Blue delighted with defensive additions
Published on April 14, 2005 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers News Release
WINNIPEG, MB - An area of strength is about to become even stronger for the Blue Bombers with the addition of four players to the team's defensive unit.
The additions include defensive back Marcus Bradley, defensive end Jason Clark and linebackers Ron Ockimey and Tony Ortiz.
Bradley, 28, was signed by the Calgary Stampeders as a free agent in 2000. The 6-foot, 200-pound DB quickly established himself as an impact player prior to suffering a season-ending broken leg against the Saskatchewan Roughriders midway through his rookie year.
He attended training camp with the Stamps in both 2001 and '03. He also spent time in the NFL (San Diego Chargers in 1999) and the Arena Football League last season.
"We worked him out in February in Carolina and he appeared fully recovered and we expect him to come in and compete for a job in the secondary," Bombers head coach Jim Daley said.
Ockimey, 26, is another intriguing prospect. He spent the 2002 and '03 seasons with the B.C. Lions. He totaled 77 tackles, 11 special teams tackles and one sack in 26 regular season games with the Leos. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker also appeared in one playoff game in 2002.
"He runs extremely well and is a good athlete," Bombers G.M. Brendan Taman said. "We expect him to push for a roster spot."
Another player expected to make a push for a roster spot is the 27-year-old Ortiz. He was one of the final cuts of the Blue Bombers at last year's training camp and spent some time on the team's practice roster.
He also spent time with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots in 2000, Tampa Bay Buccaneers ('02) and Atlanta Falcons ('03) as well as the Las Vegas Outlaws of the XFL ( 2000)
"He showed a lot of good ability in training camp last year," Taman said of the 6-foot, 235-pound linebacker. "His abilities fit the Canadian style of game quite nicely."
Last but not least is Clark, 22. A graduate of Mississippi State, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound defensive end he collected 157 tackles, two and half sacks and two interceptions between 2000 and 2003 and was an All-Southeastern Conference second-team all-star. He did not play last season.
"He is a polished pass-rushing defensive end," Taman said. "He plays with a lot of energy and ability and can make a lot of plays."
Canadian Football League Stories from April 14, 2005
- Blue delighted with defensive additions - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Argos offer team-building seminar - Toronto Argonauts
- Dance Team finals on Friday night - Ottawa Renegades
- Eskimos add former NFL'ers Dalton and Scott to defense - Edmonton Elks
- Riders re-sign O'Day and Szarka! - Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Ticats Deliver 1-2 Punch - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Oosterhuis back in Bomber house - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
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