gbill2004

@AdamSchefter: Vikings announced they have deactivated RB Adrian Peterson.

@PaulWiecek: BC RB Andrew Harris told @FifthQtr the Lions could rush for 250 yards against #Bombers. " I really think we have the potential to do this."

Give. Me. A. ****ing. Break. Yep, Wiecek is the worst...besides Friesen and Lawless.

From Paul Wiecek: If a professional football team's practice falls in a forest but no one sees it, does it exist? That was the question at Investors Group Field Thursday after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers confirmed publicly for the first time they have been holding secret on-field exercises at IGF this season that neither the public nor the media were told about. The latest stealth workout -- the Bombers are adamant they are not "practices" -- occurred behind closed doors at IGF Tuesday. Head coach Mike O'Shea revealed Thursday his team has been holding the stealth workouts all season. Now, there's nothing wrong with CFL teams holding closed practices. The league rules specifically allow teams to close up to one practice per week to the public and media. CFL teams have done so from time to time. Both the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders, for instance, have held closed practices now and then in recent years, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders close one practice every week. But while league rules allow closed practices, the same rules also clearly stipulate teams must inform the public and the media the practices are occurring, even if they are closed. That's not what the Bombers have been doing. Instead, the club has been posting a practice schedule for the media and public this season that specifically states no practice is scheduled, even when the stealth on-field exercises have been occurring. So what does the CFL think about that? League spokesman Jamie Dykstra said Thursday the league has looked into the situation and has accepted the Bombers' explanation what they are doing this season on their first day of a practice week -- 'day zero' -- does not technically constitute a practice. "We have discussed this with the Bombers and it is our understanding that day zero is a day of meetings where certain players hold walk-throughs (on the field) after reviewing film," said Dykstra. The league's use of the term walk-through to justify what the Bombers are doing on the field behind closed doors is curious. CFL teams also describe the light practices they hold the day before a game as walk-throughs and the league makes it mandatory those be held in public and in full view of the media. Moreover, the stealth on-field exercises are also occurring on a Bombers team that under O'Shea already has the most restrictive media-access policy in the nine-team CFL. The Bombers are the only team in the league that never allow media access to any of the team's assistant coaches. While other CFL teams have occasionally restricted access to assistants in previous seasons, the Bombers will become the first team in CFL history to do so for an entire season, unless O'Shea relents between now and the end of the season. Other CFL teams have been criticized by fans and media for closing their practices. It is a new phenomenon in recent years in a league that was once unrivalled in its fan friendliness. The Bombers' decision this season to close their first on-field workout of each practice week -- without letting media and the public know the workouts were occurring -- allowed them to escape such scrutiny. That's no small caveat, given the Bombers are holding those stealth workouts in a $210-million stadium that was paid for in large part by taxpayer funds. Indeed, O'Shea said Thursday he is actually opposed to closed practices precisely because he thinks Bombers fans deserve better. "To me, especially here, the fan base are so important to us and so loyal that if we closed a practice and the fans couldn't come out and enjoy what they enjoy, I think that would be contrary to what I believe in." So what exactly is going on during these stealth workouts and why do the Bombers feel they are so different than the practices they hold the rest of the week? O'Shea said they are simply slow-motion run-throughs of corrections from the last game. "There's nothing about it that's a practice. They're in tennis shoes and ball caps and they're sitting mostly," said O'Shea. "There's nothing organized about it really. It's certainly nothing worthwhile (for fans to see) because it's not as organized as a practice would be. They don't do anything out there." The issue of the Bombers' practice schedule has come up recently in part because the club has held just two full practices in each of the last two weeks despite having lost four of their last five games. O'Shea was asked why he hasn't been asking more of his team on the practice field given the recent losing skid. "I've always maintained, and what I witnessed the last couple years in my previous job (as an assistant coach), is that fresh was best. Keeping guys physically ready to go allows them to do their job, allows them to execute. "There's an adage in football that when you're tired, the first thing to go is your head... So we do more classroom work and more focus on that kind of study than going out there and running them." http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/stealth-sessions-274860401.html?cx_navSource=d-top-story

Considering no one has had anything good to say about our Dline and our run-stopping abilities when these players were healthy, wringing our hands about how we will stop the run now that these players have to be replaced is a bit ironic. (Both Harris and Logan rushed for less than 40 yards the first time we faced them) This is a perfect example of how important an OL is to the run game.

