QB Willy set to tackle new season with renewed hope

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This article was published 21/04/2016 (3455 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 2015 season could be encapsulated with one single image, it most certainly would have featured Drew Willy on crutches, his face the picture of pain and frustration.

So it was in stark contrast to see the Bombers quarterback standing at the podium Thursday — sans crutches and declaring himself 100 per cent healthy, FYI — his face alight and his enthusiasm obvious. Yes, Willy can often speak in a robotic tone that can leave those listening wondering if he is part human/part cyborg.

But eight months of inactivity since last August’s season-ending leg injury, coupled with a winter that has seen management upgrade the talent around him — including hiring a new offensive co-ordinator in Paul LaPolice — has the 29-year-old vet eager to fast forward to next week’s mini-camp and the season ahead.

“I had a huge smile just going onto the field and throwing with the guys today and with the other quarterbacks,” said Willy. “You miss it when you are out. August… that’s when I got hurt so it seems like forever. Just getting back out there and seeing the stadium and seeing the people at the airport when I walked in… it’s fun to be back.

“I think we’re going to be right up there competing with anyone for the Grey Cup. I know a lot of people think we’re not, but really the only opinions that matter are the guys in the locker room and the guys that are in the meetings.”

Willy and the new offensive pieces — Weston Dressler, Ryan Smith, Andrew Harris among them — will be on the field Monday for a three-day mini-camp that will feature offensive players only and will give them all a chance to test drive LaPolice’s new attack.

All those new additions will be mammoth in upgrading an offence that finished last in points, passing touchdowns, net offence, first downs and completion percentage last season. But it’s keeping Willy upright and productive that will be critical in 2016. After all, the Bombers, 5-13 last year, won just two games after he was shelved Aug. 9 with a tibial plateau fracture and a partial posterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee.

“It was tough for me just to be around and watch us struggle as a team,” Willy admitted. “But, at the same time, we were in a lot of those games and a play here or there could have changed the season or got us into the playoffs.

“Hopefully this year I can play all 18 and none of that has to happen. Any time you are injured most athletes will tell you how much they miss the game or how appreciative they are to always have the chance to go play. That was my first major injury when I missed significant time. That’s tough but in the long run hopefully you can learn from the injury and make sure I’m out there for all 18 games.

“That’s a big goal for myself.”

Willy and his wife moved to Tampa, Fla., this winter and since getting the green light to return, he has been throwing regularly with CFL receivers such as S.J. Green, Greg Ellingson, Kenny Stafford, Nick Moore and Alex Pierzchalski.

And while there are nothing but good vibes in Bomberland these days — Willy gushed about everything from the switch back to royal blue jerseys to meeting folks upon his arrival at the airport — he’s also been around long enough to know what’s at stake this season. Just to recap the obvious: the Bombers have missed the playoffs four straight seasons and the men in charge — GM Kyle Walters and head coach Mike O’Shea — are both squarely under the microscope.

So, a sense of urgency? Absolutely.

“We know everything that’s going on in the organization,” said Willy. “It’s professional sports. There’s urgency every year. I know what’s all being talked about and everything. But you can’t worry about that. There’s pressure every year. Quarterback, receiver, running back… that’s just how it goes. It’s fun to be a part of. You like to be in those moments. I know myself, I like to be in those fourth-quarter moments, those clutch moments to make plays.

“The expectations are high, but that’s where you want them.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @WFPEdTait