Just an extraordinary superstar

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/11/2011 (5248 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If the highlight packages on Saturday night don’t include Jovon Johnson dancing into the end zone either at the end of a punt return or an interception it’s unlikely the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have been winners earlier in the day.

Johnson is the Bombers’ best player and if they are to defeat the favoured Calgary Stampeders it will take a superior day from the defence and the special teams units, with No. 2 having a major impact.

Winnipeg will enter the game with backup quarterback Alex Brink at the helm and he’s going to need some help. The Bombers defence must keep the Stamps off the board and score some points while the special teams unit must supply Brink with good field position all day.

Johnson is key to all of these issues, he understands that and accepts it and expects to live up to the challenge.

“Big-time players show up when it matters the most and that’s my plan this week,” said Johnson, who was selected as Winnipeg’s Most Outstanding Player, top defensive player and best special teams player when the club’s yearly awards were announced this week. “I’ve won all the awards and now I’ve got to have something to show for it on the field on Saturday.”

Football may be the most team-oriented game of them all but that doesn’t preclude the opportunity for individuals to shine and control outcomes.

It will be the biggest game he’s played in his time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Johnson says he’ll rise to the occasion.

“The opportunities are there and I need to take advantage. I know Drew Tate inside and out and I will make plays on him,” said Johnson in reference to his former teammate at Iowa and now the starting quarterback with the Stamps. “I need to give my team the best chance to win. We know what’s on the line and I will shine.”

Johnson has been tweeting at fans to vote for him in all three categories for league awards but one could argue Saturday’s game could be used as a nationwide ad spot for Johnson’s award campaign.

“They will be able to change the name of the network from TSN to the Jovon Johnson Sports Network after all the plays I hope to make,” said Johnson. “I expect to be the best on the field.”

Bombers defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke will use Johnson at safety with Ian Logan expected to be held out due to illness.

“It’s a team group but Jovon’s an integral part. He plays corner but we’ve had him play a number of positions all year because he adapts better than anyone else. He’s just very intelligent. This week we’re playing him at free safety and a little at boundary halfback,” said Burke. “He’s got a lot of ball sense and he sees a lot of the game and he’s very opportunistic. They say big players have their best games on the biggest stages and he’s done that this year for us and this is next and biggest stage so far.”

The Bombers will put themselves into the East final and only one home game win away from the Grey Cup with a win. This is the biggest of the big in terms of games and should Johnson deliver we’ll be able to say the same about him as a player.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

BOMBER GAME DAY C4