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Rory Kohlert raring to go with Winnipeg Blue Bombers mini-camp just days away

Rory Kohlert #87 of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers grabs the ball for a touchdown in second half action in a CFL game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Investors Group Field on August 7, 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Marianne Helm/Getty Images

WINNIPEG — The temperature is on the rise which means football season is just around the corner.

Players will start arriving over the next few days for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers annual three-day mini-camp which starts on Monday for players on offence. But receiver Rory Kohlert spent the winter in the Manitoba capital as a full-time Winnipeg resident.

“Just coaching a little bit, just training a lot and just getting ready for the season that’s coming up soon,” Kohlert said.

Kohlert, 28, has played the last four season in the blue and gold. After putting up 594 yards receiving with three touchdowns in 2014, his numbers dipped a bit last season. He finished with 395 yards receiving with only one touchdown in 17 games, but a new season brings new hope.

“Every year brings new challenges and all that stuff,” said Kohlert.

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Of course Kohlert has to make the team first. He’s one of only three Canadian receivers on their roster, but there should be quite a competition at the receiver position after the club signed Weston Dressler, Ryan Smith and a number of former NFLers.

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“Anytime we can bring anybody in to make us better, that’s always good.” Kohlert said. “That’s good, that’s what you want. Makes you better, makes everyone better, makes your team better.”

The mini-camp will be used primarily to install the new offence under new offensive co-ordinator Paul Lapolice. But Kohlert should be somewhat familiar with the terminology after playing his rookie season under Lapolice when he was then the Bombers head coach.

“He’s a guy who likes to spread the ball out. Let everyone get a touch,” said Kohlert. “We have a little bit of a relationship, but some guys have played for him before too. So it’s just all going to be a learning experience for everybody.”

RELATED: Winnipeg Blue Bombers add two more including former NFLer Johnny Patrick

And players have already had the opportunity to get their hands on the new playbook.

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“We’ve had some time to look at it,” said Kohlert.”That’s more or less what the mini-camp will be on the 25th. Just to kinda get guys familiar with the system and the language and stuff like that so that when we hit the field in June, we don’t have to learn as much. We can just kinda play fast.”

The mini-camp will be open to the public with the Bombers expected to release a practice schedule in the next few days.

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