Winnipeg Blue Bombers add two to roster - Kickel and Brown

[ModAdmin]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers add two to roster - Kickel and Brown

WINNIPEG, MB., April 9, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American offensive lineman Matt Kickel and American receiver Reggie Brown.

Kickel (6-4, 323; Aurora; born: April 4, 2001, in Bolingbrook, IL) joins the Blue Bombers after starting 11 games for the Spartans in 2024, being named Second Team CSC Academic All-American, Second Team All-American by D3football.com, Associated Press (AP), and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). He was also named NACC Offensive Lineman of the Year and First Team All-NACC. He started his collegiate career at Arizona State in 2019, transferring to Aurora in 2020 and playing in 34 games from 2020-2024.

Brown (6-1, 195; James Madison; born: January 29, 1999, in Lakeland, FLA) comes to the Blue Bombers after he spent time last year with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent.

Brown played his college ball at James Madison, earning honours as an Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-Sun Belt after pulling in 53 passes for 1,054 yards and nine TDs in 2023. He also set a school record with 202 receiving yards in a game against Connecticut.

He dressed for 45 games for JMU during his career (2019-23) and finished with 93 receptions for 1,686 yards and 16 touchdowns.

[Blueforlife]

Another OL with some size nice

[Blue In BC]

Early days but we have 12 OL including 3 rookie imports, 3 imports from 2024 PR ( 2 got in some game time ). I'd expect to see a couple more added / looked at before TC. OTOH, I don't know how many ( imports ) will make the primary TC due to change in who is included in the " non  counter " list.

Some of the rookies seem to have good credentials but those that were here in 2024 have the initial step up.

May 10th cut down to 85 excluding non counters. May 13th cut down to 75 excluding non counters.

[Pigskin]

Early days but we have 12 OL including 3 rookie imports, 3 imports from 2024 PR ( 2 got in some game time ). I'd expect to see a couple more added / looked at before TC. OTOH, I don't know how many ( imports ) will make the primary TC due to change in who is included in the " non  counter " list.

Some of the rookies seem to have good credentials but those that were here in 2024 have the initial step up.

May 10th cut down to 85 excluding non counters. May 13th cut down to 75 excluding non counters.

Yes, very little time to evaluate. 

[dd]

Yes, very little time to evaluate. 

I hear what you're saying, but its like any training camp, the newbies have got to do something that gets them noticed and get them a spot on the PR. I doubt any newbie comes in and beats out a vet starting OL, and would do well to get on the AR

[Blue In BC]

I hear what you're saying, but its like any training camp, the newbies have got to do something that gets them noticed and get them a spot on the PR. I doubt any newbie comes in and beats out a vet starting OL, and would do well to get on the AR

Part of the point was the change in the non counter rule. The 2024 draft choices will no longer be non counters so that reduces the number of roster spots before each cut down date. I doubt we'll see any early cuts of Canadian players so that means some imports will see the door a few days early etc etc.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Part of the point was the change in the non counter rule. The 2024 draft choices will no longer be non counters so that reduces the number of roster spots before each cut down date. I doubt we'll see any early cuts of Canadian players so that means some imports will see the door a few days early etc etc.

I really wonder what prompted this rule change, there seems to be no urgency or reason to shuffle the deck at this time.  I guess there had to be a number of GM's complaining to make the change.

[Blue In BC]

I really wonder what prompted this rule change, there seems to be no urgency or reason to shuffle the deck at this time.  I guess there had to be a number of GM's complaining to make the change.

The larger the number of players the harder it is to evaluate in a short time frame. This seems to reduce the number by perhaps 10 players which refines the group coming to TC and the amount of time before each cut down date. To some degree it reduces the cost of bringing in the larger number of players.

I already suggested that every team will have some extras on speed dial as they see some not arrive / retire, fail medicals or get injured early.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The larger the number of players the harder it is to evaluate in a short time frame. This seems to reduce the number by perhaps 10 players which refines the group coming to TC and the amount of time before each cut down date. To some degree it reduces the cost of bringing in the larger number of players.

I already suggested that every team will have some extras on speed dial as they see some not arrive / retire, fail medicals or get injured early.

I always thought the excess players brought in to TC was a huge waste of money for a league were teams often complain about expenditures and lose money. Like why bring in a dozen receivers to compete for a single job opening?  Why not adjust the plan to the situation and only bring in the best 4 or 5?  From a small business perspective this never made sense to me, but I guess it's what happens when an organization reaches a certain size and runs more on policy and less on common sense.

