Blue Bombers roster - 2022-2023

[gobombersgo]

Blue Bombers add three to roster - March 30, 2023

WINNIPEG, MB., March 30, 2023 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the signing of three players - American linebackers Nate Givhan and Gee Stanley, and Canadian punter Chris MacLean.

Givhan (6-4, 245; University of Toledo; born: September 20, 1998 in Montgomery, Ala.) comes to the Blue Bombers following a college career with the Rockets where he appeared in 47 games from 2018-22 and registered 97 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

He capped his days at Toledo by helping the school edge the Liberty Flames 21-19 in the Boca Raton Bowl last December while being named the game?s defensive MVP.

Stanley (6-2, 195; Emporia State; born: August 12, 1997, in Miami, Fla) comes to the Bombers after a collegiate career that began at Robert Morris University (2016), continued at Coffeyville Community College (2018) and was completed at Emporia State (2019, 2021).

Stanley was the Northeast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 while at Robert Morris and was named a HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-American. He had 42 tackles and two sacks in 2018 at Coffeyville and in his final season at Emporia registered 67 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, three passes defended and one forced fumble.

He had signed to play for the Arkansas Attack of Major League Football in 2022 before the season was cancelled.

MacLean (6-3, 195; University of Calgary; born: May 6, 1999, in Brampton, Ont.) comes to the Blue Bombers after a collegiate career that included being named a U Sports First Team All-Canadian and a Canada West All-Star in 2022. Last season, MacLean finished with an average of 46.5 yards per punt, with 11 landing inside the opponent?s 20-yard line. Of his 67 punts in 2022, 25 travelled 50 yards or more. He was also an injury replacement as a placekicker late in the year, kicking one 27-yard field goal on three attempts, while going 4-for-4 in convert attempts.

A transfer from the University of Toronto where he played from 2019-21, MacLean was an OUA Second Team All-Star in 2021.

[Pigskin]

Givhan is built like a tank, and runs a 4.65/40. Could fit right in with the J's.

MacLean looks like he's a pretty solid punter. 

[gobombersgo]

BLUE BOMBERS TRANSACTIONS: APRIL 3, 2023

WINNIPEG, MB., April 3, 2023 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the signing of American linebacker Joe Beckett.

Beckett (6-4, 240; Wofford; born: May 25, 1999 in Lexington, SC) played eleven games for the Terriers in the 2021 season. He led the team with 80 tackles and had 4.0 tackles for loss and a sack. He was the team leader in tackles in five of the eleven games. He also returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown.

For his career at Wofford, he played in 53 games with 28 starts at linebacker. He recorded 183 career tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He was part of Southern Conference Championship teams in 2017, 2018 and 2019, playing in the NCAA FCS Playoffs three seasons as well. After going undrafted, Beckett attended New York Giants mini camp.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/04/03/blue-bombers-transactions-april-3-2023/

[Blue In BC]

It's going to be tough for anyone to crack the game day roster, barring injury. There are some players that were on the PR mostly in 2022 that might not want to stick around for another season on the PR. Whether any newbies beat them out for a spot is an entirely different question. Logic says there will be a few rookies that shine in TC and will be retained.

Realistically there might be an opening for a Canadian DB if Noah Hallett has not recovered completely by TC. That said, we have a few candidates that could take that spot at least in the short term if not permanently depending on his recovery.


How will Adamson fair at converting from DL to OL. Regardless he's probably going to spend time on the PR.

As we've been adding possible LB candidates, Cole and Cooper may be hard pressed to make the roster in any capacity.

I don't think we see very many actual changes ( Lawler, Eli aside ) on game day rosters. This is not to suggest we won't bring in some very good new talent. It's just that we have the least amount of actual roster openings compared to previous seasons.

My expectation is that top new talent will spend time on the PR waiting to learn the CFL game and injuries to take place.

Anyone expecting a surprise somewhere and if so where or why?

[gobombersgo]

Transactions:

2023-04-06   WPG   GARNER, Gavin   WR   A   Northwest Oklahoma State   Add To   Active Roster
2023-04-06   WPG   GRISOLIA, Tyler   OL   N   Toronto   Add To   Active Roster

https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1056363&DraftYear=2022

[kkc60]

Transactions:

2023-04-06   WPG   GARNER, Gavin   WR   A   Northwest Oklahoma State   Add To   Active Roster
2023-04-06   WPG   GRISOLIA, Tyler   OL   N   Toronto   Add To   Active Roster

https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1056363&DraftYear=2022

At 6?3 Garner is big. Will be an intriguing guy to watch, put up good D2 stats

[the paw]

Transactions:

2023-04-06   WPG   GARNER, Gavin   WR   A   Northwest Oklahoma State   Add To   Active Roster
2023-04-06   WPG   GRISOLIA, Tyler   OL   N   Toronto   Add To   Active Roster

https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1056363&DraftYear=2022

Garner had 1100 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns his senior year, honourable mention as Div 2 All-American.  I think he is 6'3'", so nice size. 

[pjrocksmb]

Garner had 1100 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns his senior year, honourable mention as Div 2 All-American.  I think he is 6'3'", so nice size. 

Sounds like a winner, can he adjust to our game and run a decent route.  Time will tell.

[gobombersgo]

Sounds like a winner, can he adjust to our game and run a decent route.  Time will tell.

Looks like he should fit in:

Eagles Insight   @Eagles_Insights (May 4, 2022)
A new addition to the list today!

Gavin Garner, WR (NWOSU)
6'5" 220lbs
Last Season: 58rec, 1099yrds, 12tds
Big, imposing frame. Gets the most out of his long stride and shows a willingness and aggressiveness as a downfield blocker
https://twitter.com/Eagles_Insights

[gobombersgo]

Blue Bombers add two to roster - April 7, 2023

WINNIPEG, MB., April 7, 2023 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the signing of two players - American receiver Gavin Garner and Canadian offensive lineman Tyler Grisolia.

Garner (6-5, 220; Northwestern Oklahoma State; born: August 20, 1997, in Newcastle, OK.) comes to the Blue Bombers after attending rookie mini camps with both the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints last spring. He finished his five-year collegiate career with 149 receptions for 2,414 yards and 25 touchdowns in 40 games. His final season was his most productive, catching 58 passes for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns while being named a member of the Don Hansen NCAA Division II Honorable Mention All-American team.

Grisolia (6-3, 305; University of Toronto; Richmond Hill, ON) dressed for seven games for the University of Toronto Blues last year and most recently attended the Canadian Football League's invitational combine at the University of Waterloo.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/04/07/blue-bombers-transactions-april-7-2023/

[gobombersgo]

Transactions:

2023-04-11   WPG   ATEMAN, Kelvin   OL   A   Toledo   Add To   Active Roster
2023-04-11   WPG   HENRY, TaZhawn   RB   A   Houston   Add To   Active Roster

Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign RB Ta'Zhawn Henry and OL Kelvin Ateman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed former Houston running back Ta'Zhawn Henry and former Toledo offensive lineman Kelvin Ateman on Tuesday.

Ta'Zhawn Henry is five foot seven and weighs 180 pounds. The 24-year-old from Houston, Texas, had 88 carries for 359 yards, three touchdowns, 21 catches for 246 yards, and one touchdown in nine games for the Cougars in 2022.

Henry began his collegiate career at Texas Tech (2018-19) with 161 carries for 681 yards, 11 touchdowns, 44 catches for 283 yards, one touchdown, and 13 kick returns for 318 yards in 20 games for the Red Raiders. He was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2019.

Then, he transferred to Houston (2020-21) with 160 carries for 764 yards, nine touchdowns, 38 catches for 324 yards, one touchdown, and six kick returns for 101 yards in 19 games for the Cougars.

Kelvin Ateman is six foot six and weighs 300 pounds. The 24-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, appeared in four games as a reserve offensive lineman for the Rockets in 2022. Ateman played four seasons at Toledo (2018-21).

He played 15 games in the course of four seasons at Toledo playing left guard and left tackle. He played left tackle in the 2022 MAC Championship and helped the Rockets' offense gain 390 yards in a 17-7 win over Ohio.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2023/04/11/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-rb-tazhawn-henry-and-ol-kelvin-ateman/


BLUE BOMBERS TRANSACTIONS: APRIL 14, 2023
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the signing of two American players - running back Ta'Zhawn Henry and offensive lineman Kelvin Ateman Jr.

