{"id":713907,"date":"2026-06-04T06:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T06:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/713907\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T06:00:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T06:00:20","slug":"48-hour-primer-game-1-blue-bombers-at-stampeders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/713907\/","title":{"rendered":"48-Hour Primer | Game 1: Blue Bombers at Stampeders"},"content":{"rendered":"

They are the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Fab Free Agent Five and \u2014 if the next seven months unfold as everyone in Bomberland hopes and prays it will \u2014 they should play leading roles in pushing the club into the winner\u2019s circle again.<\/p>\n

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Now, apologies for those who are already familiar to the handful of veteran Canadian Football League talents, but for those just popping in for the start of the 2026 season this Friday in Calgary against the Stampeders, it would seem some introductions are in order.<\/p>\n

And so, we give you the Blue Bombers Fab Free Agent Five with a little background on each player, some best-case scenarios and a quote or two after bluebombers.com visited with the five new faces on Wednesday\u2026<\/p>\n

RECEIVER TIM WHITE<\/p>\n

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The 411 on White: Starred in his five years in Hamilton with 83 games to his name, all starts, and four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons including 84 receptions for 1,016 yards and seven TDs last year\u2026 Three-time CFL All Star and the Ticats Most Outstanding player in 2022-23.<\/p>\n

Best-case scenario: Massive numbers, for starters. He\u2019s been one of the stars of training camp and comes every bit as advertised. White gives the attack another versatile and vertical threat and, coupled with Nic Demski and Pokey Wilson, could give the attack three 1K receivers.<\/p>\n

White in his words: \u201cI\u2019m extremely excited. There\u2019s definitely been a lot of emotions leading up to this week. I\u2019m excited to see all these guys play, to be out there with them and just be that spark to get everyone going.\u201d<\/p>\n

CORNERBACK JONATHAN MOXEY<\/p>\n

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The 411 on Moxey: Veteran versatile defensive back who was signed in February\u2026 Spent the last two years in Hamilton after his first four years in the CFL were spent in Calgary\u2026 Played in all 18 games for the Ticats last year\u2026 Former West Division All-Star in 2022.<\/p>\n

Best-case scenario: The interior of the Blue Bombers secondary is set with Evan Holm, Deatrick Nichols, Redha Kramdi, Jaiden Woodbey and Michael Griffin II and what Moxey brings is another veteran and durable presence to a pass defence that started six different corners in 2025.<\/p>\n

Moxey in his words:\u00a0\u201cI just want to bring a tenacity. I want to bring a veteran presence to the secondary. Consistency, versatility\u2026 a lot of things. But most importantly I just want to be here, be in the moment, be where my feet are, play one play at a time and help this defence become a better unit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of veterans on this team, guys who have been here before on deep playoff runs, Grey Cup champions here. I feel like I\u2019m a champion as well from my college days and I\u2019m looking at being part of an organization that knows how to get it done from the top down.\u201d<\/p>\n

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN JAKE CERESNA<\/p>\n

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The 411 on Ceresna: A two-time CFL All-Star with Toronto and twice named Edmonton\u2019s top defensive player\u2026 Can play tackle or end and is one of those high-motor guys whose last snap in a game looks exactly like his first\u2026 Coming off a knee injury that sidelined him last Labour Day\u2026 Averaged 10 sacks a year in the three seasons before that.<\/p>\n

Best-case scenario: Ceresna returns to being in beast mode, where he wrecks offensive gameplans from the inside or out\u2026 His versatility is perfect in Jordan Younger\u2019s defence where that is paramount\u2026 If he gets back to that, he\u2019s again in the CFL All-Star conversation.<\/p>\n

Ceresna in his words: \u201cI came from a blue-collar family. Work hard. And I just pride myself in being a blue-collar guy and always running to the ball and always doing the extra work. I never want to lose because someone outworked me. If they\u2019re going to beat me, it\u2019s because they\u2019ve got more talent than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

OFFENSIVE TACKLE JARELL BROXTON<\/p>\n

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The 411 on Broxton: One of the jewels of the Blue Bombers free agent haul this winter\u2026 A CFL All-Star last year in B.C. who will move from left tackle to right tackle in Winnipeg, opposite future hall of famer Stanley Bryant\u2026 Was named the Lions\u2019 top O-lineman in each of the last three seasons.<\/p>\n

Best-case scenario: Expected to solidify the right side of the O-line and be a dominant force. If Bryant ever retires \u2014 and it feels like that\u2019s been wondered about for the last five years \u2014 he would likely move back to the left side. In the meantime, he\u2019s a road grader as a run blocker and a load for ends to get around in pass protection. Signing O-linemen doesn\u2019t always move the needle in fan circles, but landing Broxton was mammoth.<\/p>\n

Broxton when asked what would be a good Blue Bomber debut: \u201cNo pressures. No sacks. 100 (yards) on the ground and 400 in the air. And a win. No order, as long as that happens. You\u2019ve got to hold yourself to a high standard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a welcoming organization here, a welcoming team. Everybody knows where I came from \u2014 Winnipeg-B.C., that rivalry is kinda crazy. But it was open arms when I signed here and being around the guys here, it\u2019s family, so I\u2019m loving it.\u201d<\/p>\n

RECEIVER TOMMY NIELD<\/p>\n

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The 411 on Nield: Big Canadian target at 6-3, 212 pounds who posted career numbers in just 13 games in Saskatchewan last year with 42 catches for 535 yards and five TDs while earning the nickname \u2018Touchdown Tommy\u2019 for his game-winning score late in the West Final\u2026 He\u2019s just 27 and already has three Grey Cup rings, including last year with the Roughriders and in \u201922 and \u201924 with Toronto.<\/p>\n

Best-cast scenario: The Blue Bombers believe he\u2019s just scratching the surface of his potential and his numbers could grow further. Has caught everything in camp and quickly developed a rapport with Zach Collaros. Put him in a receiving corps with White, Demski and Wilson and he could put up some sneaky-good stats with all the attention that trio will draw.<\/p>\n

Nield in his own words: \u201cIt\u2019s been a smooth transition. I feel like I\u2019ve fit in well and this is such a good team environment and locker room. I\u2019m just so excited to get out there with these guys on game day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just want to bring consistency and a high compete level for every play I\u2019m out there. I want to play fast and free and let the game come to me. I know that through my preparation I\u2019m going to get opportunities and when they do come my way, I\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

OUCH REPORT: The Blue Bombers held a closed practice on Wednesday. Here is today\u2019s injury report and, of note, centre Tui Elli was limited. If he can\u2019t go, expect Tyler Elsbury to step in as he handled a ton of that work on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Injury Report: June 3, 2026 #ForTheW<\/a> | @DoctorsManitoba<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/uCIlecODwQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

THE COACH SAYS: Blue Bombers head coach Mike O\u2019Shea\u2019s press conference on Wednesday:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n