[Blue In BC]

I always thought the excess players brought in to TC was a huge waste of money for a league were teams often complain about expenditures and lose money. Like why bring in a dozen receivers to compete for a single job opening?  Why not adjust the plan to the situation and only bring in the best 4 or 5?  From a small business perspective this never made sense to me, but I guess it's what happens when an organization reaches a certain size and runs more on policy and less on common sense.

It's not quite that simple. Teams bring in loads of DB's and receivers so they can run drills and give QB's someone to throw to.

Even in simple drills, receivers run routes while 3 - 5 QB's throw passes and DB's cover in quick rotations.

We probably see nearly 20 of each to start TC. The speed guys are more prone to early injuries in TC, so there is that. Teams seem to sit out more veterans to start TC. If the TC wasn't so short they could change their arrival date so the rookies get more of a chance to shine.

I think the answer is slightly longer mini rookie camp to weed out and make quick decisions before the main camp? Short pre season doesn't help but that's another cost / revenue decision.

Interestingly the UFL has a very short TC and no pre season IIRC. They also seem to have large roster turnover each season.

[theaardvark]

I always thought the excess players brought in to TC was a huge waste of money for a league were teams often complain about expenditures and lose money. Like why bring in a dozen receivers to compete for a single job opening?  Why not adjust the plan to the situation and only bring in the best 4 or 5?  From a small business perspective this never made sense to me, but I guess it's what happens when an organization reaches a certain size and runs more on policy and less on common sense.

Because sometimes that 12th receiver is Pokie Wilson, or a DB that steals reps and earns a spot.

The more players, the better.  The true survivors, the guys with grit and heart, they can show themselves when competition is deep and reps are fewer. 

You bring in 5 guys to fight for 1 AR spot and 2 PR spots, you only rule out 2 guys.  You bring in 12 and that's 9 guys you have to cut.  But 7 extra that you get a chance at working with, even for a few days, and get a glimpse of what lurks behind a highlight reel, measurables or scouting report.

I'd far rather have too many to choose from than too few.  It doesn't take a hundred snaps to see if a player has talent.  If you are working that deep in reps waiting for that one highlight reel play, you are going to wait that long in season for the repeat.

You want to identify the guys that can take instruction, can improve every rep, that can catch on to the CFL game, the waggle, 12 men, etc.  The guys who can perform outside their comfort zone.  Guys that can adapt and thrive.

Those kinds of guys, with the intangibles that may have gotten them to camp for a longer look, to get a few snaps with even a guest coach, can reveal that diamond in the rough.

Sure, I want guys to show up for camp that are ready to play the CFL game right out of the first practice.  But we have great scouts and coaches who can spot that guy that could be the next one...  so let them see as many potential players as possible.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It's not quite that simple. Teams bring in loads of DB's and receivers so they can run drills and give QB's someone to throw to.

Even in simple drills, receivers run routes while 3 - 5 QB's throw passes and DB's cover in quick rotations.

We probably see nearly 20 of each to start TC. The speed guys are more prone to early injuries in TC, so there is that. Teams seem to sit out more veterans to start TC. If the TC wasn't so short they could change their arrival date so the rookies get more of a chance to shine.

I think the answer is slightly longer mini rookie camp to weed out and make quick decisions before the main camp? Short pre season doesn't help but that's another cost / revenue decision.

Interestingly the UFL has a very short TC and no pre season IIRC. They also seem to have large roster turnover each season.

I didn't even know the United Football League existed until you posted it, never heard of it before.  Other leagues come and go while the CFL endures if not prospers.

[Blue In BC]

I didn't even know the United Football League existed until you posted it, never heard of it before.  Other leagues come and go while the CFL endures if not prospers.

LOL. It's not very good football. There is a game on tonight at 5:00 Vancouver time. I usually watch the 1st 5 minutes mostly to see what attendance is like.

However with 1 year CFL contracts it does seem that most teams potential free agent list in half their roster. This results in large roster turnover as teams try to " buy " specific needs and open up the wallets.

[theaardvark]

With one owner for all the teams, it changes roster dynamics. 

Consistency, even of the QB's and skill positions, is not something I've seen in the UFL's many incarnations.  I'm pretty sure I've seen good QB's tossed aside for no good reason, and the shiny new toy get the shot.

Its WWE with padding and annoying drones.  Its not like any team is building anything long term, its 100% transactional and content for TV.  And to assuage the Rock's pro ball ego.  Still think when the UFL folds, he should buy a CFL team.  Would have been great in Edm or Mtl.   

[blue_or_die]

Log jam and both those positions, so these are likely TCF. Maybe a diamond in the rough, though. Who knows