Tis the season -- roughly one month before the opening of training camps -- when CFL teams traditionally look to round out their rosters with 'bodies.'
And so when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced the addition of three more players on Thursday -- cornerback Jovon Johnson, receiver Romby Bryant and Canadian fullback Jacques-Olivier Lumbala -- the transaction was likely met by a collective shrug of the shoulders by even the most ardent followers of the CFL.
After all, guys who sign in May are usually nothing more than tackling dummies and fantasy campers, right Brendan Taman?
"All three can make our team, no doubt about it. I'm not BS-ing you," began the Bombers GM. "Honestly, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if, come mid-June, all three of these guys are still in the mix to make our team."
Here's the goods on the new Blue recruits:
Bryant (6-foot-1, 181, Tulsa) joins the Bombers following an impressive collegiate career at the University of Tulsa and after bouncing around the NFL the last four years with Baltimore, Atlanta and Arizona, plus a stint in NFL Europa.
"I'm really excited about this guy," said Taman. "He's smooth, he can run, he's got great hands. He's got a chance with us. I'm hoping he is what I saw from him last year when he was in Baltimore's camp because he's good."
Johnson (5-foot-9, 177, Iowa) was first recommended by former Hawkeye teammate and Bomber QB Brad Banks, but ended up having his rights traded to Saskatchewan last September for a negotiation list player when Winnipeg had no room to bring him in for a look. He suited up for two games with the Roughriders and was on the reserve list for the Grey Cup.
He played three games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 before his release last year.
"I think he's got a chance to make our team because his cover skills are very good," said Taman.
Lumbala (5-foot-10, 225, St. Mary's) was passed over in last year's CFL draft, but exploded in '07 with 1,044 yards and 10 TDs for the Huskies. His brother Rolly was drafted this week by the B.C. Lions and has signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins.
"He's a tough, hard-nosed kid," said Taman. "He's a bowling ball. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and that's not easy to do in the CIS. He's legit."
BLUE NOTES: Taman is refuting the suggestion on TSN's webcast of the draft that OL Obby Khan is set to retire before training camp because of his battle with colitis.
"I don't know where that's coming from," he said. "He's not going to be ready for camp, but he's not going to retire. He'll play, it's just a matter of when he'll be available."... Contrary to media reports down south, the Bombers have not offered University of Minnesota-Mankato QB Ben King or South Carolina State pivot Cleve McCoy contracts. King is no longer on Winnipeg's neg list but the team is interested in McCoy, who has an offer on the table to work out with the New Orleans Saints -- as a receiver.
"I'm trying to coax him into avoiding going to New Orleans," said Taman. "If you want to be a quarterback, be a quarterback with us, and we're offering you a contract, they're not. Plus, they're bringing him in as a receiver, so what does that tell you? And time's a wasting."
ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca.
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