Courtesy Winnipeg Free Press:

Tis the season — roughly one month before the opening of training camps — when CFL teams traditionally look to round out their rosters with ‘bodies.’

And so when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced the addition of three more players on Thursday — cornerback Jovon Johnson, receiver Romby Bryant and Canadian fullback Jacques-Olivier Lumbala — the transaction was likely met by a collective shrug of the shoulders by even the most ardent followers of the CFL.

After all, guys who sign in May are usually nothing more than tackling dummies and fantasy campers, right Brendan Taman?

“All three can make our team, no doubt about it. I’m not BS-ing you,” began the Bombers GM. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if, come mid-June, all three of these guys are still in the mix to make our team.”

Here’s the goods on the new Blue recruits:

Bryant (6-foot-1, 181, Tulsa) joins the Bombers following an impressive collegiate career at the University of Tulsa and after bouncing around the NFL the last four years with Baltimore, Atlanta and Arizona, plus a stint in NFL Europa.

“I’m really excited about this guy,” said Taman. “He’s smooth, he can run, he’s got great hands. He’s got a chance with us. I’m hoping he is what I saw from him last year when he was in Baltimore’s camp because he’s good.”

Johnson (5-foot-9, 177, Iowa) was first recommended by former Hawkeye teammate and Bomber QB Brad Banks, but ended up having his rights traded to Saskatchewan last September for a negotiation list player when Winnipeg had no room to bring him in for a look. He suited up for two games with the Roughriders and was on the reserve list for the Grey Cup.

He played three games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 before his release last year.

“I think he’s got a chance to make our team because his cover skills are very good,” said Taman.

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