Blue Bombers add three to roster - May 3, 2023

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers add three to roster - May 3, 2023

WINNIPEG, MB., May 3, 2023 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce signing of two American players in kicker Marc Orozco and offensive lineman Chris Ivy, and Canadian linebacker Robbie Lowes.

Orozco (5-9, 170; Grambling State; born: February 13, 1996, in Denton, Tex.) comes to the Blue Bombers after a collegiate career with the Tigers (2014-18) and two seasons with the Albany Empire of the National Arena League. Orozco, who can placekick and punt, finished his days at Grambling with an 87.9 field-goal percentage after hitting on 51 of 58 attempts while connecting on 96.8 percent of his converts. He was named an All-Southwest Athletic Conference First Team and a BOXTOROW All-American in 2017.

Ivy (6-3, 296; University of Tulsa; born: June 26, 1997, in Wichita, KS.) played in 35 games over three years (2017-19) with the Golden Hurricanes and three games this season with the Tulsa Oilers of the Indoor Football League before committing to the Blue Bombers.

Lowes (6-1, 205; Regina born: June 26, 1997, in Regina, SK) was originally drafted by Winnipeg in the fourth round, 34th overall in the 2021 CFL Draft. Lowes played two games for the Blue Bombers in 2021, and suffered a season ending injury during training camp in 2022.  Lowes started all eight Canada West games in 2019 for the Regina Rams. He finished third on the team with a total of 35 tackles (29 solo, 12 assisted) and added an interception, a fumble recovery, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks.

[pjrocksmb]

Great, Canadian LB isn't a bad idea.

[DM83]

Should Leggio even bother coming to training camp?  I mean talk about "writing on the wall."

[Blue In BC]

Should Leggio even bother coming to training camp?  I mean talk about "writing on the wall."

I'd hardly consider this writing on the wall.

It is interesting that the team is looking at so many options. It's a certainty that we'll have a spot on the PR for one of them. Whether it's a punter, a kicker or which nationality is all in play.

Rookie TC is May 10th and a few players won't make it past that brief opportunity. I don't imagine all the kickers will actually be at the main TC.

Getting Lowes back to compete is a bonus. That said, he's another player to sort out in TC. 

Our Canadian roster is very good, so where anybody is going to fit ( barring injury ) IDK.

[LXTSN]

I'd hardly consider this writing on the wall.

It is interesting that the team is looking at so many options. It's a certainty that we'll have a spot on the PR for one of them. Whether it's a punter, a kicker or which nationality is all in play.

Rookie TC is May 10th and a few players won't make it past that brief opportunity. I don't imagine all the kickers will actually be at the main TC.

Getting Lowes back to compete is a bonus. That said, he's another player to sort out in TC. 

Our Canadian roster is very good, so where anybody is going to fit ( barring injury ) IDK.

Yep! This is what we asked for right?
As much competition as possible at the kicker position!

[Waffler]

Should Leggio even bother coming to training camp?  I mean talk about "writing on the wall."

I kind of agree. It's not normal to bring in this many. It's not like the usual, we have a vet we like and are bringing in a prospect to push him. This is like open tryouts. He might be one bad kick away from the unemployment line.

[theaardvark]

Should Leggio even bother coming to training camp?  I mean talk about "writing on the wall."

I'm not sure why Iam responding to this trolling post, but...  what?

The are bringing in OT's to camp, should Hardrick and Bryant not bother showing up?

How many DB's are coming in?  I guess Rose, Houston and Darby might as well stay home...

Sigh...

Competition in camp is necessary, both for personnel to run drill, and to look at guys for the speed dial in case of injury...

But year, Leggs should be worried.  Its his job to lose.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I kind of agree. It's not normal to bring in this many. It's not like the usual, we have a vet we like and are bringing in a prospect to push him. This is like open tryouts. He might be one bad kick away from the unemployment line.

Actually it is normal. Last year was more of an anomaly when we basically brought in no one and handed him the job. We've got significant competition for him now, which is how camp usually works for everyone, outside of a few long term vets, and even then, they still got to prove it.

[DM83]

Stating a fact(abnormal amount of kickers being brought in) which is obvious to all, is to yes, have a basic "best kick wins" scenario, is not fear mongering.
I know  Ards is a blind  Bomber fan, but dude, reality is reality. There is concern over Leggio's problem.

As stated...It's "Leggio's job to lose."

I am not hip to computer slang...so can someone tell me what "trolling is?"

[theaardvark]

Stating a fact(abnormal amount of kickers being brought in) which is obvious to all, is to yes, have a basic "best kick wins" scenario, is not fear mongering.
I know  Ards is a blind  Bomber fan, but dude, reality is reality. There is concern over Leggio's problem.

As stated...It's "Leggio's job to lose."

I am not hip to computer slang...so can someone tell me what "trolling is?"

There is a huge difference between competition and "not bother showing up" or "writing on the wall"

Yes. Leggs was mid pack in the CFL kicking last year.  I've repeatedly said, with his using a single NAT roster spot, average is pretty good.  But i would have loved if wither of the Global drafted punters had come to camp.  And again, hope they do.

I can't see using a DI spot for a P or even a P/K unless he is head and shoulders above Leggs.  I can see using a GLB spot for a P, and I think taking that off his plate, like Paredes in CGY, would be a wise roster investment.  Finding an INT P/K for the PR / speed-dial to replace Mourtada is what camp is for...

[Waffler]

I think they don't want to be caught once the season started like they did a couple years ago and Mourtada was the best they could get at that late date.

The sheer amount of kickers is most definitely NOT NORMAL. The only time you do it is when you don't know who it will be on opening day. I think if they don't see improvement they are ready to move on.

[blue_gold_84]

Should Leggio even bother coming to training camp?  I mean talk about "writing on the wall."

It's about adding competition, which is essentially the purpose of training camp. Get a grip.

Also, learn to spell names properly.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I think they don't want to be caught once the season started like they did a couple years ago and Mourtada was the best they could get at that late date.

The sheer amount of kickers is most definitely NOT NORMAL. The only time you do it is when you don't know who it will be on opening day. I think if they don't see improvement they are ready to move on.

Sheer number? Fact check time:

They have 3 place kickers, including Legghio.
They have 5 punters, including Legghio (and including the currently unsigned Globals) .
They also have 14 offensive lineman on the roster despite zero jobs being very open.
They have 15 receivers despite having the one of the best projected receiving cores in the league.
20 DBs, etc.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think they don't want to be caught once the season started like they did a couple years ago and Mourtada was the best they could get at that late date.

The sheer amount of kickers is most definitely NOT NORMAL. The only time you do it is when you don't know who it will be on opening day. I think if they don't see improvement they are ready to move on.

It isn't quite that simple, Leggs checks off a lot of boxes on the kicker attribute list.  He has the right passport, he can do all 3 kicking jobs adequately well, plus he's the lowest paid kicker in the league so he's a low cost option.  I thin the stars would have to align for Leggs to actually get cut.  Competition is good, it may push him to perform at a higher level.

[Waffler]

Sheer number? Fact check time:

They have 3 place kickers, including Legghio.
They have 5 punters, including Legghio (and including the currently unsigned Globals) .
They also have 14 offensive lineman on the roster despite zero jobs being very open.
They have 15 receivers despite having the one of the best projected receiving cores in the league.
20 DBs, etc.

I am talking about ONLY kickers. Of course every other position has a lot of bodies as always. What about other teams? What are they bringing in at kicker? Normal is one or two extra. What have we brought in in our past? I don't recall this many ever, even when the job was open. True though, we will have to see how many are actually here for rookie camp. The Bombers are keeping their options open, that much is clear.