OL whispers

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Names?

Added:
OL Tyler Elsbury, OL Bryaden Keim, DL Phillip Webb

Released:
OL Matt Kickel, OL Chris Walker 

[Blue In BC]

We have 2 import OL rookies prior to signing these two new ones. Obviously we still have holdovers in Randolph and Vanterpool in the competition.

For what it's worth, these new players are bigger than those that were already here. Just a guess but I wonder if they are targeted more towards T?  It also makes me wonder what the status of Lofton is injury wise. Still lots of time before any meaningful game but he hasn't been practising.

[BomberFan73]

Do we look at Noah Zerr who was released by the Riders? 
And did we release Antonio Garcia?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We have 2 import OL rookies prior to signing these two new ones. Obviously we still have holdovers in Randolph and Vanterpool in the competition.

For what it's worth, these new players are bigger than those that were already here. Just a guess but I wonder if they are targeted more towards T?  It also makes me wonder what the status of Lofton is injury wise. Still lots of time before any meaningful game but he hasn't been practising.

Chris Walker is a monster of a man, he was on the PR late last season and he looked even bigger than Gabe Wallace in photos, unfortunately size doesn't always equate to ability.  Lesson learned in 2012 when the Bombers had Paul Swiston 6'-9" 342 lbs and Justin Sorenson 6'-9" 324 lbs on their roster, two Natl towers that never translated into substantial playing careers.

[Blue In BC]

Do we look at Noah Zerr who was released by the Riders? 
And did we release Antonio Garcia?

I haven't heard anything about Zerr but there have been some other Canadian OL released recently as well. IIRC Garcia was suspended I assume due to not reporting. He may arrive later but he'll be behind the 8 ball.

Not sure what is going on with the OL in general. Injury to Lofton of undisclosed nature. Bodies filling in at RT and LG and revolving door on the roster with some rookies etc.

Yes size doesn't always matter but it's a nice starting point. Returning rookies from 2024 may or may not accept PR spots if they don't make the AR. So it's all a TBD.

[kkc60]

I would say Garcia is gone. He didn't report, has been in the CFL before. Probably changed his mind. As for Zerr, I absolutely would. If the Bombers are legit about going Canadian at guard, you gotta keep a few backups. Right now behind Eli is Wallace and a rookie. Obviously if injuries happen they can start an American at guard, but depth is important, especially if they want to carry 7 OL.

[Pete]

Do we look at Noah Zerr who was released by the Riders? 
And did we release Antonio Garcia?

kiss of death..whenever we say they should bring in a specific player Walters/O'Shea never do. It's like they can't acknowledge other opinions (ok that's likely a stretch but still)

[BomberFan73]

Maybe, and really, there might not be room for him here either.
But I think we could for sure use a recent cut at DE, someone with a little CFL experience. We only have Willie & now Vaughters that fit that bill.

[kkc60]

Maybe, and really, there might not be room for him here either.
But I think we could for sure use a recent cut at DE, someone with a little CFL experience. We only have Willie & now Vaughters that fit that bill.

eh, i think we have enough bodies trying to crack the squad that we are alright. What is tough though is how many DIs we have on defence.

[Blue In BC]

eh, i think we have enough bodies trying to crack the squad that we are alright. What is tough though is how many DIs we have on defence.

Castillo and Logan would have been two DI's. Logan is injured and will miss at least 1 game so another import will be a DI. That could be another receiver ( most likely ) but could also be a DB.

We didn't have " many " DI" on defence in 2024. What we had was 6 Canadians starting on offence and 8 - 10 Canadian starters overall. The back ups on offence were mostly Canadian in game.  That allowed us to have more imports on defence

[Sir Blue and Gold]

kiss of death..whenever we say they should bring in a specific player Walters/O'Shea never do. It's like they can't acknowledge other opinions (ok that's likely a stretch but still)

I don't believe it's that they can't acknowledge other opinions. After all, they bring in a handful (sometimes more than a handful) of guys with CFL experience that are new to the Bombers each off season for the start of training camp.

What they don't tend to do is airlift in guys that other teams have released once the process of the season has begun. I imagine there are many reasons for that but the primary factors are that they probably aren't a significant upgrade which is why they are available and, most importantly, it interferes with the process, development and buy-in that O'Shea believes is crucial to success.

[CrazyCanuck89]

Chris Walker is a monster of a man, he was on the PR late last season and he looked even bigger than Gabe Wallace in photos, unfortunately size doesn't always equate to ability.  Lesson learned in 2012 when the Bombers had Paul Swiston 6'-9" 342 lbs and Justin Sorenson 6'-9" 324 lbs on their roster, two Natl towers that never translated into substantial playing careers.

Sorenson started many years at centre for the BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos.  In total he had a 9 year career.  Maybe Winnipeg just wasn't a fit for him.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

kiss of death..whenever we say they should bring in a specific player Walters/O'Shea never do. It's like they can't acknowledge other opinions (ok that's likely a stretch but still)

I think the Bombers mostly rely on their own scouting, if the player is Canadian they have collected info. on him prior to entering the league and continue to follow their career.  If a player has done well on other teams and they see them as a good fit for their organization like Mike Miller, Mercy Maston or Nick Taylor they pounce once they become available, MOS has a nose for special players with intangible qualities.

[TecnoGenius]

If a player has done well on other teams and they see them as a good fit for their organization like Mike Miller, Mercy Maston or Nick Taylor they pounce once they become available, MOS has a nose for special players with intangible qualities.

Ya, it's not that we don't do mid/late season cut pickups, it's that we don't do big splash pickups.  We're always looking for the value player: the guy who could perhaps be an all-star, but hasn't yet found the right home.

That's why we didn't pick up Lemon or Sankey in '23, or make a big play for Henoc way back when.  I expect this trend will continue as long as Mafia does.

[TecnoGenius]

Castillo and Logan would have been two DI's. Logan is injured and will miss at least 1 game so another import will be a DI. That could be another receiver ( most likely ) but could also be a DB.

If Logan doesn't play week 1, we likely put one of the returner-capable IMPs in at returner and backup REC.

That could be Case or M.Mitchell, as both have done PR/KR before (but neither well).