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We finally won something (sic)

IC Khari

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IC Khari

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http://www.cfl.ca/2016/02/25/blue-bombers-won-free-agency/

DARREN CAMERON BLUEBOMBERS.COM

 
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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a bold statement this February, invigorating their roster and fan base with an influx of star signings. Director of Communications and Media Relations Darren Cameron saw it all first-hand, from the signing of hometown star Andrew Harris to the additions of former rivals Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith. In his latest blog, he writes how it all went down.

A lot has changed since I last wrote, and we definitely believe for the better. Free agency week was a busy one, with almost every player GM Kyle Walters had pegged agreeing to terms. It’s an intense 12 hours or so, being hunkered down in Kyle’s office while everyone works their phones in pursuit of multiple players. Some don’t take a long time to make a decision at all, some want to speak with the head coach before making their call, and some just wait out the process.

An almost unanimous determining factor when talking one-on-one with our new acquisitions was a desire to play for Coach Mike O’Shea. This is sometimes talked about, but it really bears mentioning just how important that is. Andrew Harris, Ryan Smith, Jeff Keeping and Justin Medlock all made mention on multiple occasions, both privately and publicly, that Mike was a major factor in deciding to come to Winnipeg. To be honest, a few of those guys quite possibly would have gone elsewhere had it not been for him.

The Euclid Cummings signing stands out from the flurry of activity that day: a guy who had been talked about for a while, but someone who we didn’t hear back from until well into the afternoon. Rightfully so, he was taking in all offers, gathering information (haven’t had a chance to meet him, but he seems like a very bright guy), and trying to make the best decision possible.

It was about 3:00 p.m. when Stanley Bryant sent me a text, “Are we done for today?” I replied we were waiting to hear on Euclid Cummings, to which he replied “Jace knows him.” Sometimes, this is all it takes, one push from another teammate.

I relayed the information to Kyle, who immediately requested that we ask Jace to reach out to Euclid. They know each other from their time in Tampa with the Buccaneers. It didn’t sound like they had talked in a while, but I sent Jace Euclid’s number, and a short time later Jace confirmed they had touched base. An hour or so later, Euclid’s agent called Kyle and confirmed Euclid was coming to Winnipeg.

I asked Euclid the other day if Jace’s assurance of our franchise is what sealed it: “It definitely helped make my decision,” said Cummings. “I had talked to a couple of former players as well, and all of them had nothing but great things to say about the organization.”

“IT DEFINITELY HELPED MAKE MY DECISION. I HAD TALKED TO A COUPLE OF FORMER PLAYERS AS WELL, AND ALL OF THEM HAD NOTHING BUT GREAT THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION.”

euclid-cummings-2015-2

Euclid Cummings adds some much-needed muscle to the middle of the Bombers’ D-line

The excitement around the organization after free agency has definitely had a positive impact on ticket sales, as both renewals and new season tickets have seen a jump in the past two weeks. Great to see.

The day after signing, Ryan Smith drove up for the day from his home in Fargo, N.D.. He arrived at the stadium just before noon, an hour prior to his scheduled media conference. We showed him around the facility and ended the tour outside the door of the head coach’s office.

Ryan is Mike’s kind of player – hard-nosed, tough and willing to do whatever it is going to take to win. I knew Mike would immediately take a liking to him. The two met for half an hour, had some lunch, then Ryan met the Winnipeg media in the Press Room down the hall. He’s a quieter guy, but seems very focused and a real pro. He was grinning through his entire press conference, and then through two more interviews after that. We offered to have him stay the night at a downtown hotel, but he politely told us he would drive back to Fargo. After all, he had a workout scheduled the next morning.

The next day, Winnipeg-born Andrew Harris flew in from Vancouver. I could sense the excitement in his voice from the second I called him on free agency day. He landed in Winnipeg around 3pm and had a busy few days planned.

Andrew-Harris-2016-1

Bombers new starting running back Andrew Harris

Scott Brown – the Winnipeg Jets’ Senior Director of Corporate Communications – had extended an offer for Andrew to come to the game that night, and the TSN broadcast had an interview lined up with him midway through the first period. He tossed on his #33 Byfuglien jersey (the same number Andrew will wear as a Bomber), and took his mom to her first ever Jets game. He posed for pictures, signed multiple autographs, gave the cheering crowd a wave when welcomed on the scoreboard, and drew the 50/50 number later in the night.

Andrew and I were acquaintances before all of this, but the one thing I quickly got from him is that he is very excited to be a Bomber. A three-hour photo shoot Friday morning? Sure. An appearance later on Friday afternoon? Absolutely. A two-hour autograph signing Saturday to meet some fans? Would love to. The line-up for autographs that morning snaked around the store and out the doors, and he seemed as happy to meet the fans as they were to meet him.

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Noeller Grand Master

Noeller

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I always find it interesting to see/hear that the organization is held in such high regard by players both current and former. It can't possibly be true because so many people on here told me this organization is a parriah, and nobody wants to be anywhere near it. 

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iso_55 Newbie

iso_55

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2 hours ago, Noeller said:

I always find it interesting to see/hear that the organization is held in such high regard by players both current and former. It can't possibly be true because so many people on here told me this organization is a parriah, and nobody wants to be anywhere near it. 

Well, they HAVE to win this year & everyone knows it. That will ultimately how this organization will be judged.

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Logan007 Newbie

Logan007

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42 minutes ago, AKAChip said:

Seeing the author of this and reading this article makes me sick to my stomach. Nothing like counting your chickens before they hatch.

Someone needs to pump our tires when certain members of the media tear us down so much.

Also, what team doesn't pump their own tires?  I think they all do it.  They're trying to sell tickets after all.  But I understand what you're saying.

Edited by Logan007
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kelownabomberfan Grand Master

kelownabomberfan

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50 minutes ago, AKAChip said:

Seeing the author of this and reading this article makes me sick to my stomach. Nothing like counting your chickens before they hatch.

Better theme for this article then: "Even though we have an All-star Canadian running back, and Dressler, and hopefully a healthy QB running new offensive schemes created by a known commodity OC with a winning track record, we don't really think we'll go anywhere this year."

Seriously, this is the type of article I would expect if Paul Friesen was suddenly named head of Media operations at the WFC. 

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TBURGESS Veteran

TBURGESS

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Darren Cameron, Director of Communications and Media's job in part is to write pieces that spin Bomber stories in the best way possible. He isn't a source of unbiased opinion. He's a source of which spin the Bombers want the fans to see. That's fine in and of itself. Where the same group of folks go off the rails is when they take Cameron's articles as facts and then use those 'facts' to take shots at other groups of fan.

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Bigblue204 Grand Master

Bigblue204

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10 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Darren Cameron, Director of Communications and Media's job in part is to write pieces that spin Bomber stories in the best way possible. He isn't a source of unbiased opinion. He's a source of which spin the Bombers want the fans to see. That's fine in and of itself. Where the same group of folks go off the rails is when they take Cameron's articles as facts and then use those 'facts' to take shots at other groups of fan.

Yup, I enjoy reading his articles for the most part, cause I'm a homer. But it's pretty clear what his deal is. Getting all upset about it, is silly.

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Mr Dee Newbie

Mr Dee

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I haven't seen too many folks take Cameron's articles and use the facts to take shots of other fans lately.

There are lots of articles out there that are shining each team's smooth moves. I don't see why this is any different. Inside info, such as other players calling potential recruits, is extra spice in the intrigue.

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