Bombers grab QB Brohm, release Goltz

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This article was published 04/03/2014 (4548 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Danny McManus was hired by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to solve their quarterback issues and his influence continues to reshape the position.

McManus, assistant GM and head of U.S. scouting, was behind the trade-and-sign acquisition of QB Drew Willy and on Monday his recommendation saw GM Kyle Walters trade for QB Brian Brohm and release Justin Goltz.

Walters sent a conditional pick in the 2015 CFL Draft to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the rights to Brohm.

Brohm, a 6-3, 230-pounder out of Louisville, joined the Tiger-Cats in 2013, playing in one pre-season game, completing five of 10 passes for 110 yards before being injured. McManus was with the Ticats last season when Brohm was brought on board.

“We expect him to come in and compete. Like I said, he’s excited to be here. What we’re trying to do, across the board, is to bring in guys to compete at every position. Like Max Hall, we expect him to push Drew Willy,” said Walters. “Danny played a huge role in this. Danny, who was with (Brohm) in training camp last year, could speak to some of the qualities that you couldn’t find on the brief film. Danny likes his arm strength, talked about his escapability and things, but more importantly, Danny talked about the type of young man he is and the leadership he has, how he brings up everyone around him… a great person to have in the organization.”

Brohm is happy to join the Blue Bombers and has heard good things about the coaching staff.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the Winnipeg Blue Bomber organization. I know how passionate the fan base is, how big football is in Winnipeg,” said Brohm. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work with coach Mike O’Shea and (offensive co-ordinator Marcel) Bellefueille, and get things going. I’ve been working hard this off-season to get things going and can’t wait to dive into the new playbook.”

From a highly-touted NCAA quarterback who once battled for work with Aaron Rodgers when the two were up and comers with the Green Bay Packers, to a guy who has bounced around quite a bit, Brohm says he still has the passion to play.

“I love the game of football, I love playing, I love being around the guys. I was in the CFL last year, learning the nuances of the game from two of the best quarterbacks in the game in Kent Austin and Henry Burris,” said Brohm. “I just had a blast playing last year, really looking forward to the opportunity to compete, to get on the field, to show everybody what I can do. I just love the competition, can’t get enough of it, and I’ll keep playing as long as I can.ã”

Brohm has seen action in the UFL and NFL, originally drafted in the second round, 54th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Packers, serving as the club’s third-string quarterback that season.

Brohm made his first NFL start for the Buffalo Bills in 2009 and also started a game for the Bills in 2010.

A college standout at Louisville (2004-2007), Brohm finished with the second-most passing yards in school history (10,775) and threw for 71 touchdowns. Brohm led Louisville to their first-ever BCS bowl victory in 2007, winning the Orange Bowl against Wake Forest 24-13, and was named the game MVP.ã

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @garylawless