Demski could be dynamite for Bombers

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This article was published 11/05/2015 (3795 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will call out the second name in Tuesday’s CFL Canadian Draft and the safe pick — the always easy pick — is to select a homegrown offensive lineman big enough to double as a grain silo.

Depending on who the Ottawa Redblacks take first overall, any one of Sukh Chungh (Calgary), Sean McEwan (Calgary), Alex Mateas (UConn) or Danny Groulx (Laval) would be a good fit along the Bomber O-line.

The two top-rated CFL prospects are risky picks, as defensive lineman Christian Covington was drafted by the Houston Texans and O-lineman Brett Boyko got a signing bonus after passing through the NFL draft but agreeing to a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Bombers plan to start three Canadians inside up front, with Chris Greaves at right guard, Dominic Picard at centre and either Matthias Goossen or Patrick Neufeld at left guard. Only Picard, at 32, has a lot of miles on his treads — and maybe still a lot of miles to go — with Greaves, 28, Goossen, 22, and Neufeld, 26, still young enough to be considered prospects or entering their prime hog years. Adding another O-lineman into that mix not only protects the club depth-wise, but helps solidify the Canadian content long term.

And this is exactly what the CFL GM’s handbook tells the Bombers what to do with their pick.

But it’s here where we’ll toss out another scenario for discussion, one that has apparently been debated by the Bomber brass all winter:

What if the club went against the common thinking here and grabbed a receiver, especially one as talented as Nic Demski, the University of Manitoba/Oak Park High School product who has grown up right in their own back yard? Wouldn’t that fill a need as well?

“We’ve got our fingers crossed,” said Bisons head coach Brian Dobie. “I’d love to see him in that other locker-room. Here’s an Oak Park star, six touchdowns in the championship game in his Grade 12 year, to a four-time all-Canadian with the Bisons… to have him in a Bombers jersey would count for something. For sure, it would count for something.”

A couple of factors are in play here as the Bombers go over their draft board prior to Tuesday’s proceedings: With three picks in the Top 15 — including the 11th and 15th — and with this draft being particularly deep along the offensive line, two of the team’s needs could potentially be filled quickly.

If the Bombers take Demski second overall, it’s possible one of the top lineman may still be available at 11. And if they take an offensive lineman second overall, one of the top three receivers available — including Demski, Addison Richards of Regina and Simon Fraser’s Lemar Durant — could also be sitting there with the second pick in the second round.

Another scenario being rumoured is the Bombers packaging the 11th and 15th picks to move up into the Top 10 to ensure they get a top O-lineman and, possibly, Demski.

“I get that a lot now from friends and family and people I don’t even know, trying to dig information out of me on that. People are asking me where I’m going to end up,” said Demski with a chuckle last week, just prior to heading down to the Cleveland Browns mini-camp.

“I wouldn’t say I grew up a Bomber fan, but I went to every home game last year. When I watch football I’m not a fan, I’m more of a student. I watch other players and try to put that into my game,” he said.

‘I think, unquestionably, he is the most explosive player in the draft. He’s a touchdown maker. He’s a playmaker’

— University of Manitoba Bisons head coach Brian Dobie

 

“One guy I really like to watch is Chad Owens of the Toronto Argonauts. He’s a guy that can make a big play in open space. He came into the league as a return specialist and turned himself into an offensive specialist. That’s what happened to me at the university level.”

There’s a lot to like about Demski’s game and what he could bring to the Bombers, or any CFL team. He put up big numbers with the Bisons as a slotback and for four straight years was named either a second or first-team all-Canadian.

The Bombers started Rory Kohlert for all 18 games at receiver last year while Julian Feoli-Gudino made seven starts in the receiving corps. Both are reliable receivers. Both have the trust of Drew Willy, the Bombers quarterback. That said, neither has the big-play potential of a player such as Demski. Or Durant or Richards.

“CFL people ask me all the time about Nic,” said Dobie. “I think Nic Demski is incredible. I think, unquestionably, he is the most explosive player in the draft. He’s a touchdown maker. He’s a playmaker. I can’t believe that by Year 2 that guy can’t be a productive starter in the CFL.

“I honestly believe that. There aren’t many Nic Demski’s around.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait