It was meant as a half-joke, a simple wiseacre comment. Nothing more, nothing less. But the subsequent reaction spoke volumes as to how the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will evaluate the fresh meat that steps on the field with the opening of rookie camp today and the aged beef that takes centre stage on the weekend.
There we were, hunkered down in Bomber GM Brendan Taman's office late last week listening to him drone on -- for the umpteenth time this offseason -- about the implications an enforced salary cap would have on shaping the roster.
Third-round draft choice Daryl Stephenson, who had a storied career at the University of Windsor, is being touted as a sleeper pick by GM Brendan Taman.
"So, what you're saying," we interrupted, "is every player should have their salaries printed on their helmets and dollar signs for numbers."
Taman, normally a jovial sort, offered up the impatient, frustrated look of a man who had just been handed a parking ticket.
"They have the salaries on their helmets in my mind," he said. "Look, we have to be really strategic now in how we mould our team. That's a huge factor. I can't emphasize that enough. It's HUGE. Now it's for real. I have to have my calculator out the same time I'm watching film. It's new and it's the biggest challenge I've ever had. Keep in mind, we can make the cap in a New York second... but we don't know who would be on the team. But does the cap force us to tear down this team? Not yet.
"It's not a world of roses and pretty colours right now, that's for sure."
That, in part, explains the release on Tuesday of veteran cornerback Juran Bolden. It's why guard Andrew Greene, who provided steady play along the offensive line last year, won't be back this season unless there is a rash of injuries. And it's why Taman had to whack so many vets in the off-season, including Davin Bush, Chris Brazzell and Albert Johnson III.
Highly touted O-line prospect Brendon Labatte will get close scrutiny at camp.
But what it also means -- and this is where the rookies who step on the field today should pay particular attention -- is that never before will the newcomers be on such a level playing field with the vets. Why? It's not just about going younger, as every football team is constantly seeking to do, it's about going cheaper. And with the November 2006 loophole that allowed teams to sign players to new contracts without the signing bonuses affecting the '07 cap essentially gonzo, the salary squeeze becomes even tighter.
Couple that scenario with the Bombers signing eight of their nine free agents this winter and, well, you don't have to be math major to figure out what's involved in roster decisions over the next few weeks.
"That's an advantage the rookies have now more than before because, for the most part, they are cap-friendly people," said Taman. "These guys all have a chance. So, if the backup quarterback race is close, for example, and one of them is making $70,000 and the other is making $40,000... we know who's going to get the job.
"The key to our camp moving forward is how we're going to work our roster," said Taman. "What does that mean? We don't have a lot of wiggle room. Our accountant tells me we're playing poker and all our chips are in. We're all in. Last year we were able to add Ike Charlton and Juran Bolden in September. There's no way that happens this year. So, if Kyries Hebert gets cut (by the Cincinnati Bengals) there's a fairly good chance he won't be back there."
ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca
Ten rookies in the training camp spotlight
They are the Winnipeg Blue Bombers prize off-season recruits, each with a juicy resume and a ton of upside and potential.
But as one grizzled NFL coach once spit out in a thick southern accent: "Po-tential is a French word for, Ain't worth a damn yet."
That said, here's a list of 10 newcomers Bomber GM Brendan Taman said fans should study when rookies hit the Canad Inns Stadium pitch today for the first workout of 2008 (main camp opens on Sunday):
No. 81 ROMBY BRYANT, import slotback
The 4-1-1 on Bryant: Solid receiver at Tulsa where he led the Golden Hurricane in receiving in 2003. Has spent the last few years bouncing around NFL camps in Baltimore and Atlanta. Will be in fight for fourth import receiver spot after Milt Stegall, Derick Armstrong and Terrence Edwards.
Taman's take: "He plays like Terrence Edwards, if I could compare him to somebody. He's a smooth, athletic runner who really has a chance to get that other receiver spot."
NO. 57 Brendon LaBatte, Canadian offensive lineman
The 4-1-1 on LaBatte: The Bombers first, first-round draft pick since 2000, LaBatte was selected sixth overall in the Canadian Draft last month. A CIS second team All-Canadian who participated in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl in the U.S. (Video clip: http://www.cfl.ca/media-centre/index.php?playclip=469).
Taman's take: "When you're a first-round draft pick I don't know how you don't make this list. I'm a little reluctant to put him on this list because he's a 21-year-old coming to his first pro camp, but he's got huge upside. We're not going to anoint him as a starter this year because we want to see how he develops. He did really well at the East-West Shrine Game, but I'm sure Doug and Jerome and the others will be trying to kick his ass when camp starts. He'll be tested, but I think he's up for it."
No. 24 DARYL STEPHENSON, Canadian running back
The 4-1-1 on Stephenson: Selected in the third round (15th overall) in the 2008 draft after a superb college career at Windsor. Was the eighth leading rusher in Canada last year, one season after winning the Hec Crighton as the top player in the CIS in 2006. Led the CIS in rushing in '05 and '06 and set a university rookie rushing record in '04. And speaking of impressive YouTube videos, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Di_EgbPr00.
