Blue confident as free-agency date looms

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This article was published 11/01/2011 (5364 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THERE is no panic and alarm bells aren’t clanging in Bomberland with the CFL’s annual talent feeding frenzy set to begin in just over a month.

The Bombers hope to strike off a few more names from their prospective free-agent list in the next few weeks before the market opens Feb. 15th.

The Bombers have seven players set to become free agents, but that number could be whittled down considerably in the next 35 days. Here’s an update on the status of negotiations courtesy assistant GM/director of football operations Ross Hodgkinson:

— Centre Obby Khan: “There’s been discussions. I’m still optimistic. We’re anxious to have him back. But it’s whether they think they have other opportunities or leverage.”

— Defensive back Jonathan Hefney: “We’re in the preliminary stages right now. We wanted to get (Clint) Kent sorted out because I equate his experience and ability to Hefney’s. I have a belief those contracts should be similar.”

— Fullback Daryl Stephenson: “We’ve only had brief discussions.”

— Running back Yvenson Bernard: “We’d love to have him back but based on his playing situation last season it seems reasonable he wants to test the market.”

— Defensive tackle Dorian Smith: “I’ve had two or three exchanges with his agent. I won’t say we’re close, but there’s been some movement…”

— Linebacker Joe Lobendahn: “The last conversation we had with Lobendahn went along the vein that he is free to look at other opportunities. We’d like to have him back, but their position is that given his experience he should garner a better offer… He either comes back with the chance to compete or we just shake hands and agree to disagree.”

— Fullback Jon Oosterhuis: “We’ve had some discussions and I don’t see a problem. That should be resolved fairly quickly.”

NEW ‘D’ BOSS COMING SOON: Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice is attending the annual American Football Coaches Association conference and continues to seek a defensive co-ordinator to replace Kavis Reed, who is the new head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos. LaPolice said his list of candidates is down to four from 15 and rumour has it former Bombers assistant Corey Chamblin — currently with Calgary and a finalist for the Saskatchewan Roughriders job — is said to be near the top of the list. Ditto for Richie Hall, although there have been reports over the last few days he may join Greg Marshall’s staff in Regina. Hall also had his name mentioned as a candidate to replace Marshall as the defensive boss in Hamilton.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca