Dinwiddie, Randall, and Lefors can't attend but Printers can..

[Colin Unger]

In a Winnipeg Sun article today it is speculated that Casey Printers will be attending a Blue Bomber tryout camp.  If he does and ends up signing this will give him a competitive advantage in training camp over the QB's already under contract to the Bombers.  I think the CFL needs to make a change in this regard.  Qb's are paid more than other players and can be expected to show up for a day or two of work in the offseason.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

In a Winnipeg Sun article today it is speculated that Casey Printers will be attending a Blue Bomber tryout camp.  If he does and ends up signing this will give him a competitive advantage in training camp over the QB's already under contract to the Bombers.  I think the CFL needs to make a change in this regard.  Qb's are paid more than other players and can be expected to show up for a day or two of work in the offseason.

According to an article on tsn.ca citing Printers' agent, the speculation that he'll attend these workouts is unfounded.

I don't see how this would give newcomers any particular advantage in training camp... it's the incumbents that actually should have some chemistry with the starting receivers and those that have been with the club through the entire off-season that have had plenty of time with the playbook.

I'm not particularly against a rule change... but I also don't see a big reason that it's needed.  We've gotten along just fine with this for many years and I'm not sure that anything has really changed.  The CFLPA is likely concerned about opening the door and not being able to close it.  If you allow QBs to go to camps, then teams can start asking them to attend all FA camps... without guaranteed contracts, who's going to say no?  You then get a situation where a team is working out new QBs at a camp and they want to see them with some of their starting receivers to throw to.  Potentially a slippery slope I reckon.

[Colin Unger]

That's a good point about the contracts.  Maybe they should allow teams to work in a bonus paid to qb's who show up for these camps.

The CFL game needs to continue to mature. Just because the league has always done without something doesn't mean that's it's not a good thing and shouldn't be considered for the future.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

The CFL game needs to continue to mature. Just because the league has always done without something doesn't mean that's it's not a good thing and shouldn't be considered for the future.

I agree that they shouldn't rest on those grounds.  However, I also think that changes need to be needed, widely supported and thought out as to the possible ramifications.  So far, I've yet to hear any echoing of Bauer and Kelly's sentiments from other teams.  I also question whether attending these camps, which are for the purposes of evaluation, not preparing existing players for the main training camp, is going to be advantageous for the QBs/players as there are potential injury risks given that they're not particularly in game shape and there is the potential for guys trying to make a name for themselves.

[Colin Unger]

I thought this was a situation where Winnipeg was trying to echo the teams that were already doing this the past few seasons.

[Hambone]

  Potentially a slippery slope I reckon.

Definitely. From the CFLPA perspective they have to protect the rights of their members. Obviously from a team perspective it would be nice to have a couple of their QBs participating if for any reason to have a some pro arms available. As you say it is a slippery slope. There's an old adage about once the camel gets his nose in the tent....... .Get a couple of QB volunteers this year and next year they expect them to help out which turns into demanding they show up in future years. It can turn into a situation whereby a young 2nd year QB starts to feel like it's a CLM (career limiting manouver) if he balks at helping out the team. For the CFLPA they want to ensure their members aren't put into a position where it's expected they show up. Printers is a different story. He'd be quite welcome to attend. After all it is a tryout and he is unemployed which is what the camps are all about.

As for any thoughts towards anybody attending these tryout camps benefitting in terms of learning a bit about the playbook for the upcoming season that's pure hogwash. These tryout camps are just that, tryout camps. I suspect they last no more than a couple of two hour sessions that don't vary a whole lot from the E-Camp format. It'll be about doing some measurables to grade the athleticism of the participants while mixing in some simple drills utilizing some basic pass patterns. Nobody would get the playbook before they show up on the field. I suspect Kelly and his coaching staff are only just beginning to put it together for the upcoming season. For the coaching staff it would be nice to have a pro QB deliver the ball to the receiving prospect as he makes his break on his pattern so you can see if he has some hands too. Beyond that it doesn't make a hill of beans difference to the camp or the QB if he shows up or not.

If CFL teams want to start going down this path perhaps they should consider the NFL mini-camp format.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

If CFL teams want to start going down this path perhaps they should consider the NFL mini-camp format.

Absolutely agree.

If the AFL were permanently gone (which it isn't) along with the dissolution of NFLE, then the CFL might be looking at a need for another evaluation mechanism like a mini-camp to provide another layer in the process prior to training camps... which are already relatively brief.

I wouldn't be entirely surprised to see something like this come into existence over the next 5 years or so if the financials of the league remain solid.  At the same cost, flying in players, renting the facilities and looking at all the other necessities involved, you're talking about a fairly significant expense into 6 figures, and there had better be some return on that investment and complete consensus from the clubs that it would be worthwhile.

[Hambone]

If CFL teams want to start going down this path perhaps they should consider the NFL mini-camp format.

Absolutely agree.

If the AFL were permanently gone (which it isn't) along with the dissolution of NFLE, then the CFL might be looking at a need for another evaluation mechanism like a mini-camp to provide another layer in the process prior to training camps... which are already relatively brief.

I wouldn't be entirely surprised to see something like this come into existence over the next 5 years or so if the financials of the league remain solid.  At the same cost, flying in players, renting the facilities and looking at all the other necessities involved, you're talking about a fairly significant expense into 6 figures, and there had better be some return on that investment and complete consensus from the clubs that it would be worthwhile.

Such an endeavour would have to be negotiated into the next CBA. The NFL CBA has sections of language built around Mini-Camps; who is to attend, what the compensation is, per diems, travel costs etc.