Decision to release Nichols ‘gut-wrenching’ for Bombers
Hot on the heels of signing quarterback Zach Collaros to a twoyear contract, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released veteran Matt Nichols.
GM Kyle Walters said Nichols asked for his release in a telephone conversation Monday night, to allow him to get a head start on free agency and finding a new place to play.
“He understands it’s a business, and he was thankful for the opportunity,” Walters said. “I don’t want to get into too much of the specifics. We had a polite conversation and at the end it was agreed upon that, yeah, I think it’s perfectly fair for him to get a jump-start on free agency and be released so he can start figuring out where he wants to be next year, and the best opportunity for him to play, and start.”
Nichols’ fifth season with the Bombers ended prematurely when he tore up his shoulder, midseason.
Walters swung a trade deadline deal that brought Zach Collaros from Toronto, and Collaros, with Chris Streveler off the bench, led the Bombers to the Grey Cup win over Hamilton.
In one of the more difficult decisions a GM and coach can make, Walters and head coach Mike O’shea targeted Collaros as their top off-season priority, choosing results over loyalty.
“It was gut-wrenching,” Walters said. “Matt’s been nothing but a great teammate, great friend to many in this organization. And to have to say, as of right now this is the plan right here, gut-wrenching is a good word for it.”
Winnipeg was 7-2 and in first place when he suffered his shoulder injury, finishing 11-7 and in third place, before making a post-season run to the Cup, on the road.
In three previous playoffs, the furthest Nichols got the Bombers was to the West Final.
Collaros signed a two-year deal worth just under $900,000, plus incentives for playing time that could push the value to nearly $1 million.
“Very excited to be back in Winnipeg,” Collaros said at a Tuesday news conference. “From the moment the season ended, my wife and I were talking about it, it’s kind of a no-brainer if they want us to come back there.
“From a football standpoint, being in this building last year was for me kind of re-born again. Having fun at work again.”
Nichols’ best bets for a shot at a starting job are likely Ottawa, where former Bombers offensive coordinator Paul Lapolice has taken over as head coach, or in Toronto with the Argos.
BROWNS HIRE YOUNGEST GM IN NFL HISTORY
The Cleveland Browns officially named Andrew Berry as general manager on Tuesday.
At 32, he’s the youngest GM in NFL history.
“I’m honoured and blessed to lead the Football Operations of the Cleveland Browns,” Berry said in a statement released by the team. “I’m appreciative of the Haslam family for entrusting me to be a steward of a franchise that is so rich in tradition and history.
“... I am excited to partner with Kevin Stefanski — a coach I know our city will embrace because of his leadership skills, work ethic, humility and character — to work tirelessly and with immediate urgency toward building a winning organization that will make the people of Cleveland proud.”
The Browns parted ways with former GM John Dorsey on Dec. 31. Cleveland hired Stefanski earlier this month to replace Freddie Kitchens, who was let go after a 6-10 campaign.
Berry worked for three seasons as the Browns’ vice-president of player personnel from 2016-18 and spent last season as the Philadelphia Eagles’ vice-president of football operations.
“We’re thrilled Andrew will lead our football operations,” owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “We have always been profoundly impressed with him as a consummate professional who has meticulously studied his craft every place he has worked and is extremely dedicated to utilizing every resource to improve an organization and to enhance his own knowledge. He will be a tremendous partner with Kevin as he embraces the critical nature of his relationship with the head coach.”
Berry played college football at Harvard and was an All-ivy League cornerback in three of his four seasons with the Crimson.
He was one of the three known candidates to interview for the job, along with Minnesota Vikings assistant GM George Paton and New England Patriots director of college scouting Monti Ossenfort.