Big Blue showing positive vibes going into 2004

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been busy tidying up some off field loose ends the last couple of weeks, and all their moves bode well for the coming season.

CEO and President Lyle Bauer found his contract extended by two years by the Big Blue Board, his reward for bringing the Blue back to the top of the league in on field performance and off field stability,

Once the money guy was secured, they turned their attention to a crowd favourite Charles “Blink” Roberts, the hard running running back who gives the Blue a running game. Roberts who enters his third year with the Bombers is one of those guys on the verge of being the next big thing in the CFL. His personal goal for the 2004 season is 2,000 yards, something not completely out of the question with his intensity.

Now they turn their attention to on field General Khari Jones, who is entering the option year of his contract with the Blue. Bomber GM Brendan Taman wants to get his name on an extension to keep him in gold and blue for a few more years. With that goal in mind, Taman has approached Jones’ Toronto based agent Gil Scott, to set up the preliminary talks, hoping to find common ground. According to the rumor mill in Winnipeg, Khari currently makes 230,000 a season for his work with the Blue, which is a pretty good base salary. No doubt bonuses and longevity will be the starting point for the Bombers as they try to extend Jones’ stay at Portage and Main.

For the Bombers the need to take care of their core players is a major turnaround from five years ago when the team was in desperate straits, and pay raises and incentives seemed less likely than bailiffs securing office equipment. But the last five years have seen a major turn around in the Bomber fortunes, so much so that the club debt is on the short list to being eliminated. A competitive team on the field, some solid off field sponsorship, a forgiven debt by the provincial government and a 93% capacity level at Canad Inn stadium all contributing to the suddenly healthy bottom line.

Always a high octane team on the field and a good draw across the country, the Big Blue are hoping to make 2004 the cash in year for all their hard work. Getting Blink signed and showing Jones how valuable he is to the team, should go a long way to making 2004 a big year for the Big Blue.