Will they stay or will they go…?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/11/2010 (5448 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hard to imagine the Winnipeg Blue Bombers without Doug Brown crashing through blockers or with their O-line minus Brendon LaBatte and Obby Khan.

But every off-season brings its share of change through free agency, retirement and defection to the National Football League.

The Bombers are no different, with many of their mainstays facing an uncertain winter. Working in the Bombers’ favour is a potential labour dispute down south with the current NFL collective bargaining agreement set to expire in March. CFL players who signed contract extensions before June this year would be eligible to sign down south as option-year players before Feb. 15 of next year.

Here’s an update:

OL Brendon LaBatte — The club’s top lineman who may draw NFL interest.

“The deal would have to be right from a financial standpoint. I just can’t justify going out there and getting locked out potentially and have no money or no job. I don’t know if that’s going to come up or not and if it doesn’t I’m happy to be back here.”

OL Obby Khan — potential free agent:

“(The Bombers) have expressed interest in bringing me back. There hasn’t been a formal offer yet, but it’s early. I’ve made no secret that I like it here. I’ve made this place my home and I’m settled and established in the community. But in the end of the day it’s a dollars and cents and winning business.”

DT Doug Brown — contemplating retirement.

“I definitely recognize that every year I have to do more to just say the same, not even to get better. The question you have to ask is at what point are you no longer maintaining, but breaking down? These are just all the physical things, let alone playing in a city where you are recognizable and you just finished a season with four wins under your belt.”

DB Jonathan Hefney — potential free agent:

“Right now I’m not even worried about what’s happening in the NFL, they didn’t want me down there. I’m more focused on looking for the best opportunity that’s going to help me and my family out. I just want to be a part of something where I can add to the big picture. I’d love to come back and see where this thing goes. Hopefully they want me back.”

DE Phillip Hunt — CFL sack leader should draw NFL interest:

“The NFL is a lifelong dream. (Former B.C. Lion, now Miami Dolphin) Cameron Wake is a guy I looked up to before I even came up to this league. What he’s been able to do down there is a good thing for guys like myself. He’s shown NFL clubs that guys up here who put up good numbers can make a difference down there. That doesn’t mean teams are going to be lining up to sign me or anything, but at least it makes it easier to get noticed.”

SB Terence Jeffers-Harris — can’t sign down south without going through NFL draft, but could work out with teams:

“If there is a lockout, it would make my decision a lot easier. I would much rather be playing a CFL season as opposed to sitting at home doing nothing.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca