Winnipeg’s defensive turnaround
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers‘ defence has demonstrated a notable improvement in recent games, following what were described as three discouraging performances to start the season. This resurgence comes as the team prepares to face the Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place Stadium on Sunday. The Bombers, with a 3-2 record, currently rank second in the league for scoring defence, allowing 24.4 points per game.
In their last two outings, Winnipeg has been the only team in the CFL to limit opponents to 21 points or fewer. This includes a recent 30-21 home victory over the Toronto Argonauts. Defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger noted that while no one wants to start slowly, the early struggles helped identify areas needing work, which is not always clear during training camp when playing against their own offence.
The team’s run defence has particularly strengthened, holding the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto to a combined 108 rushing yards in their recent matchups. During the game against Hamilton, the Bombers achieved a second-half shutout. Against the Argonauts, they prevented a score on a short field in the fourth quarter, leading to a missed 40-yard field goal that Trey Vaval returned 129 yards for a touchdown, securing the win.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite recent successes, the Bombers‘ defence still faces areas for improvement. Opponents have converted 53.2 per cent of their second downs against Winnipeg. The team is also tied for last in the CFL with only four takeaways, comprising one interception and three fumble recoveries. Jordan Younger attributed some of this to dropped interception opportunities, suggesting that catching those balls would place them in the top half of the league.
Star halfbacks Evan Holm and Deatrick Nichols have had chances to secure more takeaways. The upcoming game against Ottawa presents further opportunities, as the Redblacks‘ offence ranks near the bottom of the league in most passing categories. Ottawa quarterback Jake Maier threw four interceptions in his last game against Edmonton, leading to speculation that McLeod Bethel-Thompson might start in his place.
Willie Jefferson, defensive end for the Bombers, cautioned against underestimating Ottawa, emphasizing that the team needs to earn the win rather than expect it. The Redblacks acquired McLeod Bethel-Thompson last month after trading Dru Brown to Winnipeg.
Quarterback situation and notable returns
The status of Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros remains uncertain as he works to return from a neck injury. He was a non-participant in practice last week and was on the one-game injured list for the game against Toronto. Head coach Mike O’Shea stated that the timeline for Collaros‘ return is largely dependent on head athletic therapist Alain Couture and Collaros himself.
In Collaros‘ absence, Dru Brown started against the Argonauts, completing 80.6 percent of his passes for 339 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 30-21 victory. O’Shea praised Brown‘s performance, noting his decision-making and ability to handle the game’s emotion. Despite Brown‘s strong showing, O’Shea indicated that it would not influence the decision regarding Collaros‘ return to the starting role, emphasizing the team’s established process for such decisions.
The upcoming game also marks a return to Ottawa for Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell, who parted ways with the Redblacks in the off-season. Condell stated he is not treating this game as an opportunity to make a statement against his former team, viewing it like any other competitive matchup. The Blue Bombers will visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday, July 19, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT.
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Source: winnipegfreepress.com
