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.

[blue_gold_84]

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.

And he was the first back in 2019. Seems to speak volumes as to how much his teammates and coaches appreciate him.

[dd]

Thomas is the Bombers very own version of Rudy, and because of his passport, gets an opportunity to play probably the least glamorous position in football. He's a team first always type of guy, and that makes him a sentimental favourite. With ratio breaking NAT's at impact positions such as Oliveria and Ford, I just don't get how and why he sees the field as we seem to have more than enough NAT's on the field, but I m thinking he plays for a song and is very easy on the SMS hence see's the field from time to time and occasionally even makes a play!!

[TecnoGenius]

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.

Thomas can and does collapse the pocket.  Quite a lot.  He's very good at the bull rush.  However, he often overshoots and doesn't redirect well.  But that may be what he's told to do, as him swooshing past a QB does disrupt the play.

You are correct that Fatboi does have trouble shedding blocks to make run tackles.  It's probably his weakest point.  He often is double-teamed, though, but not always.  However, I also wonder if he's being coached to play this way.

What's amazing is his longevity and health.  Just think back to how often Nevis & Stove were injured.  And when they signed elsewhere for big $$ they basically never played again.

I think the biggest reason Fatboi is kept around is that MOS has clearly said the strategy for the roster is a mix of old + new players where the vets can impart all of their wisdom to the new guys.  And he clearly thinks this is critical.  This might also hint that Biggie is allowed to return in '25.  However, even Mafia has to let the oldsters go eventually.

[Blue In BC]

Thomas can and does collapse the pocket.  Quite a lot.  He's very good at the bull rush.  However, he often overshoots and doesn't redirect well.  But that may be what he's told to do, as him swooshing past a QB does disrupt the play.

You are correct that Fatboi does have trouble shedding blocks to make run tackles.  It's probably his weakest point.  He often is double-teamed, though, but not always.  However, I also wonder if he's being coached to play this way.

What's amazing is his longevity and health.  Just think back to how often Nevis & Stove were injured.  And when they signed elsewhere for big $$ they basically never played again.

I think the biggest reason Fatboi is kept around is that MOS has clearly said the strategy for the roster is a mix of old + new players where the vets can impart all of their wisdom to the new guys.  And he clearly thinks this is critical.  This might also hint that Biggie is allowed to return in '25.  However, even Mafia has to let the oldsters go eventually.

A team needs vets as well as younger players. I already mentioned the number of younger players we have in competition. That's the issue. When do you let the veteran go in order to retain the younger, more athletic and less expensive players?

You mentioned he collapses the pocket. That's only partially true. You want a DT to collapse the pocket into the face of the QB, not past and then behind him. He's not going to be responsible to contain the edge. Therefore he needs to push the QB back, not allow him to step forward into the pocket. Even you mentioned overshooting and not redirecting well. Those are big problems on a player that has never been a speed guy. Missing bringing a QB down by a foot is still a miss.

MOS has a habit of retaining some players past their prime. That's an issue when a given player was never more than slightly above average in his best days.

[TecnoGenius]

MOS has a habit of retaining some players past their prime. That's an issue when a given player was never more than slightly above average in his best days.

Wouldn't that actually be KW?  Isn't the GM in charge of picking the overall roster, and the HC is in charge of deciding who to put on AR?

Ya, I know HC has big say/sway in determining the overall roster too, but technically it's the GM's job and the buck stops with him, and thus he should get as much or more blame for "hanging on to" Fatboi than MOS.

[Blue In BC]

Wouldn't that actually be KW?  Isn't the GM in charge of picking the overall roster, and the HC is in charge of deciding who to put on AR?

Ya, I know HC has big say/sway in determining the overall roster too, but technically it's the GM's job and the buck stops with him, and thus he should get as much or more blame for "hanging on to" Fatboi than MOS.

I suppose it's both but I think MOS has a lot to say in these decisions. We've seen the " odd " weekly roster decisions on the AR and that's on MOS.

