May 24, 2016

It’s been a long winter – 179 days, to be exact – since Mike Reilly, Chris Jones and the rest of the Edmonton Eskimos held the Grey Cup aloft after their victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS right here in our own backyard.

So, yeah, it’s been awhile since the football season ended, even longer for fans of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

And after a winter dominated by a free agent splash made by the Bombers and, they hope, some solid work in the Canadian Draft and in unearthing other talent, the club is ready to get back at it with the opening of rookie camp on Wednesday, May 25 followed by main camp on Sunday.

With that in mind, here’s a quick handy-dandy guide to get Bomber fans ready for the opening of rookie camp – which will also feature all the quarterbacks – that gets under way Wednesday afternoon at Investors Group Field:

WHO’S ATTENDING

All CFL newcomers (including the 2016 CFL Draft class), and all the quarterbacks.

Veteran players are reporting this week and the entire team will be on the field for the first day of main camp on Sunday.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

CFL training camps are notoriously short, especially compared to all the offseason workouts and mini camps scheduled by teams in the National Football League. The Bombers main camp opens on Sunday and 11 days later the club sees action in its first preseason game, Wednesday, June 8^th when the Montreal Alouettes pay a visit. And just over two weeks after that, the curtain comes up on the 2016 regular season when the Als return for the home opener.

What that means is rookies and newcomers have little time to make a favourable impression and soak up all the little intricacies that make the Canadian game so unique. The rookie camp is an on-the-field training session to help the fresh faces get a feel for the three-down game before the vets step on the field ready to hold off all comers for their jobs.

FIVE TO WATCH

#50 Kyle Knox, linebacker

Has 16 NFL games under his belt, most of them with the New Orleans Saints. He could push for regular work in the defence and is a leading candidate to at least be one of the two designated imports the Bombers have tentatively pegged at the linebacker position.

#89 Julian Talley, wide receiver

The Bomber receiving corps has undergone an overhaul with the departure of Nick Moore and Clarence Denmark and the arrival of Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith. Talley, who spent time with the New York Giants, will be in the fight for the wide out spot opposite of Darvin Adams.

#60 Travis Bond, offensive line

A seventh-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings, Bond will be in the battle for the second import spot the Bombers have designated along their offensive line.

#90 Emmanuel Dieke, defensive end

The Bombers have some big bodies in camp in an attempt to replace Greg Peach. Dieke is 6-6, 280 pounds and had a stint with the New York Giants after making 25 starts at Georgia Tech.

#1 Jace Davis, receiver

Another pass catcher who will be in the mix for starting work. Has had NFL looks from Baltimore, Houston and Denver.

THE 2016 DRAFT CLASS

#43 Trent Corney, DE: The Bombers first draft choice in 2016. He’s got future fan favourite written all over him.

#65 Michael Couture, OL: The team’s brass was thrilled to get him at No. 10 in the draft and his versatility should help keep him around.

#16 Taylor Loffler, DB: Intelligent, athletic safety who will be asked to contribute right away on special teams.

#42 Shayne Gauthier, LB: The kind of special teams demon every team covets. He’ll need the exhibition games to really help his cause.

#57 Zach Intzandt, OL: Has been pegged a ‘developmental’ offensive lineman. Translation? The club loves his physical tools and wants to fine-tune his game.

#92 Rupert Butcher, DL: A massive interior lineman at 6-5, 320. He’ll be an intriguing guy to keep an eye on during camp.

#77 Alex Vitt, SB: The University of Manitoba Bison slotback is a beast on specials and a favourite of Bisons head coach Brian Dobie. Then again, everyone is a favourite of the affable Dobie.

#44 Frank Renaud, LB: Was injured for all of the year, but could be a last-round steal for the Bombers if he makes the club.

THE LOCAL GUY

#70 Xander Tachinski, WR: The Winnipeg Rifles product was second on the team last year in receiving and has good size at 6-3, 210.

THREE KEYS TO STANDING OUT

1. Get Your Nose in the Playbook: It’s asking a lot, a bit like trying to do open-heart surgery from a manual, but coaches expect all prospects – no matter how green – to know their stuff when they step on the field. And there’s no quicker way to be exposed than to cut the wrong way or be in the wrong coverage when the ball comes a rookie’s way.
2. Be On Time, Ask Questions, Don’t Get In Trouble: This is all about making a good first impression and coaches are, traditionally, as old-school as crew cuts. It’s often the little things, like simply being respectful off the field and attentive on it, that can separate one prospect from another.
3. Can’t Make The Club from the Tub: One of the camp commandments from the late Cal Murphy, who used to lament players who were injured and missed a bunch of practices while watching from the hot/cold club. Staying healthy and fighting through the aches and pains that come with camp are critical.