FYI

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/06/2010 (5650 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TWO ABOARD, ONE SENT PACKING: The Bombers have added two imports in linebacker Merrill Johnson and offensive lineman Carlton Medder while releasing receiver Kenny Strickland.

Johnson (6-foot, 206, Auburn) played four years with the Tigers and was named to The Sporting News SEC All-Freshman Team. Johnson attended a rookie mini-camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009 but was released. He’ll work at both the weak-side and middle linebacker spots.

Medder (6-foot-5, 315, Florida) comes to the Bombers after the B.C. Lions released him during training camp and has had stints with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Sentinels of the UFL. While with the Gators, Medder dressed for 40 games and made 27 consecutive starts at right tackle and as a senior was an All-SEC second-team selection.

“We like the talent we have here. But when a guy comes available, we’ll still evaluate,” said Winnipeg head coach Paul LaPolice. “We’ll be doing that when our roster is set, we’re going to be bringing guys up because it’s an ever-changing thing. It may be September that we fly people up to evaluate them. That’s the process you do in football — it’s a change business.”

KEEPIN’ IT VANILLA: Not only is Sunday’s contest in Hamilton the Bombers’ final pre-season tune-up, it’s the first of two straight against the Ticats — Winnipeg plays host to them for their opener on July 2 — as part of that goofy schedule that sees the two squads face each other five times before Aug. 13. As a result, the Bombers aren’t going to reveal a whole lot of their playbooks this weekend.

“We’ve added more, but we probably won’t show more. We’re going to be very vanilla, just like last week,” said LaPolice. “We just want to see guys execute and run and make plays.”

WALKING WOUNDED: DB Brandon Stewart (groin) and SB Brock Ralph (who had his knee drained) joined the ranks of the injured and missed practice Thursday. Also still on the mend are DE Odell Willis (groin); OL Glenn January (torn pectoral); OL Ryan Donnelly (knee); WR David Ball (hamstring), FB Daryl Stephenson (hamstring); SB Jabari Arthur (foot); LB/S Nick Kordic (concussion). Returning to work was CB Jovon Johnson.

AROUND THE MAP: The Houston Texans have released Canadian O-lineman Kristian Matte, Montreal’s first pick in this year’s draft… the Detroit Lions claimed former Argo kicker Justin Medlock off waivers after Washington released him earlier this week.

— Ed Tait