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Fun to sit and watch practice today... Been about 20 years since I was last able. With respect to the late great Randy Turner, the king of Odds and Sods writing.... here's some thoughts: -All jokes aside, Jake Thomas looks like he's lost at least 30lbs and maybe 10 years. Not sure it'll translate but he gave himself a chance. -There were a number of guys who I thought looked leaner (Adams the DL and Wallace, notably) and I wonder if there's a concerted effort by Brendan the trainer to get guys faster this year -Makonzo got hurt. Wasnt carted off, but he landed awkwardly in coverage and came up favouring his wrist. Didn't look good. -Mitchell looks very smooth and runs good routes. -If Vaughters can stay healthy, he is just an absolute load. He and Willie would be very hard to handle. That said, they were doing a drill to see who could get off the line fastest without being offsides and Jake beat Vaughters and was giving him a hard time. We'll call that a one off. -Both Zach and Strev looked good, tho Strev had a couple brain cramps. One under thrown ball that he was immediately angry about and I think a botched run play that he took the heat for. Patterson definitely has a rifle arm... Accuracy is the question. - I have hopes for Keric Wheatfall to take another step this year. -Our LB corps, as already noted, is very very deep and the coaches have a lot of options. People were shifting around a lot but packages with Kyrie at MACK was interesting. -Watched a lot of OL/DL 1v1... OL wasn't terrible, though it seemed like there would be holding calls on a number of plays. DL are just so much faster and you're trying to not get put on roller skates. Thought Wallace showed very well and some of the Americans like Randolph, Vanterpool and Lofton as well. In the reps we saw, we didn't think Neufeld looked very good. It was a bit concerning watching him get "walked" by a few DL. -Its very impressive what Mike Benson does. He really whips that ball and it is so deadly accurate. -Coaches are all very engaged and animated. Osh was hollering pretty good at one point about a missed tackle "You gotta have that!!" Richie, JY, Costello, among others, very very active and involved. -Stan and Willie are both basically coaches. They do a lot of teaching. That's just a few thoughts. I didn't take notes or anything.. just tried to enjoy the sunshine and being at the barn again. I love the CFL, I love the Bombers, and I love Manitoba summers.... It's great to be home.

Just to speak to Wolitarsky’s character and just what a good dude he is … few years back, some friends and I went to go see him play at Earl’s on Main and we ended up chatting with him and Streveler … he found out it was my friend’s birthday coming up who loved live music and he offered to come play some songs at his birthday party. Sure enough, few weeks later, Woli was in my basement sitting around with us having some beers while he played the guitar. All-time guy. I’m sad to see him go.

Really easy to always say that there's some mystical coach out there that would be a better fit. We've been through generations as CFL fans watching teams including our own who keep believing that. Hufnagel, Grant, Mathews, Buono, O'Shea That's the order of CFL coaches by winning percentage. Let's pull our collective heads out of our asses.

Bombers not offering Bighill a contract ahead of free agency according to Jeff Hamilton my first daughter was born Monday and this still might be the best news I’ve had all week

Went to practice this morning. Nothing ground breaking to report. Thought the running back 36, smaller American guy looked solid. Really effective blocker in the one on ones. Imo play of the day was made by Corcorcan(can't remember how to spell his name, but the wr they drafted this year). He is slow...there's no doubt about it. But he went up and made a great play on an under thrown ball that should have been intercepted. Schoen looked like himself out there. No brace on. No lack of speed etc. Routes were as sharp as ever. Talked to him after the practice and he said he was feeling great and anxious to get back out there. He was great with my son too. Talked to him a bit and gave an autograph. Sergio is the man...he came right up to my boy (who was wearing his schoen jersey) and talked a bit, then said he'd introduce him to Schoen after practice. Which he did. Needless to say, we had a great morning!

Wait wasn't he going to Saskatchewan? I thought Uncle Cleetus from Weyburn had some insider info on Facebook.

Tait says Schoen a full participant today for the first time. Huzzah.

Hey @Booch, I found your new homescreen pic.

Buy me a Grey Cup or go to hell!

Schoen is back on a 1 year deal https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/02/01/blue-bombers-re-sign-two-time-all-cfl-receiver-dalton-schoen/

Holm back on a 1 year deal. https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/15/blue-bombers-re-sign-defensive-back-evan-holm/

If there’s one player—just one—in the entire Canadian Football League who absolutely screams 'poster boy for performance-enhancing drugs,' it’s got to be Zachary J. Collaros. I mean, the sheer physical dominance, the unstoppable power, the jaw-dropping speed... it’s almost too obvious, right?

