gbill2004

A pro football league slated to start play this fall reportedly aims to eventually become a feeder system for the NFL. The Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) will have six teams, including clubs in the Boston and New York metropolitan areas, when its six-game season kicks off in October, according to The Associated Press. Players will be paid $1,000 per week, per the AP. FXFL commissioner Brian Woods told the AP that the league’s “long-term goal is to establish a partnership with the NFL, and we feel can do that on many platforms.” Woods told the AP that the FXFL can fill a void by grooming young talent that isn’t quite ready for the NFL or is completely off the NFL’s radar. According to the AP, the league is slated to play a good number of Wednesday night games. This seems a logical part of the calendar for FXFL to try, with Sunday and Monday belonging to the NFL, Saturday the property of college football and Thursday having NFL and college football action. The question then turns to the type of talent the FXFL can attract as it starts play. The Canadian Football League and Arena Football League both have footholds as NFL alternatives. Moreover, though the NFL only has a seven-round draft, hundreds of undrafted free agents are signed by clubs in the spring. Also, with practice squads, the NFL already has an in-house developmental system. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/20/report-fxfl-wants-to-establish-a-partnership-with-the-nfl/.

Brand new offense & OC was just fired.

Bombers have a solid chance at making the playoffs this season with the crossover. We' should be no worse than Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal.

@JimTothSports: Bob Irving "Who doesn't these days?" Mike O'Shea "You & me" Bob Irving "I tweet a little bit" Mike O'Shea "Then me..."

Pretty sure we had 8 coaches last season. 13 is close to double that!

True but right now he's injured. And has a history of injuries.

You only need 1 Nat'l backup OL on gameday roster. If an injury happens, just go back to 2-3 Int'l/Nat'l OL the next game. I know. What I'm saying is that we don't even have one legit national backup right now if you start Greaves, Morley, Goossen and Neufeld.

Based on what I saw in training camp I could see Kelly being a big red zone target this year. Could catch a lot of TDs.

@BobIrvingCJOB: Max hall was stunned when the bombers released him--probably felt the experience he gained last year would stand him in good stead

Kohlert and Watson start. Feoli-Gudino and/or Carter backup. Yes obviously. But both Kohlert and JFG are injured, or at least they were during this week of practice. Kohert is day to day and he will be fine for the season opener. Not sure about JFG, but I believe his injury is minor as well.

Kohlert and Watson start. Feoli-Gudino and/or Carter backup.

@DarrinBauming: #Bombers rep clarifies that none of the 11 released today will be asked to join the practice roster.

My guess is they're keeping these two around as a replacement for Glenn January next year. I'm glad they are keeping both. Two very solid tackles and I expect Howard will only improve.

Brett Carter likely to the PR.

Looks like Donovan Kemp made the roster.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have announced that the following players have been released: International quarterback Max Hall International receiver Mario Urrutia International receiver Mark Dell International receiver Jaymar Johnson International receiver Bert Reed International defensive back Stephon Morris International defensive back Michael Ray Garvin International defensive back Matt Pierce International defensive lineman Willie Moseley International offensive lineman Jesse Peterson National receiver Taylor Renaud

@DarrinBauming: #Bombers announce 11 cuts, most notably QB Max Hall and WR Mario Urrutia.

The thing with starting 4 nationals on the OL is that you need a couple good national OL's who can step in as backups, in case of injury. Right now I don't think we have that type of depth. If Swiston was reliable, maybe. But the guy is always injured. Stevenson and Everett aren't ready to step in yet either.

And we were concerned with 3. Collaros is going to be running for his life this season. The Ticats in a way remind me of the Philadelphia Eagles a few years ago, when Vince Young referred to them as the 'Dream Team'. They ended up sucking that year. Could be that type of season for the Ticats.

@K_Browning15: Headed out to the airport. Y'all will hear from me when I land in Winnipeg!

For the average regular season game, I agree 30,500 would be enough. The extra 3,000 is useful for big games though like the Banjo Bowl and playoff games. With overall population increasing, 33,500 might be just right in say 20 years.

But they all occurred while he was playing slot... His injury last year occurred in practice while playing WR.

On Dan Knapp: SPORTS Knapp sacked touchdown envy in favour of tackle transition Ken Wiebe Sunday, June 15, 2014, 5:52 PM Dan Knapp converted from tight end to tackle at Arizona State and is now among those who will try to keep Bombers quarterbacks upright this year. Most offensive linemen don’t spend much time thinking about when their next touchdown might come. But Dan Knapp is no ordinary offensive lineman and while he enjoys his new position, he admits there are times when he’d like to get open and find the end zone. “I enjoy what I do out here, it’s a lot of fun. But of course, I (miss playing tight end) and I miss scoring touchdowns,” said Knapp, a converted tight end who is now a tackle and guard with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Knapp was the top-ranked tight end in Nevada when he was recruited to play for the Arizona State Sun Devils. But after two seasons in which he had five receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown, the coaching staff asked Knapp to bulk up and become a tackle. “Our offensive co-ordinator (at ASU) got fired and we went to a spread offence, so we basically eliminated the tight end,” said Knapp. “I didn’t have much of a choice. I could transfer (to another school), lose a year or just bite the bullet, gain 20 pounds and play offensive tackle and that’s exactly what I did. Here I am now. No regrets.” It turns out that Knapp was a quick learner, starting six games at tackle during his junior year, then starting all 13 games as a senior with the Sun Devils. How did Knapp make such a smooth transition? “I had good coaching,” he said. “I just wanted to be on the field. That’s all I cared about, so I did what was necessary and what was asked of me and it was successful. There was a lot of everything. A lot of weight-room work, getting stronger. A lot of film work, a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches. “I was an athlete and I just picked it up.” Knapp’s ability to shift positions caught the attention of NFL scouts and he was signed as a free agent by the Oakland Raiders, appearing in four pre-season games in 2012 before he was released. Knapp then spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals before ending up with the Blue Bombers last September, moving quickly into the starting lineup. “The game is becoming slower and I’m starting to get a better understanding (of the CFL game),” said Knapp. “Where I lack technique-wise, where I still need to learn, I can make up with my athleticism — not that I’m not going to work on the technical side.” Knapp’s athletic ability is evident almost every day at Bomber practice, when he blows away the field while running sprints. There was a day after one workout when Blue Bombers starting quarterback Drew Willy figured he would run with the hogs and he needed to run all out in order to stay slightly ahead of Knapp. Knapp has started at both tackle and guard during the Blue Bombers’ pre-season games and figures to find a spot at one of those positions once the regular season starts on June 26. “He’s tough,” said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “He brings the same thing that E.J. Kuale brings to the defence, he’s a battler.” Provided Knapp does a good job protecting the quarterback and creating some holes for the running game this season, O’Shea just might reward the lineman with a special play in one of the goal-line packages. “Coach (O’Shea) asked me the other day if I can still catch the ball,” said Knapp. “I said coach, of course I can. I’ve still got it. Hopefully, they might throw something in there for me. That would be awesome and I would love to score one more touchdown before my career ends.”

After watching Knapp closely at practice I'm comfortable with him starting anywhere on the line. Guy is a beast and a physical freak.

I'm a little surprised Knapp gets the start over Jones. Also surprised they have Neufeld at guard and not tackle. Will be interesting if Howard or Jones is the backup import OL...maybe both are kept.