So are Knapp and Carter the inactive's this week?

Huge signing. Was worried we couldn't keep him with the money Moore got.

I agree Grigsby's blocking is very good.

This game will be Ameet Pall's coming out party.

I could see Ottawa having interest with Walker out for the season.

@PentonKirk: Paris Cotton's agent is contacting other CFL teams, looking for an active roster spot for his client. #Bombers

Grigsby is a case where the numbers don't tell the whole story. He is getting better though as the season progresses.

With the way ACL recoveries have been trending, I wouldn't be surprised if Anderson is ready for 2015 training camp.

Volny has looked competent this year in his limited touches. And I'm sure Pontbriand and/or Stoudermire could also fill in at RB if necessary. Makes Cotton redundant.

Don't teams have to release a player and then re-sign them to the PR? Or did that change with the new CBA? I always thought it wasn't a "transfer" but two separate transactions. If that's the case, Penton was technically correct.

That's not what he said. @DuaneFordeTSN: I'm predicting that, by the 2015 CFL Draft, 3 of the Top 10 prospects will be players whose names aren't even on the eligibility list yet.

Huge blow. Crazy it was his brother who caused it (accidentally of course).

That's weird...I thought you knew everything??

Here's the CFL's video: http://www.cfl.ca/video/index/id/102563. I know everything and I was the first to post this woohoo!!!

Brohm will be a 4th rounder based on where we are in the season (was a 2-4 round pick based on games started). And yes I stated Portis was a conditional pick. I'm aware. I was clarifying for everyone else. Don't worry, we all know you said it first. Thanks for clarifying my message that was already clear. Please just get over yourself already, not every interjection or addition to information you are providing is meant to be a slight on you. You're one of the members on this site who contributes the most as far as information goes but the way you seek credit and want to be acknowledged for it is so tiring to deal with. Actually you need to get over yourself. You come across a very arrogant and a "know it all".

Brohm will be a 4th rounder based on where we are in the season (was a 2-4 round pick based on games started). And yes I stated Portis was a conditional pick. I'm aware. I was clarifying for everyone else. Don't worry, we all know you said it first. Thanks for clarifying my message that was already clear.

Brohm will be a 4th rounder based on where we are in the season (was a 2-4 round pick based on games started). And yes I stated Portis was a conditional pick.

Does anyone know the exact draft picks we have in the 2015 draft? I know we traded a 4th rounder for Brohm, a conditional pick for Portis and we got I believe a 4th rounder back in the Hall/Neufeld trade. So we should have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th rounder (gave one up, but got one back). Portis compensation pick is the unsure one I think.

And just for the record this is a top 10 not top 15

Heavy on scouts input, Justin Dunk presents the Top 10 list of CIS players to watch as the 2014 university football season unfolds, as always with an eye towards the 2015 CFL Draft. Top 10 1) Daryl Waud, DL, Western, 6’4”, 291 pounds Scouts take: “He was unblockable at the East West Bowl. He’s big and physical, a perfect interior defensive lineman in the CFL.” “Big body, plugs up the holes and gets after the quarterback. Overpowers guards and centres. He does a good job of being a disruptive force on the defensive line.” “He could be really good in the CFL. He’s just so big and athletic. You could see him potentially getting an NFL look down the road.” “He needs to get a little bit better against the run. No one could block him in the 1-on-1s at East West.” “He’s made a bunch of plays as a tight end for Western. He’s just a phenomenal athlete. He probably could be an all-star guard if he wanted to be.” “I’m kind of surprised - I heard there was interest - he didn’t get an NCAA Division I scholarship.” “He is a high-level box lacrosse player. This is his first off-season I’ve heard that he’s not playing lacrosse. It’s hindered his weight training and football development, but it’s helped him in some areas. You see how lacrosse has helped him in just how well and smooth he moves. You just don’t see guys as big as him that are as athletic as he is.” 2) Nick Demski, REC, Manitoba, 5’11”, 208 pounds Scouts take: “He’s just smooth. He’s one of those players that doesn’t look like he’s moving that fast then runs right by you.” “He has a great attitude, great football ability and great breakaway speed. He’s one of those kids that you give him the ball and he can create yards. The best thing about him is his attitude towards football.” “He just needs to continue to get a little faster. He’s close to being fast enough, but he could get even faster. He needs to improve his route running. He has good hands.” “He’s a pretty special player and does a little bit of everything. He’s kind of like an Andre Durie. He was a running back before and is much further along as a receiver than Anthony Coombs at the same point in their development. He’s very good after the catch. He has a lot of natural ball skills, playmaking ability and feel for the game. He’s just an all around athlete.” “Most pro ready receiver we’ve seen at the East West Bowl in a while. Smooth, athletic, makes plays. Look for big things from him in the 2014 CIS season.” “Scouts are salivating over him.” 3) Danny Groulx, OL, Laval, 6’6”, 335 pounds Scouts take: “He’s really good, big and physical. I like him a lot. He plays tackle at Laval, he played some guard at East West. He plays with a real mean streak and he’s a big mauler.” “He comes from a long line of offensive linemen from Laval.” “Potential tackle in the CFL. Big athletic offensive linemen like him do not come around that often.” 4) Brandon Tennant, DL, Laval, 6’2”, 309 pounds Scouts take: “He’s a big athletic kid - disruptive type. He’s very quick. He’s going to be a pretty good interior defensive lineman in the CFL.” “He makes a lot of plays. He’s very quick. He needs to improve on his strength and athleticism.” “Dominant inside during the week of practice at the East West Bowl. High energy player.” 5) Sukh Chungh, OL, Calgary, 6’2”, 288 pounds Scouts take: “Big, tough kid - just like a big bear. He’s very physical and strong.” “He’s got the perfect guard body. Chungh’s been very well coached by Steve Buratto out there at the University of Calgary.” “You would like to see him improve his athleticism. He’s a brawler, mauler type lineman. It’s not always pretty but he gets the job done. He plays with an edge to him.” “He wants to be a physical force and hit people.” 6) Addison Richards, REC, Regina, 6’4”, 202 pounds Scouts take: “He’s just a physical specimen: big, tall and fast.” “You cannot teach size, but you can teach everything else. He catches the ball away from his frame. He ran 4.65 seconds in the 40 – fast for his size.” “He opened a lot of eyes at the East West Bowl.” “He needs to get bigger, tougher and stronger. He can very easily become the next Jason Clermont, just the way he plays. He’s a faster version of Clermont. I don’t think he’s as physical as Clermont was, I think he could be a little more physical for his size.” “Raw player with great physical attributes. He needs to work with a receiver coach and really fine tune his route running and awareness on the field.” 7) Sean McEwen, OL, Calgary, 6’2”, 297 pounds Scouts take: “Technically sound and has been well coached.” “He’s going to be an inside player. He has the ability to play guard or centre - just a road grader.” “He tested and was a lot more athletic than I thought he was going to be. I think he’s more of a centre prospect.” 8) Karl Lavoie, OL, Laval, 6’3”, 283 pounds Scouts take: “He needs to get a little more muscular and stronger. He’s got great feet. I think Lavoie has a lot of upside.” “Great body type for an interior player. He has good feet, is strong and moves people.” “He played centre all week at the East West Bowl and I think that position fits him the best for the pro game. He has some similarities to Greg Wojt. He just has to get a little bit bigger and continue to get stronger.” 9) Chris Ackie, DB/LB, Laurier, 6’0”, 215 pounds Scouts take: “I think he’s a linebacker in the CFL, but he’s a good football player. He’s got a future as a prototypical weakside linebacker in the CFL.” “He’s a beast - physically looked impressive. He would be the best CIS linebacker prospect right now even though he is listed as a DB. Phenomenal athlete who put up strong testing numbers at the East West Bowl.” “He’s playing out of position at Laurier, but he’s big, physical, athletic and a strong kid. In the CFL he’s going to be a weakside linebacker.” 10) David Beard, OL, Alberta, 6’5”, 273 pounds Scouts take: “Surprisingly athletic, he moves his feet very well, but he needs to put on more muscle mass. He did himself a favour with his East West performance.” “To me he was the offensive lineman that jumped out the most at the East West Bowl. He’s got very good length an is a good athlete.” “He’s a newly converted offensive lineman from being on the defensive line. He needs to get some more weight on his frame, continue to get stronger, but I would imagine a lot of teams were excited about him.” “He’s still a little bit of a developmental kid, but there is a high upside with him. If he has a solid year he will rise up the rankings.” Just on the outside Jonathan Langa, LB, Saint Mary’s, 5’9”, 214 pounds Tevaughn Campbell, DB, Regina, 5’11”, 183 pounds Jake Harty, REC, Calgary, 6’1”, 207 pounds