DL N Regina ADD Active Roster
2026-01-05 WPG KOLANKOWSKI, Chris OL N York DEL Free Agent
2026-01-05 WPG SCHMEKEL, Tanner DL N Regina ADD Active Roster
2026-01-05 WPG KOLANKOWSKI, Chris OL N York DEL Free Agent
#8
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Blue Bombers roster - 2025...
Last post by gobombersgo - Today at 12:59:04 PMWinnipeg Blue Bombers re-sign defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel
January 5, 2026 Michael Heilman
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-signed defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season on Monday.
Tanner Schmekel is six foot one and weighs 286 pounds. The 26-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, in 2025 made two tackles and one sack in four games before an injury ended his season.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Schmekel in the fourth round (35th pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft. In 2023, he made one tackle and one sack in five games. In 2024, Schmekel made six tackles in 17 games.
Schmekel played four seasons at the University of Regina (2017-18, 2021-22) with 58 tackles (27 solos, 31 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup in 24 games for the Rams. In 2022, he was named U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star after finishing the season with 22 tackles (12 solos, 10 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup in nine games.
In addition, Schmekel played one season for the Regina Thunder (CJFL) with 14 tackles (9 solos, 5 assists) and one forced fumble in five games. He is a three-time University of Regina Defensive Lineman of the Year.
https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2026/01/05/winnipeg-blue-bombers-re-sign-defensive-tackle-tanner-schmekel/
Winnipeg Blue Bombers release offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski
January 5, 2026 Michael Heilman
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Chris Kolankowski is six foot one and weighs 301 pounds. The 33-year-old from Etobicoke, Ontario, started 18 games in 2025. In 2025, Winnipeg's offense averaged 23.1 points per game, 345.7 net yards per game, 235 yards per game, 124.1 rushing yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and allowed 37 sacks to finish 10-8 for the season. They lost to the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Final.
The Toronto Argonauts drafted Kolankowski in the sixth round (49th pick) in the 2016 CFL Draft. He played 22 games for the Argonauts, including winning the 2017 Grey Cup.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Kolankowski on February 6, 2020. There was no season in 2020. He has played 73 games and won a Grey Cup with the Blue Bombers in 2021.
In 2023, Winnipeg's offense ranked first in total points (594), average points per game (31.7), offensive touchdowns (62), average net offense per game (414.7), average rushing yards per game (139.1), second in offensive touchdowns (65), average passing yards per game (292.4), and sacks allowed (33).
In 2024, Kolanowski played in 18 games. Winnipeg's offense ranked eighth in average points (23.2), sixth in average net offense (358.5), third in average rushing yards (111.7), eighth in average passing yards (260.2), ninth in passing touchdowns (18), and fifth in sacks allowed (36).
Collegiately, Kolankowski played four seasons at York University (2012-15), playing 27 games for the Lions. He earned the team's Tom Arnott Yeoman of the Year Award for Hard Work and Character in 2015, and the Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award in 2018.
https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2026/01/05/winnipeg-blue-bombers-release-offensive-lineman-chris-kolankowski/
January 5, 2026 Michael Heilman
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-signed defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season on Monday.
Tanner Schmekel is six foot one and weighs 286 pounds. The 26-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, in 2025 made two tackles and one sack in four games before an injury ended his season.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Schmekel in the fourth round (35th pick) of the 2023 CFL Draft. In 2023, he made one tackle and one sack in five games. In 2024, Schmekel made six tackles in 17 games.
Schmekel played four seasons at the University of Regina (2017-18, 2021-22) with 58 tackles (27 solos, 31 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup in 24 games for the Rams. In 2022, he was named U SPORTS First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star after finishing the season with 22 tackles (12 solos, 10 assists), 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one pass breakup in nine games.
In addition, Schmekel played one season for the Regina Thunder (CJFL) with 14 tackles (9 solos, 5 assists) and one forced fumble in five games. He is a three-time University of Regina Defensive Lineman of the Year.
https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2026/01/05/winnipeg-blue-bombers-re-sign-defensive-tackle-tanner-schmekel/
Winnipeg Blue Bombers release offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski
January 5, 2026 Michael Heilman
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski on Monday according to the CFL Transactions page.
