Club adds veteran snapper

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This article was published 31/05/2015 (3779 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers have begun to shape and form their 2015 roster.

The club added veteran long snapper Chad Rempel and import receiver Mike Willie on Saturday while cutting five import players: defensive backs Ryan Steed and Gabe Lynn, defensive tackle Kheeston Randall, receiver David Gettis and offensive lineman David Mims.

Rempel (6-3, 225, Saskatchewan) has appeared in 125 career CFL games, the first nine of which came with the Bombers in his rookie season of 2005. Arguably the best long-snapper in the CFL, Rempel moved on from the Bombers to play seven seasons for Toronto and one in Hamilton, before spending the 2013 season with the Chicago Bears. He returned to the CFL for the last half of the 2014 season with Saskatchewan. The 2015 season will be Rempel’s 11th in the CFL.

Willie (6-2, 220, Arizona State) played two years at Arizona State, and caught 72 passes for 897 yards and nine touchdowns. He went undrafted in 2012 and was signed as a free agent by San Diego, earning a practice roster spot. He had a stint with Baltimore last season.

THE RING’S THE THING: The Calgary Stampeders received their 2014 Grey Cup rings at a private function in Cowtown Friday night. Kilometres away in Winnipeg Stanley Bryant — a key cog in that championship — was getting to know some of his new Bombers teammates.

“I really don’t have too many feelings,” said Bryant of missing the ceremony. “I saw a lot of pictures on Instagram and Twitter. I’m just waiting on my ring. I think they’re holding it hostage on me. I thought it was going to be here when I got here, but that’s OK. I’ll get it when I get it.”

MAKING A MOVE: Chris Randle has been asked to switch from cornerback to SAM linebacker in new defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall’s defence. He’s completely cool with being closer to the line of scrimmage and, likely, much more involved.

“I’m happy with it,” said Randle Saturday. “It’s a position I played before and am familiar with it. When the opportunity presented itself I was more than welcome to it. I can see myself playing that or any other position so, whatever the defence wants me to play, I’ll play it.

“They created a plan for me to be more versatile this year.”

A PLAYBOOK AND EVERYTHING: Last year’s Bomber defence did not have a playbook — as per former defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry’s wish — and played an unorthodox, multi-look scheme. Hall’s defence is much more traditional.

“He’s coming from a great defence in Saskatchewan,” said defensive tackle Bryant Turner Jr. “They had some really productive defensive linemen so all of our defensive linemen are excited to get on the field and see what we can do. We’re looking forward to it. It’s more common, more something we’re used to.

“It was such a different defence last year, it took some time to understand what the coaches wanted. We were getting that down, but a more traditional defence means we should be able to pick it up faster. We do have a playbook. We’ll see. We don’t know anything until the first day of practice.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait