Bombers’ D starting to show its teeth

No one stood on a table and delivered a rah-rah speech.

The scheme wasn’t overhauled, and there were no major changes to the roster either.

And yet, after opening the season with three discouraging performances, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ defence has looked like a completely different unit of late.

They’re the only team in the CFL to hold opponents to 21 points or fewer in its last two games. Fresh off a 30-21 home win over the Toronto Argonauts on Friday, the Bombers (3-2) rank second in the league in scoring defence, allowing 24.4 points per game.

They have a prime opportunity to lower that average on Sunday when they face the Ottawa Redblacks (0-5) at TD Place Stadium.

“Nobody wants to start slow. Nobody wants to start the season giving up big plays,” said defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger after Wednesday’s practice.

“But I think you identify ‘OK, this is where we need work at.’ It’s not always easy to forecast where that’s gonna be when you’re playing against your own offence day in and day out in training camp.”

The Bombers opened the year by getting gashed on the ground and crumbling late.

Now, they’re making the run game far less viable by holding the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Week 5) and Toronto to a combined 108 rushing yards.

They also pitched a second-half shutout in Hamilton — albeit after star quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell left the game — and stonewalled the Argos on a short field in the fourth quarter, forcing them to attempt a 40-yard field goal. The kick sailed wide left and into the hands of returner Trey Vaval, who raced 129 yards for a touchdown that sealed the victory.

The Argos were averaging 37.5 points per game entering the night.

“I think we’ve just settled down. No one panicked after the first few games,” said safety Redha Kramdi. “We got together a little more, talked a little more, and it’s showing.

“We’re just happy we got back to ourselves, honestly.”

No one is patting themselves on the back just yet. There are still some ugly numbers attached to this defence.

The Bombers have allowed opponents to convert 53.2 per cent of their second downs, and they’re tied for last in the CFL with just four takeaways — one interception and three fumble recoveries.

The opportunities have been there. Winnipeg just hasn’t capitalized.

“We can’t force it. Off the top of my head, there are probably four or five easy drops (that should’ve been interceptions),” said Younger. “That puts you in the top half of the pack and we’re not having this conversation. Just catch the ball.”

Those are the plays that eat defenders alive.

“Oh yeah, for sure. High school, championship game, I dropped one. I’ll never forget it,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “It would’ve changed the game for sure. I never wore those gloves again.”

Their star halfbacks — Evan Holm and Deatrick Nichols — might need new gloves, as they’ve certainly had their chances.

They may get a few more on Sunday against an Ottawa offence that ranks near the bottom of the CFL in nearly every passing category. Quarterback Jake Maier threw four interceptions last week against Edmonton.

With the team desperately searching for a spark, it wouldn’t be surprising if Maier is benched in favour of McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who signed with Ottawa last month after Dru Brown was traded to Winnipeg.

“They were just dealt a bad hand the first couple of games,” said defensive end Willie Jefferson. “You can’t go in and expect them to be something that they’re not. They got some good players, they can make plays, too. We don’t want to go out there thinking it’s just going to be a win.

“We can’t expect to win, we’ve got to go out there and take it.”

COLLAROS UPDATE

Quarterback Zach Collaros (neck) was fully dressed and on the field for Wednesday’s practice but did not participate. For the second straight day, Dru Brown took all of the first-team reps.

The Bombers are off Thursday and will hold a closed practice Friday before travelling on Saturday.

CONDELL’S RETURN TO OTTAWA

Brown isn’t the only one making a notable return to the nation’s capital this weekend.

It will also mark the first time Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell has been back since parting ways with the Redblacks in the off-season.

After Ottawa hired Ryan Dinwiddie, Condell hit the open market before landing with Winnipeg.

The veteran coach insists he’s not treating this week’s game as an opportunity to make a statement against his former team.

“No, not really. I kind of feel like that every week,” said Condell. “Haven’t you gone out and played basketball against your brother or something? It’s about the same thing — it really doesn’t matter who we play. If it’s Ottawa this week, great. But my son’s here today and back there we’re gonna play Monopoly and I’m gonna try to whoop him there, so, we’ll see. So, honestly, (it’s) nothing.”

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