Introducing your 2015 Toronto Blue Jays NFL roster!

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Dec 1, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; A general view of the Rogers Center before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

With the Toronto Blue Jays series opener against the New York Yankees being rained out on Thursday night, it freed many of us to give our singular focus to the return of NFL football. Tom Brady and the New England Patriots topped Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-21, with Rob Gronkowski stealing the show yet again. In trademark New England fashion, the win didn’t come without a little controversy, either.

Starting Quarterback

Jose Bautista wins the starting QB job for the Blue Jays, but it’s not just because his rocket arm could float passes 60 yards down the sidelines. Though I’m sure that won’t hurt, especially when you see the options this team has at wide receiver.

Bautista is the player who has learned to lead by example as a veteran, picking and choosing his outbursts more selectively over the past year. As one of the more intelligent players in the game, Bautista will also break down opposing defenses just as easily as he breaks down pitchers.

Running Back

Russell Martin gets the nod as this team’s powerful, hard-charging running back. No position in the NFL is as hard on one’s body as tailback, just like no position on the diamond takes a toll quite like catching. Martin will know what he’s getting into here.

The running back and catcher also share a similar position, as the furthest man back with the entire field of play unfolding in front of them. It’s all about vision and quick decision-making for running backs, and if Martin’s dominance over opposing base-stealers is any indication, he’ll be one step ahead defensive linemen and linebackers all game long.

Fullback

Dioner Navarro will line up in the backfield at fullback, an old-school position I refuse to see die at the NFL level. Not only does Dioner have the required build to smash through opponent’s defensive lines and clear the wreckage for Martin, he could also handle short-yardage carries. Just like Navarro does as the backup catcher for the Blue Jays, feeding him some carries at fullback could help to lessen the strain on Martin and keep him fresh for a deep playoff run. Stay off the tracks when the Navarro Train gets rolling!

Next: Watch the blind side! Offensive line announced...

Aug 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) is greeted at home plate by right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after hitting a grand slam home run against the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Looking on is Tigers catcher James McCann (34). Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

The left tackle potation is all about protecting your quarterback, so who protects Jose Bautista in the batting order? None other than Edwin Encarnacion. Much like the Blue Jays’ lethal top-four, his mere presence will make Bautista a better player and put him in more comfortable situations.

Across the line at right tackle is Ryan Goins, a man known around the league for his reliable protection of Toronto’s leads. While he may not be a point-producer in the NFL, Goins has some of the best hands on this team. With good hands and A-plus technique at right tackle, Bautista is already looking a little more relaxed in the backfield.

The interior line is made up of three veteran pitchers in Marco Estrada, R.A. Dickey and Mark Buehrle. I’ll give Buehrle the nod at centre as we want him touching the football on every play and controlling the offensive line’s audible adjustments. There’s nothing the veteran lefty hasn’t seen, and with that experience on the inside, Russell Martin should gallop to a 1,200 yard season with ease!

Tight End

Justin Smoak will start Week 1 for the Blue Jays at tight end, and he’s got the size to handle the job. At 6’4″, 230 pounds, Smoak will excel as a blocker when called upon, but give Toronto their own version of Gronkowski once they hit the red zone. Keep in mind that the tight end position is all about creating mismatches, something that manager John Gibbons often tries to do when using Smoak as a late-game pinch hitter. Much like Smoaks high-power, low-avearge MLB approach, you can expect a steady dose of touchdowns in the NFL but with little production in between.

Next: Who will Jose throw to? Wide receivers might surprise

Sep 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Ben Revere (left) celebrates after scoring a run against the Boston Red Sox with left fielder Chris Colabello (15) during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Wide Receiver

The young Dalton Pompey gets the start at wide receiver, and despite his inexperience at the pro level, he has all the physical tools required to turn into one of the greats. At 6’2″, 195 pounds, Pompey has the long and lean frame required for the position, and might resemble Chad Ochocinco (or is he going by Johnson again?) as he tiptoes along the sidelines. With a veteran outfielder at QB, Pompey will be his project.

Slot Receiver

Ben Revere is the slot man, and immediately becomes a threat to catch 100 balls in his first NFL season. Standing at 5’9″, 170 pounds, Revere may not be built to take regular hits at running back, but he’ll quickly become a steady source of 8-to-10 yard slants (just as he’s a steady source of singles in the MLB!). This represents Toronto’s version of Wes Welker or Jarvis Landry, and he’ll quickly become a fan favorite.

Red Zone Receiver

Chris Colabello is your new red zone weapon, Blue Jays fans! Succeeding in the red zone is all about coming up big in the clutch, and few have done that better than Colabello in 2015. Whether Colabello pushes his way over the goal line by inches with a slow-rolling ground ball through the middle or catches a beautiful corner fade with a home run to dead-centre, he’ll be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses at 6’4″ and 235 pounds.

Next: Let's talk defense, and let's talk...bullpen?

Jun 15, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Brett Cecil (27) reacts during the eleventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Blue Jays 4-3 in eleven innings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

This defensive line is brought to your by the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen. They’ll act as the first line of defense, much like they do when a Jays starter struggles, and the group will be led by Brett Cecil at right defensive end.

Rushing from the quarterback’s blind side, Cecil, the dominant strikeout enthusiast, will be a game changer in the opponent’s backfield. After the club tried him standing up at outside linebacker (closer) in the offseason, he’s back home with his hand in the dirt and should top 12.0 sacks in 2015.

Mark Lowe will rush from the left end, and while his career is marred with inconsistencies, he can be special when he puts it all together. With the blocking attention on Cecil’s side, Lowe could produce 6.0-to-8.0 sacks himself.

Veteran LaTroy Hawkins will man the heart of the line at defensive tackle alongside Liam Hendriks. Often the first men out of the bullpen, depending on the scoreboard, each will bring a calming force to the interior that will help plug up the run and allow the linebackers to create behind them. Stealing from the University of Florida’s “Gator Chomp”, the Aussie Hendriks will debut the Croc Chomp whenever he stuffs an opposing runner behind the line of scrimmage.

Next: Shut it down! Linebackers looking elite

Sep 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) dives into third base against the Boston Red Sox during the tenth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Inside Linebacker

Troy Tulowitzki will captain the defense at inside linebacker, using his defensive prowess, size and unrivalled range to cover sideline-to-sideline against anything sent his way. Tulo becomes the Blue Jays’ version of Ray Lewis or Luke Kuechly: reliable, trustworthy and efficient. Tulowitzki’s offensive production from shortstop over his career should also show itself in some above-average sack and interception totals at inside linebacker.

Outside Linebacker

Josh Donaldson will start alongside Tulowitzki at linebacker, just as they do in Toronto’s infield. I see Donaldson playing on the right side, rushing the blind side behind Brett Cecil to form a terrifying pass-rush combo. Think of Donaldson as the Terrell Suggs to Tulo’s Ray Lewis. The Clay Matthews, perhaps, changing games with blonde hair flowing in the— wait, I’m getting sidetracked here. Donaldson will be the king of the strip-sack-recovery, and is a favorite for NFL Defensive MVP.

In a surprise move, starter Drew Hutchison will start at left outside linebacker across from Donaldson. The NFL is absolutely loaded with young outside linebackers who have all the tools, but just haven’t put it together. Hutchison has the pieces on the mound, but as 2015 has shown us, there’s still a long way to go. The preseason hype around Hutchison as a stud pass-rusher will force the coaches to keep him in there on base defenses, but don’t expect him to have a long leash.

Next: Legion of Boom 2.0 in Toronto's secondary?

Aug 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David Price (14) in dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Cornerbacks

David Price will be the Blue Jays’ Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman on the outside, matchup up against number ones on other teams like he’ll potentially do this October. Like Sherman, Price has the length to cover any receiver and match all challengers stride-for-stride. Every rotation needs a stopper, just like every secondary needs a true shutdown corner. Price will make the defensive game plan much simpler with him shadowing the opposition’s top weapon all game long.

Starting across from Price will be Kevin Pillar, whose 2015 defensive highlight reel shows us a player with elite ball-tracking skills. Pillar will line up against opposing speed receivers like DeSean Jackson or T.Y. Hilton, and keep a cap on their efforts downfield. With some of the grabs Pillar has made, he’s a candidate for defensive play of the year from day one.

Slot Cornerback

Marcus Stroman will start at slot corner for the Blue Jays, the perfect place for an undersized player with all the grit and talent in the world. Stroman proved with his recent ACL recovery that no challenge is too large, and he’ll have no trouble sticking his nose in against the run. He’ll be tasked with picking up some of the league’s quickest receivers, but with bottomless confidence and a short memory, Stroman could be a dark horse candidate for the Pro Bowl.

Next: Announcing the last line and...Munenori?!

Sep 8, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) and relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) celebrate a victory against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Safeties

Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna will form the starting safety duo for the Blue Jays, with Bo Schultz providing some back-end depth. In Osuna and Sanchez, the Blue Jays have the final line of defense on both their MLB and NFL rosters.

Don’t expect many receivers to get behind David Price and cause a bad outing, but when these things happen, this defense needs a reliable parachute to pull. Sanchez will offer the Blue Jays a tall, rangy safety with the ability to high-point the football with his never-ending arms, while Osuna profiles as an assignment master who remains one step ahead of the opposing quarterback. There’s risk in opening the season with such youth on the back end, but Toronto could be sending both safeties to the Pro Bowl.

Punter

This roster will not feature a kicker, as the Blue Jays will be operating under a “touchdown or nothing” philosophy. It will, however, feature the great Munenori Kawasaki at punter. Sometimes, the most important decision that a coach can make is realizing when it’s time to punt the ball away and try again next time. Much like Muni takes over in the late innings when a game flies out of hand, he’ll handle the punting duties for the NFL Blue Jays. Watch out, though… He might have a fake-punt pass up his sleeve.

Next: Is Donaldson our new Molitor? Ignitor v2.0!

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