WINNIPEG – Players across the CFL will learn their fate in the next 24 hours as teams concluded training camps.
All teams have until Sunday at 10:59am central time to submit their 46-man roster and 10-man practice squad, but Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea was informing his players on Saturday.
A total of 70 players remain on the Bombers’ active roster but veteran defensive back Matt Bucknor and offensive lineman Zachary Intzandt both indicated through tweets they had been cut.
Bucknor, 30, started every game at cornerback the last two seasons but Chris Randle is expected to take over the starting job after getting moved from the linebacker position where he lined up last season.
It looks like defensive end Adrian Hubbard also won’t be on the Bombers 46-man roster to start the season, but according to his unverified twitter account he’ll stay with the team on the practice roster.
The Bombers didn’t practice on Saturday and are not expected to be back on the field until Monday.
“We’re not here to joke around this year, we’re here to win.” said offensive lineman Stanley Bryant.
The Bombers appear to be all business after wrapping up training camp. And being the first team to complete their pre-season schedule has given them a head start on the regular season.
“The fact we had the these extras days after those pre-season games to kind of reflect on what we did.” said running back Andrew Harris. “We’re already doing looks for Montreal for next week so it definitely just gives you that little extra bit of prep. No matter how you slice it you’re still getting your work in and you’re getting the job done.”
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They’ve had more than three weeks to implement Paul Lapolice’s new playbook but there will probably still be some growing pains until it becomes second nature.
“Week one, often sometimes because the pre-season is so short sometimes it takes a little bit.” Harris said. “So yeah, definitely be patient but we’re going to do what we can to put some points on the board and be an explosive offence.”
“Drew’s comfortable with the offence, offensive line is comfortable, the running backs are comfortable.” said Bryant. “I mean altogether we’re just a comfortable group right now.”
Left tackle Stanley Bryant is entering his second season with the club and he doesn’t hide the fact the 2015 season wasn’t his best.
“I think last year was a kinda, I don’t want to say a setback, it was a bad semester for me in college.” Bryant said. “I think this is a new semester so I’m ready to improve my game and I think as an offensive line as a whole we’re ready to improve.”
They’ll get their first chance to prove it when the bullets fly for real in Friday’s home opener against the Montreal Alouettes.
“Training camp, pre-season is always fun but when the real season actually gets going, that’s when it gets really exciting.” said Harris. “You’re game planning and getting into situational situations. The real season is coming and I can’t wait for it.”
The B.C. Lions announced their cuts on Saturday and Winnipeg’s Derek Yachison and T–Dre Player were among 10 players who were released. The Lions also cut former Bombers receiver Terence Jeffers–Harris.
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