Anyway. We'll see how this goes and who gets re-signed and who doesn't Our DL needs upgrading and nearly all of them are potential free agents. I'm not sure who they want to keep or whether they target someone else that reaches free agency.

EDIT: On the unofficial roster list it shows that Lawson was due $135K. I don't know what Thomas was scheduled to earn in 2024. The question was that if Lawson wasn't due to be the primary Canadian DL starter, then how much was Thomas due to earn?

[theaardvark]

Dline coach tells DC, tells HC, who tells GM what their personal personnel preferences are. 

GM decides which get signed based on that and on the budgetary factors in play.

I don't think one person makes a unilateral decision on any player, everyone has their appropriate input.

A few seasons ago, Thomas was a late signing, potentially he might have finished his career ( he wasn't going to play anywhere else) but they made room for him, and he's still here today...

[Waffler]

A few seasons ago, Thomas was a late signing, potentially he might have finished his career ( he wasn't going to play anywhere else) but they made room for him, and he's still here today...

Signed 3 days into camp he had this to say about his call back "I have exhausted my NFL opportunities". Great one liner, I still laugh thinking about that one.

"His talent, maybe people don't notice it as much, but we do. He
makes a lot of plays and a lot of those plays maybe don't turn into
stats necessarily, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The
play might not be the tackle or the sack. It might be the double-team.
It might be holding the point. It might be cutting off a runner,"
O'Shea said. "I know his value to us. That's why we keep on
re-signing him and bringing him back... because he's an unbelievable
contributor, a good pro and a hell of a guy in the locker room. He's
an East-Coaster, right? He's a guy you want to have around — you
just love those guys."

- MOS

[theaardvark]

One item people seemed to have forgotten is JT62.  The player he morphs into when we have OLine injuries.

[markf]

Yes He's backup O lineman, now and then goes in.

My recollection re Thomas is that he tried the free agent market.... Then came back and "re- signed" 😀 with the Bombers.
Or maybe they were just working on terms.

I can't remember when that was, and I could well be wrong.

Whatever else you think of him, (I think he's good) he is an iron man.

Right in the middle of all the mayhem....

Gets double teamed a lot for some reason.

East coasters, also.. Mike Miller.

[theaardvark]

Yes He's backup O lineman, now and then goes in.

My recollection re Thomas is that he tried the free agent market.... Then came back and "re- signed" 😀 with the Bombers.
Or maybe they were just working on terms.

I can't remember when that was, and I could well be wrong.

Whatever else you think of him, (I think he's good) he is an iron man.

Right in the middle of all the mayhem....

Gets double teamed a lot for some reason.

East coasters, also.. Mike Miller.

IIRC he never considered signing anywhere else.  2018 we were pretty stacked at Dline and NAT, so he wasn't a priority off the hop.  After most of FA was done, they made him an offer that was acceptable for him to return...  Faith Ekakatie was supposed to be the new guy, and Maroof got injured so Thomas signed in May that year.  Since tehn, he's been extended every January...

https://3downnation.com/2018/05/22/bombers-gain-experience-flexibility-re-signing-jake-thomas/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

IIRC he never considered signing anywhere else.  2018 we were pretty stacked at Dline and NAT, so he wasn't a priority off the hop.  After most of FA was done, they made him an offer that was acceptable for him to return...  Faith Ekakatie was supposed to be the new guy, and Maroof got injured so Thomas signed in May that year.  Since tehn, he's been extended every January...

https://3downnation.com/2018/05/22/bombers-gain-experience-flexibility-re-signing-jake-thomas/

The unexpected retirement of 2019 3rd round draft pick Connor Griffiths in 2021 was a big surprise for the Bombers.  He was an earlier version of Cameron Lawson and at the time looked poised to take #1 reps away from Jake before he threw in the towel.

[theaardvark]

We had a bad run drafting NAT Dline there... and Jake never let them down, so there's that reason for keeping him around...  I don't imagine he makes considerably more than a first rounder would...

