Bombers’ Sayles a quick study

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This article was published 02/11/2018 (2554 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Chris Randle, the sage Winnipeg Blue Bombers cornerback, gets a kick out of teammate Marcus Sayles’ penchant for lighting up opposing receivers with big hits and then pretending it’s no big deal.

“It’s almost like a surprise,” said Randle with a smile Thursday afternoon. “It’s like, ‘Did I do this? Oh, I did.’ And then he walks away. He’s humble. I don’t think he’s meant to taunt or anything. But yeah, he’s made a few plays hitting people.”

Sayles isn’t just known for lowering the boom. In fact, he’s an all-purpose performer who has impressed many with his rapid transition to the Canadian game.

The 24-year-old, a product of the University of West Georgia State, has played 15 of Winnipeg’s 17 games thus far this season, registering 65 defensive tackles, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and five special teams tackles.

On Wednesday, the local chapter of the Football Reporters of Canada voted Sayles the club’s Most Outstanding Rookie.

Was the move north as seamless as he’s made it look?

“It’s really not, especially coming from the NFL,” said Sayles. “The waggle’s different, not knowing the personnel and the receivers are different. It’s just a credit to my coaches, they’ve helped me come along real well.”

As for the massive hits, well, the soft-spoken 5-9, 181-pounder said it hasn’t been his reputation but he’s happy to oblige.

“Actually, I’ve surprised myself,” said Sayles. “Honestly, I don’t feel like I’m a big hitter. I just feel like the receivers are exposing themselves and playing this position, you know, you’ve gotta take hits when you get the opportunity to.”

Sayles levelled Edmonton’s Duke Williams with thunderous hit that knocked the CFL’s leading receiver out of the game, a convincing 30-3 Winnipeg triumph on Sept. 29.

Oh, and he chipped in with a blocked a punt in that game, too, which is in keeping with his college career. Sayles blocked a school record 13 punts during his career at West Georgia State.

“That’s funny, because we all thought the same thing,” said Randle of the illusion Sayles is a finesse defender. “But he’s caught a few people slipping. When it’s five or six times, you see guys going backwards, you’re like, ‘OK, you have a little presence over here.’ Duke was one of the bigger ones I’ve seen.”

An injury in training camp kept Sayles out of the lineup early but he immediately made an impact when he started as a cornerback in Week 3.

He wisely accepted advice from the veterans in the secondary.

“For him to come in, be new at his position, and listen to some of the things I tell him, listen to some of the positions we put him in based on situations, based on certain coverages, he’s very good at adapting to your style of play,” said Randle. “Which is very good, because he works with the dime, he works with me, he works strong half or free safety at any given time.”

Sayles believes a switch to halfback, where he slots in beside Randle, accelerated his progress.

“Sayles may say that, but I think his potential is endless,” said Randle. “I think he could play any spot on the field. As far as him being able to come down and hit like he does, that halfback spot allows you certain angles to come down and hit with a little bit of force. That’s one of his strong suits. He’s a small-stature guy, but he can bring a punch and I think that’s what he likes.

“So playing in a little bit of space is probably something he prefers. But he’s quick enough and has good enough ball skills and good enough technique to play outside.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14