Another year, another new regime for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This time around they are hoping an all-Canadian cast will help turn things around in the Manitoba capital.
Kyle Walters enters his first full season as general manager, and he hired his former University of Guelph Gryphons teammate, ex-Argos middle linebacker Mike O'Shea, to be his first head coach. Both are Canadian, and they say that means they know what it takes to win in the CFL.
The Bombers, however, go into the 2014 season with many more questions than answers. They will have an untested quarterback in Drew Willy, they barely have enough quality Canadians to start the required seven, and their offensive line needs a lot of work.
They have increased the experience level, which is something former GM Joe Mack never did, and they have a couple of promising former NFLers on the roster.
That being said, it looks like it will be another long year in Winnipeg, especially when you consider they're moving to the much tougher West Division.
THE MAIN MAN
Drew Willy, QB
The Bombers went after Zach Collaros in free agency (sort of) and then went very hard after Henry Burris when Collaros signed in Hamilton. They got neither.
So, they turned their attention to Drew Willy, the soon-to-be free agent backup pivot in Saskatchewan. Winnipeg even traded for his rights five days before free agency began.
He signed a new contract and was immediately anointed the starting quarterback, despite having just four starts under his belt. Willy has looked good during the pre-season, but a big factor in his success this year will be the play of the offensive line in front of him.
STRENGTHS
If it can stay healthy, Winnipeg's receiving corps has some athletes who should be able to put up some solid numbers. They signed Nick Moore to a massive free-agent contract in February, and they're hoping he can improve on the 1,105 receiving yards he collected last year in B.C. Canadian Cory Watson is as tough as they come, but he's injury-prone. Clarence Denmark led the team in receiving yards last season and looks to have good chemistry with quarterback Drew Willy ...
The secondary improved by getting rid of Cauchy Muamba and not re-signing Jovon Johnson. Chris Randle, who led Calgary in interceptions last season, will play weak-side corner, while former Kansas City Chief Moe Leggett has won the safety job.
WEAKNESSES
Canadian talent is nowhere near the level it needs to be for sustained success, and injuries in training camp haven't helped. If any more Canucks drop, they are in big trouble ... Willy has four career CFL starts under his belt, while the three quarterbacks behind him have never dressed for a regular-season game ... The starting RB, meanwhile, hasn't been decided yet, with Will Ford, Nic Grigsby and Paris Cotton still battling it out ... The offensive line that didn't give Max Hall any protection last season is mostly the same, with Paddy Neufeld as the lone newcomer and Steve Morley shifting from right guard to play centre for the first time in his career ... We could go on, but you get the picture.
THE BIG BLUE REPORT
ADDITIONS
LDE Jason Vega; LB Korey Banks; CB Matt Bucknor; WR Julian Feoli-Gudino; QB Drew Willy; CB Chris Randle; WR Nick Moore; S Donovan Alexander; QB Brian Brohm.
Best addition: Willy is the biggest off-season addition because he has been handed the keys to the team and told to drive it as far as he possibly can. He definitely has the skills to be a quarterback, but it will all depend on what's around him.
DEPARTURES
WR Kito Poblah; WR Jade Etienne; LB Henoc Muamba; SB Terrence Edwards; CB Jovon Johnson; CB Brandon Stewart; C Justin Sorensen; WR Chris Matthews; S Cauchy Muamba; QB Max Hall.
Biggest loss: Winnipeg's Canadian talent took a huge blow when Henoc Muamba left after three years for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Muamba was the team's most outstanding player last season and runner-up for top Canuck in the league. His departure leaves a gaping hole in the defence and in the team's Canadian content.
TEAM RECORD
2013: 3-15 (missed playoffs)
2012: 6-12 (missed playoffs)
2011: 10-8 (lost Grey Cup to B.C.)
2010: 4-14 (missed playoffs)
2009: 7-11 (missed playoffs)
Kyle Walters enters his first full season as general manager, and he hired his former University of Guelph Gryphons teammate, ex-Argos middle linebacker Mike O'Shea, to be his first head coach. Both are Canadian, and they say that means they know what it takes to win in the CFL.
The Bombers, however, go into the 2014 season with many more questions than answers. They will have an untested quarterback in Drew Willy, they barely have enough quality Canadians to start the required seven, and their offensive line needs a lot of work.
They have increased the experience level, which is something former GM Joe Mack never did, and they have a couple of promising former NFLers on the roster.
That being said, it looks like it will be another long year in Winnipeg, especially when you consider they're moving to the much tougher West Division.
THE MAIN MAN
Drew Willy, QB
The Bombers went after Zach Collaros in free agency (sort of) and then went very hard after Henry Burris when Collaros signed in Hamilton. They got neither.
So, they turned their attention to Drew Willy, the soon-to-be free agent backup pivot in Saskatchewan. Winnipeg even traded for his rights five days before free agency began.
He signed a new contract and was immediately anointed the starting quarterback, despite having just four starts under his belt. Willy has looked good during the pre-season, but a big factor in his success this year will be the play of the offensive line in front of him.
STRENGTHS
If it can stay healthy, Winnipeg's receiving corps has some athletes who should be able to put up some solid numbers. They signed Nick Moore to a massive free-agent contract in February, and they're hoping he can improve on the 1,105 receiving yards he collected last year in B.C. Canadian Cory Watson is as tough as they come, but he's injury-prone. Clarence Denmark led the team in receiving yards last season and looks to have good chemistry with quarterback Drew Willy ...
The secondary improved by getting rid of Cauchy Muamba and not re-signing Jovon Johnson. Chris Randle, who led Calgary in interceptions last season, will play weak-side corner, while former Kansas City Chief Moe Leggett has won the safety job.
WEAKNESSES
Canadian talent is nowhere near the level it needs to be for sustained success, and injuries in training camp haven't helped. If any more Canucks drop, they are in big trouble ... Willy has four career CFL starts under his belt, while the three quarterbacks behind him have never dressed for a regular-season game ... The starting RB, meanwhile, hasn't been decided yet, with Will Ford, Nic Grigsby and Paris Cotton still battling it out ... The offensive line that didn't give Max Hall any protection last season is mostly the same, with Paddy Neufeld as the lone newcomer and Steve Morley shifting from right guard to play centre for the first time in his career ... We could go on, but you get the picture.
THE BIG BLUE REPORT
ADDITIONS
LDE Jason Vega; LB Korey Banks; CB Matt Bucknor; WR Julian Feoli-Gudino; QB Drew Willy; CB Chris Randle; WR Nick Moore; S Donovan Alexander; QB Brian Brohm.
Best addition: Willy is the biggest off-season addition because he has been handed the keys to the team and told to drive it as far as he possibly can. He definitely has the skills to be a quarterback, but it will all depend on what's around him.
DEPARTURES
WR Kito Poblah; WR Jade Etienne; LB Henoc Muamba; SB Terrence Edwards; CB Jovon Johnson; CB Brandon Stewart; C Justin Sorensen; WR Chris Matthews; S Cauchy Muamba; QB Max Hall.
Biggest loss: Winnipeg's Canadian talent took a huge blow when Henoc Muamba left after three years for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. Muamba was the team's most outstanding player last season and runner-up for top Canuck in the league. His departure leaves a gaping hole in the defence and in the team's Canadian content.
TEAM RECORD
2013: 3-15 (missed playoffs)
2012: 6-12 (missed playoffs)
2011: 10-8 (lost Grey Cup to B.C.)
2010: 4-14 (missed playoffs)
2009: 7-11 (missed playoffs)
