Bombers GM Walters prepping for the CFL draft
♦ A story on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers draft preparations, which of course are headed up by Guelph grad Kyle Walters – THE CFL DRAFT: A YEAR IN THE MAKING
Kyle Walters is scrolling through page after page of player evaluations, the information quickly flickering on the monitor in the Winnipeg Blue Bomber GM’s office like a picture flip book.
To his right is an enormous white board, featuring the names of some of the players the Bombers are tracking heading into next Tuesday’s Canadian Football League Draft. There are numbers in brackets, representing player evaluations and grades. There are notations scribbled in as updates. And, frankly, the whole mess looks like something only the Enigma machine could decode.
Now, make no mistake, this is hardly something the Bombers GM has hurriedly slapped together in an attempt to cram for the annual talent grab that is the draft. The draft has always been one of Walters’ passions, dating back to his days as an assistant coach with the Bombers. He’s been through it now from all angles, first as a second-round pick (10th overall) of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1996, then as an assistant coach and assistant GM with the Bombers and now as the man steering the ship on draft night.
And, as much work as it is, he absolutely loves every minute of it.
“It’s awesome. It’s very exciting,” said Walters in an interview with bluebombers.com this week. “It’s a lot of work. I mean, the day after the draft next week I’m flying to Montreal for the East-West Bowl, which showcases players for next year’s draft.
“I remember going home for the holidays this winter and my film work started Dec. 20th. And it took a long time to get through it all.”
Getting through it all represents the bulk of the work, covering months and months of research.
During a 45-minute chat this week, Walters broke down how the club prepped for next Tuesday’s draft:
* * *
Two stories on the surprising departure of McMaster Marauders HC Stefan Ptaszek to the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Stefan Ptaszek in a Hamilton Spectator file photo
The Hamilton Spectator story that broke the news yesterday … Ticats tap McMaster coach Stefan Ptaszek for offensive co-ordinator job
And today, from the 3DownNation blog: Five reasons why the Ptaszek hire makes sense for Ticats
The decision by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to hire Stefan Ptaszek as their offensive coordinator resembles the perfect play call: it’s timely, it makes complete sense and yet nobody saw it coming.
* * *
Two stories on the transfer of Canadian QB Chris Merchant from the University of Buffalo to the University of Western Ontario, filling a very large void for the Mustangs left by the “retirement” of Will Finch.
SB Nation Blog – UB BullRun: Report: Quarterback Chris Merchant leaving Buffalo Bulls Football
The London Free Press: Mustangs have QB ready to saddle up
/* * *
I really like this Rumble in the Jungle initiative from the York U football program. It recognizes high school football players and utilizes high school football coaches. With so many people focusing on “summer ball”, anything that can be done to support and grow high school football is alright with me.
Congrats to the YU Lions for stepping up!
Gryphons Football Blog 