Bombers add 3 more

[VictorRomano]

According to CFL's tranactions page, the Bombers have signed:

RB Joseph (J.J.) Taylor (Arizona - 5'6", 185#) - spent 3 years with the Patriots, and 2024 with the Texans.

Higlights:  https://youtu.be/oFeZ3lwTXcs?si=gSn-L-SVY-hOueLA

https://youtu.be/25DrPimH-OA?si=upWvwAX-loOw6Xne



WR Dorian Singer (Utah, 6'0", 185#)  Singer  spent time in 2025 on Jacksonville's PR.

 Highlights:  https://youtu.be/o2m8QHnLvdk?si=jBI9unzyMTafghj9


LB Micah Cretsinger (Saginaw Valley State, 6'0", 238#)

Highlights;  https://youtu.be/p_D0Co0SOec?si=cH3eBby3Xexr_HYB

[markf]

How the heck did we get Taylor?

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers add 3 to Roster

WINNIPEG, MB., FebruarDorian Sy 2, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American wide receiver Dorian Singer, American running back J.J Taylor, and American linebacker Micah Cretsinger.

Singer (6-0, 191, Utah; born: October 16, 2002, in Saint Paul, MN.) joins the Bombers after time in the NFL and a four-year collegiate career with Utah (2024), USC (2023), and Arizona (2021-2022).

In 2025, Singer signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent, attending rookie minicamp and training camp. He appeared in all three preseason games, recording seven receptions for 59 yards, and was later signed to the Jaguars' practice squad before being waived shortly after.

Singer completed his collegiate career at Utah, starting all 12 games and recording 53 receptions for 702 yards and one touchdown. Prior to Utah, he played at USC, where he totaled 24 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games (10 starts).

In his breakout season at Arizona in 2022, Singer emerged as one of the Pac-12's top receivers, leading the conference with 1,105 receiving yards on 66 receptions while adding six touchdowns and starting 11 of 12 games.

Taylor (5-6, 185, Arizona; born: January 4, 1998, in Corona, CA.) joins the Bombers after six seasons in the NFL (2020-2025), and a four-year collegiate career with Arizona (2016-2019).

In 2020, Taylor signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent, making the practice squad out of training camp. He was promoted to the active roster and made his professional debut in a Week 1 win versus the Miami Dolphins. Across six seasons with New England (2020-2023) and Houston (2024-2025), he has appeared in 17 games, totaling 62 rushing attempts for 200 yards and two touchdowns, along with eight receptions for 20 yards.

Collegiately, Taylor appeared in 49 games and recorded 3,263 rushing yards on 587 carries for 18 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed as a receiver with 62 catches for 487 yards and two receiving touchdowns, finishing his collegiate career with 3,750 all-purpose yards. Taylor's best season came in 2018 when he recorded 1,434 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

Cretsinger (6-0, 238, Saginaw Valley State; born: July 11, 2001, in Jackson, MI.) signs with the Bombers after signing in the NFL and CFL (2025), and a four-year collegiate career with Saginaw Valley State (2021-2024).

Cretsinger signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and participated in rookie minicamp before being waived. He later signed with the Ottawa Redblacks during 2025 training camp and was released at final roster cuts.

During his collegiate career at Saginaw Valley State, Cretsinger appeared in 44 games and recorded 271 total tackles (147 solo, 124 assists), 32.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He added 10 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, scoring five defensive touchdowns. Cretsinger earned four All-GLIAC selections, multiple All-American honours, and was a finalist for the 2024 Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation's top small-college defensive player.

[kkc60]

Taylor is intriguing. A genuine playmaker, could really fit the CFL game. Where he fits with us is another question though.

[VictorRomano]

Taylor is intriguing. A genuine playmaker, could really fit the CFL game. Where he fits with us is another question though.

I was really curious about this myself.  Like, I can't see where this guy fits in on the AR.

- He's clearly not beating out Brady for RB1.
- He's probably not beating out Peterson as RB2.
- He's way, WAAAY smaller (like 45lbs lighter and 5" shorter) than Chris-Ike, so I'm not sure he's even in line to be RB3, or on ST.

So where does he fit on the AR?  Maybe a returner candidate, although it seems his touches on kick/punt returns were really limited.....

[Pigskin]

I was really curious about this myself.  Like, I can't see where this guy fits in on the AR.

- He's clearly not beating out Brady for RB1.
- He's probably not beating out Peterson as RB2.
- He's way, WAAAY smaller (like 45lbs lighter and 5" shorter) than Chris-Ike, so I'm not sure he's even in line to be RB3, or on ST.

So where does he fit on the AR?  Maybe a returner candidate, although it seems his touches on kick/punt returns were really limited.....

Yes, it seems like it's a waste of TC space.

