TALES FROM THE SCOUTING TRAIL: Behind Enemy Lines

One of the key ingredients of a successful CFL organization that cannot be overlooked is pro scouting, including self-evaluation and the evaluation of other teams around the league.

To get the most accurate evaluations possible, the Blue Bombers scouting department prioritizes attending preseason games of teams around the league in person. This helps us assess the rookie Canadian, American and Global talent entering the league and gives us a clear picture of which veteran players have developed or regressed since the previous season.

This year, one of the preseason games I attended was Saskatchewan’s Week 2 preseason meet-up with the BC Lions at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, May 27.

Blue Bombers’ Assistant GM/Director of U.S. Scouting Danny McManus and I woke up early Saturday morning and got on the road by 7:30 a.m. to make the six-hour drive from Winnipeg to Regina. We split up driving shifts into three hours apiece to keep us both engaged, and this born and raised American got a crash course in what Canada’s prairie provinces look like beyond the big cities.

As we entered Regina, we drove straight to Mosaic Stadium to pick up our credentials and parking pass. I made sure to wear black Winnipeg gear rather than a blue in order to catch as little flak as possible while behind enemy lines. Then, we headed over to check into the Hotel Saskatchewan and grab lunch nearby before the start of the game.

After lunch, Danny and I ventured to the stadium nearly two hours before kickoff to set up shop in the press box with our roster sheets, notebooks, laptops, and binoculars ready for use. On each of our laptops we put CFL Preseason Live on to catch a few glimpses of our live matchup with Edmonton that ended just before the game we were scouting was set to begin.

With both Danny and I attending the BC-SSK matchup, we each were able to focus on one specific team, making it easier to get a fully in-depth evaluation on both West Division foes.

After setting everything up, we headed down the field to body type the players on each team. Getting an up close and personal understanding of how each player looks is valuable because it gives a scout a clearer picture than what you can see on the game film.

Once the game begins, we focus in on specific players and position groups and vigorously jot down notes while making hushed comments to each other throughout the contest. After the game breezes by, we head straight to the car and drive back to the hotel, narrowly missing a massive thunderstorm and tornado warning that caused major flooding in different areas of Regina. Then, it was time for dinner and bed to get a good night’s sleep before we drive back to Winnipeg the next morning.

Early on Sunday morning, we begin the six-hour return drive. This time, we switch off between driving and watching film of our game with Edmonton that was downloaded onto an iPad, making the journey go by much more quickly. At one point, we chat on the phone with our Senior Assistant GM/Director of Player Personnel, Ted Goveia, who is making his annual East Coast swing, having attended preseason games in Ottawa on Friday and Hamilton on Saturday.

As Danny and I enter the city of Winnipeg, we immediately head straight to the offices at IG Field to have a normal workday for the rest of the day. The grind does not stop as we work to be as prepared as possible for any scenario that the Bombers might face in the regular season.

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Cyril Penn is a Blue Bombers U.S.-based scout who writes regularly for bluebombers.com.

TALES FROM THE SCOUTING TRAIL: Behind Enemy Lines