Well .. the Combine list of participants is out. Pretty weak showing, to be honest. Lots of top prospects not attending.

NOT ATTENDING: Auclair, Senior, Gray, Herdman, Ankou, Ekakitie, Simonise ... that's all of the top 5 prospects, as well as a handful of other ones.

Notables that ARE attending ... Alex Singleton's brother is coming, I'm curious to see how he does. Bladek, Mulumba, Luke, Woods, Boateng

http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/09/rosters-set-cfl-reveals-list-2017-combine-participants/

The NCAA recruits Southern Ontario and Quebec hard, particularly for OL-DL types because they project a little easier than "skill position" guys and the athletic guys with that body type are few and far between.  Not surprised we're seeing that trickle down to the CFL Draft.  

I don't believe Boateng is on the Bomber's radar, I read today that they didn't interview him.

On 3/21/2017 at 5:38 PM, bb1 said:

OK once again read what Walter's has stated....how many player fell in the draft because teams were not sure if they would come to the CFL...how many were drafted later on as a throw away. This is not made up despite your repeated head in the sand stats.

You were going on about how difficult this NFL factor makes it for GM's, and yet, 16 of the first 18 picks are playing for the team that drafted them in year 1.  That's 89% with zero wait time.  So it seems like GM's have a pretty good handle on it.

Those "head in the sand stats" were not stats at all.  They were 18 separate facts supporting an opinion.  Which fact do you feel is incorrect?

NFL interest is a consideration, no different that a player's injury history and their score on the bench press.  And probably much less meaningful than a player's injury history considering how incredibly few of these players stick in the NFL.

The NFL draft happens 10 days before the CFL draft, so GMs have pretty complete information on the level of interest the NFL has in a particular player.  If a player is taken in the first 3 or 4 rounds of the NFL draft, don't touch him.  If he's taken after that, you might want to take a late round flyer on him**.  Several will be signed as FA's in the week after the draft.  Very few of those will make their teams.  These are the only players where there is even the slightest mystery at all.

That is the situation where we lost Mulamba.  I doubt he makes the Packers if they don't have a rash of injuries at LB during his audition, not because he's not good enough, just because as an undrafted player he isn't considered as valuable an asset in the NFL.  That's just the way it is.  But fortune favoured him and enough guys ended up in sick bay that he got a real shot rather than just being fodder, and he made the most of it.

 

On 3/21/2017 at 7:08 PM, BigBlue said:

I am curious from this how many highly rated Cdn's were not drafted because they appeared to be NFL bound

Not very many.  Most teams have a pretty good idea on the level of interest.  Some choose to use their late round picks to take a flyer on these guys rather than just get another camp body who might play some special teams for three year.  It's spending very little on a lottery ticket.  We did it with Bilukidi.  4th rounder(?) for him I think.  Other guys like this include David Onyemata, Christian Covington and Vaughn Martin.  No one used a high draft pick on these guys, because the NFL interest was obvious and predictable.

** Martin was drafted in the 5th round by Montreal after being drafted in the 4th round by San Diego (different years), a pretty good example of the idea mentioned above.

Israel Idonije was drafted in the 2nd round by the Renegades.  That would have been a hard one to predict as the scouting was much less than it is today.  He just sent tapes out to NFL teams until he finally got a shot.

Orlando Franklin wasn't drafted at all.  He was simply an NFL bound player who happened to have NI eligibility because of the ever-changing NI rules.  No one used a draft pick at all on him, because the NFL interest was obvious and predictable.

There are examples of players that teams have gotten burned (pun possibilities upcoming) on, but there are usually factors beyond just NFL interest.  The BC Lions oddly chose to draft Danny Watkins in the first round even though the Eagles had used their first round pick on him.  I guess they figured he wouldn't make it, and in a way it turns out they were right.  He quit football entirely and focused on his true love, firefighting.

 

5 hours ago, Atomic said:

Exactly.  I'd be shocked if more than 4 make it to a real NFL training camp this year.  And 4 players is nothing to make a big deal about.

Absolutely, and yet for whatever reason, the sky falleth for some.

6 hours ago, mbrg said:

You were going on about how difficult this NFL factor makes it for GM's, and yet, 16 of the first 18 picks are playing for the team that drafted them in year 1.  That's 89% with zero wait time.  So it seems like GM's have a pretty good handle on it.

Those "head in the sand stats" were not stats at all.  They were 18 separate facts supporting an opinion.  Which fact do you feel is incorrect?

NFL interest is a consideration, no different that a player's injury history and their score on the bench press.  And probably much less meaningful than a player's injury history considering how incredibly few of these players stick in the NFL.

The NFL draft happens 10 days before the CFL draft, so GMs have pretty complete information on the level of interest the NFL has in a particular player.  If a player is taken in the first 3 or 4 rounds of the NFL draft, don't touch him.  If he's taken after that, you might want to take a late round flyer on him**.  Several will be signed as FA's in the week after the draft.  Very few of those will make their teams.  These are the only players where there is even the slightest mystery at all.

