Bomber QB nominee for Most Outstanding Player

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This article was published 05/11/2014 (3987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB Drew Willy is the Bombers Most Outstanding Player nominee for 2014, the club announced today.

But it’s kicker/punter Lirim Hajrullahu who picked up the most hardware, taking down nominations as the club’s top rookie, top Canadian and top special teams player.

Left tackle Glenn January is the Bombers nominee for top offensive lineman this season, while safety Maurice Leggett was named the team’s top defensive player.

All those players will now compete against fellow nominees from other teams to be named West Division all-stars. That voting is taking place later this week and those results will be announced next Thursday.

Meanwhile, Bombers GM Kyle Walters also held a news conference this morning at which he took responsibility for his team’s failure to make the playoffs after a 5-1 start to the 2014 season.

“Organizationally, we didn’t make the playoffs and that’s on me,” said Walters, who was in his first full season as Bombers GM.

Walters promised to be an aggressive player in free agency this winter in anticipation of the Bombers hosting the 2015 Grey Cup. And he described the need to upgrade Winnipeg’s offensive line — which yielded a franchise record 71 sacks in 2014 — as his top off-season priority.

“It’s critical, of course it’s critical. It’s paramount to our long term success being in the western conference where you saw down the stretch you’re going to have to run the ball — and you’re going to have to stop the run — getting into this cold weather and the playoffs.

“And we need an offensive line that can control the clock and keep Drew out of second and long situations and make more manageable passing situations and keep him from getting hit as much.”

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said on Sunday that everyone’s job, including his own, was on the line in an off-season review the Bombers would be conducting. But Walters gave a one word answer when he was asked if O’Shea’s job is safe for another season: “Yes.”

Walters hedged when asked what will become of O’Shea’s coaching staff — including offensive coordinator Marcel Bellefeuille and defensive coordinator Gary Etcheverry. Walters said those positions will be evaluated in coming weeks but no timetable has been set for a decision on which assistants will be back in 2015.

Email: Paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek