Blue Bombers extend contract of longest-serving Blue Bomber Jake Thomas

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers extend contract of longest-serving Blue Bomber Jake Thomas

WINNIPEG, MB., December 12, 2022 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club signed veteran Canadian defensive tackle Jake Thomas to a one-year extension. Thomas was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Thomas (6-2, 274, Acadia University; born: December 6, 1990, in Douglas, N.B.) returns in 2023 for what will be his 11th Canadian Football League season, all of them with the Blue Bombers.

Those 11 seasons and 169 regular season games played make Thomas the longest-serving player currently on the team.

In 2022, Thomas registered four quarterback sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He has not missed a single game in the last five seasons and has missed just seven games in his entire career.

Originally selected by the Blue Bombers in fourth round, 29th overall, in the 2012 CFL Draft, Thomas has registered 144 tackles and 26 sacks for the club.

[theaardvark]

Huge signing, literally and figuratively.

A leader on and off the field.

Was watching a game late in the season and someone mentioned that they were surprised at how big the interior linemen were on the punts, and they were amazed when I pointed out to watch Jake.  Not only is he on the cover team, many times he's the guy you see downfield near where the punt lands, or on FGs, he's at the goal line when the ref raises his arms.

Wonder what is 40 time is...

[blue_gold_84]

Love it.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Great to have Jake back, surprised he did not decide to explore his NFL options again this year.

[Blue In BC]

Doesn't hurt to bring him back. He's a veteran that helps the rookies and doesn't make mistakes. I think I'd like to see him take a lesser role on defence as new up and comers take more of the reps. It's about managing the role as players get older and developing the new guys.

To make that happen the team needs to have the new players that have a CFL future. Could be a player like Adamson or a 2023 draft choice.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Yup my thoughts see above. Time to get yet another fatboy in honour of?

[Pigskin]

Yes, a little bit of a down year for Jake in 2022. He is only 32 and hasn't missed a game in the last 5 years. Which is amazing for a DT. I also hope that Adamson at 6'5" 300 lb. will be able to come in and learn from Jake and have a good rookie season. 

[GOLDMEMBER]

Yes, a little bit of a down year for Jake in 2022. He is only 32 and hasn't missed a game in the last 5 years. Which is amazing for a DT. I also hope that Adamson at 6'5" 300 lb. will be able to come in and learn from Jake and have a good rookie season. 

Yikes I did not know Adamson was such a big boy. He could be a real power up the middle! I would like to see many American recruits come in a prove themselves as well.

[Sec223]

Great to have Jake back, surprised he did not decide to explore his NFL options again this year.

You forgot the LOL at the end of your comment

[dd]

Yes, a little bit of a down year for Jake in 2022. He is only 32 and hasn't missed a game in the last 5 years. Which is amazing for a DT. I also hope that Adamson at 6'5" 300 lb. will be able to come in and learn from Jake and have a good rookie season. 

Can't wait to.see.what a 6'5" Nat DR can do

[TecnoGenius]

I'm a bit surprised.  I thought it might be time to retire.  Our DL needs work for 2023.

Are we getting him for absolutely peanuts at this point?  Surely we aren't paying him a big premium?  If he is very cap-friendly then he can fit in with our scheme quite well.  Obviously Hall/MOS still see life in him.  I've mentioned some hugely awesome plays of his in-season.

Might make a great reason to rev up the guys to win the cup in 2023: let Fatboi go out with a bang.

Yup my thoughts see above. Time to get yet another fatboy in honour of?

Awesome idea, IGF needs to offer the Fatboi burger next season.  How about beef patty with a slice of Canadian back bacon, along with L/T/P/M.  Not a $50 Walby thing, just a normal $8-$12 burger offering.  Surely they can't say "not PC enough" since the dude literally calls himself Fatboi?

[Pigskin]

I am hoping the Bomber can sign Sayles. Only 27, hasn't missed a game in his first two years with the Bombers. 64 DTs, 11 Sacks, 2FF. Not too bad for 32 games. He also another big body at 6'4" 285.

[buckzumhoff]

Thomas gets more sacks . than Sayles . and thomas gets double teamed. Gkad hes coming back

[Pigskin]

Thomas gets more sacks . than Sayles . and thomas gets double teamed. Gkad hes coming back

Not true.

Last 2 seasons.

Sayles:  64 DTs, 11 sacks, 2FF.
Thomas: 30 DTs, 8 sacks, 1 FF.

All players get double teamed at some point in a game.

[dd]

Thomas is the weak link on our DL and is sloooow. I am hoping we can upgrade our NAT DT position this year