Lots of openings on Bombers’ roster By: Jeff Hamilton Posted: 10:07 PM CDT Sunday, May. 12, 2024 Last Modified: 9:47 AM CDT Monday, May. 13, 2024 Updates

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This article was published 12/05/2024 (890 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been the model of consistency for years.

That continuity from season to season is a big factor for why the Blue and Gold have won more games than any other CFL club the past four years, with each of those seasons ending with a trip to the Grey Cup, including a pair of league championships.

But as they took the field for Day 1 of training camp at Princess Auto Stadium Sunday afternoon, there was something different in the air. And we’re not talking about the smoke from fires burning across western Canada that delayed the workout by nearly six hours.

Unlike last year, when the Bombers had very few openings, with only a third-string quarterback and punter spots to fill, this year, opportunity is abound. There will be new starters in all three phases, with competition on offence, defence and special teams.

“We lost a lot of guys who bring a lot of energy, on offence, specifically,” Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros told the Free Press. “I’m really excited for the competition aspect of the whole thing. It brings energy to the room. Any time that, as a veteran, you can help bring a guy along, mentor him and teach him, you learn stuff better, too, and you figure out some stuff by yourself, as well.”

The energy-inducing players on offence that Collaros was referring to are right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick and receiver Rasheed Bailey. Hardrick, the West Division’s top offensive lineman in 2023, left for more money, signing a deal with prairie rival Saskatchewan Roughriders that makes him the highest paid player at his position. Bailey was the casualty of a numbers game, resulting in him inking a contract with the Toronto Argonauts.

The Bombers have enough fire power at receiver, with a group that includes Kenny Lawler, Dalton Schoen, Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky, making them among the top groups of pass-catchers in the league. Replacing Hardrick, however, will be a much greater challenge.

“It is kind of weird not to see him on the opposite side, but we knew that day would come at some point,” Bombers left tackle Stanley Bryant said. “We’ll miss his laughing, yelling and running around, all the things he used to do to uplift the team when it’s needed. But we’ve got guys who can step in, guys that we can trust will do the job.”

It appears Eric Lofton has the inside track, with the 31-year-old earning reps with the first-team offence on Sunday. Chiding Okeke, Larnel Coleman and Chris Ivy are also in the fight, with Okeke and Coleman new the CFL game.

Left guard Geoff Gray also leaves a hole in the interior of the O-line, with in-house options Liam Dobson and Tui Eli, both of whom have been with the Bombers for years. While it’s never great to have moving pieces when it comes to the first line of defence for Collaros, Dobson and Eli have both played well when called to action and it’s time to take the next step.

“The guys who have been here for a long time understand what it takes, understand the culture of that room and Marty Costello is an unbelievable coach for those guys,” Collaros said. “The special thing of that unit is if you ask guys who have been away and come back or guys who have left, there’s really nothing like that offensive line room and how special that camaraderie is. I know that we’ll continue that in there, but identifying guys that can play, learn the game and all those things is something we’ll have to do during this camp. But I think we got some really, really good candidates.”

Flipping to the defence, but remaining in the trenches, the defensive line took a massive hit with the retirement of Jackson Jeffcoat, who, like Bryant and Hardrick, was the perfect complement to Willie Jefferson at defensive end. Interior D-lineman Ricky Walker is also gone, meaning two starting spots are up for grabs.

The Bombers have liked what they’ve seen from Celestin Haba since signing him last season. He played well in relief of an injured Jeffcoat, but will have some competition from Tyjuan Garbutt, who was also in Winnipeg last year, and newcomer Chauncey Rivers.

As for Walker, there are a couple Americans vying for the spot in Miles Fox, who spent time with the B.C. Lions before being released and scooped up by the Bombers, and Jabari Ellis, whose resume includes a brief time with the Montreal Alouettes. Don’t be surprised, though, if Winnipeg considers an All-Canadian interior, with the likes of one of Cam Lawson and Tanner Schmekel pairing up with veteran Jake Thomas.

“There is a lot of competition and even those guys that were here last year, maybe they’re penciled in as Day 1 starters, but I really think there are a lot of jobs up for grabs,” said Thomas, who is the longest-tenured Bomber, now in his 12th training camp with the club. “I can’t remember the last time we’ve had this many people here for training camp. The reason I’ve been able to play in this league so long is because I’ve never felt comfortable. Once you start feeling comfortable and safe, that usually doesn’t work out too well for you.”

The Bombers secondary will also have a new look. Brandon Alexander, Deatrick Nichols, Evan Holm and Jamal Parker are the returning defensive backs, with Demerio Houston signing with the Calgary Stampeders and Winston Rose, who was replaced by Parker late last season, opting to retire.

The Bombers were hoping Tyrique McGhee could have made a bigger impact last season, but an injury in training camp derailed those plans. He’s back at full health and the front-runner for the open job, but there’s also plenty of intrigue around Canadian Tyrell Ford, who returns to the CFL after a brief run with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.

“We always know what we want the defence’s personality to be, that Dark Side mentality where we’re willing to defend every blade of grass and go through more pain than anybody else to get what we want,” veteran middle linebacker Adam Bighill said. “It’s physical, tough, hard-nosed football. That’s not going to change, but now it’s about buying into that and finding guys that fit into that idea.”

Janarion Grant made his mark as a dynamic returner in Winnipeg, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader for return touchdowns. But the Bombers have decided to move on, with the focus now on finding a notable replacement.

There are several options – seemingly every speedy defensive back or receiver has a resume as a returner – but the man atop the list is Aron Cruickshank. Cruickshank played college football at Wisconsin and Rutgers before moving on to the NFL as an undrafted free agent, including stops with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Special teams will have a new attitude under Mike Miller, who is transitioning from player to coach after a neck injury last year forced his retirement. Miller, who is the CFL all-time leader for special teams tackles, with 226, is still getting used to the job, but his passion for the game and teaching has been on full display with how engaged he’s been with players, both during rookie camp and opening day of training camp.

“We’re asking him to get outside of his comfort zone, for sure,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said. “He’ll find his way with that. I imagine he could stand up in front of the room and not say a word and you could learn a lot from him.”

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton