gbill2004

Looks like we're bringing a lot of return specialist types into camp.

@PentonKirk: #Bombers sign four, including import linebacker Gerald McRath, who played 40 games for the NFL's Tennessee Titans.

@Darren_Cameron: Bombers announce club has added import WR's Austin Coleman and Michael Ray Garvin, import LB Gerald McRath, and import DE Damario Jeffery.

@CFL: The @REDBLACKS have decided to name their mascot "Big Joe Mufferaw".

Here's Penton's full mock: The CFL combine has come and gone, and teams now have seven weeks to put together their lists for the May 13 draft. The expansion Ottawa RedBlacks, who have the first-overall pick, are holding their cards close to their vest. No one seems to know what direction they're headed, and that's in part because they need a little bit of everything as they build their first roster. That won't stop us from throwing out our first mock draft. Here is how we see the first round going down if the draft were held today: 1. Ottawa OL David Foucault, Montreal The RedBlacks are set at centre after they scooped up veterans Marwan Hage and Alex Krausnick in the expansion draft. As a result, they don't need prospects like Pierre Lavertu or Matthias Goossen. Foucault was the most impressive looking offensive lineman at the combine, checking in at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds. He could be that ratio-breaking tackle every CFL team covets or a solid guard. 2. Winnipeg OL Pierre Lavertu, Laval The Blue and Gold let Justin Sorensen walk to the Eskimos in free agency, because they need an upgrade there. Chris Kowalczuk has been a three- or four-year project but has yet to make the jump, and Steve Morley could fill in here if needed. Lavertu, who looked good at the combine, could be their centre of the future. The dark horse here is Manitoba running back Anthony Coombs. 3. Edmonton OL Matthias Goossen, Simon Fraser Like the Bombers, the Eskimos need a centre to help fix what arguably ended up being the CFL's worst offensive line last season. There doesn't seem to be much to choose between Lavertu and Goossen, so either way Edmonton should be able to get one of them. If they don't sign free agent Ted Laurent, though, Manitoba defensive tackle Evan Gill could be the pick here. 4. Montreal WR Devon Bailey, St. Francis-Xavier Often no one knows which way the Alouettes are going to go, based on last year's surprise Steven Lumbala pick at No. 5, and the same goes with this year's pick. Are they willing to wait on stud offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who is the consensus best player in the draft? They probably shouldn't pick him here, so Bailey would be a good choice. It looks like they'll have at least one NI starting receiver this season, and Bailey could end up being that man before long. 5. B.C. DT Quinn Smith, Concordia The Lions definitely need offensive line help, but the three big ones will be gone by this point. That means they might try to trade up, but the top three teams also need offensive linemen, so it's tough to see something happening. Smith had a fantastic combine, and the Lions could always use some defensive-line depth behind Jabar Westerman. 6. Toronto RB Anthony Coombs, Manitoba The Argonauts have plenty of import and non-import running backs on their roster, but Coombs would give them an intriguing option who is quite similar to Andre Durie. The two have been compared, after all, since they run and catch. Chad Kackert has had trouble staying healthy, so why not give the dynamic Coombs a shot? Quinn Smith could be an option here, too. 7. Calgary DT Evan Gill, Manitoba The Stampeders don't have any real pressing ratio needs, so they'll probably take the best player available. That would be Gill, who had a so-so combine but is a very large man who one day will be eating quarterbacks for a living. The Stamps also have Corey Mace on the defensive line, and he's been injury prone. 8. Saskatchewan WR Kris Bastien, Concordia There's a good chance the Roughriders will trade down and out of the first round at this point. They'll be trying to secure as many draft picks as possible, and anyone taken here probably won't be any more of a sure thing than anyone further down. Since we don't know for sure a trade is happening, we'll say they add to their depth behind Chris Getzlaf with Bastien, who had an excellent combine. 9. Hamilton OL Terry Hart, St. Francis-Xavier If there's an area where the defending East Division champs need an upgrade, it's the offensive line. Peter Dyakowski is recovering from a nasty knee injury suffered in the Grey Cup and won't be ready to start the season, and they lost Marwan Hage in the expansion draft. Hart looks like the next best offensive lineman after the big four, so he could very well be the pick here.

Penton's mock draft has Ottawa taking Foucault and the Bombers getting Lavertu. That's a great scenario for the Bombers.

Duane Forde said Bombers didn't have a rep.

I wonder if the lack of winterized plumbing is the real reason the winter 'bubble dome' idea was scrapped?

Just imagine if the pipes froze at the Grey Cup and fans couldn't use the washrooms! lol

Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff's pro day is today. Bombers not in attendance. Severla CFL and NFL teams there...biggest presence at the work out are the REDBLACKS.

It takes money to make money. Province shells out $4 million to the Bombers as a loan (not a grant). That results in projected revenue of approximately $8 million. Bombers pay back the $4 million to the province. Net profit for the Bombers is $4 million. The Grey Cup is expected to generate $100 million for the Manitoba economy, so a small $4 million loan is a no brainer for the Premier.

So is this just not happening now? Was lots of talk on McCune and now it's just dead.

Cohon just said that David Asper is one of the Grey Cup Committee co-chairs.

No, it's not. If anything this will heat things up. No it won't.

Why would people in Toronto be dancing? The Bills to Toronto plan is dead.

I'm hearing Quinn Smith is now a likely first rounder. Gill's stock really took a hit at the combine...hearing he may drop to the second or third round.

Asper is making money off this deal, trust me.

Yikes! I'll be paying around $300-350 for one game.

My season tickets are in the P2 section...about $70 a game. Approximately how much will my Grey Cup tickets cost?

Apparently Wylie got too much Danny & Buck's BBQ sauce on the contract, so the Bombers had to draft a new one

I doubt that would work. Bomber season ticket holders will get first opportunity at their seats for the Grey Cup and I assume Jets season ticket holders will get first opportunity at the outdoor Jets game.

@garylawless: Story to come but #bombers will be officially awarded 2015 Grey Cup on Wednesday by #cfl commissioner Mark Cohon #bn

Apparently Wylie wants to be paid in Danny & Buck's Whole Hog and Shawarma Kahn food vouchers, so its taking a while to hammer out the details

People aren't saying we don't have any safeties. What they're saying is we're not sure if we have any good ones. And I'm saying Alexander and Newman are good safety's.

Alexander and Newman can both play safety.