Look, there is a lot that takes place in training camp. It would be possible to write an article, or more, every day of the week.<\/p>\n
However, I want to focus on some key areas this week.<\/p>\n
Nuer Gatkuoth<\/p>\n
Let me be honest, I have no clue how to say his name. And I am sure that there are others in the same situation as me. However, I do believe that we will quickly learn how to say his name as he is set to make an impact.<\/p>\n
At defensive back, he has the moves and the celebration to bring Bomber fans to their feet. He is a shark out hunting for sacks, and tackles for losses.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“The Blue Bombers loved Gatkuoth\u2019s film from his college days, where he was named to The Athletic\u2019s All-Freshman Team in 2023 at Colorado State and last year at Wake Forest was a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian player in the NCAA.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a good kid. He\u2019s in shape. He\u2019s ready to go,\u201d said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O\u2019Shea after practice. \u201cHe\u2019s up here sooner than we thought. I was hoping (he would stick with Denver). We\u2019ve got some really good football players from north of the 49th that do really well down there and I was hoping he was another one.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe wants to get playing. I like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gatkuoth slightly raised some eyebrows over the weekend when he told The Denver Gazette he wanted to come to the CFL and \u2018dominate\u2019, although he insisted this today when asked for a clarification:<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to really just dominate for my team and do everything I can to help the team win. That\u2019s what I meant. I knew I wanted to come play in the CFL (after the weekend in Denver).” (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n While I love that attitude, one thing that will be challenging is availability. On day 6 of training camp Nuer Gatkuoth was one of the guys taped up and not participating. Granted, he was not the only player not participating. But many of the others on that list are guys who already have a roster spot. For Nuer Gatkuoth to crack the roster he has to show that he can withstand contact and be a viable option for the whole season.<\/p>\n “And here\u2019s O\u2019Shea when asked if that\u2019s something management notices:<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely. Durability, availability \u2014 those are all extremely important in all pro sports, contact sports especially. That would be important to every coach. I don\u2019t think it\u2019s just us. We absolutely notice that. Everybody notices who\u2019s out there givin\u2019 her even though they should probably be taking a day of rest.” (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n Quarterback The Bombers are in desperate need of a number two quarterback. And looking around the quarterback room this pre-season, it looks like the Bombers may finally have some options<\/a>.<\/p>\n There was a lot of thought that if the Bombers could get Elgersma to come up north that he would be immediately slotted in as the back up quarterback to Collaros. Late March I wrote, “Streveler Retires? MBT on Bombers\u2019 Radar; Bombers Still Lack #2 Quarterback<\/a>” Anyone could see that the Bombers did not have a bona fide back-up. We all saw the debacle in the 2024 Grey Cup.<\/a><\/p>\n Yet, after a week of training camp that has not yet been settled. <\/p>\n “Elgersma opened the day with the second offensive unit, but Terry Wilson also had reps with that crew. Just a note to fans, too: don\u2019t read anything into reports on X \u2014 including by yours truly \u2014 about an interception here or there. All the QBs throw them in camp and it hardly sets off alarm bells unless they happen frequently and then in the two preseason games.<\/p>\n Head coach Mike O\u2019Shea on the QBs:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a good group. The room is skilled, they\u2019re qualified and they\u2019re good guys and they all have the ability to lead. We\u2019ll let the preseason games unfold and see where that takes us.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, we don\u2019t need preseason games to say that Zach is a stud and then how they all sort out after that is\u2026 we wouldn\u2019t be doing them any favours if we determined on Day 5 of main camp where they all slotted.\u201d (Source<\/a>)<\/p>\n What bothers me about this is not that Mike O’Shea does not reveal who the front runner is. That just is not his style. What actually bothers me is that Wilson is still in the conversation. Last year, the Bombers had Streveler play so poorly that the game plan devised for him was this, ‘Don’t throw the ball.’ And even after that, Wilson did not get into the game. That tells me that Wilson must really be bad. And sure, O’Shea said, “we wouldn\u2019t be doing them any favours if we determined on Day 5 of main camp where they all slotted.\u201d But, I think Wilson should just be left out of that conversation all together.<\/p>\n Lingering Questions – Offensive Line & Offensive Play Calling Moments earlier I spoke about the quarterbacks. But if the Bombers cannot protect their quarterbacks, and\/or if the play calling is terrible, then I do not care who is under centre. Put me in the category of not convinced that the Bombers have significantly bettered their offensive line. Sure, they have brought in some new faces, but there were significant challenges in that department last year.<\/p>\n What is not as clear is if the pressure on the Bomber’s quarterbacks in 2025 was due – majorly – to the offensive line, or because of the offensive play calling, or both. So for me, the jury is still out to lunch on this. If the offensive line, and the offensive play calling get better in 2026 I think all Bomber fans will be happy. If the offensive line gets better but the play calling remains substandard, that may buy a bit of time for the Bomber’s quarterback. However, if the offensive play calling is better, but the offensive line is not improved, that may result in no positive net gain – as the Bombers will not have time to run their plays.<\/p>\n
If you have read any of my articles then you will know I have been harping on this since last year! Why? Because it is so important for the Bombers to get this correct!<\/p>\n
I was thinking about making these two separate points, but I will put them together as they may be far more related than we know.<\/p>\n