Who could be the next Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager?

As the Winnipeg Blue Bombers proceed to finish up their season. Last week's loss to the Calgary Stampeders best exemplified how the players are looking forward to November to get out of town.

Most certainly interim head coach Tim Burke has taken notice and through the media has fired a warning shot to these players that no one's job is safe to be apart of the Blue Bombers roster in 2013.

However, one man who has received a lot heat is general manager Joe Mack. If anyone were to take a survey poll of the passionate Blue Bombers fans in describing Mack's tenure? It would take more than one negative adjective to sum up the impact that he has had on the fans and the personnel decisions he has made.

After the firing of then head coach Paul LaPolice, there is no doubt that Mack is on his last bullet.  If Mack believes that quarterback Buck Pierce could be the saviour to this mess of a season. He needs to recalculate this potential scenario that Pierce could hurt himself walking from the bench to the huddle.

Theoretically, the Blue Bombers are mathematically alive for a playoff spot. But it will take a serious winning streak, and an utter collapse from their rivals for them to get back into the playoff picture.

If Mack were to be relieved of his duties, it would bring great joy and excitement to a city. It could be comparable to last year when their sports cousins the Winnipeg Jets came back to the Manitoba capital.

Who could replace Mack at this position?

For starters with the organization moving into a new stadium, it needs a clean slate with their general manager who will bring fresh set of ideas, and his own people to run the show.

One potential name to keep an eye out for who could become a hot CFL candidate is Montreal Alouettes head scout Joey Abrams.

Even though a lot of credit towards the Alouettes success has gone to the duo of Jim Popp and Marcel Desjardins for unearthing hidden gems. Abrams has been key in identifying their Canadian talent, and has assisted in the overall assessment on player evaluations.

In-fact, the Canadian talent on the Alouettes has been integral during the team's recent Grey Cup success. For example, the 2008 draft class which included the likes of Shea Emry, Paul Woldu, Andrew Woodruff, and Luc Brodeur-Jourdain all played important parts in the back to back title conquers.

If Abrams were to be considered, he would instantly upgrade the non-import talent on a Blue Bombers team that has primarily ignore the CFL Draft and have allowed key players such as Brendon Labatte leave for a bigger pay day.

The likes of recent first round picks of Jade Etienne, and Tyson Pencer doesn't exude the confidence that a Grey Cup is on the horizon.

Furthermore, Abrams is arguably the hardest working CFL scout who has developed a wide network of scouting that could help replenish the lack of talent on Winnipeg's roster.

Moreover, Abrams would bring a winning attitude to a Blue Bombers organization that is in dire need of a face lift, and liposuction of the toxic environment that is hovering over the team.

For now, the circus will continue on with Mack offering milk and cookies at his press conference. But at some point, Blue Bombers ownership must realize they will be slowly approaching their third decade without a Grey Cup title.

It could start with a man like Abrams who with time could revamp the entire system and mold it into a winning formula for the Blue Bombers.

If you want an example of the Alouettes influence, look at the Toronto Argonauts, and the impact of head coach Scott Milanovich has had on the organization. They might not win the Grey Cup this year, but they're primed to be a serious threat for many years to come with Milanovich at the helm.

Abrams could be the next great Alouettes personnel man to branch off in another direction to help a CFL team win Grey Cups.

Follow me on Twitter @MoeKhan19

Listen to me every Sunday/Tuesday nights on Gamepoints, every Friday morning on The Midnight Snack, and various shows on TSN 690.

Photo credit: www.montrealalouettes.com  

Could The 2008 Alouettes Draft Class Be One Of The Best Ever In Team History?

Taking a look back at Jim Popp’s illustrious draft history, to date, his best year could be the 2008 class.

The team only had six selections. However, it was quality of those choices that has made this organization a dominant force in the last four years.

Shea Emry, LB, UBC: With their first selection in the opening round Popp chose the B.C. native. Emry has proved his general manager was correct.

He has worked his way up the ladder into a starter’s role, and being the eyes of the defense in making adjustments on the fly. Presently, Emry is considered to be one of the premier non-import CFL players playing at his position.

Furthermore, he has been apart of three Grey Cup teams, winning it twice.

During the 2011 season he suffered an upper body injury. His absence was greatly felt as it altered the game day ratio, and the team struggled to replace him in the lineup for the rest of the year.

It really showed in the East Division semi-final playoff loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as the inexperienced Bear Woods looked uncomfortable in trying to contain Avon Cobourne.

By the time the season starts, he will only be 26 years old. Of course provided he does stay healthy, Emry has many bright years ahead of him to become one of the best at his position.

Andrew Woodruff, OL, Boise State: He was their second round choice and Woodruff is becoming one of the best guards in the league.

He has been apart of two Grey Cup winning teams in Montreal, and was instrumental in playing a big role in the 2010 championship victory.

He has displayed a nasty streak which has aided this line in continuing to be one of the better units in the league. With Scott Flory entering the last stage of his professional career, Woodruff could assume his leadership mantle and carry the torch for many years down the road.

With his ability, the sky’s the limit for him and is on the cusp of receiving league recognition as one of the best.

Paul Woldu, DB, Saskatchewan: Another key contributor from this class who was taken in the fifth round of the draft.

For a Canadian product playing a position that is normally occupied by an import player. Woldu defied expectations as he was able to crack the Alouettes lineup in 2008.

As his career progressed, he was immersed in the game day rotation as special team’s ace, and an all around solid team contributor.

Because of his non-import status, it enabled the team to be more flexible with their ratio status.

Woldu was apart of the three Grey Cup teams, winning it twice with the club. Ironically enough the two victories came against his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders who he signed with this past offseason.

Even though his Alouettes career has come to an end, it will be the Roughriders who will enjoy his ascension as it seems he is destined to have a more prominent role with his new team.

Luc Brodeur-Jourdain, OL, Laval: With their sixth round selection, this might be the ultimate diamond in the rough in selecting offensive lineman, Luc Brodeur-Jourdain from Laval University.

Historically speaking, the Rouge et Or program is known to be a powerhouse in CIS football winning many Vanier Cups in a short period of time.

However, the bulk of players who move onto the CFL do not pan out. In the case of Brodeur-Jourdain, he has been a revelation to the team’s offensive line.

Coming into the league he converted from a guard to centre. Brodeur-Jourdain has had some big shoes to fill once Bryan Chiu’s announced his retirement from the team on the eve of the 2010 training camp.

He effectively became the full time starting centre midway through the 2010 season and hasn’t looked back. Even though he plays a position that will never be recognized, he has helped paved the way for the likes of Cobourne, and Brandon Whitaker to have successful seasons.

Being a local product, it enables the Alouettes to use him in many marketing campaigns as a role model that the next generation of kids can look up to in hopes of one day playing professional football.

As for the other two selections in Terrence Firr, and Gurminder Thind I contacted the Alouettes media department, and they replied that both did not dress for a game during their time with the team.

The Alouettes can proudly say that that the 2008 class has been instrumental in their recent Grey Cup runs. It has produced four starters which is rarified air considering that a CFL team would be lucky to get one impact player from a class.

The scary part, the players who are still apart of the organization are only getting better, and slowly becoming the next generation of leaders on this football team.

Follow me on Twitter @MoeKhan19

Listen to me every Friday morning on The Midnight Snack from midnight-2am, every Tuesday night on Gamepoints, and various shows on TSN 990.

Photo credit: http://www.npac.ca/