Courtesy Winnipeg Free Press:

It was meant as a half-joke, a simple wiseacre comment. Nothing more, nothing less. But the subsequent reaction spoke volumes as to how the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will evaluate the fresh meat that steps on the field with the opening of rookie camp today and the aged beef that takes centre stage on the weekend.

There we were, hunkered down in Bomber GM Brendan Taman’s office late last week listening to him drone on — for the umpteenth time this offseason — about the implications an enforced salary cap would have on shaping the roster.

“So, what you’re saying,” we interrupted, “is every player should have their salaries printed on their helmets and dollar signs for numbers.”

Taman, normally a jovial sort, offered up the impatient, frustrated look of a man who had just been handed a parking ticket.

“They have the salaries on their helmets in my mind,” he said. “Look, we have to be really strategic now in how we mould our team. That’s a huge factor. I can’t emphasize that enough. It’s HUGE. Now it’s for real. I have to have my calculator out the same time I’m watching film. It’s new and it’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever had. Keep in mind, we can make the cap in a New York second… but we don’t know who would be on the team. But does the cap force us to tear down this team? Not yet.

“It’s not a world of roses and pretty colours right now, that’s for sure.”

That, in part, explains the release on Tuesday of veteran cornerback Juran Bolden. It’s why guard Andrew Greene, who provided steady play along the offensive line last year, won’t be back this season unless there is a rash of injuries. And it’s why Taman had to whack so many vets in the off-season, including Davin Bush, Chris Brazzell and Albert Johnson III.

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