Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters fully admits they just weren’t good enough last season. And 48 hours into free agency, Walters said their fourth-place finish in the west led to a more aggressive approach in free agency this year.
The club has added six new starters in recent weeks, with the signings of receiver Tim White, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, receiver Tommy Nield, and cornerback Jonathan Moxey.
After not spending to the salary cap last season, Walters said they’re going back to managing the cap like in previous seasons, which means they had more money to add talent.
“Certainly, the day after when you start looking at your roster, I do believe we’re better,” said Walters. “I think we’ve added some talent. Organizationally I think we needed to show the fans, the players in the locker room, everybody, that as I’ve been saying all along, last year wasn’t good enough, and for us to just stand pat or make minor moves, I don’t think sends the right message of who we are as the Winnipeg Football Club.
“We had that run of going to Grey Cups and being aggressive and showing last year was a blip, not the norm.”
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Walters really likes how his offence is shaping up with White, Nield, and Broxton joining the team. And with Nield coming on board, it gives the Bombers the ability to start three Canadian receivers, which Walters said will give them some roster flexibility to start a third American offensive lineman.
Quarterback Chris Streveler and receiver Dalton Schoen both remain unsigned after undergoing knee surgery following season-ending injuries. Walters didn’t rule out having them both come back but they’re also waiting for them to get healthy before making a final decision on their future.
“We’ll follow up with that once we get all the medical clearance and things like that,” Walters said. “So, there’s still some work needs to be done on health wise before we even discuss how they do or don’t fit into the building.
“I know if anyone is going to work as hard as they can to get on the field, that Dalton’s one of them. So, if there’s a remote possibility that the doctors are going to allow him to get back and he’s cleared, then that’s the guy who will do it.”
Both players are rehabbing serious knee injuries for the second straight off-season and neither will likely be 100 per cent by the start of the season.
The Bombers also introduced Broxton to the media later on Thursday after his signing on the opening day of free agency. The plan is for Stanley Bryant to stay at left tackle, while Broxton will play on the other end.
Broxton said taking the deal from the Bombers was a no-brainer and he’s comfortable playing at either tackle position with previous experience at both sides.
“Wherever they do put me, I don’t mind playing,” Broxton told reporters. “If I was to be playing right tackle, it’s an adjustment, but I’ve seen guys around the league bounce around from left to right and play at a high level, so, I think it’s just a good challenge for me to take. And it shows, like hey, I can do more than just play left.”
Walters also added they won’t be offering 33-year-old veteran linebacker Shayne Gauthier a new contract as he leaves the club after nine seasons in the blue and gold.
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