Hall will never be satisfied with Bombers D

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This article was published 22/08/2022 (1111 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Turns out, Richie Hall isn’t an easy marker.

Asked to rank where his defence is at 10 games into the 2022 CFL season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers top defensive coach wasn’t about to give his group the top grade. The fact the Bombers are leading the West Division with a CFL-best 9-1 record, with the defence playing a significant role in getting them to where they are, while impressive, Hall sees plenty of room for improvement.

“I would say in the top-third. I’d like us to be a little more consistent,” Hall said following Monday’s practice, ahead of the Bombers home tilt against the Calgary Stampeders Thursday night. “When you look at it, it’s some of the things that occurred earlier in the year, when we gave up some explosive plays, some big plays — the B.C., Ottawa game — and if we tighten up those things then we would get back to the standards that we have.”

He added: “The thing that we strive with, and they’ve done a great job at, is how many points we give up. The bottom line is trying to keep those points down and when you keep those points down you give yourself an opportunity to win.”

The Bombers defence ranks first in the CFL in points against, averaging 18.2 a game. They’re also first in offensive touchdowns allowed (13), with only nine passing and four rushing TDs surrendered, and have the lowest collective completion percentage for opposing quarterbacks, at 63.3 per cent.

Winnipeg is also second in several other defensive categories, including opponent’s average net offensive yards against per game (330.7), pass knockdowns (36), average pass against averaging 7.7 yards.

While impressive numbers, no doubt, they somewhat pale in comparison to last year’s dominance. In 2021, Winnipeg’s defence was an absolute force and had the Bombers not clinched first place with a month remaining in the season, resulting in the team resting guys for playoffs, it would have likely been even better than the stats suggest.

Is it possible this group could get to that level this year? It’s a question Hall doesn’t put a lot of stock into.

“I don’t even think about the numbers. I just know we had a lot of wins last year and I know we need to have a lot of wins this year,” Hall said, before transitioning to a lighter note. “I always tease the offence, I say our goal is to keep the opponent under 50 points. If we can keep them under 50 points, then we got a chance. As long as we score one more point, then that’s all I’m happy with.”

INJURY REPORT: After sitting out Sunday’s practice, receiver Greg Ellingson and defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat were both participants for the workout Monday. That is, until about halfway through when Ellingson pulled up lame during a routine passing drill.

Ellingson limped to the sidelines, where he spoke with a team trainer before exiting practice for a closer examination. The 33-year-old missed three games earlier this season with a hip issue, before returning in Week 10 against the Montreal Alouettes.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea couldn’t provide an update on the injury, but the team’s injury report later in the day revealed Ellingson suffered a foot injury. Ellingson has been extremely productive when he’s in the lineup, with 37 receptions for 572 receiving yards and three touchdowns in seven games.

In other news on the injury front, safety Brandon Alexander continues to rehab an injured knee but has yet to practice. Centre Michael Couture, who broke his arm in Week 1, has shed his cast but still hasn’t been cleared to practice.

Offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld has missed the last two days with a sore ankle. The Bombers will have a closed practice on Tuesday, the final full workout of the week.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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