Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made a series of transactions on Monday, including signing three draft picks and releasing national receiver Matt Coates.
Coates, who joined the Bombers last year after three seasons in Hamilton, set career-highs with seven receptions and 123 yards in 18 games, in addition to an eight-catch, 100-yard effort in the Western Semi-Final vs. Edmonton. The 26-year-old took the unconventional path to the pros, joining the Ticats in 2014 out of the CJFL’s Hamilton Hurricanes.
The Bombers also announced Monday the addition of four players, including two 2018 draft picks and one from 2017.
National kicker Felix Mernard-Briere is on board a year after being picked 34th overall in the 2017 CFL Draft by the Bombers. He was named to the 2016 All-Canadian First-Team as a punter after leading U SPORTS with a 42.4-yard average. He had 21 punts inside the 20-yard line and added 17 field goals on 25 attempts in 2016.
The Bombers also agreed to terms with McMaster receiver Daniel Petermann. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Stoney Creek, Ont. native was selected 26th overall in the 2018 CFL Draft after four seasons with the Marauders. In 2017, Petermann led the Marauders with 36 catches for 517 yards and two touchdowns. In 2014, Petermann earned the OUA rookie of the year award with 61 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns.
Laval receiver Tyrone Pierre was also added to the mix after being picked 41st overall back on May 3. The Ottawa native played four seasons with the Rouge et Or, catching 13 passes for 122 yards in eight games in 2017. Pierre won the 2016 Vanier Cup with Laval.
In addition to adding three nationals, the Bombers signed international free agent defensive back Tharold Simon. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Louisiana State product spent four seasons in the NFL, playing 11 games with the Seattle Seahawks and nine with the Arizona Cardinals, recording 15 total tackles and one interception.
Simon spent his college career with the LSU Tigers, recording 99 total tackles and seven interceptions in 34 games played.
The Bombers officially open camp on Sunday, but rookies and quarterbacks are slated to report on Wednesday.
