Smith a Bomber

CFL Talk
1

this appears to be ligit.......perhaps someone can also confirm it....

Onterrio heads north to join Blue
WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers could have the best offensive backfield tandem in the CFL this season with the addition of former NFL running back Onterrio Smith, who signed with the football club today.

As per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The addition of Smith and the presence of tailback Charles Roberts, the CFL’s leading rusher last season (1,624 yards on 290 carries), will provide the Blue & Gold with the best one-two offensive punch fans of the Blue Bombers have seen in some time.

“Onterrio Smith is an exciting, dynamic player who will add a lot to this team,� said Bombers G.M. Brendan Taman. “In addition to his outstanding skills as a running back, he is an outstanding kick returner and receiver.

“We believe his presence will provide Charles Roberts even more opportunities to show what he can do on offence.�

Smith (5-10, 215, Oregon ’02, DOB: Dec. 8, 1980 in Sacramento, Calif.) was a fourth round pick (105th overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2003 NFL Draft.

The affable California product made quite a splash in his rookie season in ’03. He played in 15 games and rushed for 579 yards and five touchdowns on 107 carries. His 579 yards rushing were second only to Minnesota’s Moe Williams. He set a number of Vikings’ rookie rushing records that season including most rushing TDs in a game (three versus Kansas City Chiefs) and most rushing yards in a game (148 yards on 27 carries versus the Chicago Bears). He started the first game of his career versus the Atlanta Falcons (10/5) and rushed for 63 yards on 13 carries and added a pair of receptions for 23 yards. Pro Football Weekly named him to its All-Rookie Team.

In 2004, Smith played in 12 games for the Vikings, including six starts, and carried the ball 124 times for 544 yards and two touchdowns. He added another 394 yards and two TDs on 36 receptions. He had one of the best games of his pro career on Sept. 26 versus the Bears when he rushed the ball 17 times for 94 yards and added another 104 yards on six receptions.

Smith was an All-Pac 10 first-team all-star and team MVP as a senior at Oregon. In his two seasons at Oregon he rushed for 2,199 yards and 19 TDs on 419 carries, which ranked him seventh on the school’s all-time rushing list at the time of his graduation. He played at the University of Tennessee prior to transferring to Oregon. He was a teammate of Bombers’ quarterback Tee Martin and Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis while he was a member of the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers officially open training camp May 21 at Canad Inns Stadium

2

....very interesting......the BBs definately have a solid backfield threat for other teams to contend with......

3

That might be putting it mildly R&W, yikes. And if Williams joins the Argos, him and Avery, yikes.

4

And Williams and Smith can meet at centre field when they play each and have a pre-game toke..... :wink:

5

.........when Avery is in the backfield the only 'yikes' you can hear is coming from the argo fans....

6

True, but I do hear his knee is a lot better, he may return to that Avery of old with the real quick jump/cut to his step.

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“I’ve got no problem with whatever my role is. I’m not looking to come in and step on any toes. Hopefully everything will work out.� -Smith

Hope Roberts reads that

8

charles robertts to montreal

9

No, I dont think the bombers are going to trade Roberts. Its been said that he is warming to the idea of Smith being around , and once TC rolls around, it could very well be that Roberts and Smith could be working together well , not against each other.

10

i dont believe it....he wont be a apart of a 2 back system

11

........look for Reynolds to capture the rushing title with the touches in Winnipeg getting spread out....

12

Rawnotsorookierickyray,

What the hell are you talking about? One of the best Bomber offences was a few years ago when Roberts and Sellars were the 1-2 in the backfield ... Something we've been missing is that second power back.

StatiK76
GO BOMBERS!!!

13

.......I think he was refering to Roberts hissy fit earlier this week about Smith being brought in and what it would mean to his rushing stats.......

14

statik....they were totally diffrent players and sellars was a blocker and he got about 10 hand offs a game and a few catches,

onterrio and charles are the exact same player....and they wont have enough touches

15

Thanks, but we already have the Running Robert we need...

http://cache.nmn.speedera.net/pics15/400/DS/DSLMLUJPMNFNJGN.20051022235821.jpg

16

Itll be interesting to see how roberts handles the competition. I would think he would feel at least a little slighted by it

17

...yeah sure... Charles to a division rival.....Charlie isn't going anywhere....he has already adjusted to the idea....and good luck to anyone in the league trying to defend these guys.....wow...... i think the Bombers could possibly do quite well this year...and by the way Smith is also quite a good punt returner ....should fill the hole left by Stokes quite nicely......bring on 06.......... :smiley:

18

I'm not comparing players abilities, or size etc .. I am suggesting that Roberts and the Bomber offence had great success DUE to being in a 2 back system ...

The point is, having two capable RBs opens up worlds of possibilities in the offence ... Most importantly, taking the 100% backfield focus off of Roberts - which makes both players far more dangerous as teams can't shadow both of them every play. Sellars role with the Bombers was exactly that ... Make some blocks, take a few handoffs, catch a few screens, be an additional threat in the backfield. This is a great thing for the Bombers ...

A primary back will emerge between the two - I could care less who it is ... I like 2 back systems.

StatiK76
GO BOMBERS!!!

19

I'm glad Smith is a Bomber. :wink:

Now , does anyone know how the CFL handles it's drug policy?
Cause most of the guys on the Viking's chat seem to think he'll get busted here too.

20

i don't think there's any drug policy, so smoke up