After rookie
camp, there are a few guys who really caught my eye.
Bryan Randall,
in particular, has a real good arm on him, and is also very accurate and very
mobile. It seems as though he really has the skill set to play in the CFL.
Bryan Randall
has been on Brendan Taman’s negotiation list for what’s rumored to be around
four years. So far this rookie camp, Bryan has really shown why. He is one guy
I will really be looking at closely throughout camp. Being only 24, he could
really be a good one-two tandem with Kevin Glenn for years to come.
Dan Sheldon is
another guy I have really enjoyed watching throughout rookie camp. He has been
catching everything thrown in his direction and has blazing speed. Apparently,
he can handle punt returns as well.
Aaron Fairouz
is another. He is 6 feet, 6 inches tall and runs a 4.5 40 yard dash, which is
really quite impressive. According to head coach Doug Berry, he handles his
body very well. Berry’s also impressed many with his hands.
Kerry Johnson,
even though he was here last year, was present at rookie camp. He really made
some nice grabs out there, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in for Milt Stegall in the opener against Toronto if Stegall can’t go. Last year, he played
one game and caught 4 passes for 49 yards. He really showed he has some good
hands and knows how to get open.
At running
back, I am really excited to see what Hec Crighton award winner Darryl
Stephenson can do. He tested really well at the CFL combine and showed he has
incredible strength for a RB and pretty good speed. Recent running backs in the
CFL who have won the Hec award are Eric LaPointe and Jesse Lumsden. Hopefully,
he can be as good as these guys. Stephenson put up really good numbers in the
CIS; hopefully, now he can take that to the next level.
On the other
side of the ball, I really like, and couldn’t help but not notice, Dwayne Slay
for a number of reasons. He has size, a knack for being around the ball, was
mentioned by Brendan Taman in the Free Press, and the departure of Kyries Hebert
leaves a huge hole at safety.
Plus, Slay’s highlight hits on youtube.com are bone crushing. He
actually looks like a Kyries clone out there when you watch him.
I have also
noticed DBs Art Thomas and Jovon Johnson are playing well, and look like they
are the rookie DBs to watch for camp. The secondary of the Bombers is probably
the weak link of the defense, although it’s probably top three in the league.
But the departure of Hebert and Joran Bolden leave some pretty big holes, so
that’s what I’ll be looking for all camp.
Thomas has
some good size a 6 foot, 3 inches, and has been breaking up his share of
catches, Jovon Johnson is smaller, but has some real good coverage skills
according to Taman. Hopefully, they can step up.