Bombers have depth on the offensive line

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This article was published 22/05/2018 (2861 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Paying your dues in the CFL must seem like a torturously long process to some players.

But Michael Couture, a 24-year-old backup Canadian offensive lineman entering his third season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, doesn’t sound like the impatient type.

He spent most of the 2017 season dressing as Winnipeg’s seventh O-lineman and he’s been soaking up all the knowledge and practice time he can since being chosen 10th overall by the Blue Bombers in the 2016 CFL Draft.

His third training camp has been a revelation. The game is starting to slow down for Couture and his understanding of the game has improved exponentially. He has dressed for 36 consecutive regular-season games and two playoff games since being drafted. Regular playing time on the O-line has eluded him so far, but the signs are encouraging.

With veteran Patrick Neufeld likely to take the departed Travis Bonds’ spot at left guard, Couture should be one step closer to added responsibility.

“(I’m) recognizing fronts and defences and what they’re trying to do to us and how we react to what they’re doing,” Couture said, following Tuesday’s training camp workout at Investors Group Field. “Things have started to slow down, which is (good). When I first got here, it was like everyone was going two times the speed I was. Now I’ve had the reps in games a little bit and practice.”

Couture, 24, expects to get reps at guard or centre, where he would back up former Simon Fraser teammate Matthias Goossen.

“That’s mainly what I’m focusing on right now is interior positions,” said Couture, who trains at the same gym in Port Coquitlam, B.C., as teammate Sukh Chungh. “But if need be, I’ll go wherever they need me.”

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea has been pleased with Couture’s progress and patience.

“He’s versatile — I think he can play a bunch of positions,” O’Shea said. “He’s grown into the game and he’s certainly had some time to do it and I said, like Matthias Goossen, it’s hard to come in and play right away. So Chungh was the anomaly. He was this type of battler and he was forced into the fray right away, whereas Matthias Goossen had some time to grow up behind some guys. And Michael’s been in that position, too, now.”

Another young O-lineman hoping to climb the ladder is 24-year-old rookie Cody Speller, who is impressing during his second training camp this spring.

Speller was unheralded in 2017, going undrafted and signing with the Blue Bombers out of McMaster four days before rookie camp. He returned for his fifth season of university football with a sizable to-do list: get faster and bigger. Now the 6-4 Speller has added 10 pounds (he’s up to 295) and believes he’s less vulnerable to bull-rushing defensive linemen.

“The speed definitely had to increase,” Speller said. “That was something, coming in last year, I knew it was going to be a faster game but it was kind of an eye-opener to see how fast.”

He’s made a good impression on the boss, too.

“We liked what he did last year and we think he’s got upside,” O’Shea said. “He just hasn’t been in the same position as Couture where you’re learning in that room with that group of guys.”

INJURY REPORT: Canadian receiver Tyrone Pierre, the 41st pick in the 2018 draft out of Laval, and homebrew defensive lineman Ian Marouf did not participate in practice Tuesday due to injury. Pierre was watching the workout on crutches.

Both were expected to be evaluated after practice. Canadian wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky, meanwhile, was given a rest day.

DEMSKI IMPRESSES: free-agent signee Nic Demski, a Canadian receiver, put his speed and elusiveness on display Tuesday, carrying and catching the ball with considerable flair.

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“He’s a starting receiver on most teams,” O’Shea said. “He’s a good football player. He’s a heckuva athlete. What he showed today was his versatility, obviously. It was his day to get some touches.”

MORE ROSTER MOVES: the Bombers added wide receivers Kenbrell Thompkins, a four-year NFL vet with stops with the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets, and Rueben Randle, another four-year veteran after stints with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, who was a second-round draft choice of the Giants in 2012. In addition, defensive back Robert Priester joins the club after a three-year career at the University of Wyoming.

Winnipeg also released receiver Tony Stevens.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14