The Winnipeg Blue Bombers brass took a leap of faith this off-season by hiring rookie CFL head coach Mike Kelly.
Kelly, in turn, is taking a chance by gutting last year's roster, keeping only 25 players who ended the season with the 8-10 squad.
But his biggest gamble is hitching his wagon to unproven Stefan LeFors as his starting quarterback.
The first indications as to how well the moves will pay off will be evident with Winnipeg's first regular-season game Thursday in Edmonton.
"I told (LeFors), 'You and I are joined at the hip forever now,' " said Kelly, who was the Eskimos' receivers coach last year and got to know the two-year backup.
"We all realize that, but that's what makes this whole thing fun."
Kelly, who replaced fired Doug Berry in December, traded for LeFors in January and shortly afterwards released eight-year veteran Kevin Glenn, who then signed with Hamilton.
LeFors, 28, who got into one game last season with Edmonton but had five starts in 2007 replacing injured Ricky Ray, appreciates Kelly's vote of confidence.
"I'm just going to go out there and play, knowing that coach Kelly has my back and he's going to put me in the best situation possible to do well and to help this team win," LeFors said.
"We'll try to find a way, whatever it takes, to win.
"Obviously, if I don't do that for this team, I would think that I would let coach Kelly down and myself and the team down. But I'm going to continue to go out there and work hard."
The former University of Louisville star left the school as its fourth all-time leading passer (5,853 yards) and first in pass completions (66%).
The NFL's Carolina Panthers drafted him in the fourth round (121st overall) in 2005 but LeFors was released after one season.
The left-hander knows Bomber fans are starved to end the team's Grey Cup drought, which dates back to 1990.
He saw evidence of that when he and his wife Joy and their two-year-old son and five-month-old daughter drove across the Manitoba border for training camp.
LeFors had to go into the immigration building and when the employee figured out who he was, she told him, "You better win."
Kelly, the club's offensive co-ordinator from 1992 to '96, has retained those duties and is also quarterbacks coach.
He said he likes the way his quarterbacks are progressing, especially Bryan Randall, the only holdover from last season's squad. Former Hamilton Tiger-Cat Richie Williams rounds out the trio.
Winnipeg's offensive line lost starters Alexandre Gauthier and Dominic Picard to free agency and Kelly traded Dan Goodspeed. Veterans Kelly Bates, Steve Morley and Glenn January have moved in and Kelly said they've meshed quite quickly.
Kelly released running back Joe Smith last week, but sidekick Fred Reid remains. He's joined by rookies Lavarus Giles and Yvenson Bernard.
Giles, 23, turned heads after racking up 238 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in two pre-season games.
Winnipeg's receiving corps remains pretty much intact even with the retirement of all-star slotback Milt Stegall.
Thousand-yard receivers Derick Armstrong, Romby Bryant and Terrence Edwards are back, as well as Canadians Arjei Franklin and Aaron Hargreaves.
Trades brought in Adarius Bowman from Saskatchewan and Edmonton's Brock Ralph.
"The receiving corps is still under development," Kelly said, noting his style of offence relies on receivers to read coverage and adapt.
Alexis Serna is back kicking field goals for a second season and Kelly's supportive handling of him is expected to bring more consistency.
Mike Renaud was obtained from Calgary to take the punting chores off Serna's shoulders.
Defensively, Kelly can't wait to watch the front seven explode out of the gates.
Tackle Doug Brown, an eight-year veteran and the team's longest-serving member, anchors the defensive line.
Fourth-year players Gavin Walls and Riall Johnson -- acquired from Toronto -- are at end and are joined by nine-year veteran Fred Perry and seventh-year tackleTyrone Williams.
The linebacking crew returns Barrin Simpson, Ike Charlton and Joe Lobendahn and adds Siddeeq Shabazz from Edmonton.
Before training camp began, Kelly, 51, said every day felt like Christmas morning for him because he's got his dream job.
"I still feel the same," he said. "I am really enjoying this process.
"I'm excited to help make a mark on the football club, the organization and the community.
