{allcanada} BOMBERS HANGING ONTO FIRST PICK; FIELDING OFFERS FOR FOURTH

With the first overall pick in their back pocket, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers weren't about to reveal which direction the organization was planning to go in Sunday's CFL Canadian Draft (TSN and TSN Mobile TV at 12:30pm et/9:30am pt).

But vice-president and general manager Joe Mack said that the club is fielding offers for the fourth overall selection.

"We've had a number of offers for both (picks)," Mack told reporters on Wednesday. "The way we have it mapped out right now, we think the two or three players we like best are maybe on a different plateau, so I really doubt that we would trade the No. 1 pick.

"The No. 4 pick, we've had a lot of interest in that, and we're listening to offers."

Asked if the club had made up its mind on whom it would select first overall, Mack said they were 'pretty close.'

"We're looking at something long term and try to be conscious of the fact that we want to upgrade our overall Canadian depth, and we think the one and the four, and then players subsequent to that, will help us do that.

"Obviously we want to be productive in this draft, but if we end up winning a lot of games, people won't remember what we do on Sunday," Mack continued. "Hopefully what we do on Sunday will help to contribute to where we want to be, which is a Grey Cup champion."

For the first time since 1975, the Bombers hold the first-overall selection and will draft in the opening round for just the third time in the last 15 years. They secured the fourth overall selection in a trade with the Argonauts which saw Steven Jyles shipped to Toronto.

The Bombers are coming off a season that saw them miss the playoffs for a second straight year, but there was a silver lining. Nine of the losses were by four or less points - a CFL record - and another by seven points.

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