[Blue In BC]

We had a bad run drafting NAT Dline there... and Jake never let them down, so there's that reason for keeping him around...  I don't imagine he makes considerably more than a first rounder would...

That's true but Lawson might be the heir apparent? We also have Samson and Schmekel on the roster. Too soon to tell how they'll do in the long run. However, Lawson was scheduled to earn $135K so that's an indication.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

That's true but Lawson might be the heir apparent? We also have Samson and Schmekel on the roster. Too soon to tell how they'll do in the long run. However, Lawson was scheduled to earn $135K so that's an indication.

All negotiations are not conducted on an equal basis, some highly educated Natl. players can play hardball and say, "this is the number I need to play football and delay the career I've trained for, pay me." Which might be how players like Lawson Kramdi and Gray get paid upper tier money early.

Versus some Imports from the US that received bad/little education and have little choice but to play football or pump gas for a living. In the great America, ghettos of poverty are just as bad as they were 50 years ago.

[Blue In BC]

All negotiations are not conducted on an equal basis, some highly educated Natl. players can play hardball and say, "this is the number I need to play football and delay the career I've trained for, pay me." Which might be how players like Lawson Kramdi and Gray get paid upper tier money early.

Versus some Imports from the US that received bad/little education and have little choice but to play football or pump gas for a living. In the great America, ghettos of poverty are just as bad as they were 50 years ago.

I think that's a reach. A team isn't going to pay significantly more than they view a players worth to the organization.

In the case of Lawson he was the 16th pick in the 2021 draft. We know that doesn't always mean a player will be successful. The fact the Bombers were willing to pay him that amount does have merit in their expectations.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think that's a reach. A team isn't going to pay significantly more than they view a players worth to the organization.

In the case of Lawson he was the 16th pick in the 2021 draft. We know that doesn't always mean a player will be successful. The fact the Bombers were willing to pay him that amount does have merit in their expectations.

Isn't Lawson on his second contract by now?

[ModAdmin]

Isn't Lawson on his second contract by now?

He signed a two-year extension in 2023 (for 2024 and 2025).

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

He signed a two-year extension in 2023 (for 2024 and 2025).

Makes sense, once he established his value he asked for more.

[Blue In BC]

Makes sense, once he established his value he asked for more.

Of course but that doesn't mean the organization gives it to him if they feel it's excessive. It appears he is expected to become a starter and not just a rotation guy.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Of course but that doesn't mean the organization gives it to him if they feel it's excessive. It appears he is expected to become a starter and not just a rotation guy.

Which gets back to my original point, if the Bombers don't pay what they're asking, chances are some of these players might move on to promising professional careers like Gray did. If their life ambition is to be more than a football player, many different things can influence their demands. 

Totally irrelevant but this may be the only interview with Cam Lawson ever recorded.

[TecnoGenius]

Gets double teamed a lot for some reason.

He does!  People don't realize this.  Fatboi will often get double-teamed on purpose or he'll go and tie up 2 guys by his own choice.  I think that's part of the plan and why he hangs around even though all of MBB hates him.  (Thankfully we're more enlightened on this forum!)

If Fatboi can manage to tie up 2 guys, that's helping the numbers/gap game in terms of the run, and making holes for DEs to pass rush.

[TecnoGenius]

Faith Ekakatie was supposed to be the new guy, and Maroof got injured so Thomas signed in May that year.

Ekakitie was the busts of all busts IMHO.  I know y'all like to pick Etienne (right?), but Ekakitie is etched in my brain as the announced healthy scratch at almost every home game I attended in '17 and '18.  You could set your clock by his scratch announcement.

[TecnoGenius]

Of course but that doesn't mean the organization gives it to him if they feel it's excessive. It appears he is expected to become a starter and not just a rotation guy.

Lawson was pegged to be "it" in '24.  We basically pinned all our DT hopes on him after letting Walker walk and he promptly got injured and didn't play a single snap.  I still don't know what his injury was or what his status is.

