Just over six months from now the Canadian Football League will crown a champion at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
It figures to be a frigid Sunday in the Alberta capital, but the cold and the aches and pains of the long, gruelling road to the title will be forgotten in those moments teammates are slurping bubbly from the three-down game’s most cherished trophy.
The quest for the Grey Cup officially begins Wednesday afternoon for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with the opening of their rookie camp and the first of three sessions before the veterans join the crew on Sunday for main camp.
The Bombers, like their rivals, aren’t without their questions as practices are about to begin. At the same time, a roster which has gone 23-13 over the last two seasons – 22-9 in its last 31 games – remains largely intact and has been bolstered by some solid free agent additions this offseason. Their stories won’t begin taking shape until the weekend, giving the rookies a chance over the next three days to make a solid impression before the vets arrive to protect their starting jobs and roster spots.
With all this in mind, here’s a quick peek at some of the who, what and where as Bombers rookie camp opens…
WHO’S ATTENDING
All CFL newcomers, including six of the club’s seven 2018 draft picks, all the quarterbacks and players who have played less than seven games are eligible to attend. The list of players who have suited up for at least one CFL game, but less than seven, include offensive tackle Manase Foketi, defensive backs Kahlen Branning and Abu Conteh, linebacker Kyrie Wilson, and receiver Drew Wolitarsky.
THE 2018 DRAFT CLASS
#13 Rashaun Simonise, WR (Okanagan Sun; 2nd round, 12th overall): Hard to imagine the Bombers having a more ‘intriguing’ draft pick in camp over the last few years. Immensely talented – he’s already been in a training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals – Simonise is trying to shake off both rust and the red flags that came with a PED suspension.
#42 Jacob Firlotte, DB (Queen’s; 7th round, 58th overall): Big dude (6-3, 216) who is built along the lines of Taylor Loffler, Firlotte figures to get a look at linebacker and defensive back.
#60 Matthew Ouellet De Carlo, OL (Bishop’s; 6th round, 49th overall): A sturdy 6-4, 318, Ouellet De Carlo was an AUS All-Star last season, was the Gaiters Newcomer of the Year in 2014-15 and is a three-time winner of the team’s Lineman of the Year award.
#65 Ben Koczwara, OL (Waterloo, 8th round, 67th overall): Played in the 2017 East-West Bowl. Stands 6-3, 291.
#71 Daniel Petermann, WR (McMaster; 3rd round, 26th overall): Dominated testing at the National Combine and many were surprised to have seen him still be available late in the third round. This pick was part of the Drew Willy trade and that deal could keep giving if Petermann makes the squad.
#73 Tyrone Pierre, WR (Laval, 5th round, 41st overall): Good size and speed. Would push first for a spot on special teams.
(Note: Arnaud Gendron-Dumouchel – the 6-9, 310-pound OL from Montreal drafted in the fourth round – will not be attending camp. He has summer university classes and will be returning to the Carabins next season.)
FIVE TO WATCH
#2 Tharold Simon, DB: Did not attend last month’s mini-camp – he wasn’t signed until this week – but the 27-year-old LSU product arrives with 20 NFL games to his name, 11 with Seattle and nine with Arizona.
#17 Chris Streveler, QB: He played the spectator at mini-camp as he was still unsigned at the time and just checking out the Bombers and the CFL game. Good size at 6-2, 220 and spectacular numbers during his days at South Dakota.
#18 Alex Ross, QB: Suddenly the No. 2 man – experience-wise, at least – behind Matt Nichols with the retirement of Darian Durant. Another prospect with glowing college credentials.
#82 Drew Wolitarsky, WR: The foot injury to Matt Coates has opened a starting gig in the receiving corps and Wolitarsky was leaner and quicker during the mini-camp. He’ll get a head start with the rookies before main camp opens on Sunday.
#19 Kyrie Wilson, LB: Gets a few days of reps in the battle for the vacant middle linebacker job before the more experienced candidates hit the field on the weekend.
THE LOCAL GUYS
Three members of the Canadian Junior Football League’s Winnipeg Rifles have been invited to rookie camp.
#74 Brendan Naujoks, WR: Had 10 catches for 172 yards and a touchdown in four games with the Rifles last year.
#76 Andrew Ricard, DB: Attended Bombers rookie camp last year; led the Prairie Football Conference with five interceptions in seven games in 2017.
#78 Hayden Nellis, DL: Dakota High School product appeared in six games, registering three sacks.
ROOKIE CAMP SCHEDULE
(All practices at Investors Group Field and are open to the public)
Wednesday, May 16: 3-5:15 p.m.
Thursday, May 17: 10:15 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Friday, May 18: 10:15-11:55 a.m.
Saturday, May 19: No practice.
MAIN CAMP OPENS
Sunday, May 20: 9–11:55 a.m.
