Rifles receiver Goodrich changes mind, quits camp

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This article was published 20/04/2015 (3817 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Winnipeg Rifles receiver Kurt Goodrich lasted all of one practice at IMG Academy Sunday before abruptly telling Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea he was quitting.

“He came to me after the first practice and he just said his heart wasn’t in it anymore,” O’Shea said following the conclusion of Day 1 of the Bombers annual spring mini-training camp.

“It happens… he just said he wasn’t going to be with us anymore,” said O’Shea. “I just patted him on the shoulder and appreciated his honesty.”

Asked if Goodrich looked outclassed Sunday morning, O’Shea said he saw quite the opposite. “He looks good. He looked like he got open.”

Goodrich was one of four Canadian receivers the Bombers brought to mini-camp and he was among 52 players on the field — as well as one current and one former star on the sidelines — as the Bombers kicked off their annual three-day mini-camp under a blazing Florida sun.

The roster — which the team had kept a closely guarded secret until Sunday morning — includes six quarterbacks, three running backs, 15 receivers, three offensive linemen, five defensive linemen, six linebackers and 14 defensive backs.

O’Shea singled out a couple of players for praise after Sunday’s two sessions, naming linebacker TraShaun Nixon (New Mexico State) and defensive back Johnny Adams (Michigan State) as players that stood out for him.

“What really stood out for me (about Adams) was he was stealing reps from everybody he could,” said O’Shea. “He showed up at corner… and then he’s at halfback and then he’s across the field stealing reps from somebody else. And the guy had two interceptions.

“He was just out there making plays and making the most of his opportunity.”

Defensive backs Marvin Ross (Florida A & M) and Demetrius Wright (USC) also made notable plays, while running back Bradley Randle (UNLV) and wide receiver Jhomo Gordan (Bethune Cookman) made notable plays on a day the defence dominated.

The six quarterbacks here include the only CFL veterans at this camp with any meaningful experience — Bombers starter Drew Willy and last year’s backups: Brian Brohm, Robert Marve and Josh Portis. The Bombers are also taking a look the next few days at QBs Corey Robinson (Troy) and Jon Wolf (Minnesota State).

Bombers GM Kyle Walters said last week finding linebackers is the club’s highest priority for the next three days and newly installed defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall was asked Sunday morning if he likes what he’s seen so far out of the six linebackers in camp.

“It’s hard to (say) after one day. I try not to evaluate or set too strong an opinion until you see them after five practices and you have to make a decision,” said Hall. “One guy can be great today and bad (tomorrow) — and vice versa.”

Hall agreed with his GM that linebacker is the most pressing void facing the Bombers heading into 2015. “We have a secondary, we have a front and we have to look for linebackers. But it’s not like we have to find five guys, which makes it a lot easier,” he said.

Among the handful of spectators watching Sunday’s morning session were current Bombers receiver Clarence Denmark and former Bombers running back Willard Reaves.

Denmark lives in Jacksonville and made a three-hour drive to get here Sunday morning, even though he’s not taking part.

“I’m just missing it a bit. I just wanted to get around some football and I talked to the coach and asked if it’d be OK if I drove down and get a jump on some of the plays we’re putting in,” said Denmark.

Reaves, meanwhile, is here watching his son, Jordan, who at age 25 is trying to make the jump from a standout university basketball career to professional football as a receiver.

While that’s a rare and complex transition, the elder Reaves said his son is capable of pulling it off. “Absolutely he can,” said Reaves. “He’s a complete athlete. Growing up he was always one of the best at what he was doing, anything that he was doing. He’s always worked…

“If he puts his mind to it, he’s going to do great things for Winnipeg.”

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The younger Reaves struggled Sunday morning during the one-on-one sessions, both with the intricate footwork involved in taking on a professional defensive back for the first time as well as simply catching the ball.

“It started off a little rusty in the morning,” said Reaves, “but overall I felt great. I was excited to get out here and I think I did good, pretty good. I had a couple of dropped balls, but other than that it was a pretty good day.”

The good news for Reaves is he got better in the afternoon session and the Bombers are committed to being patient with a player they regard as a bit of a project. “We’ll take our time with him,” said O’Shea, “and talk to him on the way back from practice today and make sure that his head is in the right place and he’s not getting discouraged.

“Because there’s a lot to learn and it’s a big task.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek