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Linebacker Barrin Simpson is a standout in a Bombers defence that is the good-news portion of a struggling team. (JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

Barrin SIMPSON was almost asked to leave but instead stuck around and has been the life of a defensive party that threatens to be a blast to remember.

While most of the stories coming out of Bomberland these days deal with the club's moribund offence or coach Mike Kelly chastising the fans for any number of indiscretions, linebacker Simpson is putting up numbers that folks might end up talking about for a long time.

In last Friday's 19-5 loss to the Toronto Argonauts, the Bombers' defence did all in its power to keep their team in the game despite an offence that totalled just one first down in the opening half.

At the epicentre of this dervish was the veteran Simpson knocking down 14 tackles to set a new Blue Bombers record.

"You know, usually when you get that many tackles, the offence has like 600 yards or something like that," explained Simpson, following Tuesday's practice. "But our defence was solid to a man on Friday night and we held them to just 244 yards offence on 68 plays. They had a lot of opportunities to make gains and we stopped them. We got lucky a few times but mostly we played just great team defence. So I take a little pride in the fact that I made 14 tackles on a night when our defence did such a fine job."

Simpson, 31, leads the CFL with 36 tackles in four games, on pace for 162 on the year, which would shatter Calvin Tiggle's 1994 league record of 129.

"It's a little early for that," smiled Simpson, when asked about chasing Tiggle. "None of this matters right now because we're not winning games. That's the only thing that matters and we've got to get that figured out."

Simpson suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 4 last season and did not return. That, along with the emergence of linebacker Joe Lobendahn, meant Simpson's future with the Bombers was uncertain.

"We had some discussions about my future and there were different scenarios brought forth," said Simpson. "Finally we were able to work something out where I could remain here and I'm glad to be part of this moving forward."

Simpson let his contract be restructured to remain with Winnipeg and coach Mike Kelly couldn't be happier.

"Barrin is the consummate professional. He's the first person in here every day and he's watching film. He leads by example in the locker-room and on the field. He's been a real diamond for us," said Kelly.

"All of this while battling a very painful turf-toe injury. Basically it prevents you from pushing off when you run. So this is a player that can barely run and he's out there making 14 tackles a night."

Fellow linebacker Ike Charlton says there's nothing extraordinary about Simpson's start.

"It's just typical Barrin Simpson. Some people have made some noise about his age but he's just 31 and this is just the way he plays," said Charlton. "Barrin just goes out and hunts down the ball and makes tackles. This is just Barrin Simpson football."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

He got game

TOP single-game tackle totals in Blue Bombers club history:

222

(CFL record: Reggie Hunt, Saskatchewan, 16, 2003)

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 29, 2009 C3