Plenty of happenings – no wasting time: five observations from Sunday at the CFL Combine.
1) Lots of onlookers came out to see the final day of the combine at the University of Toronto Varsity Stadium bubble. Many current Canadian pros came out to watch the future Canucks, Jerome Messam, Shamawd Chambers, Devon Bailey, Natey Adjei, Cleyon Laing and Matt Vonk were in the house.
2) Every direction you looked there was Rider green. Saskatchewan had a large group of scouts and coaches at the combine, by far the most of any CFL team. Lots of eyeballs to evaluate and move closer to a decision on what Chris Jones and his staff might do with the No. 1 overall selection.
3) There appeared to be a timing issue with the 40-yard dash. Receiver Shaquille Johnson ran a 4.39 40-yard time on Thursday at the Toronto Regional and then clocked in the 4.6-second range at the National Combine. That’s a wide difference and it felt like something was off with the laser testing system.
4) Deep 2016 receiver class proving itself. Brian Jones, Mike Jones, Llevi Noel, Doug Corby, Brett Blaszko, Shaquille Johnson and Felix Faubert-Lussier showed well all weekend long. Plus you can’t forget about the No. 1 and 12 ranked pass catching prospects, Tevaun Smith and Juwan Brescacin, who weren’t able to attend the combine due to their pro days falling too close to the event.
5) Play of the day: UBC defensive back Taylor Loffler, who initially looked beat on an inside breaking route by receiver Brett Blaszko, made a diving interception in one-on-ones. He layed out to make a hilite reel pick.
