Busy day for the Big Blue

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/05/2010 (5947 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The CFL’s Canadian Draft is complete and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are resisting the urge — like all CFL teams – from doing cartwheels in the aftermath.

The Bombers made a couple of minor deals with Edmonton and Hamilton to move around the draft and ended up with an extra selection, four in total, and the neg-list rights to a quarterback they’ve already all-but signed.

The Bombers addressed some immediate needs by drafting Concordia receiver Cory Watson ninth overall, after swapping their sixth pick overall to Edmonton for the ninth and 22nd picks.

Watson (6-2, 204, Concordia, DOB: March 27, 1984 in Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec) was Concordia’s leading receiver the past three seasons and was a second-team CIS all-star last year. Here’s a clip of Watson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEkPE1MwWr4

The Bombers then shipped their 22nd overall pick to the Ticats for the 28th pick and the rights to former Washington State star QB Alex Brink, whose signing will be announced shortly. And with the 28th pick the team selected Queen’s linebacker Chris Smith. (6-2, 220, DOB: Jan. 31, 1988 in Toronto, ON). The defensive player of the game in the Golden Gaels’ Vanier Cup win last year, Smith was a three-year starter at Queen’s.

Here’s some video evidence of Smith’s skills:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9BPzU5d8Yk

And Brink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5JwxaeQSJE

In the fourth round the Bombers grabbed a prospect many figure would have gone higher if not for his injury woes. Anthony Woodson (6-0, 196. DOB: Jan. 7, 1988 in Calgary, Alberta) led the Canada West in rushing in 2007 with 1,183 yards. He was a conference all-star and runner up to quarterback Teale Orban from Regina as Canada West Player of the Year. He was also named a second team All-Canadian. In 2008, Woodson was injured early in the season but returned for the final regular season game and the two playoff games. He finished with 105 yards on 36 carries, recording two touchdowns – one receiving and one rushing in Calgary’s win in the Hardy Cup.

Winnipeg picked defensive lineman Chris Greaves (6-5, 290, DOB: Jan. 8, 1987 in Toronto, ON) with their sixth round pick (45th overall). Greaves, a defensive lineman with Western, was named to the OUA second team all-star. He finished the 2009 season with 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks and was part of a Mustangs defence that tied the OUA lead with 22 sacks.