WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers cut six players to get down to the Canadian Football League’s mandated 65 man roster limit.
Two returning players were among those let go with defensive back Dan West and offensive lineman Quinn Everett both released. Linebacker Sammy Brown, defensive back Patrick Hall, receiver Lavasier Tuinei and receiver Ezra Millington were also cut.
“They’re all tough,” Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said when asked how difficult the decisions were. “That’s a good thing. As I said, the competition makes these decisions tough and that’s positive for the organization.”
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Even with the six cuts the club still has a long way to go to get down to the CFL’s 46 man regular season roster limit. And one of the toughest jobs for any head coach is to tell a player they’re no longer wanted.
“They just want to be told the truth why not they’re going to be on the team,” O’Shea said. “And they really don’t want it sugar coated. It’s one of those things if you tell them how great they are, but we’re releasing you, it’s kind of confusing, so you just tell them the truth.”
The Bombers have also placed national defensive end Louie Richardson on the 6-game injured list after he was hurt in their first pre-season game against the Toronto Argonauts.
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The 65 man roster limit does not include players who are “non-counters” which includes the clubs recent draft picks. The Bombers host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday to close out their exhibition schedule at which point they’ll have to name their 46 man active roster and practice roster players.
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