Final auditions for Big Blue

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This article was published 30/05/2024 (528 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You’ll want to print off a depth chart for this one.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are sitting over a dozen starters in Friday’s preseason finale against the visiting Calgary Stampeders (7:30 p.m. kickoff).

It comes as no surprise as they take the field for Week 1 action six days later in a Grey Cup rematch against the Montreal Alouettes.

This exhibition is far from a must-see, but don’t call it meaningless. The Bombers have job openings at returner, right tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback, and third-string quarterback and this is the final chance for hopefuls to make a strong impression after a 25-12 road loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week.

“It can potentially be a life changing-opportunity, so I definitely don’t want to take it for granted,” said rookie defensive end Taylor Upshaw after Thursday’s walk-through.

Here are five storylines to keep an eye on in the game:

QB Battle

Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler are not playing. Collaros doesn’t need the reps and Streveler already had a tune up against the Riders and is nursing a minor injury. The stage is set for the two rookie pivots — Terry Wilson Jr. and Darren Grainger — to likely play a half each and show why they should be the No. 3 guy.

Wilson is the clear front-runner as he’s been in camp since Day 1 and already outshined Eric Barriere — who has since been released — in Regina by going 10-for-15 for 115 yards and a touchdown. The 26-year-old has had many stops before Winnipeg as he played at Oregon, Garden City Community College, Kentucky and New Mexico before turning pro last year with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers. Since coming up north, he’s taken care of the football and has looked more comfortable than the average newcomer behind centre. As long as he doesn’t fall flat on his face against the Stamps, it’d be hard to see him not making the team.

The deck is stacked against Grainger since he’s only been with the club for five days. They expressed interest in him earlier, but he was stuck waiting for his passport.

The 23-year-old recently attended an NFL mini-camp with the New York Jets after three standout seasons at Georgia State where he completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 6,779 yards, 57 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He’s also a dynamic runner with 2,130 rushing yards and 19 scores on the ground. Despite not having much time to grasp the Canadian game, Grainger said Thursday he feels comfortable with the offence and thinks he’ll still be able to show what he can do. He’s been staying up late studying and has spent extra time with coaches, but it’ll be an uphill climb.

Filling Grant’s shoes

The Bombers need to find themselves a new returner.

They didn’t have the money to bring back Janarion Grant, who recently signed with the Argos, so they’re hoping one of the rookies makes a big splash against Calgary. The preseason opener saw defensive back Demetries Ford, running back Chris Smith and receivers Aron Cruickshank and Kody Case all garnered looks, but none managed to seperate themselves from the pack. Case got cut and the Bombers signed Josh Vann who was coming off a week in Calgary.

Cruickshank — a former Big Ten return specialist of the year at Rutgers who had brief stints with Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers — boasts the most impressive resume, but Smith, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette product, is a weapon they seem to like. The 24-year-old has gotten some work with starting offence in camp at tailback (starter Brady Oliveira has been out with injury) and is listed as the No. 1 running back for Friday. He was named the Sun Belt Conference’s first-team specialist in 2021 and took two kicks back for touchdowns during his five-year NCAA career.

Defensive tackle watch

Ricky Walker wasn’t re-signed, and Cam Lawson suffered a serious injury last week that may have ended his season.

So, with that, the Bombers desperately need some bodies to step up at defensive tackle. Jake Thomas is old reliable, but outside of him, the interior of the D-line has some question marks and might just be the weakest area on the team.

Second-year Canadian Tanner Schmekel out of Regina had a sack as a rookie and will have opportunities to add to that total as he’s likely the one to take Lawson’s reps. In the American spot, Miles Fox is a 27-year-old who broke into the league with the B.C. Lions in 2022 before spending most of 2023 on Winnipeg’s practice squad. The Bombers have had a lot of success finding players from down south at the position in recent years — Steven Richardson, Casey Sayles, and Walker — and really need Fox to be another hit. Schmekel and Fox are both getting the start this week.

The Wallace Wall

If you want to focus on the future, keep an eye out for No. 61 Gabe Wallace on the O-line.

At 6-6, 346-pounds, you can’t miss him.

The rookie out of Salmon Arm, B.C., was touted by many as a first-round prospect but for whatever reason slid to Round 2, 17th overall, in this year’s CFL Draft.

Early signs indicate he might be a steal as veteran centre Chris Kolankowski raved about Wallace’s play in camp.

Starting right guard Patrick Neufeld is still one of the best in the league, but at 35 years old, the Bombers need to start thinking about a succession plan. The 24-year-old out of the University of Buffalo, who also has experience playing tackle, will be in Neufeld’s place.

Pass catchers

Dalton Schoen, Kenny Lawler, Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky.

Collaros can sleep just fine at night knowing those are his targets.

There is an opening in the room, though, with Rasheed Bailey being one of several salary cap casualties this offseason and signing with Toronto.

Tyler Adams led the Bombers in receiving yards last week with 61 yards on four catches only to be told to pack his bags on Tuesday.

Americans Myron Mitchell, Keric Wheatfall, Ontaria Wilson, and Josh Johnson are still around and will be the first receivers on the field.

There doesn’t appear to be an obvious choice out of the group like Schoen was back in his first season in 2022 so it’ll be interesting to see which one gets the most attention.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31