TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive back Jovon Johnson (2) pumps up the crowd near the end of the second half of the East Final CFL football action against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

They have ballers and bangers and swagger to spare. Now the 2011 Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defence need only collect the bling to be able to place themselves among the greats of club history.

They can rush the pass, stop the run and steal the ball. Just ask them. They introduced themselves to the football world this summer claiming they hailed from a place called Swaggerville.

Enlarge Image

Bombers defensive back Jonathan Hefney puts the wraps on Ticats running back Avon Cobourne Sunday. The entire Blue defence was money. (TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

They are young and athletic and brimming with a confidence that simmers over into arrogance at times. But after taking some late-season hits that silenced their buzzing, the Bombers' defence is once again using its play on the field to hold up any off-field arguments about greatness.

Never have they been better, more complete or eaten up more scenery than in the Bombers' 19-3 East Final win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Three points? The Bomber defence took the Tiger-Cats completely out of the game then turned to their offensive teammates and said, "The door is open, we've knocked out the guard and opened the safe. The getaway car is gassed and running. Now grab the cash and let's get out of here."

No slight to the Bombers' offence, who were strong this day with 271 yards on the ground and 449 yards of total offence, but the defence made the cake, served the cake and then ate it up in huge, angry bites.

"That was our goal going into the game. Last week Hamilton put up 55 points and we held them to three. That's got to be the biggest point differential," said Jovon Johnson, the East Division nominee for defensive player of the year. "We are the best defence in the CFL and we take pride in that. Now that our whole team will be there for the week and the awards, hopefully when they announce defensive player of the year it will be me and I can represent the best defence in the league. This defence can do whatever we want to do. I fully expect us to go to the Grey Cup and play our best game. We'll try to be perfect."

Prevailing wisdom has already installed the B.C. Lions as heavy favourites and that's understandable. The Lions have been the league's best team since August, winning 10 of their last 11 games, and will have home field advantage. If the Blue Bombers are going to make a game of the Grey Cup next Sunday it will all hang on the defence. The best, and likely only, hope for a victory will be for the defence to pitch another near-shutout.

Considering what the Bombers did to the Tiger-Cats in the second half and in particular the fourth quarter, there is a case to expect big things from them.

The moment of truth for the Blue defence came with 15 minutes to play and Winnipeg leading 13-3.

The game was still up for grabs and with the Tiger-Cats holding the advantage of the wind for the final quarter, Winnipeg's defenders needed to assert themselves.

Winnipeg's defence was at its very best down the stretch as they mauled the Tabbies, leaving the visitors with minus-six yards of offence in the final quarter, a pair of two-and-outs and an Alex Suber interception.

"I was pretty proud of our guys in the fourth quarter. We talked to them at halftime about Hamilton having the wind and it being a crucial moment in this game," said defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke, who watched his defence hold the Tiger-Cats to no points and just 44 yards of total offence in the second half.

Veteran defensive tackle Doug Brown, however, says his crew is building a case but can't call itself great just yet.

"Every indication and all the signs are pointing in the right direction," said Brown. "This was step one for us (Sunday). We've been pretty consistent this year but if you want to be a defence that goes down in history and has a legacy as one of the best that played and represented these colours, then you have to step up in the biggest of big games. If you want to even be considered as one of Winnipeg's best defences ever, we have to make our mark next week."

Swagger is one thing and it's a fun little regular-season theme. But tradition is something else altogether and as Mr. Brown says, requires a championship stamp.

Do they have it or are they just going to be remembered for their cute Swaggerville slogan?

Thankfully, we're going to find out at the Grey Cup, where pretenders are punted and legends legitimized.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 21, 2011 C3