Rookie Camp

[Blue In BC]

Rookies don't have much time to impress early. I expect we have a few no shows which happens every year for every team. That usually means a few suspensions although it isn't totally unusual to have a late arrival. That's not the best for a rookie trying to make a roster. However, it would depend on how the team felt about his potential compared to other rookies.

There will be a multitude of changes quite quickly as roster limits are set. Some will be decided by very early injuries or medical failures in the 1st couple of days. That's the worst thing to happen to a rookie in the 1st few days of a short rookie camp.

It's hard to tell exactly what the rookie count excluding non counters is going to be by May 7. Just a guess but I would imagine we'll see 6 - 10 deletions one way or another.

A few of our draft choices have NFL mini camp tryouts so they won't be available for our rookie camps.

What will be more interesting ( if we hear anything ) is who stood out immediately. There are always a couple of good ones that will in the battle at the main TC. Obviously there are going to be many rookies at the main TC, but a few will have the coaches excited.

[TecnoGenius]

You should post the camp dates in the thread.  I think they are coming up soon?

It's amazing how the CFL gets so much done in so short a time.  Players better shine fast or you're gonzo!

[Pigskin]

I like the start times for rookie camp. 

[Blue In BC]

May 7 – Rookie Camps open

    First-year players will take the field with their new clubs.

May 10 – Rosters reduced to 85 players

    Cutdowns to take place by 11:59 p.m. ET, excluding non-counters.

May 11 – Training camps open

    All nine clubs officially open camp.

May 13 – Rosters reduced to 75 players

    Cutdowns to take place by 11:59 p.m. ET, excluding non-counters.

[Pigskin]

These times could change.

May 8th. 10:30 - 12:55.
May 9th. 10:00 - 12:15.
May 10th 10:15 - 12:20.

May 11th. No practice.

[Jesse]

May 7 – Rookie Camps open

    First-year players will take the field with their new clubs.

May 10 – Rosters reduced to 85 players

    Cutdowns to take place by 11:59 p.m. ET, excluding non-counters.

May 11 – Training camps open

    All nine clubs officially open camp.

May 13 – Rosters reduced to 75 players

    Cutdowns to take place by 11:59 p.m. ET, excluding non-counters.

Wild that we're still signing all these players. No one will see the field until next week. And then in 10 days there will be cuts to get down to 75.

[Blue In BC]

Roster is not 100% accurate at the moment. That might get done on Monday or Tuesday just before rookie camp.

That said, we show 103 at the moment and I think we have 4 or 10 not listed yet, including a couple of our draft choices that might arrive post rookie camp.

Anyway, rough counts:

DB: 27
DL: 14
LB: 12
OL: 17
WR: 18

Clearly we going to see a few DB's released after rookie camp. A few are returning after appearing in 2024 TC and / or late season added when PR increased. In theory they have a slight advantage over 1st CFL rookies.

A couple of the receivers were around for part of 2024 as well.

[TecnoGenius]

DB: 27

I really like how every single season we find at least 1 good, very good, or superstar DB.  Maybe that 27 number has something to do with it!

[Blue In BC]

I really like how every single season we find at least 1 good, very good, or superstar DB.  Maybe that 27 number has something to do with it!

I wouldn't be surprised if we do that either. At the moment there is still some question about Parker health post injury. In theory he's recovered and is set to start at CB. That said, he'll be pushed in TC to show he's good to go.

The other DB in question is Bridges as a possible DI or player on our PR. I think he did alright in his 1st season. Lots of competition is a good thing

Bombers secondary was pretty good as a group in 2024. New depth is where we generally need to maintain / improve to adjust to those lost.