Blue Bombers Training Camp | Day 1

Willie Jefferson was filled with an unbridled Christmas Eve-type excitement. Brady Oliveira kept gushing over and over and over again about the new additions made in free agency.

And Tim White, well, he’s still feeling energized about how good he feels in Winnipeg Blue Bombers colours months after signing his first deal with the club in late January.

Now, while the names and faces vary, similar scenes no doubt unfolded across the Canadian Football League map with training camps opening.

After all, this is the time of year when every team believes deep down in its collective soul it has the charges to be a November contender with dreams of championship parades dancing in their heads.

That certainly was the case on Day 1 of Blue Bombers training camp where, despite the chilly temps, there was an upbeat buzz that backed up a busy offseason of change, both to the roster in free agency, but also with some tinkering to Mike O’Shea’s coaching staff.

So, heck yeah, the good vibes were aplenty in Bomberland.

Zach Collaros on Day 1 of Blue Bombers training camp

“There’s a lot of excitement,” said veteran defensive end Willie Jefferson. “In the team meeting (Saturday) Coach O’Shea said this is one of the best offseasons from the front office in bringing in some great guys, some big-name guys that we think are going to help us get over that hump at the end of the season. It’s going to be fun

“It feels like the first day of school. I had so much anxiety last night after meetings in getting ready to come out here and run the 300s (fitness testing) … it’s just fun to see all the new guys, all the old guys, to see Zach (Collaros) and the offence. To see Deatrick (Nichols) and the defence, Redha (Kramdi), all those guys making noise in the back end and putting it all together.

“It’s still fine-tuning some things but it’s the first day of camp, the first day of school for a lot of guys,” he added. “Back to the same school, the same teachers but we’ve also some young guys, some freshmen, and we’ve got a chance to mold them and show them what it’s like to be here in Winnipeg and play at Princess Auto Stadium.

“We just want to show them a good time and that’s what I’m here for.”

The Blue Bombers wrapped up rookie camp on Friday and then had the entire squad gather Saturday for meetings before taking to the field for the first time Sunday morning for main camp.

The next three weeks include two preseason games — May 23rd in Saskatoon against the Saskatchewan Roughrider and May 29th at home versus the B.C. Lions — and still features two more cut down days, including Tuesday by 11:59 p.m. when all teams must reduce to 75 players (not including 2026 CFL Canadian Draft picks) before the final roster decisions are made after the second dress rehearsal.

There are some openings on the Blue Bombers depth chart as main camp begins, but also very little mystery given all the veteran pieces that were added, including receivers like White and Tommy Nield, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, offensive tackle Jarell Broxton, defensive backs Jonathan Moxey, Deandre Lamont and Alijah McGhee and linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox — although the latter did have to be helped off the field after a conditioning drill after suffering some sort of leg injury.

Brady Oliveira

“Just being in the building, being in the meetings (Saturday) and seeing all the guys, it’s really good,” began running back Brady Oliveira. “A lot of good energy and it’s good being back out there with the guys and competing.

“Our energy is really good. You usually get that with Day 1 and now it’s how can we improve tomorrow, come out here tomorrow and do more, give more and get one percent better.

“It’s good to be back. There was a lot of positivity. We made a pretty good splash in free agency which we haven’t in previous years. Again, I trust in the organization knowing that they’re doing everything in their power to make the best decisions for this team. They definitely made some waves this offseason. Those guys are going to come in and be a massive part to helping us getting over that hump.

“Last season we didn’t live up to those expectations and meet those standards. The years before that we all know what happened in those Grey Cups. What’s going to get us past that hump? The guys we brought in are going to be great additions and allow us to get to that next step.”

Tim White

White, the former Hamilton Tiger-Cat receiver who has posted four straight 1,000-yard seasons, could be one of those ‘great additions.’

He made a pitstop in Winnipeg in February after signing here with Sunday being his first day on the field with his new squad.

“It feels great. The transition has been smooth and some of that comes from being in Hamilton and the operation there being similar,” he said. “But there’s definitely a lot of new faces for me. I’m meeting a lot of new guys but also a bunch of guys I’ve played with or against for a long time so there is some familiarity.

“Coming out here on the first day, there’s already a ton of energy. There’s also an established leadership group here and that makes it easier to fit in. I feel like the coaches want some of my leadership, for me to speak up. There are a lot of young guys in the room that are looking for answers so I just try to help out when I can. These guys know they can talk to me and Nic (Demski) and Pokey (Wilson).

“Coming here,” he added, “has really been a great thing. It’s been amazing for me and my family, too. When we came up here we got them some jerseys and they’re already wearing them to school.

“I’m seeing all blue and that’s definitely great for me.”