State of the roster

[TecnoGenius]

We own the game, so getting max crowd, with max concessions means max profit.  And our team being in the game means just that.  If we aren't, there will be stubhub tickets for the game at $50, and probably 10k empty seats.

I'd say as long as WPG or SSK makes it into the cup the game will do ok $$.  So WM should pray the season turns out similar to last year: WPG/SSK in WDF.  Then it won't really matter who wins.

That said, it'll suck to sit there amongst a sea of intoxicated green in -20C weather... especially if they win!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'd say as long as WPG or SSK makes it into the cup the game will do ok $$.  So WM should pray the season turns out similar to last year: WPG/SSK in WDF.  Then it won't really matter who wins.

That said, it'll suck to sit there amongst a sea of intoxicated green in -20C weather... especially if they win!

If the Bombers can get to the GC the home crowd could give them a 60% chance of winning, as long as conditions are not frigid.

[Waffler]

Do we still have 2023 1st rnd pick Anthony Bennett under contract?  He was injured early in camp lastyear.

Anthony Bennett signed by Montreal.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-anthony-bennett/

[DM83]

Bennett sounds like a good one. Maybe his experience with the Bombers showed him what was expected. He sure was in over his head as a Bomber.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Anthony Bennett signed by Montreal.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-anthony-bennett/

Surprised the Als took a flyer on him, the Bombers gave him a fair amount of playing time in 2023 and he was unable to contribute much opposite Willie.

[LXTSN]

Our starting Canadians would be:
2 x IOL
1 x RB/FB
2 x WR/SB
1 x DL
1 x LB

It was nice having all the flexibility last season that Ford provided but we will make it work. I would like to see Sterns on the field so I'm desperate for some flexibility.

There is one position on each side of the line that we can put a National if we need but I don't love either option:
Left Guard - Projected starter seems to be Randolph, but I could see Wallace subbing in a pinch. Better as a run blocker but if he improves as a pass blocking lineman, he should get a crack at that spot.

Safety - Projected will probably be Griffen or Alexander (if he signs) to start the season. How bad was Kelly last season in spot duty? I seem to remember his name coming up on occasion and not in a good way. I don't think either of the Hallett bros are the answer either. I'd love to see a safety drafted this season!

[dd]

Surprised the Als took a flyer on him, the Bombers gave him a fair amount of playing time in 2023 and he was unable to contribute much opposite Willie.

I m surprised we gave up on him so quick after wasting our #1 pick on him.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I m surprised we gave up on him so quick after wasting our #1 pick on him.

2023 wasn't a great year for the draft but they still have a few solid players that might pan out.  Critical year for a few to step up.


Round   Pick   Player   Position   University Team   Hometown
1   8   Anthony Bennett   DL   Regina   Weston, FL
2   15   Jake Kelly   DB   Bishop's   Markham, ON
3   26   Jeremy Murphy   WR   Concordia (QC)   Montreal, QC
4   35   Tanner Schmekel   DL   Regina   Regina, SK
5   44   Collin Kornelson   DL   Manitoba   Winnipeg, MB
6   53   Breton MacDougall   DB   Windsor   LaSalle, ON
7   62   Jonathan Rosery   RB   Alberta   Edmonton, AB
8   71   Max Charbonneau   LB   Ottawa   Ottawa, ON

[Waffler]

I thought Bennett would be back here based on what was said on day one of last year's camp.  I've never been able to find out what the injury was.  Maybe the bombers know he is not recovered enough?

Anthony Bennett, the Bombers first-round draft pick (eighth overall) in 2023, was surprisingly released on Sunday, but it doesn't sound like this is the end of his time in Winnipeg. 

Bennett, who appeared in every game for the Bombers last year, is hurt and the team simply couldn't afford to hold a roster spot for him during training camp.

Should the Canadian defensive end choose to stick around, the Bombers intend to help him rehab his injury so he can eventually get back on the roster.

"We're certainly not writing him off," O'Shea said. "We picked him for a reason and we like him. He's just not healthy right now."

[dd]

I thought Bennett would be back here based on what was said on day one of last year's camp.  I've never been able to find out what the injury was.  Maybe the bombers know he is not recovered enough?

Anthony Bennett, the Bombers first-round draft pick (eighth overall) in 2023, was surprisingly released on Sunday, but it doesn't sound like this is the end of his time in Winnipeg. 

Bennett, who appeared in every game for the Bombers last year, is hurt and the team simply couldn't afford to hold a roster spot for him during training camp.

Should the Canadian defensive end choose to stick around, the Bombers intend to help him rehab his injury so he can eventually get back on the roster.

"We're certainly not writing him off," O'Shea said. "We picked him for a reason and we like him. He's just not healthy right now."

This is upsetting that we lost our #1 pick last year because he was injured. Why not put him on the 6 game IR vs release him. Now he's gone. Dang, that's a massive brain fart in roster management!!

[Jesse]

This is upsetting that we lost our #1 pick last year because he was injured. Why not put him on the 6 game IR vs release him. Now he's gone. Dang, that's a massive brain fart in roster management!!

He was a useless pick who is already 29 years old.

[dd]

He was a useless pick who is already 29 years old.

That's not what O Shea said. He said they picked him for a reason and they liked him and they're not writing him off, then release him. Wow, say one thing, do another.

[Jesse]

That's not what O Shead said. He said they picked him for a reason and they liked him and they're not writing him off, then release him. Wow, say one thing, do another.

You know OSH, he's not going to go out and say someone isn't good enough.

Even if it's true, once we released him, anyone was free to sign him. Maybe he didn't want to come back to the team who cut him.

It was a crappy pick. It sucked. But at least we're not continuing to waste time on him.

[Blue In BC]

Our starting Canadians would be:
2 x IOL
1 x RB/FB
2 x WR/SB
1 x DL
1 x LB

It was nice having all the flexibility last season that Ford provided but we will make it work. I would like to see Sterns on the field so I'm desperate for some flexibility.

There is one position on each side of the line that we can put a National if we need but I don't love either option:
Left Guard - Projected starter seems to be Randolph, but I could see Wallace subbing in a pinch. Better as a run blocker but if he improves as a pass blocking lineman, he should get a crack at that spot.

Safety - Projected will probably be Griffen or Alexander (if he signs) to start the season. How bad was Kelly last season in spot duty? I seem to remember his name coming up on occasion and not in a good way. I don't think either of the Hallett bros are the answer either. I'd love to see a safety drafted this season!

Bombers signed 3 import receivers with CFL experience. We also have Wheatfall competing for a spot on the AR and probably a dozen or more rookies for TC.

Barring injury, it's hard to know which of them won't fit on the AR roster ratio wise. We'll only have 3 imports starting and Schoen is going to be one if healthy. Just a guess but I think Sterns will be behind Mitchell, Schoen and White on the depth chart.

We'll already have Logan as a back up receiver so someone like Sterns won't be a DI used there and as a back up receiver.  We might elect to put one on the 1 game IR rather than see them leave due to an offer to sit on the PR.

Obviously we're hoping O. Wilson returns quickly as well or that we find the next one in TC.

 

[Pete]

That's not what O Shead said. He said they picked him for a reason and they liked him and they're not writing him off, then release him. Wow, say one thing, do another.

Not surprised Bennet isn't here, just surprised Hamilton didn't sign him