Don't you take that tone with me...

Only friesen can be that obtuse.

Well the 2019 team was 3-5 with Streveler starting and 4-0 with Collaros starting. So he had some impact. D wasn't getting it done by themselves, they got smacked around pretty bad in majority of games after Nichols went down. Probably don't get to any of the post-19 Grey Cups if you don't host the West Final. Matt Nichols never hosted a West Final. Buck Pierce, Kevin Glenn and Khari Jones hosted 1 East Final each. Collaros has hosted 4. Good to have some perspective. The only comparison that will matter in the end is Dru Brown from 2024 on vs Collaros from 2024 on.

Zach suspended for the first game is perfect. Now his complete collapse at the end of the season will be delayed by one week! That means he'll dominate the Grey Cup and then crumble at the parade. He'll cut his thumb shotgunning beers, fumble the cup, fall off the back of the truck.

Yeah I mean I’m not one for the political talk but can we all just please agree Donald Trump is a ******* loser ruining the world? McInnis at 250k is interesting … sure wouldn’t expect an American to ask for more than that now

I don't see anything on X because I got rid of it when it was bought by Elon F'n Musk. X is run by a Nazi for Nazi's & MAGA's. If you're still there, you are supporting them even if you don't agree with them. I'm certain you can find video games and cat memes elsewhere. I moved to Bluesky. I'd like it if all sports teams, government agencies, celebs (Sad but true), & businesses would move too.

I’d rather pay McManis 270 than pay Ford 220

Yessir, 2 hours. I can't wait to set Doug up to rant about Collaros's suspension. He's going to light it on fire again!

I can't pay writers for new material all the time.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers bring back longtime DB Brandon Alexander as guest coach - 3DownNation

Winnipeg Blue Bombers post 2024 operating profit of $7 million – Winnipeg Free Press A profit increase of over 20% from 2023 despite having more expenses last year.

I say this every year, but thank you VERY much to those of you who follow Junior/CIS/NCAA and can provide some input on the prospects. It's greatly appreciated!

I hate the off season

I'm not sure the league is ready for a Blue bombers vs Blue bombers GC though

Fun fact - 10 yrs ago today the Goat of Goats #66 on the field but #1 in your hearts, Stanley Bryant signed with the struggling WPG Blue Bombers, starting the path that would lead to the creation of an absolute CFL powerhouse team, the likes of which hadn't been seen in decades!! Just a ******* LEGEND!!

Just raise the minimum salary. The top guys get enough already.

S**t signing, s**t schedule. Thank God the Bacon Mushroom Melt is back or it may have been toaster bath day.

Yep. Ayers is my biggest worry. That kid has soo much potential, work ethic and desire. He makes plays few people in football can pull off. Be it on teams or D. We gotta keep polishing that kid. If he half fulfills what he’s capable of, he’s the best defensive player in the league. Idk how many times we’ve seen guys who are that level of disruptive, but it’s been really rare for us.

Yeah. Second to injuries, (and rider wins) the thing I hate most in sports is wasted talent. Hope he manages to get him self sorted and back to where he needs to play. it’s been a lot of adjustments and trials of different combos. I don’t think Lofton has practiced much at all. Randolph has looked better than Lofton last year though imo. Hes settled into rt nicely. Vanterpool has taken a nice step forward in general. Wallace has been good. Saw him get beat off the line couple times but recover really well. Think that’s why he got a run at rt. He’s lost 15-20 from his pro day time and he hasn’t lost strength. Run block wise, he’s our best bet at guard imo. Pass pro, he’s worth growing with at this point. Eli is pretty much the usual. Much better at C than G, though playing beside the other Cs he was better than with kola. They really like vibert, and I could see him getting groomed on the pr for a year. Hes a nasty inside guy who can snap a bit and be groomed into a back up C pretty easily. Realistically could be a 6th ol in the league this year from what I’ve seen. Gets off the ball well, strong with a good base, nasty type we always like. Neuf looks significantly more mobile than he did all of last year. More explosive than he’s been in a while. If he stays healthy he should be as good as you’d hope. Among the other rookie imps, Atkinson is a throw back body style. He’s thick and strong and significantly heavier than his listed weight. He’s aggressive and got some good attribute's, but he looks like a straight up guard in need of polish. Which doesn’t happen up here. elsbury has the measurables and it shows on the field, but he’s raw. Reminds me of Randolph last year. I like Hemphills upside, he’s more polished and probably the best of the zone run blockers among the imports. I could see us easily keeping 1-2 imp ol on the pr and 1 ni, and probably another guy on the ir. Best ol imo: Bryant Neuf Eli vanterpool Randolph. realistically, we are gonna start kola if healthy and I don’t think we have the ratio at this point to go 3 imps with our hurting the d and teams. Bryant Neuf kola Wallace Randolph with Eli as the 6th is likely. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Wallace at RT. I could see a world where we go 4ni ol with vibert on the ar and Wallace at RT easier than I can see us going 4 imp ol. If that happened, it’d be best to slide Neuf to his side to give him more help. Over all I like our ol crop, could still use more Canadian talent as always, we likely have to face more struggles with change though. Guys needs to gel, and take some lumps as starters at their positions. But that is coming for us no matter what. It’s a good time to move forward with young guys and build in near future replacements for Neuf and Bryant.