"Every day I know there's work to be done and I can't wait to go get my hands dirty."
Kelly, in turn, is taking a chance by gutting last year's roster, keeping only 25 players who ended the season with the 8-10 squad.
But his biggest gamble is hitching his wagon to unproven Stefan LeFors as his starting quarterback.
The first indications as to how well the moves will pay off will be evident with Winnipeg's first regular-season game Thursday in Edmonton.
"I told (LeFors), 'You and I are joined at the hip forever now,' " said Kelly, who was the Eskimos' receivers coach last year and got to know the two-year backup.
"We all realize that, but that's what makes this whole thing fun."
Kelly, who replaced fired Doug Berry in December, traded for LeFors in January and shortly afterwards released eight-year veteran Kevin Glenn, who then signed with Hamilton.
LeFors, 28, who got into one game last season with Edmonton but had five starts in 2007 replacing injured Ricky Ray, appreciates Kelly's vote of confidence.
"I'm just going to go out there and play, knowing that coach Kelly has my back and he's going to put me in the best situation possible to do well and to help this team win," LeFors said.
"We'll try to find a way, whatever it takes, to win.
"Obviously, if I don't do that for this team, I would think that I would let coach Kelly down and myself and the team down. But I'm going to continue to go out there and work hard."
The former University of Louisville star left the school as its fourth all-time leading passer (5,853 yards) and first in pass completions (66%).
The NFL's Carolina Panthers drafted him in the fourth round (121st overall) in 2005 but LeFors was released after one season.
The left-hander knows Bomber fans are starved to end the team's Grey Cup drought, which dates back to 1990.
He saw evidence of that when he and his wife Joy and their two-year-old son and five-month-old daughter drove across the Manitoba border for training camp.
LeFors had to go into the immigration building and when the employee figured out who he was, she told him, "You better win."
Kelly, the club's offensive co-ordinator from 1992 to '96, has retained those duties and is also quarterbacks coach.
He said he likes the way his quarterbacks are progressing, especially Bryan Randall, the only holdover from last season's squad. Former Hamilton Tiger-Cat Richie Williams rounds out the trio.
Winnipeg's offensive line lost starters Alexandre Gauthier and Dominic Picard to free agency and Kelly traded Dan Goodspeed. Veterans Kelly Bates, Steve Morley and Glenn January have moved in and Kelly said they've meshed quite quickly.
Kelly released running back Joe Smith last week, but sidekick Fred Reid remains. He's joined by rookies Lavarus Giles and Yvenson Bernard.
Giles, 23, turned heads after racking up 238 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in two pre-season games.
Winnipeg's receiving corps remains pretty much intact even with the retirement of all-star slotback Milt Stegall.
Thousand-yard receivers Derick Armstrong, Romby Bryant and Terrence Edwards are back, as well as Canadians Arjei Franklin and Aaron Hargreaves.
Trades brought in Adarius Bowman from Saskatchewan and Edmonton's Brock Ralph.
"The receiving corps is still under development," Kelly said, noting his style of offence relies on receivers to read coverage and adapt.
Alexis Serna is back kicking field goals for a second season and Kelly's supportive handling of him is expected to bring more consistency.
Mike Renaud was obtained from Calgary to take the punting chores off Serna's shoulders.
Defensively, Kelly can't wait to watch the front seven explode out of the gates.
Tackle Doug Brown, an eight-year veteran and the team's longest-serving member, anchors the defensive line.
Fourth-year players Gavin Walls and Riall Johnson -- acquired from Toronto -- are at end and are joined by nine-year veteran Fred Perry and seventh-year tackleTyrone Williams.
The linebacking crew returns Barrin Simpson, Ike Charlton and Joe Lobendahn and adds Siddeeq Shabazz from Edmonton.
Before training camp began, Kelly, 51, said every day felt like Christmas morning for him because he's got his dream job.
"I still feel the same," he said. "I am really enjoying this process.
"I'm excited to help make a mark on the football club, the organization and the community.
"Every day I know there's work to be done and I can't wait to go get my hands dirty."