Chris Kolankowski is six foot one and weighs 301 pounds. The 33-year-old from Etobicoke, Ontario, started 18 games in 2025. In 2025, Winnipeg's offense averaged 23.1 points per game, 345.7 net yards per game, 235 yards per game, 124.1 rushing yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and allowed 37 sacks to finish 10-8 for the season. They lost to the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Final.
The Toronto Argonauts drafted Kolankowski in the sixth round (49th pick) in the 2016 CFL Draft. He played 22 games for the Argonauts, including winning the 2017 Grey Cup.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Kolankowski on February 6, 2020. There was no season in 2020. He has played 73 games and won a Grey Cup with the Blue Bombers in 2021.
In 2023, Winnipeg's offense ranked first in total points (594), average points per game (31.7), offensive touchdowns (62), average net offense per game (414.7), average rushing yards per game (139.1), second in offensive touchdowns (65), average passing yards per game (292.4), and sacks allowed (33).
In 2024, Kolanowski played in 18 games. Winnipeg's offense ranked eighth in average points (23.2), sixth in average net offense (358.5), third in average rushing yards (111.7), eighth in average passing yards (260.2), ninth in passing touchdowns (18), and fifth in sacks allowed (36).
Collegiately, Kolankowski played four seasons at York University (2012-15), playing 27 games for the Lions. He earned the team's Tom Arnott Yeoman of the Year Award for Hard Work and Character in 2015, and the Mike Benevides Lineman of the Year Award in 2018.
https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2026/01/05/winnipeg-blue-bombers-release-offensive-lineman-chris-kolankowski/
#9
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: Blue Bombers roster - 2025...
Last post by gobombersgo - Today at 12:53:17 PMBlue Bombers re-sign veteran defensive lineman Tanner Schmekel
January 5, 2026
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Canadian defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel
He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
Schmekel (6-1, 286; University of Regina; born: July 22, 1999, in Regina, SK.) returns in 2026 for his fourth year with the Blue Bombers and after a 2025 campaign that was cut short due to injury and limited to just four games.
Schmekel was having arguably his best start to his young pro career last year before the injury with a pair of tackles and a sack in those four contests, with his season ending in Saskatchewan in the annual Labour Day Classic.
He has now suited up for 26 regular-season games for the club since he was selected in the fourth round, 35thoverall, in the 2023 CFL Draft. Schmekel was a 2022 U Sports First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star.
The club has also released National offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/01/05/blue-bombers-re-sign-veteran-defensive-lineman-tanner-schmekel/
January 5, 2026
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Canadian defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel
He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
Schmekel (6-1, 286; University of Regina; born: July 22, 1999, in Regina, SK.) returns in 2026 for his fourth year with the Blue Bombers and after a 2025 campaign that was cut short due to injury and limited to just four games.
Schmekel was having arguably his best start to his young pro career last year before the injury with a pair of tackles and a sack in those four contests, with his season ending in Saskatchewan in the annual Labour Day Classic.
He has now suited up for 26 regular-season games for the club since he was selected in the fourth round, 35thoverall, in the 2023 CFL Draft. Schmekel was a 2022 U Sports First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star.
The club has also released National offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/01/05/blue-bombers-re-sign-veteran-defensive-lineman-tanner-schmekel/
#10
Blue Bomber & CFL Discussion Forum / Re: CFL (Non-Bombers) off-seas...
Last post by Jesse - Today at 10:52:51 AMQuote from: dd on Today at 02:27:08 AMThat's disturbing. I don't understand why we went so overboard with his salary bump. I m all for guys getting paid what they're worth but Brady isn't worth $100k more than the league rushing leader. Heck Steve Scott would be a fraction of Brady's salary and just as effective and there's tons of Steve Scott's out there looking for a chance to play professional football. Things are way out of whack on this
It's mostly just the difference between a high end Canadian starter and the next closest American. And Brady is certainly one to push his salary as high as he can manage.