Henry (5-7, 180; University of Houston; born: January 25, 2000, in Houston, TX.) joins the Bombers after a four-year collegiate career split between Texas Tech (2018-19) and Houston (2021-22). Henry had had 23 touchdowns over his career with the Red Raiders and Cougars and finished with 1,553 rushing yards, 634 yards receiving and 429 kickoff yards.

Henry led Texas Tech in rushing attempts and touchdowns in 2018 and was the school's all-purpose yards per game leader in 2019. At Houston, Henry finished second on the team in rushing in 2021 and, despite missing four games last season, rushed for 359 yards while adding 246 yards receiving and finished with the second highest all-purpose yards on the roster.

Ateman Jr. (6-6, 300; University of Toledo; born: April 3, 1999, in Detroit, MI) dressed for fifteen games over his five-year collegiate career (2017-21) with the Rockets and was part of the 2021 Rockets team that went 7-6 overall before falling to Middle Tennessee in the Bahamas Bowl. He most recently participated in last month's University of Toledo Pro Day in front of scouts from both the National Football League and the CFL.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/04/14/blue-bombers-transactions-april-14-2023/

[Blue In BC]

Henry is a little guy at 5'7". We always bring in some import RB's for TC. The issue is that we're tied into starting a Canadian RB with our ratio. I'm sure he'll see some reps to spell our guys in TC but he might be looked at more seriously as returner on the PR.

The question for any rookie import RB is can he beat out McCrae on the PR. McCrae is also somewhat of a backup receiver but we have Agudosi and Harrison competing for that role as well. Henry's receiving stats don't look like he was more than a last resort on dump passes.

Grant is a lock as our returner but we may keep a rookie on the PR that is specifically a return specialist? That said versatility is king and PR spots are limited. An import RB is a hard sell on the PR IMO.

[the paw]

Henry is a little guy at 5'7". We always bring in some import RB's for TC. The issue is that we're tied into starting a Canadian RB with our ratio. I'm sure he'll see some reps to spell our guys in TC but he might be looked at more seriously as returner on the PR.

The question for any rookie import RB is can he beat out McCrae on the PR. McCrae is also somewhat of a backup receiver but we have Agudosi and Harrison competing for that role as well. Henry's receiving stats don't look like he was more than a last resort on dump passes.

Grant is a lock as our returner but we may keep a rookie on the PR that is specifically a return specialist? That said versatility is king and PR spots are limited. An import RB is a hard sell on the PR IMO.

Historically, we always have 3 credible running backs on the roster.  Back when Oliveira got injured his rookie year, Augustine backed up Harris and we had an import on the PR.  When we had Oliveira, Harris and Augustine, we didn't really need the import RB on the PR.  I agree that McRae is the next man up in that regard, so as long as he is on the roster or PR in some way, shape or form, we don't really need another RB (although McRae will have to face the competition).

At Henry's size, the first thing I thought of was returner, but when I looked at his college numbers he was not really a very prolific returner.  I kind of agree with your conclusion, that Henry has to beat out McRae to stick around.  But that being said, we will have an import RB on the PR in all likelihood.  I don't see how McRae cracks the game day roster as a receiver with Lawler coming back and Agudosi in the wings. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Henry is a little guy at 5'7". We always bring in some import RB's for TC. The issue is that we're tied into starting a Canadian RB with our ratio. I'm sure he'll see some reps to spell our guys in TC but he might be looked at more seriously as returner on the PR.

The question for any rookie import RB is can he beat out McCrae on the PR. McCrae is also somewhat of a backup receiver but we have Agudosi and Harrison competing for that role as well. Henry's receiving stats don't look like he was more than a last resort on dump passes.

Grant is a lock as our returner but we may keep a rookie on the PR that is specifically a return specialist? That said versatility is king and PR spots are limited. An import RB is a hard sell on the PR IMO.

Henry looks like a great jitterbug runner with good speed, plenty of accolades and highlights of his feats on YouTube.  Could potentially make a great backup for Grant and possibly replace McCrae as a multi-tool offensive weapon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AxxWpJ77Pc&ab_channel=ibifiri.mp4

[GOLDMEMBER]

Out of all new comers who could be the new Dee Alford or Dalton Schoen? Could the scouts go 3 for 3 for finding true diamonds in the rough as a rookie American? Always exciting.