I hear Jake will be starting in 2125. I am planning to upload my consciousness to the Internet so it can complain about this.

Did that cause Nasty Nate to appear?

Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign sixth overall 2025 CFL Draft pick Connor Shay - 3DownNation

Quick Hits | Rookie Camp - Day 2 - Winnipeg Blue Bombers I am rooting for Bailey now.

The Bombers bankroll the U16 and U18 provincial teams along with camps run all winter and spring in preparation, and not just for the more elite group who end up making those teams. Also U12 and U14 academy programs on top of that. In addition to bankrolling WHSFL league operations, supporting RMFL and supplying all minor football programs, some more than others based on need. They've been running a flag program for a long time. Both at indoor soccer facility and a summer program. I'd bet amateur football in MB would shrink by half if the Bombers pulled back. It costs way less to run a high school program now than when I played because of their support, like by 1/3.

Ba calls it a career. https://3downnation.com/2025/03/09/veteran-bombers-db-brandon-alexander-announces-retirement-from-cfl/ 8 years strong with 1 professional team. To the Blue Bombers that gave me a chance to play ball again I’m grateful and hopefully every day of my 8 years, I showed how grateful I was/am for that opportunity. My teammates/fans over that period of time made it easy to go to put it on the line everyday. I can’t thank the fans enough that accepted me into your home of Winnipeg, Manitoba. You’ve seen me start my career as a 23-year-old young adult. Always stood behind me and watched me grow into the football player y’all loved to cheer for. Winnipeg only shines because you all put the lights in and on the stadium. I will miss the love I’ve felt over the years. #1 fanbase in the CFL without a doubt. And to my teammates, ya’ll already know what it is. Too many memories were given to me that I will carry for the rest of my life. Can’t replace that. “Love y’all boys.” 37 out”

Team says it's just an error on the transaction wire.

So what's everyone's take on Jake Thomas? Feel like we've barely scratched the surface with that discussion.

To me, it really seems like the moves we are making scream “we are going to use the designated American rule this year” and I’m a fan of that

You gotta be really sour to have your mind made up on this being a bad hire. Keep in mind Buck Pierce hadn't called a play for a PeeWee team before he was given the OC job here. You've got three experienced CFL coaches leading the offense. Judgement on Hogan's scheme/play calling can come later.

Bighill signing here after coming back from the NFL was nothing short of HUGE! He's been nothing but an amazing leader on and off the field. His involvement in amateur football makes waves with kids everytime he's around. I can't thank that guy enough for his play. And his influence off the field will be felt for a long long time. Whether he realizes it or not. "That's Adam Bighill" heard weekly at U of W by children being introduced to the sport. The guy is a legend.

Love that for us

He got us a win and dragged that calgary game to OT when collaros was well on his way to losing it in regulation. This **** talking of streveler is insane.... dude didn't forget how to play, our offensive coaching was hotngarbage last season.

Told you he was 100 percent coming back...and have no doubt he will be ready right out of the gate Now use as an actual QB who has the threat to run as a secondary thing...no more of the battering ram plays...sure include some designed runs but disguised and not every damn play Good signing..

I was having a pretty good morning...

Well he’s right. Over 300 k for a receiver is crazy, and quite frankly not even close to worth it.

Is the secondary not part of the D?