It's looking like this years LB crew will be significantly different from last years. Gone are Kuale, Wild, Sears and Dunn. The only sure thing right now it seems is Sam Hurl. Don Unamba might be a LB option too.

My question is if Walters plans on relying on the recruitment department to bring in LBs from down south, how difficult is it for a LB to transition from American football (NCAA and NFL) to the CFL game? Are there any examples of a new to CFL MLB stepping right in in his first year and starting and having success?

The Bombers most glaring need is at MLB, although some might argue Sam Hurl will start there, I'm a little skeptical of that. The MLB is a QB of the defense so needs to have a good understanding of the offense to call the defensive formations/plays. Could a new American MLB step in right away and fill that role and have success?

If Hurl is such a strong prospect for a starting LB spot, why did the Riders trade Ricky Foley for Emry (with concussion issues) instead of electing to keep both Hurl and Foley?

No way Saskie trades RF if they thought there was any way Hurl could play full time.

 

You're assuming the Riders could have kept Hurl. You can't force a player to re-sign and you can't assume the Riders "let him walk" either. It's certainly a possibility that Hurl told the Riders to sod off so he could try to follow Richie Hall here. 

 

If Hurl is such a strong prospect for a starting LB spot, why did the Riders trade Ricky Foley for Emry (with concussion issues) instead of electing to keep both Hurl and Foley?

No way Saskie trades RF if they thought there was any way Hurl could play full time.

 

You're assuming the Riders could have kept Hurl. You can't force a player to re-sign and you can't assume the Riders "let him walk" either. It's certainly a possibility that Hurl told the Riders to sod off so he could try to follow Richie Hall here. 

 

Exactly. You can't "elect" to keep a pending free agent. From what I've read they did make an offer in an attempt to keep him.

 

If Hurl is such a strong prospect for a starting LB spot, why did the Riders trade Ricky Foley for Emry (with concussion issues) instead of electing to keep both Hurl and Foley?

No way Saskie trades RF if they thought there was any way Hurl could play full time.

 

You're assuming the Riders could have kept Hurl. You can't force a player to re-sign and you can't assume the Riders "let him walk" either. It's certainly a possibility that Hurl told the Riders to sod off so he could try to follow Richie Hall here. 

 

It would be safe to assume that Hall's input to O'Shea would have been sought before signing Hurl, so Hurl may well have underutilized talents as a linebacker.

 

 

If Hurl is such a strong prospect for a starting LB spot, why did the Riders trade Ricky Foley for Emry (with concussion issues) instead of electing to keep both Hurl and Foley?

No way Saskie trades RF if they thought there was any way Hurl could play full time.

 

You're assuming the Riders could have kept Hurl. You can't force a player to re-sign and you can't assume the Riders "let him walk" either. It's certainly a possibility that Hurl told the Riders to sod off so he could try to follow Richie Hall here. 

 

Exactly. You can't "elect" to keep a pending free agent. From what I've read they did make an offer in an attempt to keep him.

 

 

But everyone who ever plays for Sask never wants to leave b/c it's the holy land of the CFL... right???

Terrell Parker was very good at WIL spot. I think they should bring him back. We're on a traditional D anyways.

Parker? Wasn't that 2 3 years ago now?

Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming

#Bombers add three Internationals: 'backers Rodney Lamar (6'1" 225lb) and Khalil Bass (6'2" 230lb), and receiver Tyrone Goard (6'4" 195lb).

If Hurl is such a strong prospect for a starting LB spot, why did the Riders trade Ricky Foley for Emry (with concussion issues) instead of electing to keep both Hurl and Foley?

No way Saskie trades RF if they thought there was any way Hurl could play full time.

 

Lots of ways good players end up getting run out of town. Coaches and GMs looking for someone to blame, or to appease an angry fan base are just a couple that immediately spring to mind.

Look at the defensive stats and win/loss record for Saskatchewan while Hurl was MLB. Pretty impressive, if you ask me. However, blaming and then ditching a MLB is much easier than placing the blame on an underperforming big money offence and QB.

 

Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming

#Bombers add three Internationals: 'backers Rodney Lamar (6'1" 225lb) and Khalil Bass (6'2" 230lb), and receiver Tyrone Goard (6'4" 195lb).

 

 

It appears we will recruit our new LBs. Hope they are gooders.

Bout time they announced these guys. I have kinda high hopes for Lamar, don't know much about Bass.

Hopefully with all the recruitment a decent one ends up on the roster that can fill in for us this year

Peters signed with the Vikings.

 

Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming

#Bombers add three Internationals: 'backers Rodney Lamar (6'1" 225lb) and Khalil Bass (6'2" 230lb), and receiver Tyrone Goard (6'4" 195lb).

 

 

Lamar and Bass both have prototypical CFL MLB size... so that's start...

Peters signed with the Vikings.

Kirk Penton @PentonKirk · 2h2 hours ago

“@Vikings: The #Vikings have signed LB Brian Peters. http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Sign-Former-CFL-Linebacker/0bdd6aa0-9213-4d57-9b88-73c2efc8fc4d …” #CFL #Riders

 

 

Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming

#Bombers add three Internationals: 'backers Rodney Lamar (6'1" 225lb) and Khalil Bass (6'2" 230lb), and receiver Tyrone Goard (6'4" 195lb).

 

 

Lamar and Bass both have prototypical CFL MLB size... so that's start...

 

 

What's really exciting about Bass is that he appears to have grown three inches since his pro-day.

 

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90582&draftyear=2013&genpos=ILB

 

 

Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming

#Bombers add three Internationals: 'backers Rodney Lamar (6'1" 225lb) and Khalil Bass (6'2" 230lb), and receiver Tyrone Goard (6'4" 195lb).

 

 

Lamar and Bass both have prototypical CFL MLB size... so that's start...

 

As opposed to prototypical Etch size?

Tyrone Goard, with his size and if he makes the squad, I'm calling his nickname right now ... The Great Pumpkin!

 

 

 

 

 

Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming

#Bombers add three Internationals: 'backers Rodney Lamar (6'1" 225lb) and Khalil Bass (6'2" 230lb), and receiver Tyrone Goard (6'4" 195lb).

 

 

Lamar and Bass both have prototypical CFL MLB size... so that's start...

 

 

What's really exciting about Bass is that he appears to have grown three inches since his pro-day.

 

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90582&draftyear=2013&genpos=ILB

 

 

Well that's just impressive... how could this kid not be a stud! 

 

 

 

Darrin Bauming @DarrinBauming

#Bombers add three Internationals: 'backers Rodney Lamar (6'1" 225lb) and Khalil Bass (6'2" 230lb), and receiver Tyrone Goard (6'4" 195lb).

 

 

Lamar and Bass both have prototypical CFL MLB size... so that's start...

 

 

What's really exciting about Bass is that he appears to have grown three inches since his pro-day.

 

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=90582&draftyear=2013&genpos=ILB

 

 

I think both Joe Lobendahn and Ryland Wickman clocked in around 5’10 / 5’11 .. both were effective for us in the middle ..

Equally impressive is Goard has shrunk 3 inches since his. lol

Equally impressive is Goard has shrunk 3 inches since his. lol

Cold weather will do that.

 

Equally impressive is Goard has shrunk 3 inches since his. lol

Cold weather will do that.

 

Equally impressive is Goard has shrunk 3 inches since his. lol

Cold weather will do that.

That didn't seem to affect Troy Stoudermire.

What's with the Troy Stoudermire stuff? Did he win some sort of contest?

What's with the Troy Stoudermire stuff? Did he win some sort of contest?

My guess is yes, he's won a lot of contests. lol