2025 Main Training Camp News and Views

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Transactions - May 22, 2025

WINNIPEG, MB., May 22, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:

Released from roster:

American offensive lineman Brayden Keim

[Blue In BC]

Blue Bombers Transactions - May 22, 2025

WINNIPEG, MB., May 22, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:

Released from roster:

American offensive lineman Brayden Keim

It's interesting that he only got a very short audition. Not that it matters but something doesn't add up. Perhaps arrived out of shape and behind the others here longer.

[Blueforlife]

Yes, Lawson will never be on the level of Casey Sayles. Never. Sayles 66 games, 151 Dt, 25 Sacks, 2 FF. This is a dominant player in the CFL. If Lawson gets to JT95 level I would be happy.

While it's hard to argue with you on this one, it's too early to know what the ceiling for Lawson is.  Never say never.  I would agree that if he could match what JT95 has done, we win.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Coach O'Shea May 22

[Mike]

It's interesting that he only got a very short audition. Not that it matters but something doesn't add up. Perhaps arrived out of shape and behind the others here longer.

Or it's the alternative. I looked at him and thought hey the measurables sound good. Maybe they thought the same.

[TecnoGenius]

Yes, Lawson will never be on the level of Casey Sayles. Never. Sayles 66 games, 151 Dt, 25 Sacks, 2 FF. This is a dominant player in the CFL. If Lawson gets to JT95 level I would be happy.

Lawson was already supposed to be way better than Fatboi.  The '24 plan, at least the guesses before TC, was we were going all-NAT DT starters (Fatboi+Lawson).  Why?  Because we made no attempt to sign a non-rookie IMP DT.

Lawson was pegged as being as hopefully being as good as Walker, because he had that extra year of dev.

I take umbrage with the idea that Lawson can never be Sayles.  Sayles was good, but he wasn't anywhere near Stove/Nevis good.  I see no reason why we can't aspire to starting another Sayles-level DT.  Why not Lawson?  Just because he's a NAT?

If Lawson will only ever be another Fatboi, then why the heck aren't we buying some beef DT in FA??  I guess we could be hoping Woods/Adams might dev into the next Walker... but that only explains '25.  In '24 those guys were rookies and it all rested on Lawson.

Either you're wrong about Lawson, or Mafia is missing a few marbles??

[TecnoGenius]

Import Dt is a position we have always seemed to feel was an easier one to move on from ,ie the Stove, Nevis and Sayles. We haven't however found one as good unless Woods/Adams show significant improvement

Every season it's a downgrade at (non-Fatboi) DT.  At first it was a slight downgrade.  But since Walker left the floor has dropped out.

Nevis
Stove
Sayles
Walker
Lawson Woods/Fox/Adams!
Lawson (hopefully)

And look at our GC stats/success since Stove left... we keep "ignoring" the DT spot in FA/scouting/devpipeline and we keep getting worse.

It's depressing, but at the same time I'm hopeful Lawson can achieve what we hoped for in '24, and one of the IMPs can level-up.

[Blue In BC]

Or it's the alternative. I looked at him and thought hey the measurables sound good. Maybe they thought the same.

Well they would have had some scouting information on him an college film. He might have been at one of the tryout camps. They just might have wanted a quick look and he might added to the PR later this year.

[theaardvark]

Every season it's a downgrade at (non-Fatboi) DT.  At first it was a slight downgrade.  But since Walker left the floor has dropped out.

Nevis
Stove
Sayles
Walker
Lawson Woods/Fox/Adams!
Lawson (hopefully)

And look at our GC stats/success since Stove left... we keep "ignoring" the DT spot in FA/scouting/devpipeline and we keep getting worse.

It's depressing, but at the same time I'm hopeful Lawson can achieve what we hoped for in '24, and one of the IMPs can level-up.

Look at the list of DT's we've hardly ignored the position.  Most DT's we've brough in are starting elsewhere now at top salaries, or retired/injured.

Every year we bring in new options.  And we have had more than our share get scooped away.

And, if we wanted to address it in FA, we would have signed our FA's...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Every season it's a downgrade at (non-Fatboi) DT.  At first it was a slight downgrade.  But since Walker left the floor has dropped out.

Nevis
Stove
Sayles
Walker
Lawson Woods/Fox/Adams!
Lawson (hopefully)

And look at our GC stats/success since Stove left... we keep "ignoring" the DT spot in FA/scouting/devpipeline and we keep getting worse.

It's depressing, but at the same time I'm hopeful Lawson can achieve what we hoped for in '24, and one of the IMPs can level-up.

You're getting carried away with this narrative, they have 2 DT spots one is for American, one Canadian, plenty of quality DT's to fill both slots. Woods, Adams, or Lawson have the potential to excel at the position this season so not worried at all about ineffectiveness, we'll see what happens.

[Blueforlife]

Guess who is back back again
Such great news
Some people were so negative on him when he struggled a bit last year, our leader, our best chance to win!

[Jesse]

I knew Zach would be back. Glad they got this out of the way early.

[Blueforlife]

You're getting carried away with this narrative, they have 2 DT spots one is for American, one Canadian, plenty of quality DT's to fill both slots. Woods, Adams, or Lawson have the potential to excel at the position this season so not worried at all about ineffectiveness, we'll see what happens.

Agree our weakness at DL DT been overstated imo

[blue_gold_84]

Bombers extend QB Collaros through 2026

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced on Friday the club has signed quarterback Zach Collaros to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 Canadian Football League season.

Collaros is entering his sixth season with the Blue Bombers and has firmly established himself as one of the greatest pivots in franchise history.

A two-time Grey Cup champion with the club in 2019 and 2021, he has helped guide the team to five straight championship game appearances while twice being named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player (2021, 2022) and All-CFL (2021, 2022). No other quarterback in league history has started more than three consecutive Grey Cup games.

Since his arrival from Toronto at the trade deadline in October of 2019, the Blue Bombers are 57-18, including playoffs, in games in which he has started.

His 49 regular season wins ranks third in franchise history behind only Ken Ploen (82) and Dieter Brock (71) and his 16,177 passing yards is fifth in Blue Bombers history.

Collaros threw for a career-best 4,336 yards in 17 games in 2024 with 17 touchdowns against 15 interceptions as the team was 10-7 in his 17 starts. He had four 300 yards-plus passing performances last year, including a season-high 432 yards in a win over Edmonton in September. He also threw for six touchdowns in that game, tied for second most in franchise history with Sean Salisbury (Sept. 10, 1989, vs. BC) and Jack Jacobs (Oct. 4, 1952, vs. Calgary) behind Jim Van Pelt's record seven touchdown game against Saskatchewan on August 29, 1959.

Collaros has now suited up for 158 career CFL games with Toronto (2012-13), Hamilton (2014-17), Saskatchewan (2018-19) and Winnipeg (2019-). His 32,935 career passing yards ranks 17th in CFL history and his next passing TD will be the 200th of his career.

[Blueforlife]

I knew Zach would be back. Glad they got this out of the way early.

That's the best part, get that out of the way, wonder if it has a clause for him to make sure he doesn't miss drug tests lol