Blue Bomber Transactions - July 8, 2024

Started by The Zipp, July 08, 2024, 02:09:57 PM

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The Zipp

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American receiver Lucky Whitehead to the practice roster.

Whitehead (5-10, 177, Florida Atlantic; born: June 2, 1992, in Manassas, VA.) returns to the Bombers for a second stint after spending the past three seasons (2021-2023) with the BC Lions. Since his arrival to the CFL in 2019, Whitehead has recorded 248 receptions for 3,192 yards, 15 rushes for 118 yards, and 13 touchdowns in 58 CFL games, all starts.

In his first season with the Blue Bombers, Whitehead etched 521 yards on 52 catches and three touchdowns, 92 yards on nine rushes and one touchdown, and one kickoff return touchdown in 15 starts, ending the 2019 season as a Grey Cup champion.

His 2021 campaign with BC saw him earning CFL All-Star status after recording 60 catches for 932 yards and four touchdowns in just 12 games.

Prior to coming to the CFL, Whitehead was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys (NFL) in 2015. Over the next two seasons, Whitehead dressed for 30 NFL games, starting in two, and recorded nine receptions for 64 yards, and 20 rushes for 189 yards. He joined the New York Jets' practice roster before being released in 2018.

The team has also released American defensive end Ali Fayad.




Little bit surprised about the outright release of Fayad, must mean some injured players are coming back, not a PR option for him?

Jesse

Fayad???

Our now starting DE?!??

What the heck is happening this season?!?
My wife is amazing!

Blue In BC

#2
I noticed that Fayad was getting washed out on a lot of plays. He lost contain and wasn't making an impact. No idea who will replace him with nobody on our PR.

It's possible one of our 6 game IR players is ready to start practising. However,nobody has completed the 6 game stint and that has an SMS impact. It's never been clear for me about the rule allowing a player to come off early and not count against SMS. IIRC, you can do that twice a season.

Is that what's going to happen?

I wonder what Whitehead's conditioning is like? It will take him some time to learn the playbook. OTOH, we had Mitchell on the AR against Ottawa as an emergency receiver. In theory Lucky might be able to do that as well?

While I'd think either Alston or Case might see the AR before him, it's a TBD. Lawler should be back in after a couple more games.
Take no prisoners

The Zipp

Well there is a practice today so we will see what people can figure out with Fayad...

Blue In BC

Garbutt has been on the 6 game IR for 4 games and Haba has been on for 3 games. We haven't really heard much about what their injuries were or how long they might be out. I guess something must be up so practice reports and daily IR might suggest something.

I wasn't expecting a practice today but that suggests a 3 practice week with a walk through. Last week was only 2 + 1. So that would give more opportunity for somebody to get up to speed.
Take no prisoners

LXTSN

I heard that Garbutt was practicing last week, is that accurate?
Maybe Garbutt is ready to replace Fayad and they were really happy with Hubert as well.
Do we know what Haba's timeline is? He was posed to be the starter at the beginning of this season.

Welcome back Whitehead! I think he is a perfect fit for the team right now. Quick underneath routes and screens is what we need from him.

LXTSN

The last practice report did list Garbutt as a full participant for both practices.
Does he have to wait another week before coming back?

Jesse

Quote from: LXTSN on July 08, 2024, 02:34:36 PMI heard that Garbutt was practicing last week, is that accurate?
Maybe Garbutt is ready to replace Fayad and they were really happy with Hubert as well.
Do we know what Haba's timeline is? He was posed to be the starter at the beginning of this season.

Welcome back Whitehead! I think he is a perfect fit for the team right now. Quick underneath routes and screens is what we need from him.

Garbutt was allowed to practice as it was his 4th week on the 6-game.

Does this mean we're going to take him off early?
My wife is amazing!

3rdand1.5

I like the Lucky signing, he is a high energy guy. We are lacking some emotion with Bailey and Hardrick moved on. He is a decent receiver, but I like his intangibles more. Teams know of him and his speed and will have to at least keep that speed in the back of their minds.

Our D-line has not been good enough. I know Jake is the whipping boy around here but he actually played pretty well last game. I do agree he should get less reps, but if the guys behind him are still learning, at least he knows what he is doing, the D-line woes are not all Jakes fault. If Fayed isn't deemed good enough I don't mind the release.

Sir Blue and Gold

Jeez, the Bombers are really putting lucky through the humility check. I suppose possibly he's just not in game shape. Are you humble enough yet?!?

Jesse

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on July 08, 2024, 02:53:54 PMJeez, the Bombers are really putting lucky through the humility check. I suppose possibly he's just not in game shape. Are you humble enough yet?!?

It's just a paperwork transaction. Happens to everyone who comes on midseason.
My wife is amazing!

Blue In BC

#11
Quote from: Jesse on July 08, 2024, 03:08:22 PMIt's just a paperwork transaction. Happens to everyone who comes on midseason.

Not always. Some players are added directly to the AR. Elks added Oakman directly to their AR in the last couple of days. TiCats added their new returner after 3 days.

PR is the norm and Whitehead could still be on the AR by Friday. Not probable but possible depending on his physical preparedness / conditioning.
Take no prisoners

Pete

#12
Hubert actually looked better than Fayad, but de is still an area of need. Disappointing that Garbutt is the only rookie of any worth we could find at de. Especially knowing going in we were replacing Jefferson. (Maybe we are bringing him back!) With a shorter season less of a hit on cap and more chance to stay healthy, I know wishful thinking, but he could tide us over til we find someone,maybe nfl cuts)

Throw Long Bannatyne

Quote from: Jesse on July 08, 2024, 02:38:23 PMGarbutt was allowed to practice as it was his 4th week on the 6-game.

Does this mean we're going to take him off early?

Must be, I suspect they offered Fayad a PR spot and he refused it, why else would they dump depth in a thin position?  Fayad had good mobility and was reasonably effective in his reps., pretty harsh to determine a player does not measure up and never will in the span of a few games.

LXTSN

3 games played and 1 tackle for Fayad. I did think he provided more pressure on the QB than when we had Adams there, but really not much else.
Let's hope that Garbutt and Hubert can be great!

DM83

Sad to hear that about garbutt and Fayad.  I thought all our new guys played tougher and improved.  Certainly not all-star material yet. All guys were getting better. I thought our contain on pass rush was in need of work, but a work in progress.

theaardvark

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on July 08, 2024, 04:17:06 PMMust be, I suspect they offered Fayad a PR spot and he refused it, why else would they dump depth in a thin position?  Fayad had good mobility and was reasonably effective in his reps., pretty harsh to determine a player does not measure up and never will in the span of a few games.

Our PR is full, and we just added Lucky to it.. suspecting there needs to be another deletion or promotion...
Unabashed positron.  Blue koolaid in my fridge.  I wear my blue sunglasses at night.  Homer, d'oh.

Blue In BC

Quote from: theaardvark on July 08, 2024, 07:39:59 PMOur PR is full, and we just added Lucky to it.. suspecting there needs to be another deletion or promotion...

We're 2 players over on the PR at the moment. If Garbutt comes off the 6 game IR then we're going to have to adjust somewhere. Somebody may be moved to IR or somebody might be released.

Fayad could be asked to sit around town to be called up at another time. Keeping in mind he was cut after early injury and brought back after others were injured and he was needed.

So I expect some additional transactions this week but it's just a guess on what that will look like.

Just from a math point of view, it will probably require 3 players changing.
Take no prisoners

kkc60

Quote from: LXTSN on July 08, 2024, 04:28:55 PM3 games played and 1 tackle for Fayad. I did think he provided more pressure on the QB than when we had Adams there, but really not much else.
Let's hope that Garbutt and Hubert can be great!
Adams has the best motor on the team I would say, but at 6'1 290, he shouldn't be playing end much or at all.

Pigskin

Quote from: kkc60 on July 08, 2024, 08:32:48 PMAdams has the best motor on the team I would say, but at 6'1 290, he shouldn't be playing end much or at all.

He does, and Hubert is right behind him. Kid never stops working. He might end up to be good DE.
Don't go through life looking in the rearview mirror.

theaardvark

Quote from: Blue In BC on July 08, 2024, 08:27:53 PMWe're 2 players over on the PR at the moment. If Garbutt comes off the 6 game IR then we're going to have to adjust somewhere. Somebody may be moved to IR or somebody might be released.

Fayad could be asked to sit around town to be called up at another time
. Keeping in mind he was cut after early injury and brought back after others were injured and he was needed.

So I expect some additional transactions this week but it's just a guess on what that will look like.

Just from a math point of view, it will probably require 3 players changing.

Are you suggesting we have a Chris Jones "practice practice squad"?
Unabashed positron.  Blue koolaid in my fridge.  I wear my blue sunglasses at night.  Homer, d'oh.

kkc60

Quote from: Pigskin on July 08, 2024, 08:47:26 PMHe does, and Hubert is right behind him. Kid never stops working. He might end up to be good DE.
Re-watching, and Hubert certainly plays a lot on STs as well.

Blue In BC

#22
Quote from: theaardvark on July 08, 2024, 09:48:45 PMAre you suggesting we have a Chris Jones "practice practice squad"?

Not at all. We had several players injured during TC and were released as a way to manage the roster count allowed. Once we had injuries, they were offered new roles on either the AR or PR.

Most recently we re-signed Alston and Case that were with the team briefly in TC.

Every week is a different set of needs. Opportunities to change the roster happen.  Whether we ask them to stick around or just say we'll call you if and when things change is just a comment. We're seeing players released in TC being recalled across the league as injuries mount.
Take no prisoners

TecnoGenius

Quote from: Jesse on July 08, 2024, 02:11:13 PMFayad???

Our now starting DE?!??

Woooooooooow... this is a shocker.  Fans were high on him.  Only 2 (3?) games starting and we've already decided he sucks?  What happened to giving guys time to show up?

Quote from: LXTSN on July 08, 2024, 04:28:55 PM3 games played and 1 tackle for Fayad. I did think he provided more pressure on the QB than when we had Adams there, but really not much else.
Let's hope that Garbutt and Hubert can be great!

That could be part of it.  Maybe Fayad is a sack-first, run-stop-later guy.  That probably doesn't fit in with our scheme, especially with not-super-focused-on-the-run Willie on the other end.  (Though Willie is decent at contain.)

Still, we usually give them more time.  I wonder if this is a victim of FIFO... Sometimes guys who show some promise or are good starters just disappear from WFC (Rutledge, Gaitor, etc).
Never go full Rider!

TecnoGenius

Quote from: LXTSN on July 08, 2024, 02:34:36 PMI heard that Garbutt was practicing last week, is that accurate?
Maybe Garbutt is ready to replace Fayad and they were really happy with Hubert as well.
Do we know what Haba's timeline is? He was posed to be the starter at the beginning of this season.

Quote from: Pete on July 08, 2024, 03:34:56 PMHubert actually looked better than Fayad, but de is still an area of need.

Ya, Hubert was popping out for a lot of us, eh?  I noticed that too.  But my word!  Another NAT!!  Are we going to start 11!  What is wrong with our USA scouting!?

If we start Hubert vs CGY after releasing Fayad outright, that seems like a bit of a risk, no?  And we don't know the status of Haba, but if he stays on the full 6-game, that once again leaves us very bare at DL.

Unless it was a FIFO problem, why didn't we just 1-game Fayad like every other GM does?!  Sometimes this team makes puzzling decisions.
Never go full Rider!

KINGCHARLES

Quote from: TecnoGenius on July 09, 2024, 04:20:29 AMYa, Hubert was popping out for a lot of us, eh?  I noticed that too.  But my word!  Another NAT!!  Are we going to start 11!  What is wrong with our USA scouting!?
If we start Hubert vs CGY after releasing Fayad outright, that seems like a bit of a risk, no?  And we don't know the status of Haba, but if he stays on the full 6-game, that once again leaves us very bare at DL.

Unless it was a FIFO problem, why didn't we just 1-game Fayad like every other GM does?!  Sometimes this team makes puzzling decisions.

I'm thinking that the Bombers are gambling on getting Canadian players some very valuable in game reps. I'm curious behind this strategy because I think Brian Cole is better than Kramdi but that also coming from someone that doesn't coach or manage football for a living
BEASTS OF THE EAST

I DON'T BRAKE FOR RIDER FANS

Blue In BC

#26
Quote from: KINGCHARLES on July 09, 2024, 02:09:52 PMI'm thinking that the Bombers are gambling on getting Canadian players some very valuable in game reps. I'm curious behind this strategy because I think Brian Cole is better than Kramdi but that also coming from someone that doesn't coach or manage football for a living

That might be part of it but I'm not expecting Hubert to be starting this week to have 11 Canadians starting.

Getting Canadians more experience is worth doing but do you cut a player if he's better? I don't know that Fayad was better than Hubert or other choices.

What seems possible is that Garbutt will come off the 6 game IR early and that he is deemed better than Fayad.

Whether that's accurate or not is a TBD. Roster size is limited. SMS is limited. We could have offered a PR spot which he declined or we could have put him on the 1 game IR.  We'll never know all the whats and why's of a given situation.

 This is from the other site. 

Tyrell Ford – DB | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 75.6 defensive grade

Tyrell Ford is the second highest ranked defensive back in the CFL after five weeks, showcasing his top-end ability to play the position.

He was once again a pivotal piece for the Blue Bombers defence in Week 5, allowing only one first down in passes thrown in his direction. Pivots have started avoiding Ford as of lately, the highest compliment a defensive back can get.

Brady Oliveira – RB | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 83.6 offensive grade

Winnipeg finally found a way to get into the win column and a lot of it has to do with their star running back.

Oliveira had the highest receiving grade (90.7), third highest offensive grade (83.6) on his way to 129 rushing yards over 23 carries.
Edited 57 minutes ago by Colin Unger
Take no prisoners

LXTSN

Quote from: Blue In BC on July 09, 2024, 02:25:07 PMTyrell Ford – DB | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 75.6 defensive grade

Tyrell Ford is the second highest ranked defensive back in the CFL after five weeks, showcasing his top-end ability to play the position.

He was once again a pivotal piece for the Blue Bombers defence in Week 5, allowing only one first down in passes thrown in his direction. Pivots have started avoiding Ford as of lately, the highest compliment a defensive back can get.
Love to see this! There were a couple posters really trying to throw him under the bus after the first 2 games and it didn't really make any sense to me...

But the last couple games, he has become one of our most solid tacklers and has done very well in coverage too! Rookie (communication) mistakes did happen in the first couple games but that happens on every team at every position when starting rookies! I'm super happy with what he's able to provide!

Blue In BC

Ford has been a very pleasant surprise. So has Bond. When Parker is healthy he may be pushed to a role as a DI which is not a horrible option. Or as I've suggested there may be some kind of shuffling of the deck in the secondary. Several players can play multiple roles.

Anyway. For this week it's another guessing game as to what else is going to happen with movement. After today's 2nd practice for the week they may make some decisions but not announce those until tomorrow or Thursday.

I'm hoping Garbutt comes off the 6 game IR. OTOH I've only briefly seen him so IDK if he's better than Haba or the only healthy choice at the moment.

Haba and Lawson could be gone longer by being extended on another 6 game IR. Or they could be practising next week and coming off after finishing their 6 game stint.

Anyone know what their injuries were?

Based on that and maybe in spite of that I'd like to think we'll add another DE to the PR. The catch 22 is in the math when the PR is full.
Take no prisoners

CrazyCanuck89

Quote from: kkc60 on July 08, 2024, 10:33:11 PMRe-watching, and Hubert certainly plays a lot on STs as well.

Every backup plays on special teams.

Pigskin

Anyone that was at TC could see that Hubert had a big motor, and seemed to be around the ball a lot. This kid, might end up to be a good one.
Don't go through life looking in the rearview mirror.

Blue In BC

Quote from: Pigskin on July 09, 2024, 10:36:44 PMAnyone that was at TC could see that Hubert had a big motor, and seemed to be around the ball a lot. This kid, might end up to be a good one.

I like what I've seen from him so far but don't have an expectation he will or should be the starter at the moment.

That said, I don't get to go to practice so I have no idea how he compares to any of the imports when they are healthy.

Lawson was looking good in 2023 and was expected to take more and more reps at DT this year. Injury derailed that for the moment. It sounds as though he may need to be extended on 6 game IR.
Take no prisoners