CFL camps to feature less hitting

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This article was published 30/05/2013 (4508 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG Blue Bombers head coach Tim Burke said a new CFL directive aimed at making training camps safer for players this spring won’t affect what his team is doing.

Burke said the directive announced Wednesday that restricts teams to one full-contact practice per day during this year’s training camp is something the Bombers were already doing in recent years and a practice Burke intended to continue.

“I think the fans would appreciate us getting the best players to the field for the opening game,” said Burke.

CFL teams in previous years could require players to wear full equipment and engage in full contact twice per day during training camp, but Burke said most coaches realized a while ago the practice produced diminishing returns.

“There’s some guys who are old school,” said Burke, “who just kept knocking heads until there was nobody left.”

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The Blue Bombers on Wednesday added five import players — two defensive linemen and three defensive backs — and a CIS quarterback to the roster of players taking part in the club’s three-day rookie training camp.

The club announced the signings of DL Zach Anderson (6-2, 270, Northern Michigan); DL Marcus Hyde (6-3, 242, William and Mary); DB Lamar (Marty) Markett (5-10, 162, South Carolina); DB Wesley Pendleton (5-11, 180, Mississippi); and DB Sam Pope (6-0, 192, Hampton).

The club also announced Canadian QB Ben Rossong will take part in rookie camp. Rossong threw for 576 yards and three TDs in two seasons at the University of Western Ontario. He sat out last season after transferring to Saint Mary’s University.

The Bombers also announced they have released OL James Carmon.

The late additions brought the total roster for rookie camp to 38 — four quarterbacks; two running backs; eight receivers; two offensive linemen; six defensive linemen; four linebackers; nine defensive backs; and three punters.

paul. wiecek@freepress.mb.ca