That is the situation where we lost Mulamba.  I doubt he makes the Packers if they don't have a rash of injuries at LB during his audition, not because he's not good enough, just because as an undrafted player he isn't considered as valuable an asset in the NFL.  That's just the way it is.  But fortune favoured him and enough guys ended up in sick bay that he got a real shot rather than just being fodder, and he made the most of it.

 

Not very many.  Most teams have a pretty good idea on the level of interest.  Some choose to use their late round picks to take a flyer on these guys rather than just get another camp body who might play some special teams for three year.  It's spending very little on a lottery ticket.  We did it with Bilukidi.  4th rounder(?) for him I think.  Other guys like this include David Onyemata, Christian Covington and Vaughn Martin.  No one used a high draft pick on these guys, because the NFL interest was obvious and predictable.

** Martin was drafted in the 5th round by Montreal after being drafted in the 4th round by San Diego (different years), a pretty good example of the idea mentioned above.

Israel Idonije was drafted in the 2nd round by the Renegades.  That would have been a hard one to predict as the scouting was much less than it is today.  He just sent tapes out to NFL teams until he finally got a shot.

Orlando Franklin wasn't drafted at all.  He was simply an NFL bound player who happened to have NI eligibility because of the ever-changing NI rules.  No one used a draft pick at all on him, because the NFL interest was obvious and predictable.

There are examples of players that teams have gotten burned (pun possibilities upcoming) on, but there are usually factors beyond just NFL interest.  The BC Lions oddly chose to draft Danny Watkins in the first round even though the Eagles had used their first round pick on him.  I guess they figured he wouldn't make it, and in a way it turns out they were right.  He quit football entirely and focused on his true love, firefighting.

 

Absolutely, and yet for whatever reason, the sky falleth for 

6 hours ago, mbrg said:

You were going on about how difficult this NFL factor makes it for GM's, and yet, 16 of the first 18 picks are playing for the team that drafted them in year 1.  That's 89% with zero wait time.  So it seems like GM's have a pretty good handle on it.

Those "head in the sand stats" were not stats at all.  They were 18 separate facts supporting an opinion.  Which fact do you feel is incorrect?

NFL interest is a consideration, no different that a player's injury history and their score on the bench press.  And probably much less meaningful than a player's injury history considering how incredibly few of these players stick in the NFL.

The NFL draft happens 10 days before the CFL draft, so GMs have pretty complete information on the level of interest the NFL has in a particular player.  If a player is taken in the first 3 or 4 rounds of the NFL draft, don't touch him.  If he's taken after that, you might want to take a late round flyer on him**.  Several will be signed as FA's in the week after the draft.  Very few of those will make their teams.  These are the only players where there is even the slightest mystery at all.

That is the situation where we lost Mulamba.  I doubt he makes the Packers if they don't have a rash of injuries at LB during his audition, not because he's not good enough, just because as an undrafted player he isn't considered as valuable an asset in the NFL.  That's just the way it is.  But fortune favoured him and enough guys ended up in sick bay that he got a real shot rather than just being fodder, and he made the most of it.

 

Not very many.  Most teams have a pretty good idea on the level of interest.  Some choose to use their late round picks to take a flyer on these guys rather than just get another camp body who might play some special teams for three year.  It's spending very little on a lottery ticket.  We did it with Bilukidi.  4th rounder(?) for him I think.  Other guys like this include David Onyemata, Christian Covington and Vaughn Martin.  No one used a high draft pick on these guys, because the NFL interest was obvious and predictable.

** Martin was drafted in the 5th round by Montreal after being drafted in the 4th round by San Diego (different years), a pretty good example of the idea mentioned above.

Israel Idonije was drafted in the 2nd round by the Renegades.  That would have been a hard one to predict as the scouting was much less than it is today.  He just sent tapes out to NFL teams until he finally got a shot.

Orlando Franklin wasn't drafted at all.  He was simply an NFL bound player who happened to have NI eligibility because of the ever-changing NI rules.  No one used a draft pick at all on him, because the NFL interest was obvious and predictable.

There are examples of players that teams have gotten burned (pun possibilities upcoming) on, but there are usually factors beyond just NFL interest.  The BC Lions oddly chose to draft Danny Watkins in the first round even though the Eagles had used their first round pick on him.  I guess they figured he wouldn't make it, and in a way it turns out they were right.  He quit football entirely and focused on his true love, firefighting.

 

Absolutely, and yet for whatever reason, the sky falleth for some.

You know you have a hell of a time reading between the lines...Walter's has stated how tough the draft has become.Yes players have shaken lose but how many teams passed over players because they weren't sure,only to be picked by a team that could afford to waste a pick....the facts no matter how you twist it  is that a huge component of where a player is drafted is based on if a player can stick in the NFL. 

14 hours ago, Dr. Blue said:

I don't believe Boateng is on the Bomber's radar, I read today that they didn't interview him.

