I sort of understand the trade between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts involving receiver Arland Bruce.
What I don't understand is why the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have cut Richie Williams.
The Bruce deal was announced on Wednesday, but Sportsnet.ca had the salient details first. In my column currently posted on the website, I indicated the deal would be for receiver Chris Bauman and the rights to defensive tackle Corey Mace. I also said if the deal didn't involve a player from the Ticats' roster, a draft pick would be involved. The actual deal involved the rights to Mace, a third-round draft pick in 2010 and a conditional draft pick in 2011. The Argos wanted Bauman, the first pick overall in the 2007 draft, but the Tiger-Cats wouldn't surrender him. He's currently a backup, but has the size and ability to be an impact player if he can find his confidence.
Mace was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, then had his rights traded to the Tiger-Cats last year. He was with the Buffalo Bills for the last two years, mainly on the practice roster. The Tiger-Cats wouldn't sign him at his asking price, so he remained in limbo. If he ever develops into a starter, the deal works for the Argos because a Canadian starter is gold. Having spent two years in a National Football League environment and actually playing in the regular season, albeit briefly, Mace may be a name for the future for the Argos.
In the short term, the Ticats benefit with the acquisition of Bruce. It wouldn't be surprising to see him in the lineup this Friday when the Ticats play host to the B.C. Lions. At the very least, Bruce can help return punts and kickoffs. He may be able to play in some sets, particularly if plays are designed for him. He'll go into the game with a limited understanding of the Ticats' terminology, but all he needs to know is what type of route to run and his basic football understanding and natural ability will take over from there.
So, that's my take on that deal.
Now, can someone please explain why the Blue Bombers released Williams? Clearly with the acquisition of free agent Michael Bishop, whose signing by the Bombers was also reported first by Sportsnet.ca, Winnipeg had four quarterbacks on the roster - the other three being Stefan LeFors, Bryan Randall and Williams. Of those three, Williams had the most CFL experience. He was signed as a free agent heading into training camp when the Bombers dumped Ryan Dinwiddie, who started three games last year under a different regime and was thrust into the starting role for the 2007 Grey Cup when starter Kevin Glenn suffered a broken forearm in the Eastern Final.
Reading the situation, LeFors was allowed to stay with the club because head coach Mike Kelly traded for him in the off-season, anointed him the starter and backed him for four regular-season games during which he performed miserably. He should have been the one to go, but that would have been an indictment on Kelly's ability to evaluate personnel. Randall didn't do much in his game-time, either. Williams showed the most of the three in the Bombers' pitiful 19-5 loss to Toronto last Friday.
And it was shortly after the game that the Bombers phoned Bishop to inform him they wanted to sign him.
Bishop will start against the Argos on Saturday. He will have had only a few days of practice, but all he needs is to run a few formations and some set plays. He's deadly throwing the long ball, which the Bombers didn't have with LeFors, and is scary in the open field when he chooses to run.
And don't be surprised if the Bombers implement a shotgun offence, the one Kelly said is for flag football.
It's what Bishop - and most quarterbacks for that matter - do well.
Apparently, Kelly will come to understand that.