I wonder what our DL all season and GC would have been like if we had a beast DT in there alongside the other guys rotating.

Again, proves you gotta hand it to Fatboi... all these DTs get injured all the time and Fatboi never does.  Walker didn't do squat in '24 either wherever he went to sign.  Stove, Nevis: leave to just be injury factories elsewhere.  Only Sayles seemed to be productive after leaving.

[VictorRomano]

Ekakitie was the busts of all busts IMHO.

Biggest waste of a draft pick ever.

[theaardvark]

Biggest waste of a draft pick ever.

Hate to say it, but Andy Mulumba, Ty Pencer and Jade Etienne would like you to hold their beera... 

First rounders are usually pretty safe to actually contribute, but are very visible when they don't...

[dd]

Hate to say it, but Andy Mulumba, Ty Pencer and Jade Etienne would like you to hold their beera... 

First rounders are usually pretty safe to actually contribute, but are very visible when they don't...

Oh ya, now there's 3 names we'd like to forget!! Big time busts.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Ekakitie was a better pick than Mack's Ty Pencer or LaPolice's Jade Etienne. All three were obviously big misses.

[ichabod_crane]

Who was the Canuck receiver who received a lot of headlines before he even played one game, but flopped when he finally got to play. He might have been a supplemental pick, but Bombers gave up their first rounder for him I believe though. At least 10-15 years ago or more.

[Waffler]

Who was the Canuck receiver who received a lot of headlines before he even played one game, but flopped when he finally got to play. He might have been a supplemental pick, but Bombers gave up their first rounder for him I believe though. At least 10-15 years ago or more.

Kito Poblah?

[Waffler]

Taman rarely had a first rounder. Joe Mack picked: Henoc Muamba, Jade Etienne, Tyson Pencer, Andy Mulumba. Also under Mack, Kito Poblah cost us our 2012 first rounder.  None of them really worked out for the Bombers.  Muamba had a good career though mostly elsewhere, he stayed here only his first 3 years with the first year being more of a developmental one.

[blue_gold_84]

Joe Mack was terrible at assessing Canadian talent, IMO.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Joe Mack was terrible at assessing Canadian talent, IMO.

Walters was largely responsible for choosing many of the picks Mack made in the draft, as he first started with the team in 2010 when Mack became GM.

[blue_gold_84]

Walters was largely responsible for choosing many of the picks Mack made in the draft, as he first started with the team in 2010 when Mack became GM.

Revisionist history.

I have seen no evidence to support that nonsense in bold. And besides, Walters only became asst GM in 2013, anyway. He was the ST coordinator from 2010 through 2013.

And considering how proficiently Walters has drafted since becoming GM, it leads me to think that he had no say in decisions with Mack at the helm - if that was even a privilege he had back then.

I stand by my statement: Mack sucks.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Revisionist history.

I have seen no evidence to support that nonsense in bold. And besides, Walters only became asst GM in 2013, anyway. He was the ST coordinator from 2010 through 2013.

And considering how proficiently Walters has drafted since becoming GM, it leads me to think that he had no say in decisions with Mack at the helm - if that was even a privilege he had back then.

I stand by my statement: Mack sucks.

Walters was involved in the Canadian draft as early as 2010 as he was Mack's connection to Canadian college talent, having coached the Guelph Gryphons 2006-09 he has always been plugged into Natl. player talent.  I did not say he made the draft selections, Mack made the final decisions but Walters was the one that did the ground work and put together the dossier of draft picks for review.

[theaardvark]

Walters was largely responsible for choosing many of the picks Mack made in the draft, as he first started with the team in 2010 when Mack became GM.

Walter, IIRC, was in charge of putting together the list fr the draft.

