WINNIPEG, MB., November 16, 2017 –   The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has re-signed national offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld, and International offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick. Both were pending free agents.

Neufeld has signed a two-year extension after spending the past four seasons in Winnipeg. The seven-year CFL vet was originally acquired in a trade with Saskatchewan in 2013, and has played in 82 career games. He started the final two regular season games at left guard, as well as the Western Semi-Final.

“Without question, I’m really grateful to be returning to the Blue Bombers,“ said Neufeld. “As an offensive line group, we all believe we are just scratching the surface of what we can accomplish, and to be coming back to play for Coach O’Shea and Coach Marty, honestly, I could not ask for anything more. Wade and Kyle have built such a desirable franchise here, and to continue to be a part of that is beyond exciting.”

Hardrick has signed a one-year extension after being named a West-Division All-Star in 2017. He started all 18 games this season at right tackle, and 16 the year before, after signing as a free agent heading into the 2016 season. The Nebraska Cornhuskers product will be entering his fifth CFL season in 2018.

“I’m having the most fun of my life playing football right now,” Hardrick said. “This is one big family, and the fans of the Bombers have been so amazing to me and my family. I’m just really excited and grateful for today and the opportunity the Bombers have given me.”

Clearly, we are paying them too much  

16 minutes ago, Noeller said:

there is absolutely zero reason to not love both these signings. To be angry about Neufeld re-signing for any reason, is just ridiculous and petty.

Shouldn't we check with TBurg before saying that?

Two good signings.  

Two good signings.  

No news on Travis Bond though yet which means he may be testing the NFL combine this spring

2 minutes ago, USABomberfan said:

No news on Travis Bond though yet which means he may be testing the NFL combine this spring

Plenty of time until free agency.  They can only make so many signings before the year turns over because these signings still count against the 2017 cap, IIRC.

36 minutes ago, Noeller said:

there is absolutely zero reason to not love both these signings. To be angry about Neufeld re-signing for any reason, is just ridiculous and petty.

Bingo, we let our OL fall in disarray once before in the Joe Mack era and it caused a bevy of problems that mostly didn't get fixed until 2016.  We got a QB now who we gotta keep protected at all costs, and it seems Walters knows this quite well.

8 minutes ago, USABomberfan said:

No news on Travis Bond though yet which means he may be testing the NFL combine this spring

It's been four days since the season ended.

1 minute ago, blue_gold_84 said:

It's been four days since the season ended.

True, just happened to notice.  Overall though I'm very pleased with these signings and that Walters seems to be immediately prioritizing the OL because they are key to keeping our offensive output going.

Absolutely great sign for next year RE: Players lining up to be with the team.  HUGE difference between this regime and regime's past.  If we're going to get over the hump we may need better scouting...however.

6 minutes ago, blue_gold_84 said:

It's been four days since the season ended.

 

20 minutes ago, Noeller said:

I know I've said this a few times, but F*** (!!) I love The Trinity....

its pretty nuts really... the attitude towards the bombers across the league and from what i'd gather down south to potential players drastically changed in the last 3-4 years.  They have truly changed the view of our team in my opinion.

1 hour ago, Jacquie said:

 

well, Hurl anyway.

1 hour ago, WBBFanWest said:

Shouldn't we check with TBurg before saying that?

Only cuz you asked...

Hardrick - Excellent signing. Part of the heart and soul of our O line.

Neufeld - Perennial backup who has started 3(?) games in the last 2 years. Pretty good when he's healthy, but has been injured every(?) season that he was a starter.  I'd guess he's one of those guys who lined up looking for a contract at Walters door. I hope we didn't pay him a bunch and I hope that one of the younger, cheaper, guys beats him out for his 6th O line spot next year.

I'm not excited about Neufeld - less room for spooner and couture

big meh on these two signings - if they're cheap great if not whatevs

Two good signings. I think people need to remember that Neufeld is a solid potential starter, excellent 6th man and he plays an important mentorship/leadership role on the OL.

Hardrick  is a great re-up.   One of the guys who has really brought in the required attitude.

I would be curious to know  what Neufield made on a per game actually played basis during his tenure here.

3 hours ago, Throw Long Bannatyne said:

I think you're right about Gray, seems like the kind of guy that wants to play a few years of pro football in front of family and friends before settling down and pursuing his engineering career.  He's not like these other draft picks we've been waiting on forever that are strictly chasing the highest dollar and I think Walters knew that when he drafted him.

Gray doesn’t love football and he absolutely is going to chase the highest dollar .

He’s going to make as much money as he can and quit. I wouldn’t say with 100% certainty that he ever plays in the CFL, and that if he does, he will long term.

1 hour ago, Floyd said:

I'm not excited about Neufeld - less room for spooner and couture

If those two are better than Neufeld you can easily trade the guy or just cut him if there's no takers (spoiler alert, someone will always take a NI OL).

having depth is never a bad thing. 

1 hour ago, Floyd said:

I'm not excited about Neufeld - less room for spooner and couture

big meh on these two signings - if they're cheap great if not whatevs

Maybe Spooner isn't ready?  He could need another year on the PR before making the jump (but i'd hope we pay him better then PR minimum) and If Neufeld or Couture are starting... then how would that make less room for him?  one starts, one backs up.. hell having Spooner and Couture for depth may not be a bad thing at all considering we would want to have  a guard as a backup (couture if Neufie starts) or as a tackle (if couture starts, Neufie can backup both tackle and guard)

 

2 hours ago, SPuDS said:

its pretty nuts really... the attitude towards the bombers across the league and from what i'd gather down south to potential players drastically changed in the last 3-4 years.  They have truly changed the view of our team in my opinion.

A huge difference is having a guy like Andrew Harris on the team and having a couple guys on the team that live here year round such as Mo Leggett and now Hardrick. Gives the players who are unfamiliar with the city a better sense of what the team means to the people who live here and help create stronger bonds between the team and community.

Hope and imagine we didnt give a lot of money to newfie.

Really glad to have hardrick back. Young, very good, imp tackle locked up is huge. I imagine we will re lock up bryant and bond will go to the nfl. 

52 minutes ago, SPuDS said:

Maybe Spooner isn't ready?  He could need another year on the PR before making the jump (but i'd hope we pay him better then PR minimum) and If Neufeld or Couture are starting... then how would that make less room for him?  one starts, one backs up.. hell having Spooner and Couture for depth may not be a bad thing at all considering we would want to have  a guard as a backup (couture if Neufie starts) or as a tackle (if couture starts, Neufie can backup both tackle and guard)

 

He may not be. Couture is as ready as newfie is good at worst though. Dont think he has the size to play guard in a strong/man blocking scheme though. Didnt hardrick also struggle at guard before the switch to tackle? idr. 

NI ol arent often ready to perform when they start. They are often forced into it by injuries, or are ready enough to sink or swim. Chung wasnt allstar quality day one, maybe not league average for a guard either. But he was worth taking some bumps to allow him to progress to that level. 

1 hour ago, Blueandgold said:

Gray doesn’t love football and he absolutely is going to chase the highest dollar .

He’s going to make as much money as he can and quit. I wouldn’t say with 100% certainty that he ever plays in the CFL, and that if he does, he will long term.

Proof?