CFL agrees with Bombers that Willy’s helmet hit should’ve been a penalty

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This article was published 07/07/2015 (4081 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After further review, it turns out the CFL agrees with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers – there should have been a penalty on the play in which Bombers QB Drew Willy was hurt last Thursday during a 52-26 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said Tuesday afternoon that he spoke with CFL vice-president of officiating Glen Johnson this week and Johnson agreed with the Bombers’ contention that the helmet-to-helmet hit on Willy should have drawn a flag.

“They believe there should have been a flag,” O’Shea told reporters following practice at Investors Group Field Tuesday.

Moments after O’Shea disclosed his conversation with Johnson, the CFL sent out a news release announcing that Hamilton defender Adrian Tracy – who struck Willy as the quarterback was already in the grasp of another Hamilton defender and on his way to the ground – has been fined by the league “for leading with the crown of his helmet, making it the main point of contact as he hit an opponent…

“Tracy has a responsibility to avoid lowering his head and hitting his opponent with it,” CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said in a statement announcing the fine on Tracy.

“It is a dangerous and unnecessary manoeuvre that puts both the tackler and his opponent at serious risk of injury.”

O’Shea said he wasn’t overly concerned what the league did about Tracy.

“I don’t know when they have their discipline meetings. And it doesn’t concern me,” said O’Shea. “The discipline part doesn’t concern me.”

Willy left the game following the hit by Tracy and did not return the rest of the night. But he’s been back at practice this week and on Tuesday was once again running the Bombers No. 1 offence in anticipation of making the start at Investors Group Field Friday night, when the Bombers (1-1) face the Montreal Alouettes (1-1).

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The Bombers are healthier right now than they have been at any time in 2015, with all 24 starters on offence and defence practicing on Tuesday for the second day in a row.

That number included non-import receiver Rory Kohlert, who missed both of Winnipeg’s regular season games but has been back practicing with the No. 1 offence this week. O’Shea was asked Tuesday if Kohlert is ready to go against the Alouettes.

“He seems to be,” said O’Shea. “He practiced today and looks fine.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek