Blue Bombers Transactions - December 6, 2024

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Transactions - December 6, 2024

WINNIPEG, MB., December 6, 2024 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American offensive lineman Chris Walker, National defensive lineman Collin Kornelson and American receiver Jaylen Hall.

Walker (6-6, 305, Montana; born: June 12, 1998, in Lincoln, NE.) re-signs with the Bombers after being on the practice roster since early October.

Before the CFL, Walker spent a six-year collegiate career with Nebraska (2018-2021) and Montana (2022-2023). With Nebraska, Walker would play defense and offence, recording one tackle in six games.

After a transfer to Montana, Walker would start 25 of 27 games at left tackle. In 2023, Montana's offence finished first in the Big Sky and third in the nation in first down offence, getting 297 first downs while outscoring opponents 454-258. He would finish the season as an All-Big Sky Honourable Mention.

Kornelson (6-3, 240, University of Manitoba; born: February 14, 2000, in Winnipeg, MB.) returns to the Bombers for the 2025 season after spending the last six seasons with the University of Manitoba. Kornelson was selected by the Bombers in the fifth round, 44th overall in the 2023 CFL Draft. He has attended the last two Blue Bombers training camps (2023-2024) and dressed for one preseason game against the Roughriders in 2024, recording no stats.

With the Bisons (2018-2024), Kornelson has recorded 101 tackles (63 solo, 38 assists), 9.5 tackle-for-losses, five sacks, one knockdown, and one forced fumble (one recovery) in 31 games.

In his final year, Kornelson would start nine games, posting a career-high 20 solo tackles (37 total), two sacks and five tackle-for-losses. He would finish the year as a Second Team All-Canadian, and a part of a defense that led Canada West with 34 combined takeaways.

Hall (6-3, 180, Western Kentucky; born: March 31, 1999, in Macomb, MI.) signs with the Bombers after a late release from training camp in 2024.

Hall briefly spent time with the Edmonton Elks in 2023 before signing with the Bombers prior to the 2024 season. Hall would appear in a preseason game versus the Roughriders in 2024.

Hall began his collegiate career at Westen Michigan (2018-2021), achieving 85 catches for 1,532 yards and 14 touchdowns in 43 games.

Following a transfer to Western Kentucky (2022), Hall would start all 14 games, catching 68 passes for 869 yards and six touchdowns. He would also return nine punts for 106 yards and one touchdown.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I really like Walker! Glad he's got a chance in 2025.

[Blueforlife]

I really like Walker! Glad he's got a chance in 2025.

I didn't watch him much what did you like?

[Blue In BC]

I didn't watch him much what did you like?

He never made the AR and was just on the PR for awhile. He is a LT by position experience so he could be good depth for injury insurance in 2025.

[Blue In BC]

Kornelson's weight on Google shows at 288 and lists him as a DT. If he's actually down to 240 listed on the roster is he more likely to be used more as a DE or is his weight listed in error.

We have Lawson, Schmekel and Samson all listed as DT candidates. If Korny is also a DT then the fight to make the roster for Thomas is going to be really difficult.

[theaardvark]

Kornelson's weight on Google shows at 288 and lists him as a DT. If he's actually down to 240 listed on the roster is he more likely to be used more as a DE or is his weight listed in error.

We have Lawson, Schmekel and Samson all listed as DT candidates. If Korny is also a DT then the fight to make the roster for Thomas is going to be really difficult.

I think as long as Thomas can do the job, he's got a spot here.  Its going to take a lot to beat him out of his spot.  Having depth at NAT DT is great.  With Lawson, Schmekel and Korny under contract, a Thomas deal is going to be team favourable if he wants to play next year... which is not a bad thing.

[Pigskin]

JT95 will be 35 next season, but had a career high 23 DTs last season. 2 sacks, 1 FF.

[Blue In BC]

I think as long as Thomas can do the job, he's got a spot here.  Its going to take a lot to beat him out of his spot.  Having depth at NAT DT is great.  With Lawson, Schmekel and Korny under contract, a Thomas deal is going to be team favourable if he wants to play next year... which is not a bad thing.

It's well stated I'm not a fan of Thomas. Depth is great but when was the last time we had 4 Canadian DT's potentially under contract. Might also be a new draft choice to fit into the roster. Something may need to give. The expectation going into 2024 was that Lawson would begin taking on more of the starters role.

Barring injury, that's a lot to contend with on the roster if they re-sign Thomas. As mentioned it might need to be a team friendly contract compared to an ELC type deal with the others. That and succession planning. Younger more athletic players.

If they do sign him, it would suggest they plan for him to be on the AR.

[Blue In BC]

JT95 will be 35 next season, but had a career high 23 DTs last season. 2 sacks, 1 FF.

Also a near career low in the sack department. Certainly over that last 6 or so years.  I'd guess with all the injuries on the DL he got more reps than usual as a result. So high DT's was not necessarily an " improvement ".  Any stat on TFL trend?

[dd]

Also a near career low in the sack department. Certainly over that last 6 or so years.  I'd guess with all the injuries on the DL he got more reps than usual as a result. So high DT's was not necessarily an " improvement ".  Any stat on TFL trend?

Ya, Jake ain't no speed demon out there, he's really, really slow. He is a gap player who slugs it out in the gut of the line.

I think MOS will bring him back, he has too much respect for JT playing over 200 games (which in itself is unbelievable). Agree he would be a depth only signing, more sentiment than talent

[TrueBlue4]

Personally I like Thomas- do I think he's very good - no - but I do think he is doing what is asked of him. This year because of how we played D (ie 3 man rush) our D line wasn't as effective in getting pressure and sacks which affected every D lineman stats.
I was really looking forward to seeing Lawson play thus past year but that never happened.
I to am hoping we go back to "pressure" D type of defence

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Personally I like Thomas- do I think he's very good - no - but I do think he is doing what is asked of him. This year because of how we played D (ie 3 man rush) our D line wasn't as effective in getting pressure and sacks which affected every D lineman stats.
I was really looking forward to seeing Lawson play thus past year but that never happened.
I to am hoping we go back to "pressure" D type of defence

I think some people are expecting a little too much from DT's, in the past they were never expected to add to the sack total and most of the great ones that played for the Bombers, like Nevis and Stove were lauded for their ability to plug up the middle and shut down the run. More important for a DT to remain assignment sound and help collapse the pocket so the more athletic DE's are given the opportunity to pounce on the fleeing QB.

Jake receives a lot of criticism from armchair QB's yet I've never heard a coach,  another pro or a broadcaster ever mention him as being a liability that needed to be replaced. He wouldn't have lasted 200+ games if he wasn't assignment sound, if called out in the film room weekly for his faults and broken plays as many fans insist, his career would have ended long ago.

Jake is a blue collar football player playing for blue collar wages, he shows up with his lunch bucket every day and does his job to 100% of his abilities, he's not spectacular but he is super steady and reliable. Just before the GC Jake and Willy were featured in a press-conference. They each had a Marvel character statue with them which Willy explained were rewards for not missing a single practice this season, and this was the fifth consecutive year both he and Jake received one. 

It baffles me some Bomber fans can not appreciate his contributions and continually choose to point him out as a goat.

[Blue In BC]

I think some people are expecting a little too much from DT's, in the past they were never expected to add to the sack total and most of the great ones that played for the Bombers, like Nevis and Stove were lauded for their ability to plug up the middle and shut down the run. More important for a DT to remain assignment sound and help collapse the pocket so the more athletic DE's are given the opportunity to pounce on the fleeing QB.

Jake receives a lot of criticism from armchair QB's yet I've never heard a coach,  another pro or a broadcaster ever mention him as being a liability that needed to be replaced. He wouldn't have lasted 200+ games if he wasn't assignment sound, if called out in the film room weekly for his faults and broken plays as many fans insist, his career would have ended long ago.

Jake is a blue collar football player playing for blue collar wages, he shows up with his lunch bucket every day and does his job to 100% of his abilities, he's not spectacular but he is super steady and reliable. Just before the GC Jake and Willy were featured in a press-conference. They each had a Marvel character statue with them which Willy explained were rewards for not missing a single practice this season, and this was the fifth consecutive year both he and Jake received one. 

It baffles me some Bomber fans can not appreciate his contributions and continually choose to point him out as a goat.

It's simple: Stats from CFL.CA

1. Thomas: 169 games: 189 DT's, 33 sacks
2. Sayles: 64 games: 151 DT's, 25 sacks

One is an allstar. The other is Thomas.  As they say, nice guys finish last. Thomas cannot seem to shed a block or do well to run stop or collapse the pocket.

Covington was deemed not a great success in BC. He had 29 DT's and 6 sacks.
M. Johnson in 142 games: 289 DT's and 65 sacks.

[blue_gold_84]

"Nice guys finish last."



There's more to a player's contributions to a team than a simple stat line.

[Blue In BC]

"Nice guys finish last."



There's more to a player's contributions to a team than a simple stat line.

Maybe but stats are a key component to achievement. In the WDF and Grey Cup he recorded zero stats. Lots of players get to hold up the Grey Cup when their team wins.