[Blue In BC]

Yes, it seems like it's a waste of TC space.

Same as last year with Cooley. It may come down to how well Peterson shows as a back up if Oliveria is injured for an extended period. In game replacement is one thing but does a longer injury force a ratio flip?

Maybe Taylor is the next Mack Herron? lol He's close in size and weight to Mini Mack.

[blue_gold_84]

Maybe Taylor is the next Mack Herron? lol He's close in size and weight to Mini Mack.

Similar size and stature with Blink, too.

[theaardvark]

If he has the talent, he definitely can replace anyone.  Brady is a tough one, but Peterson for sure.  Using him for load management on Brady, and giving defenses fits in adapting to the personnel sets will be amazing.

The key here is, was this Walters picking up on a stud player the scouts pointed him at, or was this a request from Condell?

[Blue In BC]

If he has the talent, he definitely can replace anyone.  Brady is a tough one, but Peterson for sure.  Using him for load management on Brady, and giving defenses fits in adapting to the personnel sets will be amazing.

The key here is, was this Walters picking up on a stud player the scouts pointed him at, or was this a request from Condell?

It would require having him as a DI and that's already an issue with considering a 3 import OL. If he's better than Peterson he'll have to wait on the PR and then we'll need to make some sort of ratio accommodation.

[theaardvark]

It would require having him as a DI and that's already an issue with considering a 3 import OL. If he's better than Peterson he'll have to wait on the PR and then we'll need to make some sort of ratio accommodation.

Thats why we spent on Neild, re-upped our Nat D players. We have a plethora of Nat LB/DB that might step forward. We can make Willie DNA.

If this guy is as good as his history says he is, they will find a way to keep him on the AR and get him touches.

[Blue In BC]

Thats why we spent on Neild, re-upped our Nat D players. We have a plethora of Nat LB/DB that might step forward. We can make Willie DNA.

If this guy is as good as his history says he is, they will find a way to keep him on the AR and get him touches.

Not going to happen for the same reason it didn't in 2025. You can't add a 3 import OL and an import RB without making a change elsewhere with the ratio.

We keep adding import receivers for TC. I don't imagine we're starting 3 Canadian receivers.

[theaardvark]

Not going to happen for the same reason it didn't in 2025. You can't add a 3 import OL and an import RB without making a change elsewhere with the ratio.

We keep adding import receivers for TC. I don't imagine we're starting 3 Canadian receivers.

If this guy has the talent, you find a spot for him on the field.

[Blue In BC]

If this guy has the talent, you find a spot for him on the field.

We say that every year about a bunch of prospects. Oliveria is the starting RB and he's not going to see a bunch less reps barring injury. So having any import RB on the AR is counter productive. By definition it has to be a Canadian that might see some duty on ST's.  Oliveria is earning $290K this season and you can still only have 12 players on offence at one time.

Dream on.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

It would be nice if CFL rosters were bigger and we could realistically roster a Canadian and American running back.

More competition amongst players leads to a better quality product.

[Jesse]

Scouts follow these guys for years. When a player says they're ready to come up and try out, you bring them up regardless of position. Let training camp sort it out.

It's been mentioned already, but Charlie Roberts was just a guy until he forced coaches to keep around. It's highly unlikely he comes up and forces coaches to rework the roster to keep him, but you'll never find talent if you don't get them on the field first.

[theaardvark]

We say that every year about a bunch of prospects. Oliveria is the starting RB and he's not going to see a bunch less reps barring injury. So having any import RB on the AR is counter productive. By definition it has to be a Canadian that might see some duty on ST's.  Oliveria is earning $290K this season and you can still only have 12 players on offence at one time.

Dream on.

Just came up with this on another thread... White can be a DNA, and when you put Taylor in, who cannot be a DNA, you designate White.  That gets Taylor up to 25 touches.  And Brady "load management".  Without ratio issue.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Just came up with this on another thread... White can be a DNA, and when you put Taylor in, who cannot be a DNA, you designate White.  That gets Taylor up to 25 touches.  And Brady "load management". Without ratio issue.

100% chance of that not happening, Taylor is coming up to show he can play in the league, could be true but it won't be in Wpg.

[kkc60]

Same as last year with Cooley. It may come down to how well Peterson shows as a back up if Oliveria is injured for an extended period. In game replacement is one thing but does a longer injury force a ratio flip?

Maybe Taylor is the next Mack Herron? lol He's close in size and weight to Mini Mack.

He's also the opposite of Cooley. Cooley was big and slower, Taylor has hands and speed. ProbablY a PR player to start but a good Oliveira/ Vaval backup

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

He's also the opposite of Cooley. Cooley was big and slower, Taylor has hands and speed. ProbablY a PR player to start but a good Oliveira/ Vaval backup

Surprised no team picked Cooley up, loved his running style.

[Blue In BC]

He's also the opposite of Cooley. Cooley was big and slower, Taylor has hands and speed. ProbablY a PR player to start but a good Oliveira/ Vaval backup

That wasn't the point. We kept an import RB as a back up along with Canadian Peterson. Neither had any CFL experience so we used both while Oliveria was out early.

The same will be true this year except Peterson now has a year of CFL experience.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

That wasn't the point. We kept an import RB as a back up along with Canadian Peterson. Neither had any CFL experience so we used both while Oliveria was out early.

The same will be true this year except Peterson now has a year of CFL experience.

I think they only kept Cooley around until Brady regained his health then they cut him.

Hoping Condell can make better use of Peterson, he's too talented to leave on the sidelines all season long and he'll never replace Brady. With some guidance I think he could become the next Demski.

[Blue In BC]

I think they only kept Cooley around until Brady regained his health then they cut him.

Hoping Condell can make better use of Peterson, he's too talented to leave on the sidelines all season long and he'll never replace Brady. With some guidance I think he could become the next Demski.

Well yes and yes. It hasn't been unusual to keep at import RB on the PR. It's not often any team has another Canadian RB that will be the long term replacement due to injury.

So I won't be surprised to see one this year. It may be Taylor or someone else.

I'd like to see Peterson get a few more reps but we also know Oliveria doesn't like that idea much. It's a catch 22 problem.

[kkc60]

That wasn't the point. We kept an import RB as a back up along with Canadian Peterson. Neither had any CFL experience so we used both while Oliveria was out early.

The same will be true this year except Peterson now has a year of CFL experience.

And my point is Cooley didn't work as a backup because he could not play STs. Taylor can. I'm not saying he will make the AR or even the PR. But his skill set is unique and honestly fits better than Cooleys did in the CFL.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

And my point is Cooley didn't work as a backup because he could not play STs. Taylor can. I'm not saying he will make the AR or even the PR. But his skill set is unique and honestly fits better than Cooleys did in the CFL.

Can he be used as a backup returner?

[Blueforlife]

If he's half as good as Charlie we find a way to keep him

[dd]

It really begs the question why are we spending $290k on a running back when you can get import RB a dime a dozen, and better, bring in an elite nat o lineman but that's water under the bridge, still it frosts me we're paying that much for a rb

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It really begs the question why are we spending $290k on a running back when you can get import RB a dime a dozen, and better, bring in an elite nat o lineman but that's water under the bridge, still it frosts me we're paying that much for a rb

Brady is the face of the franchise.  It constrained their spending to re-sign him in 2024 but now the SMS has gone up and his cost is no longer preventing them from signing other talented FA's.

[Blue In BC]

And my point is Cooley didn't work as a backup because he could not play STs. Taylor can. I'm not saying he will make the AR or even the PR. But his skill set is unique and honestly fits better than Cooleys did in the CFL.

It doesn't change that getting him onto the AR is a ratio issue and an issue of need. If we didn't have Oliveria or Vaval that might have changed his actual opportunity.

We already have Ayers which seems a waste of a DI spot since he doesn't seem to be close to next man up due to injury.

[Tecno]

Just came up with this on another thread... White can be a DNA, and when you put Taylor in, who cannot be a DNA, you designate White.  That gets Taylor up to 25 touches.  And Brady "load management".  Without ratio issue.

True.  It's not the usual use of DNA/DNS just to get a noob IMP touches, but it could be used that way.  Never gonna happen, because the DNS would be Brady, who really doesn't need spelling, but it could!

[Tecno]

It would be nice if CFL rosters were bigger and we could realistically roster a Canadian and American running back.

More competition amongst players leads to a better quality product.

Might be better product for the league, but it would instantly negate our ratio-busting Brady advantage.  And that would instantly make his salary insane.

If there was enough AR for IMPs/DIs "take a flyer" RB guys, then players like Brady and Kramdi would earn half of what they are.

I do like the idea of 1 or 2 extra IMP DIs on AR (by expansion), just like BinBC, but not so many extra DIs that they can be tossed around for such frivolous uses as this example.

[Tecno]

If he has the talent, he definitely can replace anyone.  Brady is a tough one, but Peterson for sure.  Using him for load management on Brady, and giving defenses fits in adapting to the personnel sets will be amazing.

The only way a dude like Taylor cracks the AR mid/longer term is if he is a RB-mostly but who can also catch and run routes.  Think McCrae.

Cooley never lasted because he stunk as a REC and Brady got healthy.

Now find an IMP RB who can be even more McCrae than McCrae -- almost to a Demski level -- and THEN you can AR a IMP RB.

[Jesse]

The only way a dude like Taylor cracks the AR mid/longer term is if he is a RB-mostly but who can also catch and run routes.  Think McCrae.

Cooley never lasted because he stunk as a REC and Brady got healthy.

Now find an IMP RB who can be even more McCrae than McCrae -- almost to a Demski level -- and THEN you can AR a IMP RB.

The coaching staff was at least open to the idea last year. Logan was signed with that intention, stone returner and back-up RB (how he was used successfully in Calgary anyway).

But with Vaval at returner, is the option still in the cards? JJ would have to be god-level immediately.

[Blue In BC]

The coaching staff was at least open to the idea last year. Logan was signed with that intention, stone returner and back-up RB (how he was used successfully in Calgary anyway).

But with Vaval at returner, is the option still in the cards? JJ would have to be god-level immediately.

That's just a math / ratio issue. If Logan had won the role as returner as a DI that would have made him more versatile.

In the same way that Vaval could be an in game injury replacement as a DB. Taylor may have multiple skills but how would he fit into the current roster without being a DI? The situation has changed for 2026.

I think Taylor or another RB will be kept on the PR. Having only 4 DI spots is restrictive.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The only way a dude like Taylor cracks the AR mid/longer term is if he is a RB-mostly but who can also catch and run routes.  Think McCrae.

Cooley never lasted because he stunk as a REC and Brady got healthy.

Now find an IMP RB who can be even more McCrae than McCrae -- almost to a Demski level -- and THEN you can AR a IMP RB.

That's what I believe they could do with Matthew Peterson, he's a better open field runner than Brady and seems to be decent at catching the ball.

[theaardvark]

Might be better product for the league, but it would instantly negate our ratio-busting Brady advantage.  And that would instantly make his salary insane.

If there was enough AR for IMPs/DIs "take a flyer" RB guys, then players like Brady and Kramdi would earn half of what they are.

I do like the idea of 1 or 2 extra IMP DIs on AR (by expansion), just like BinBC, but not so many extra DIs that they can be tossed around for such frivolous uses as this example.

McManis, Rourke, Betts, Ford, Judge... there are many
ratio busting" players in the league, Brady isn't the only one. 

Adding a couple extra DI spot ELC's and maybe an extra NAT ELC wouldn't break the bank, would create 27 more jobs, and give every team more versatility.

[Tecno]

McManis, Rourke, Betts, Ford, Judge... there are many
ratio busting" players in the league, Brady isn't the only one. 

Adding a couple extra DI spot ELC's and maybe an extra NAT ELC wouldn't break the bank, would create 27 more jobs, and give every team more versatility.

I don't disagree, but adding even 1 more DI would instantly decrease the value (or kill the job of) at minimum a decent NAT backup.  For instance, keeping a JA27 or Peterson around would become less important as we'd then AR our promising young RBs instead.  The "promising young" IMP will always be cheaper than a middling 3rd-5th year NAT.

Add enough DIs and even Brady's (or Betts', or whoever's) job may disappear.  Or at the very least massively decrease their salary.  For proof, compare Brady's $ to any other top IMP RB's $.  Or Betts to another top DE.

The point being, while adding more AR spots and DIs sounds great, and has many upsides, there are unintended side effects and knock-on effects.  As such I think we'd want max 1 extra DI, and any other extra AR spots should be NATs.  Of course, it's all moot because our AR will probably never expand again.

[GCn19]

We say that every year about a bunch of prospects. Oliveria is the starting RB and he's not going to see a bunch less reps barring injury. So having any import RB on the AR is counter productive. By definition it has to be a Canadian that might see some duty on ST's.  Oliveria is earning $290K this season and you can still only have 12 players on offence at one time.

Dream on.

Agreed. Taylor only sees meaningful reps if BO is lost to injury imo

[Blue In BC]

Agreed. Taylor only sees meaningful reps if BO is lost to injury imo

Taylor does appear to have some talent and it will be interesting to hear about him in TC and pre season. He seems to have good hands and can get YAC.

He might be an emergency depth SB type receiver and or returner if injuries add up. He's made some NFL money after 6 seasons. Will he accept a PR spot waiting to get on the field?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Taylor does appear to have some talent and it will be interesting to hear about him in TC and pre season. He seems to have good hands and can get YAC.

He might be an emergency depth SB type receiver and or returner if injuries add up. He's made some NFL money after 6 seasons. Will he accept a PR spot waiting to get on the field?

The phrase that comes to mind when they bring in a player that has no chance of winning a job is  "misrepresentation of intentions", looks bad on the club and leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the victim.

[Jesse]

The phrase that comes to mind when they bring in a player that has no chance of winning a job is  "misrepresentation of intentions", looks bad on the club and leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the victim.

Every rookie TC invite knows it's a long shot. It's professional football. They've been the the odds their entire life.