Taman's take: "I really think this kid is going to be a sleeper for us. I believe he's going to show some things in camp. He's one of those guys, I believe, who is going to make us go, 'How do we cut this guy?' I've got a feeling about this guy. I really think he's pretty special. He's physical, he's big, he can run. Now, is he going to beat out Charles Roberts? Obviously not. But he will push (Graeme) Bell and we're going to move (Brian) Guebert to fullback and he'll be in that mix. He'll be an interesting guy to watch."
No. 87 AARON FAIROOZ, import slotback
The 4-1-1 on Fairooz: Huge target at 6-foot-6; invited to 2007 NFL Scouting Combine after all-star seasons at Central Arkansas. Over his last two years in college he pulled in 131 passes for 1,971 yards and 18 TDs. Ran a 4.5 40 at the combine, but didn't get an invite by an NFL team.
Taman's take: "He looks very impressive on his CD so I don't know why he hasn't gotten a look in the NFL, especially because of his size and he can run. There must be something missing about him, but from everything we've seen he looks pretty good. Either that or we've got really lucky."
No. 28 JOVON JOHNSON, import cornerback
The 4-1-1 on Johnson: Originally Bomber property, but was traded to Saskatchewan last fall for a neg list prospect. Suited up for a couple of games with the Riders and was on the practice roster for the Grey Cup. Appeared in two games with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a superb career at Iowa in which he was a Big 10 all-star and led the conference in punt-return average as a senior.
Taman's take: "He's a DB who can cover really well. We'll be watching his cover skills closely. Apparently he wasn't happy he wasn't playing last year and had a bit of a falling out with (former Rider coach Kent) Austin. I originally saw him when he was at Iowa and when Brad Banks was here he mentioned him. We ran out of numbers last year and couldn't bring him in when he was cut in the NFL. So I had to trade him to Saskatchewan and then we got him back when they released him at the end of the year."
No. 39 JOE LOBENDAHN, import linebacker
The 4-1-1 on Lobendahn: Big-time college star at Washington -- defensive MVP in 2005, co-defensive player of the year in '04. High-energy guy who also won the most-inspirational player award with the Huskies. Tried out for the Detroit Lions last year but was cut near the end of training camp.
Taman's take: "This guy is probably one of the better signings we've had in the off-season. The problem is how does he fit in? One of the best compliments I can give anybody is this: 'He's just a good football player.' This guy is just a good football player. He was all this and all that at Washington and he just makes plays all over the field. The question is, where do we play him? I really like this guy, but he's battling Barrin Simpson or Cam Hall."
No. 18 CLEVELAND McCOY, import quarterback
The 4-1-1 on McCoy: Exceptional athlete who started at South Carolina State and impressed NFL scouts so much the New Orleans Saints wanted to try him out as a receiver. Opted instead to come to the Bombers to work on his QB craft. Bomber coaches love his size and skill set and say he jumped off the film when they first studied his highlight CD.
Taman's take: "If he can translate what we saw on his CD to our camp and our league we might have something here. He's just so big and athletic and he can throw the ball so well. His size is one of the things that stands out... he's not a 5-9, 5-10 guy. He's 6-2 and an impressive looking specimen. Most guys like that get chances in the States. I think we might have got lucky on this one. We'll see."
No. 84 DAN SHELDON, import receiver/kick returner
The 4-1-1 on Sheldon: Has had NFL stints with Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Chicago and Arizona as well as a good run with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europa in which he finished second in the league in kickoff returns. His size (5-foot-11) might have worked against him down south, but he'll battle for the fourth import receiver spot and get a long look as a returner.
Taman's take: "Fast, smooth, return guy. It's only because of his size that he hasn't really got a good look in the CFL. He'll be in the competition for our kick return job along with Willie Foster."
NO. 46 DWAYNE SLAY, import linebacker/safety
The 4-1-1 on Slay: You know somebody's noticed your game when a clip of one of your hardest hits appears on YouTube
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pPb1lD2dL8). Started just one full season for Texas Tech, but set a Big 12 record with eight forced fumbles and was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 by The Associated Press and was a Sports Illustrated first team All-American. Ranked one of the top 25 prospects in the 2006 NFL Draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr. but was not selected and signed with the Chicago Bears.
Taman's take: "He's just another good football player; we're not sure where he fits right now. He's a physical force who plays the game like (Kyries) Hebert and has the ability of Hebert. He just makes plays all over the field. He's a very interesting guy for us."
No. 15 AARON HARGREAVES, Canadian slotback
The 4-1-1 on Hargreaves: Managed to stand out despite playing on a horrible Simon Fraser squad. Former track guy who can also punt who was a Canada West all-star last year with 45 catches for 556 yards and one TD. SFU's MVP in both '06 and '07.
Taman's take: "A big Canadian receiver. We need to see if he can translate his size and skill into becoming an Andy Fantuz-type. We liked what we saw at SFU, but can he translate that to this level and how quickly can he do it. The reality is, in our position we really can't cut someone like Hargreaves or LaBatte. I mean, if we did that, how stupid would we look?
ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca
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