Willy looking sharp, healthier

QB's wonky shoulder passes early test

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014

DREW WILLY connected on the short passes, the intermediate routes and hit on the long bombs, too.

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DREW WILLY connected on the short passes, the intermediate routes and hit on the long bombs, too.

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This article was published 02/10/2014 (4079 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DREW WILLY connected on the short passes, the intermediate routes and hit on the long bombs, too.

Now the question on everyone’s mind as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head into Ottawa for Friday’s matchup with the Redblacks is this:

Can he do it when the real bullets are flying and defenders are trying to separate his head from his spine?

“I felt good out here today. Obviously I don’t get hit in practice, so that’s a big key,” said Willy Wednesday after the Bombers’ workout. “But I think two more days I’ll definitely feel good going into the game. I’m looking forward to going out there and playing.”

Willy was sacked five times in last week’s 16-11 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and skipped Tuesday’s practice to further heal all the bumps and bruises he took. But he was back under centre Wednesday and looked very sharp as the club completed its final full practice before Friday’s contest.

“I enjoyed being out here with the guys again and thought we got some good work in,” he said. “I made some throws that I know I’m going to need to make against Ottawa. Just having that reassurance that I’m feeling better definitely helps.

“We got into a really good rhythm near the end of practice, I think we had 10 or 11 straight completions. That’s always good. I know it’s just on air (no tackling) but a lot of times that just builds the confidence going into the game.”

The Bombers have surrendered 48 sacks this year, most in the league. Willy has battled through an assortment of hurts, including to his ankle and shoulder, but continues to stand in the pocket.

And where intangibles like leadership and toughness might have been hinted at on film when the Bombers opted to trade and sign for him this winter, now the evidence is right there for everyone to see.

“I said earlier he’s a man of his word,” said O’Shea. “If he says he needs a day, he needs a day. If he says he’ll be ready the next day, he’s ready the next day. He looks good.

“He showed (toughness) early on, getting nicked up with a few different things. It’s just another one of those opportunities for him to showcase his leadership.”

FOND MEMORIES… BUT NONE HE CAN SHARE: The Bombers are making their first return to Ottawa since the days of the Ottawa Renegades. And here’s O’Shea, when asked about what he remembered about playing in the capital:

“I liked playing in Ottawa. It was fun. What do I remember specifically? A couple of stories I probably can’t mention. I was playing in Hamilton with Earl Winfield and he was a lot of fun. I remember losing my favourite pair of sunglasses…”

Asked which bar he lost his shades at, O’Shea grinned.

“It was at a payphone. I just put them down. I was talking to my mom or something. ‘I was on an airplane! I was on an airplane!'”

But seriously, folks… O’Shea’s take on the return of the CFL to Ottawa.

“You think about some of the significant CFL players who have been there and to lose that history that would have faded away to nothing…? I’m glad they’re back. It’s important for the league.”

TOUGH LOVE: So there were the Redblacks gathering for a team photo Tuesday in Ottawa, grinning and hamming it up for the camera. Less than an hour later, defensive back Jermaine Robinson and receiver Jamill Smith were firing punches at each other before being separated by teammates.

“Our DBs and receivers, we have a vendetta against each other,” Jovon Johnson told the Ottawa Sun. “When we come out with just jerseys and shorts on, they fly around, make plays on us and they talk crap to us. When we put our pads on, we take offence to it and we come out and compete. It’s all part of the game. It’s all in love. It’s just the way we do things.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait