Blue Bombers roster - 2019-2020

[gobombersgo]

Jeff Hamilton.  @JeffHamilton

#Bombers have told DT Drake Nevis and DB Chandler Fenner that they will hit free agency. According to sources, Nevis is close to signing with Toronto. Told Nevis was also at the Raptors game with Willie Jefferson. #wfp


BLUE BOMBERS AGREE TO TERMS ON TWO-YEAR EXTENSION WITH OFFENSIVE LINEMAN MICHAEL COUTURE

WINNIPEG, MB., February 10, 2020 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce today the signing of centre Michael Couture to a two-year contract extension. He had been scheduled to become a free agent on February 11.

Couture (6-4, 303, Simon Fraser) was selected by the Blue Bombers in the second round, 10th overall, of the 2016 Canadian Football League Draft and assumed the starting centre responsibilities in 2019 following the retirement of Matthias Goossen.
 
He was an integral part of an offensive line that helped the Bombers lead the league in rushing in 2019 and was critical in Andrew Harris capturing his third straight rushing title.
 
Couture started all 18 regular season games before suffering an injury in the Week 20 victory over the Calgary Stampeders. He was on the injured list through the team's playoff run to the 107th Grey Cup. Couture had not missed a snap in his four-year career with the Bombers before that injury, dressing for all 72 games from 2016-19.
 
The 26-year-old Burnaby, B.C. product played four seasons at Simon Fraser, making 36 starts at four different positions. He was a Great Northwest Conference First Team All-Star at centre in 2014 and at tackle in 2015.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2020/02/10/blue-bombers-agree-terms-two-year-extension-offensive-lineman-michael-couture/

[gobombersgo]

As per Farhan Lalji

Being told that Willie Jefferson has agreed to terms with #Bombers. The final few NFL possibilities didn't materialize. I'm being told he's taking less to stay in Winnipeg. Big news for the defending #GreyCup champions! @CFLonTSN @TSN_Sports @SportsCentre

Dave Naylor says the deal is for 2 years.

Jeff Hamilton.  @JeffHamilton

I can confirm the @JDunk12 report about Willie Jefferson returning to the #Bombers. Winnipeg has inked Jefferson to a two-year deal, keeping him in Blue and Gold through the 2021 season. Bombers came in around $265,000 per season. #wfp

David William Naylor   @TSNDaveNaylor
Reasons @Stmn_Willie_Bmn staying with @Wpg_BlueBombers have to do with legacy, wanting to stay with coaches and players he connected with and his love of the community and fans. Said it didn't make sense to leave. #CFL #bombers

The @Stmn_Willie_Bmn contract with @Wpg_BlueBombers is two years for $520k. #CFL #bombers


BOMBERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER WILLIE JEFFERSON

WINNIPEG, MB., February 10, 2020 -  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the team has agreed to terms with all-star defensive end Willie Jefferson on a two-year contract extension.

Jefferson is coming off a 2019 season that was the best of his six-year Canadian Football League career. In his first year as a Blue Bomber, he posted a career-best 12 quarterback sacks, set a new CFL record for pass knockdowns by a defensive lineman with 16 (best in the league), while also leading the CFL with six forced fumbles and adding 24 tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

Jefferson was also dominant in the 107th Grey Cup, registering three sacks and two forced fumbles as the Bombers captured their 11th championship in franchise history. For his efforts, Jefferson was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the first time in his career and was also named a CFL All-Star and West Division All-Star for the third consecutive season. Jefferson was also named the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019.

"As an organization, we are very excited to have Willie and his family return for another two seasons," said General Manager Kyle Walters. "The talent he brings to the table and his ability to change football games speaks for itself, but what we have gotten to know over the past season is the person behind the player, and that is just as important to our football operations."

The 2020 season with be Jefferson's seventh in the CFL after spending 2014-15 with the Edmonton Eskimos and 2016-18 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The veteran lineman has appeared in 94 regular season games, registering 43 sacks, 151 tackles, three career interceptions and touchdowns, and 12 forced fumbles.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2020/02/10/bombers-agree-terms-outstanding-defensive-player-willie-jefferson/

[Pigskin]

Nice, now pickup Dylan Wynn or Cleyon Laing tomorrow to replace Nevis.

[theaardvark]

Nice, now pickup Dylan Wynn or Cleyon Laing tomorrow to replace Nevis.

Wynn is an Int, if we were going to sign an int, it would be Nevis.  Laing, maybe, although I don't know if he is a fit... and will probably get a decent offer elsewhere...

[gobombersgo]

Transactions:

2020-02-10   WPG   ALFORD, DeAundre   DB   N   Tusculum College   Add To   Active Roster
2020-02-10   WPG   PUPUNGATOA, Sepesitiano   OL   N   South Dakota State   Add To   Active Roster
2020-02-10   WPG   ALEXANDER, Deontez   WR   N      Add To   Active Roster

[dd]

Wynn is an Int, if we were going to sign an int, it would be Nevis.  Laing, maybe, although I don't know if he is a fit... and will probably get a decent offer elsewhere...

I dunno. Wynn was a monster for Hamilton last year,  Nevis gives us interior pressure, but if we lose him, I d be going after Wynn and an upgrade at the position

[gobombersgo]

Bomber players heading into free agency:

DL Drake Nevis (I)
DL Craig Roh (I)

LB Korey Jones (I)
LB Thomas Miles (N)

DB Chandler Fenner (I)
DB Jeff Hecht (N)
DB Derek Jones (N)

[kkc60]

Nevis probably isn't coming back. We need to sort the ratio and make cuts somewhere

[theaardvark]

I dunno. Wynn was a monster for Hamilton last year,  Nevis gives us interior pressure, but if we lose him, I d be going after Wynn and an upgrade at the position

Nevis would most likely be less expensive than Wynn... if we wanted an expensive DT, we would have signed Nevis...

[Tehedra]

I would like to keep Thomas Miles, he has been very good for us on special teams.  Unless I Mixing him up with someone else.

[TecnoGenius]

I would like to keep Thomas Miles, he has been very good for us on special teams.  Unless I Mixing him up with someone else.

Yes, and he's an important part of our backup LS corps.  Strange the silence on Miles.  I guess he could be trying for more $$ at another team, since he's a GC champ.  But I'm pretty sure the other teams won't see his value.  One would think he'd love to re-up in his home town for some more fun and not be too picky about big raises.

Another explanation is the team wants to move on to one of the PR guys instead... maybe they think they've seen the best of Miles?  I have a hunch it's just a waiting game and we'll see him back for another 2 years, but if not, there's a chance Miles retires I guess.  SMS being "tighter" this year doesn't help...

[GCn19]

Yes, and he's an important part of our backup LS corps.  Strange the silence on Miles.  I guess he could be trying for more $$ at another team, since he's a GC champ.  But I'm pretty sure the other teams won't see his value.  One would think he'd love to re-up in his home town for some more fun and not be too picky about big raises.

Another explanation is the team wants to move on to one of the PR guys instead... maybe they think they've seen the best of Miles?  I have a hunch it's just a waiting game and we'll see him back for another 2 years, but if not, there's a chance Miles retires I guess.  SMS being "tighter" this year doesn't help...

I spoke to Miles and he really wants to remain a Bomber. He could be a guy that will sign once the dust settles a bit like Thomas snd Nevis last year.

[Ducky]

What is the Bombers biggest remaining need?  A safety? 

[BlueInCgy]

What is the Bombers biggest remaining need?  A safety? 

Naaman Roosevelt or Derel Walker wouldn't be bad.  Not going to happen, but wouldn't be bad.

[GCn19]

Naaman Roosevelt or Derel Walker wouldn't be bad.  Not going to happen, but wouldn't be bad.

Pass on Naaman...I'd rather go young than to sign him.