Post preseason games cuts

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Riders scoop the punter Bombers just cut, guess that's why he refused their PR offer.

https://3downnation.com/2025/06/03/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-punter-james-evans-after-release-from-blue-bombers/

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Lame.

Riders scoop the punter Bombers just cut, guess that's why he refused their PR offer.

https://3downnation.com/2025/06/03/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-punter-james-evans-after-release-from-blue-bombers/

Lame. Dislike.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Riders scoop the punter Bombers just cut, guess that's why he refused their PR offer.

https://3downnation.com/2025/06/03/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-punter-james-evans-after-release-from-blue-bombers/

The Blue Bombers might've really messed up this one. It's a darn pity, the loyalty. It is a darn pity, the loyalty surpasses talent.

[Blue In BC]

Riders scoop the punter Bombers just cut, guess that's why he refused their PR offer.

https://3downnation.com/2025/06/03/saskatchewan-roughriders-sign-punter-james-evans-after-release-from-blue-bombers/

Riders don't show a punter on their AR. They do have another global punter but he's on their PR. I guess that means Evans stands a chance to make their AR. However, there were a bunch of punters released around the CFL so the Riders may still be shopping.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Riders don't show a punter on their AR. They do have another global punter but he's on their PR. I guess that means Evans stands a chance to make their AR. However, there were a bunch of punters released around the CFL so the Riders may still be shopping.

I think it's black and white, they signed him, they'll probably roster him.

[Blue In BC]

I think it's black and white, they signed him, they'll probably roster him.

I wonder what the deal was with Flint. He was signed in April, put on league suspension and then released. His average was 45.1 per kick.  However, they moved on so Evans must have been next up to get a chance.

[markf]

vet player wins the job.

No stats, so grain of salt needed with this, but last season in close, low offence games, the bombers sometimes slowly but surely lost field position cause of punting.

[Blue In BC]

vet player wins the job.

No stats, so grain of salt needed with this, but last season in close, low offence games, the bombers sometimes slowly but surely lost field position cause of punting.

Yes but that doesn't mean Evans was a better choice. We'll see how he does in Regina and it may turn out he's a better player in the long run. Not enough data to determine at the moment.

That said then why did we draft him and not another player?

[Blueforlife]

Yes but that doesn't mean Evans was a better choice. We'll see how he does in Regina and it may turn out he's a better player in the long run. Not enough data to determine at the moment.

That said then why did we draft him and not another player?

We drafted the best players at the time based on our needs and managements analysis of the players available.  Don't always work out.  Easy to say after.

Agree that it's too early to know for Evans but it's great he landed where he did as they need a leg and looks like he can do that.  Let them break him in and we can sign him later if good! Do a Willie on them again .

Kickers are essential in this league and I hope we can see continued success in this regard as it makes the game better and also we have seen some of our legs get exported to the NFL which is a win-win.

[Blue In BC]

We drafted the best players at the time based on our needs and managements analysis of the players available.  Don't always work out.  Easy to say after.

Agree that it's too early to know for Evans but it's great he landed where he did as they need a leg and looks like he can do that.  Let them break him in and we can sign him later if good! Do a Willie on them again .

Kickers are essential in this league and I hope we can see continued success in this regard as it makes the game better and also we have seen some of our legs get exported to the NFL which is a win-win.

There seems to be a very large pool of Australian and New Zealand kickers and punters. There were 11 kickers drafted this year. While the pool may be large I don't know how much exposure any of them get. It doesn't seem many players attend the global combine to improve their chances? One of questions about any draft choice is their willingness to accept a possible time on the PR.

9 of 11 draft choices can from Australia or New Zealand.

Two rounds doesn't sound like enough. They should at least consider going back to 3 rounds.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The Blue Bombers might've really messed up this one. It's a darn pity, the loyalty. It is a darn pity, the loyalty surpasses talent.

Will watch this one closely. It does seem to be a bit of a case of loyalty over ability - albeit without knowing the play calls and the ask of the punter, etc. Regardless, Sheahan better have a good year.

[theaardvark]

We have no idea what Evans looked like in practice.  Or as a holder.  He had a couple boomers, which was how he was trying to win a spot.  Sheahan has a completely different kicking style.

I've been on the fence, boomer vs. tricky, but its not my decision, it is the STC that had to create plays based on the ability of his personnel.  If he thinks Sheahan gives them a better net average on kicks, if he thinks putting a ball where he wants it, bouncing a way he can take advantage of, they Sheahan's bag full of booting styles might be the thing he wants.

Deep spiraling boots are easy to catch.  Taking a split second to corral a ball might be the difference between a boom and a see ya later.

Looking at the game stats, Evans outbooted Sheahan by 10 yards average (4 Sheahan, 2 Evans) in the first game, but with 4 kicks each, Sheahan was 10 yards longer average than Evans in game 2...