Joe Mack was famous for going away from that list.  Ty Pencer is a prime example.  3rd overall pick, traded the 8th and 13th pick to move up, would have been available much later in the draft in all probability, again, If I Recall Correctly.  He wasn't even on teh board as a top pick, he was 9th on the first list, but fell off the second and final top prospects list. 

https://www.cfl.ca/2012/05/03/bombers-move-up-draft-pencer-third-overall/

I don't think Pencer was even on Walters list... Mack made that choice 100% on his own, and Johnny Aprile next.

We ended up with Jake Thomas in the 5th round, so, not too bad...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Walter, IIRC, was in charge of putting together the list fr the draft.

Joe Mack was famous for going away from that list.  Ty Pencer is a prime example.  3rd overall pick, traded the 8th and 13th pick to move up, would have been available much later in the draft in all probability, again, If I Recall Correctly.  He wasn't even on teh board as a top pick, he was 9th on the first list, but fell off the second and final top prospects list. 

https://www.cfl.ca/2012/05/03/bombers-move-up-draft-pencer-third-overall/

I don't think Pencer was even on Walters list... Mack made that choice 100% on his own, and Johnny Aprile next.

We ended up with Jake Thomas in the 5th round, so, not too bad...

Wasn't Pencer 6'-9"?  They drafted another matching Natl. O-line tower Paul Swiston around the same time that never amounted to anything either. Too bad height doesn't equate to ability.

[theaardvark]

Wasn't Pencer 6'-9"?  They drafted another matching Natl. O-line tower Paul Swiston around the same time that never amounted to anything either. Too bad height doesn't equate to ability.

If you read the article, it is very onfusing as to why they drafted Pencer.  He played DE and OT, and teh article mentions replacing DB97, but also that Mack liked how he played LT... makes no sense, but Joe Mack rarely did

[blue_gold_84]

Walters was involved in the Canadian draft as early as 2010 as he was Mack's connection to Canadian college talent, having coached the Guelph Gryphons 2006-09 he has always been plugged into Natl. player talent.  I did not say he made the draft selections, Mack made the final decisions but Walters was the one that did the ground work and put together the dossier of draft picks for review.

Indeed, Mack made the final call with draft picks. Thanks for helping prove my point.

[ichabod_crane]

Kito Poblah?

Yes, thanks for another one to toss into the bust bin!

[ichabod_crane]

Revisionist history.

I have seen no evidence to support that nonsense in bold. And besides, Walters only became asst GM in 2013, anyway. He was the ST coordinator from 2010 through 2013.

And considering how proficiently Walters has drafted since becoming GM, it leads me to think that he had no say in decisions with Mack at the helm - if that was even a privilege he had back then.

I stand by my statement: Mack sucks.

Too easy too pass up, but maybe MACK was on CRACK?! Some of those draft choices are truly bizarro. 

[theaardvark]

Too easy too pass up, but maybe MACK was on CRACK?! Some of those draft choices are truly bizarro. 

It was like he wanted to make the unconventional picks, have them work out and be considered a genius... and when none of them did... he got fired.

[ModAdmin]

If you read the article, it is very onfusing as to why they drafted Pencer.  He played DE and OT, and teh article mentions replacing DB97, but also that Mack liked how he played LT... makes no sense, but Joe Mack rarely did

Mixed reviews on Tyson Pencer prior to his stint in the CFL.  He was ranked as the ninth best player in the Canadian Football League's Amateur Scouting Bureau September rankings for players eligible in the 2012 CFL Draft.

[theaardvark]

Mixed reviews on Tyson Pencer prior to his stint in the CFL.  He was ranked as the ninth best player in the Canadian Football League's Amateur Scouting Bureau September rankings for players eligible in the 2012 CFL Draft.

But disappeared from the last two lists altogether...

He shared a house with Anthony Woodson and Rene Stephan, i gave them a ride home one night after a poker tournament, and ended up being sort of a local guide, helping them with stuff as none had a car.  i'm not sure if I recall correctly, but it seemed like every time I visited, he was playing video games..  he always seemed to be injured.  They all ended up needing surgery that year, Ty and Rene for shoulder injuries...  not a lucky household...