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June 4, 2017

Training Camp Day 8 | The Dog Days of Camp

Chris Randle (8)

It’s hard to refer to them as the ‘dog days’ as Canadian Football League training camps are notoriously short.

That said, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers reached the one-week mark of main training camp Sunday morning, and head coach Mike O’Shea wasn’t particularly enamoured with what he saw at the Subway South Soccer Complex.

“I didn’t like today,” began O’Shea. “I thought today we had some focus problems a couple of times. They picked up the energy right at the end but you’d like to have that energy through the start and carry through the majority of practice to the end.

“I can understand why it’s happening. I just don’t like it.”

O’Shea then went on to praise his team’s work ethic and the overall talent level, but perhaps the Bombers were trapped in that lull between the opening of camp and knowing that the first preseason game is still seven days away, coming next Saturday in Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

But the one-week mark also serves as the perfect opportunity to take stock on how some of the main camp storylines are unfolding.

And so, here’s one man’s take…

5 KEY CAMP BATTLES — REVISITED

Middle linebacker

The storyline: Khalil Bass signed with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, leaving the gig wide open as camp started.

What we’ve learned: Veteran Canadian Sam Hurl is getting a lot of work with the No. 1 defence and the import contenders – Kyle Knox, Nick Temple, Kyrie Wilson and George Stone – have all had their moments through eight days.

Think about this: It’s important to remember putting together a roster isn’t just about finding the seven best Canadians to start. It’s also about a team getting its best players, period, on the field.

IF Hurl were to start, it gives the Bombers an option to start another American elsewhere – possibly in the receiving corps, backfield or along the defensive line.

And for what it’s worth, the Bombers did kick around the idea of bringing in Bear Woods – last year’s East Division Most Outstanding Defensive Player, cut adrift by Montreal before camp – but he has an offer on the table from the Toronto Argonauts.

All that said, this battle is really just getting started with two preseason games and a bye in Week 1 still ahead before the 2017 campaign begins.

Sam Hurl (10)

KICK RETURNER

The storyline: Quincy McDuffie, who led the CFL in kickoff return yardage a year ago and scored twice, signed in the offseason with the Dallas Cowboys.

What we’ve learned: The two leading candidates were T.J. Thorpe – who has missed most of main camp – and Kieren Duncan, who was also injured and then released on Saturday.

Think about this: McDuffie has been cut by the Cowboys, leading some to believe he would be on his way back. But kick returners need live action to really separate themselves and the Bombers might be tempted to see what they have in house this Saturday in Regina before bringing back McDuffie.

The Bombers are high on Thorpe not only as a returner, but for the receiving skills he flashed in mini-camp and rookie camp.

No. 2 QB

The storyline: Last season began with Matt Nichols backing up Drew Willy and ended with Nichols the starter, Willy in Toronto, and both Kevin Glenn and Dom Davis in the Bombers’ bullpen.

What we’ve learned: Not much, truthfully. Davis does look much more relaxed at the controls, but so too does veteran Dan LeFevour, who was signed this offseason.

Think about this: Much like the kick-returner gig, the No. 2 quarterback position often comes down to what the candidates do when the lights come on in a preseason game. Davis has an impressive skillset, but didn’t throw a pass last year while LeFevour – at 6-3, 230 – offers some unique options with his size.

Austin Apodaca, the hard-throwing rookie from New Mexico, is – right now, at least – the only other QB in camp and does have promise.

Dan LeFevour (13)

‘Z’ Receiver

The storyline: This is the Canadian receiver spot in the offence and ‘Z’ means he lines up on the wide side of the field – furthest from the quarterback. The job was held by Rory Kohlert for much of the last few years before a late-season bout of the dropsies meant Julian Feoli-Gudino started the West Semifinal.

What we’ve learned: Feoli-Gudino is having a steady camp, while the two men said to be pushing him when the sessions started – Addison Richards and Matt Coates – have both been felled by injuries. Richards will be gone for a while, according to O’Shea, while Coates may return this week.

Think about this: The Bombers are more than comfortable starting Feoli-Gudino. But if Coates doesn’t return to health soon, the team may be looking at other Canadian depth options here.

Field-side defensive halfback

The storyline: One of the toughest positions to play in the CFL and Bruce Johnson, the longest-serving member of the team’s secondary, is constantly being pushed.

What we’ve learned: There are some excellent new faces in the secondary – although Chris Greenwood and Darnell Walker Jr. have been injured – fighting for work across the unit.

All that said, Johnson has had a solid training camp and with Kevin Fogg still not practicing after having offseason surgery, was taking reps on Sunday as a punt returner. Johnson, FYI, hasn’t really returned kicks since his sophomore season with the Miami Hurricanes, where he ranked ninth in the ACC in punt returns.

Think about this: The Bombers know what they have in Johnson, so the fresh faces will need to be huge in their stints on defence in the preseason. And he looked solid returning punts on Sunday, which could further help his stock.

THE COACH SAYS

All football coaches, even with short CFL camps, want answers without rushing to judgement. Here’s O’Shea on whether some of the positional battles are becoming clearer:

“Nothing that you want to confirm yet. As they say, the term is ‘don’t be an early evaluator.’ You want to give these guys as many opportunities, as many plays in practice, and more importantly in a game situation before you put down a hard evaluation. The game might confirm what you already suspect, good or bad. I mean, it’s too early still.

“You’ve heard the term ‘gamer’ and we want to find those guys as well.”

O’Shea was asked how much stock he might put in a player who may not be a great practice player, but pops off the page in the game versus a prospect who has had a good camp, but might not stand out on game night.

“You’d like to see consistency,” said O’Shea. “You’d like to see a guy that puts that work in and makes those plays in practice. If he can make those plays in a game, how much better would he be if he was making those plays in practice?

“But for some, it does happen that way. For some, the adrenaline kicks in in a game situation that they can’t get that same simulation in practice. For some guys, every rep in practice is a game. You get all types of personalities and it manifests itself in different ways with these guys.

“To me, I want to see guys make plays in the game, too, and then you would show them that film and say, ‘Hey, listen… let’s get a little more of this in practice.’”

Bruce Johnson (25)

BOMBER CAMP REPORT – DAY 8

One in, one out: The Bombers released import offensive lineman Dominick Jackson on Sunday and brought aboard import receiver Justice Liggins.

Liggins (6-1 210, Stephen F. Austin) started 10 games for the Lumberjacks last year as a senior, pulling in 49 passes for 641 yards and three touchdowns.

He is the fifth receiver added to camp since it opened, including Darrin Peterson, Rahul Madan (since released), L’Damian Washington and Derek Yachison.

The receiving corps has also been hit hard by injuries with Addison Richards, Matt Coates, T.J. Thorpe, Gerrard Sheppard all missing practice at various times through the first week.

“The scouting department and Kyle (Walters) are always trying to improve the team,” said O’Shea. “And when we’re down some guys, they have a list of guys that they want that they sometimes are just waiting on and have been in contact with. Sometimes guys make decisions just after camp starts.”

Thumbs up for Randle: Count cornerback Chris Randle among the many vets who have had a good first week of work. And O’Shea has noticed.

“He’s very good. He’s extremely professional in terms of his practice habits. His focus in the meetings… just the way he conducts his business is awesome to be around. He’s a great role model for a lot of the younger guys, just watching his reps in practice and how meticulous he is.

“He’s just one of those guys in practice that makes a lot of plays and you can’t help but notice him. He’s a guy who would never let that feeling of comfort set in.”