The fact that we offered Evans a PR spot shows why we drafted him. He just didn't quite beat out the vet.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes but that doesn't mean Evans was a better choice. We'll see how he does in Regina and it may turn out he's a better player in the long run. Not enough data to determine at the moment.

That said then why did we draft him and not another player?

Noticed Evans punted some beautiful high spirals late in PS#2 but they didn't necessarily go further than what Sheahan was achieving.  In the end the choice was made to maintain good vibes and stability within the kicking team with a player they are comfortable with, you just know MOS loves those player celebrations after every successful kick.  It's often not worth overturning the apple cart if there isn't really a problem.

[Blueforlife]

There seems to be a very large pool of Australian and New Zealand kickers and punters. There were 11 kickers drafted this year. While the pool may be large I don't know how much exposure any of them get. It doesn't seem many players attend the global combine to improve their chances? One of questions about any draft choice is their willingness to accept a possible time on the PR.

9 of 11 draft choices can from Australia or New Zealand.

Two rounds doesn't sound like enough. They should at least consider going back to 3 rounds.

yes I agree, more rounds!

Will watch this one closely. It does seem to be a bit of a case of loyalty over ability - albeit without knowing the play calls and the ask of the punter, etc. Regardless, Sheahan better have a good year.

I believe our punting will be slightly better than last year, only thing I'm concerned with is punt and kickoff coverage.  I think we like the directional ability of our punter, which I do too! Evans has a future, will be fun to see how it goes.

We have no idea what Evans looked like in practice.  Or as a holder.  He had a couple boomers, which was how he was trying to win a spot.  Sheahan has a completely different kicking style.

I've been on the fence, boomer vs. tricky, but its not my decision, it is the STC that had to create plays based on the ability of his personnel.  If he thinks Sheahan gives them a better net average on kicks, if he thinks putting a ball where he wants it, bouncing a way he can take advantage of, they Sheahan's bag full of booting styles might be the thing he wants.

Deep spiraling boots are easy to catch.  Taking a split second to corral a ball might be the difference between a boom and a see ya later.

Looking at the game stats, Evans outbooted Sheahan by 10 yards average (4 Sheahan, 2 Evans) in the first game, but with 4 kicks each, Sheahan was 10 yards longer average than Evans in game 2...

The fact that we offered Evans a PR spot shows why we drafted him. He just didn't quite beat out the vet.

great to have these stats and I agree with everything you have said!

Noticed Evans punted some beautiful high spirals late in PS#2 but they didn't necessarily go further than what Sheahan was achieving.  In the end the choice was made to maintain good vibes and stability within the kicking team with a player they are comfortable with, you just know MOS loves those player celebrations after every successful kick.  It's often not worth overturning the apple cart if there isn't really a problem.

agree all

others pointed out something I was thinking as well, I like how our punting is less predictable, sometimes we get a bounce or two as that's our style, I like that! I believe we went with the right choice, consistency, reliability and the veteran presence.  Those things build champions.  I haven't got that excited about the boomer legs but it is cool and that's what the NFL requires. 

Good points about how it's just not punting, they have other duties as well (holding).  Good point about what they looked like in practice.  MOS often says preseason games are not the only factor.

Off topic...

https://3downnation.com/2025/06/03/mike-oshea-explains-winnipegs-decision-to-cut-myron-mitchell-keep-dillon-mitchell/

[Stats Junkie]

Looking at the game stats, Evans outbooted Sheahan by 10 yards average (4 Sheahan, 2 Evans) in the first game, but with 4 kicks each, Sheahan was 10 yards longer average than Evans in game 2...

'Officially', Evans and Sheahan each had 4 punts in the 2nd game.
'Unofficially', I have Evans with 5 punts (221 yards | 44.2 Avg | Net 40.0 Avg | 2 punts inside the 20) & Sheahan with 3 punts (147 yards | 49.0 Avg | Net 40.3 Avg | Net after 'no yards' 35.3 Avg

Both radio stations ID'd Evans as the punter for the final punt of the game but that punt was credited to Sheahan (53 yards | 45 net). Based on the length of the socks, I believe it was Evans.

* The Saskatchewan radio broadcast had Sheahan with 6 punts, Castillo with 1 and Evans with the final punt so take their calls with a grain of salt.

I also believe Evans was short changed yards on the final play of the first half. The punt bounced at the S42 then went OB (sideways & slightly backwards). The PBP & stats show a 31 yard punt to the S50. The official on the field clearly marked the S42 (which is the spot I used in my numbers). I agree with CJOB which called the ball OB at the S44. If there was another play we may have seen the Command Centre adjust the ball spot.

James Evans was late arriving at Blue Bombers training camp because he was doing the mini-camp tour south of the border. It is possible that he felt that with a little more tape on file, he was close to landing another opportunity. That opportunity is in Regina.