Boateng is a DE.  I don't think it's a priority for us since we have Westerman and Corney on one side and we use import on the other side. Arguably, DT is a must but the Bombers brass feels they have a good ones with Thomas & Butcher. 

I think the Bombers will end up with Mason Wood or Dariusz Bladek with the #1. OL is always a safe pick and seems that those 2 OT-prospects are more likely CFL-bound than NFL-bound. 

Herdman's numbers are not good...  

So far, I'd say

Rising:  Carter, Morrison, Zver, Hoover, Woodson, Wright, Gosselin, McGough

 

If we're picking a receiver in #6 - its either Nate Behar or Malcom Carter is my choice

Edited March 25, 20178 yr by M.O.A.B.

12 minutes ago, M.O.A.B. said:

If we're picking a receiver in #6 - its either Nate Behar or Malcom Carter is my choice

That would be a pretty big jump up the rankings.

13 minutes ago, sweep the leg said:

That would be a pretty big jump up the rankings.

gigantic. Unless the no1 pick was a legit risk to not be in camp id be more inclined to gamble with the 6 on some one like auclair then reach that much.

 

Top six probably shakes down like this...

Woods, Bladek, Mulumba, Ekakitie, Behar, Gray

If Carter was there in the 2nd round, that would be fantastic.

4 hours ago, M.O.A.B. said:

Boateng is a DE.  I don't think it's a priority for us since we have Westerman and Corney on one side and we use import on the other side. Arguably, DT is a must but the Bombers brass feels they have a good ones with Thomas & Butcher. 

I think the Bombers will end up with Mason Wood or Dariusz Bladek with the #1. OL is always a safe pick and seems that those 2 OT-prospects are more likely CFL-bound than NFL-bound. 

Boateng could be (and should be) converted to a LB. 

my source tells me we've got serious interest in a DL from UCLA with our #1 (ankou)

Edited March 25, 20178 yr by Taynted_Fayth

35 minutes ago, Taynted_Fayth said:

my source tells me we've got serious interest in a DL from UCLA with our #1 (ankou)

Despite the fact he likely has NFL interest?

5 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Despite the fact he likely has NFL interest?

yup despite not being in Regina this week he told me so far a DL from UCLA has been someone they are looking at more closely then others. I suppose that could change by may, but it is what it is for now

Ankou was pretty much a lock at first overall until those pro day results... can't see it now - he's going to get drafted.

Ed Tait @EdTaitWFC

Evan Foster, a DL with @umbisons, now working with linebackers at CFL Combine

 

5'11, 225lbs... no kidding

 

Vandevoort turning the DBs inside out in 1on1's.

Bombers will take one of Behar or Vandevoort at 6.  

 

21 minutes ago, Floyd said:

Ankou was pretty much a lock at first overall until those pro day results... can't see it now - he's going to get drafted.

the info I got is from someone within the organization so I believe him, in any case if Walters and osh were looking at a DT I get the feeling it's for depth behind Thomas and Butchers not quite there yet. 

Just now, Taynted_Fayth said:

the info I got is from someone within the organization so I believe him, in any case if Walters and osh were looking at a DT I get the feeling it's for depth behind Thomas and Butchers not quite there yet. 

I totally agree... just saying it sure looks like he'll be drafted by an NFL team.  Can't see picking a guy first overall who'll likely never show up...

Combine coverage was great...

No change in top guys... Behar, Vandevoort, Wright, Woodson

Hoover, Carter, Larensse probably upped their stock

I also liked Malcolm Carter in the one on one's. Not at 6, but as a later/developmental pick. Didn't think the Herdman's looked very good. I thought Gosselin and Alexander stood out in a good way as well as Woodson and Wright.

Edited March 25, 20178 yr by TBURGESS
+

31" vert 9'7 broad jump and 31 reps. I only saw his reps. he used far less back arch and leg drive then most guys who put up 30+ reps. 

Edited March 25, 20178 yr by wbbfan

5 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

I also liked Malcolm Carter in the one on one's. Not at 6, but as a later/developmental pick. Didn't think the Herdman's looked very good.

No idea how far teams will go for his athletic ability and size but it will be interesting to see thats for sure. 

Now that the combine numbers are in how about a top 10 board? Not gonna go into whose going to the nfl and whose not, team needs etc. Just the best prospects available this year. 

 

Not too worried about Herdman looking bad. He's not going to dominate testing. He's a football player, not a track star. I did expect more, but that's fine. He'll bounce back.

Lateral movement looked pretty bad for Herdman and these are guys that likely will never see the field on offence (or at all) in the CFL he was up against.  Not so concerned about the testing the numbers the 1on1's were concerning though.  Pretty big drop off in just a couple months since the Senior Bowl.

I don't think I'd take him with either of our firsts.  He's going to have to play in space and cover in the CFL regardless of where he plays unless he keeps eating and moves to nose.