Rupert Butcher (91) DL Western during the CFL combine in Toronto, Sunday March 13, 2016. (Photo: Johany Jutras / CFL)
May 10, 2016
Kyle Walters and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have spent the last few years at the ready during the Canadian Football League’s Draft, cued up to spit out a name not long after the annual talent grab begins.
It was Sukh Chungh in the second-overall spot last year; ditto for Matthias Goossen in 2014. In fact, dating back to the Joe Mack regime, the Bombers had a top 3 selection in each of the last five years.
So Tuesday night’s 2016 draft differed in that Walters & Co. sat and waited – and waited, and waited – with the first two picks in the second round, ninth and 10th overall, while the teams ahead of them got busy.
It turns out being patient isn’t such a bad tactic either, as the Bombers landed two players they had coveted with their early picks in University of Virginia defensive end Trent Corney and Simon Fraser University offensive lineman Michael Couture.
“We said we weren’t going to move (up, via trade) and that we knew we were going to get a couple good players at nine and 10, we just didn’t know who,” said Walters.
“We were going to let the draft unfold. And the way it kept going… when those two guys were available, we were really excited.”
Of course, every GM in every sport says that in analyzing each of their draft classes, but the 2016 collection of Bomber picks offers an intriguing mix of talent, players that can push for roster spots, and projects that might need grooming.
“Everybody tonight thinks things went well,” Walters admitted. “Everybody looks at their draft board differently. We addressed a bunch of different positionals (needs), added some depth and added some guys we think are good football players and are going to come in and compete and push the guys we have and push to make the roster.
“And we got a couple guys we think are developmental guys.”
Just as important, they provide depth where the club was seeking it most – in the trenches along the offensive and defensive lines.
Here’s Walters assessing each of the Bombers 2016 picks:
Trent Corney, defensive end, Virginia; 9th overall
“He’s a natural fit for us with us starting Jamaal (Westerman) at defensive end. Loved his film at Virginia. He ran around for a couple of years on special teams and made plays and then started at defensive end. He’s a phenomenal athlete, high-motor guy. He’ll slide right in and compete for that back-up defensive end spot.”
Michael Couture, offensive lineman, Simon Fraser, 10th overall:
“It’s his toughness, his physicality; he’s strong and athletic. He’s a little different than the Laval guys who were bigger and thicker. He carries his weight in a different way. He’s 295 pounds, but almost looks lean and thin. We really liked him. I know Bob (Wylie, offensive line coach) and Paul (LaPolice, offensive coordinator) had him ranked as their No. 1 offensive lineman and our scouting department had him ranked in our top three. It was a very tense time in there as it started to feel like he might drop. We were kind of sitting on the edge of our seats and couldn’t wait to call his name when it came our turn.”
Taylor Loffler, Defensive back, UBC, 19th overall:
“He’s a very intriguing prospect. He’s had an interesting history; he’s been banged up throughout his career. Started at Boise State and ended up at UBC. He’s a mature, polished kid but he’s a pro ready to step in. Whether he’s a free safety or a linebacker, I’m not sure, but he’s long and athletic. There’s something about that guy… he just makes plays. There’s something intangible about what he brings when you are around him and meet him. You just feel there’s something about this young man.”
Shayne Gauthier, linebacker, Laval, 28th overall:
“He’s a Tasmanian Devil out there on the field. He’s a good athlete. He ran a low 4.6 at 225 pounds and was a phenomenal linebacker but he makes his plays on energy and effort all the time. He’s going to be the kind of player that fans are immediately going to fall in love with. He’s a high-motor guy that has the athleticism to back it up.”
Zach Intzandt, offensive lineman, McMaster, 37th overall:
“He’s a developmental offensive lineman, whether he spends a year on the practice roster or goes back to school. Physically he’s got all the tools, he just needs some seasoning. He’s 300 pounds and looks the part.”
Rupert Butcher, defensive lineman, Western, 46th overall:
“He’s an interesting guy. He’s a big man at 6-4, 330 pounds. The knock on him at Western was the consistency of the effort. And for a really big man you saw on film he would flash some things and from time to time you would go, ‘Wow, a guy that big is just dominating.’
“He was absolutely dominant in the eval. camp at the one-on-ones. He overpowered a good group of offensive linemen. He’s an intriguing prospect.”
Alex Vitt, receiver, University of Manitoba, 55th overall:
“Alex Vitt, anyone from around here who has watched him play saw a guy who plays 100 miles per hour. In those later rounds if you can find a guy who plays tough and is physical… that’s Alex Vitt. You put the film on him and he’s running around, he had a fantastic career and the coaches speak so highly of him from a work ethic and toughness standpoint. He’s going to come in and smash some people and play hard and give us everything he’s got.”
Frank Renaud-Berroa, linebacker, 63rd overall:
“He was at the East-West Bowl last year and tore his ACL. So we went back to the 2014 film and he graded out as a phenomenal football player. He’s a special teams player who has a clean bill of health.”
