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So what did everyone learn from mini-camp?

As expected, there were no grand proclamations about the roster or any hints on how the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be different for the coming 2012 season. Mini-camp is just a big tease, an exercise designed to get the players out on the field and the coaches familiar with those players' skill sets.

"The players get a chance to get together again and work together," head coach Paul LaPolice said after the three-day exercise at Canad Inns Stadium. "The best thing was no injuries, and now we can prepare for the main camp."

In a big-picture sense, the Blue and Gold did accomplish a lot last week, specifically on offence. The quarterbacks and most of the playmakers were finally introduced to the system new offensive co-ordinator Gary Crowton has up his sleeve. To a man, every player approached for comment over the three days mentioned this playbook introduction as the most important aspect to the camp.

So that was the big takeaway. Lesser points of interest are as follows:

1. The defence rests -- literally

Of the 32 players on the mini-camp roster, only nine were on defence.

That gave some players a chance to work on the little things -- technique, footwork, positioning -- that they normally wouldn't get a chance to in a main camp.

"I've learned so much in these last three days because you have the extra time to work on the fundamentals," defensive lineman Jason Vega said. "Come training camp, I can put those to use now."

With no one really talking about his unit, defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke had a pretty easy week.

2. The middle men

Concern about the offensive line has come up, thanks to the retirement of centre Obby Khan.

Barring a major shift in thinking from the coaching staff, imports Glenn January and Andre Douglas will be the tackles, third-year non-import Chris Greaves will handle one of the guard positions.

After that, things are unsettled.

Chris Kowalczuk seems like the best option in the middle, with guard Steve Morley coming in as the safety net. We haven't even factored Justin Sorensen, Brendan Dunn or Paul Swiston into the equation.

The Bombers need two young Canadian linemen to make big gains before the season.

Offensive line coach Pat DelMonaco earned his money at mini-camp: He did a lot of teaching last week.

3. Direct message

Were you really surprised to see Jovon Johnson, Jonathan Hefney and Deon Beasley in Winnipeg?

As per CFL rule, team-run mini-camps are optional and strictly voluntary for the players. That said, given the social media hiccups the trio had (most directed at Bombers management regarding various roster decisions), one can't help but wonder if the above defensive backs didn't receive a little "encouragement" to attend.

In a related story, things have been pretty quiet on Twitter lately.

4. Canadian depth reception

After Kito Poblah and Cory Watson, Canuck talent at the receiver position falls off mightily.

Sophomore Jade Etienne, who wasn't in Winnipeg this week (he had school commitments), is pencilled in as the No. 3 guy, but given his inexperience, that listing has to be considered more of a wish than a certainty.

Cassidy Doneff, Rory Kohlert, and Anthony Woodson barely moved the needle at camp, so expect Winnipeg to consider another Canadian pass catcher at the CFL draft next week.

5. And the 2012 mini-camp champ was...

Last year, the physically gifted Damian Sherman and fleet-of-foot Tim Brown came through the camp as the buzz stars. Brown broke his foot at the camp and never amounted to anything as a Bomber, while Sherman got hurt in rookie camp and never lived up to the hype.

This year, no newcomer really stood out. Twenty-two-year-old receiver Chris Matthews (6-foot-5, 218 pounds) is drawing comparisons to the departed Greg Carr but, and Sherman is a perfect example of this, those projections are premature.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 28, 2012 C1