Time to assemble a football team

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/06/2010 (5663 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They are all just puzzle pieces right now and nobody — not Paul LaPolice, not Joe Mack — truthfully knows what the finished product will look like.

That’s not earth-shattering, given the same scenario is unfolding here in Winnipeg and in seven other CFL cities. Training camp is about renewal, rebirth, replacements and rejection.

And for those who follow the league closely, how a team is pieced together can sometimes be as riveting as the season itself.

The Blue Bombers have less than a month to turn a non-playoff team in 2009 into an East Division contender before their July 2 regular-season opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. With that in mind — and with rookie camp wrapping up today and the first full practice beginning Sunday — we thought we’d take a look at some of the more intriguing storylines to monitor over the next three weeks.

The FOUR juiciest positional battles

1. Who is the No. 1 QB?

Let’s be honest, it will be shocking if Buck Pierce isn’t taking the first snap from centre on July 2. But Steven Jyles has experience working with LaPolice’s offence and both Alex Brink and Adam DiMichele have occasionally sparkled through rookie camp. This isn’t all about just how the QBs stand up in the two pre-season games, it’s what they do every day.

2. Is there another Jonathan Hefney in the house?

Hefney, the East Division’s top rookie last season, is in the camp of the Detroit Lions and Lenny Walls, the other defensive halfback, was released. Keyuo Craver will move inside from corner and get a long look, as will former Montreal Alouette Clint Kent and Brandon Stewart, a prospect from last year who spent most of the season on the practice squad.

3. What will the receiving corps look like?

Pencil in Adarius Bowman and Terrence Edwards and it’s a good bet Brock Ralph will return to start at slot. Then what? The collection of import receivers assembled looks impressive now, but when the Bombers go to a five-receiver set will the extra pass catcher be Canadian or American? The work of Cory Watson and Jabari Arthur in main camp could be telling.

4. And the new linebacking corps is…

Ike Charlton returns, as does Joe Lobendahn. But gone are Siddeeq Shabazz and Barrin Simpson, leaving this crew short on CFL experience. Lots of candidates here, though, as the depth chart lists 13 linebackers.

FIVE to watch closely:

1. Kelly Butler, No. 68, offensive tackle:

He’ll push Glenn January for the starting chores.

2. Rian Wallace, No. 39, linebacker:

Owns a Super Bowl ring from days with Pittsburgh Steelers. Should jump out once the real hitting starts.

3. Lavar Glover, No. 27, cornerback:

Former B.C. Lion is listed as the starting corner. His experience could be huge.

4. Mike Renaud, No. 9, punter:

Coming off knee surgery. Is his rebuilt hinge ready to go?

5. Jabari Arthur, No. 88, receiver:

A huge target and a Canadian. If he fulfils all that promise, the Bombers have a future star.

Worth noting

Day 2 standouts from rookie camp:

Emmanuel Marc (No. 34), running back; Kenny Strickland (No. 16), receiver; Jabari Arthur (No. 88), receiver; Alex Suber (No. 37), defensive back; Jason Tate (No. 38), defensive back: Terence Jeffers-Harris (No. 14), receiver.

Walking wounded: RB Anthony Woodson (foot; will not practise at all in camp); WR D.J. Hall (hamstring); WR Travis Shelton (hamstring; did not practice).

Welcome aboard

The Bombers finally made official the signing of linebacker Chris Smith on Thursday. Smith was the club’s second pick, 28th overall, in this year’s draft. He was the defensive player of the game in Queen’s Vanier Cup victory last year and was a starter for three years with the Golden Gaels.

FYI

The Hamilton Spectator is reporting that Canadian running back Andre Sadeghian has been released by the Tiger-Cats and is headed to Winnipeg. The former third-round draft pick of the B.C. Lions played at UBC before transferring to McMaster, where he rushed for 983 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games. He dressed for three games for the Ticats last year and was also on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice squad.

Quotable

“He blocks the sun out. He’s got great feet for a big man.” — LaPolice on OL Kelly Butler, the 6-foot-7, 350-pound offensive tackle.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

IN SATURDAY’S FREE PRESS: training camp preview part 2