New talent fits Bombers’ plan

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This article was published 27/04/2016 (3431 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

By now, you’ve probably already heard and maybe even participated in the growing excitement surrounding the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Following an off-season that focused mainly on upgrading the options around quarterback Drew Willy, the hype around the upcoming CFL season is growing by the day — recent years of futility be damned.

Though slightly premature, the cause for celebration is for good reason.

Hindered by a struggling offence, the Bombers spent money and time over the winter courting elite talent. With multiple offers on the table, Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith, both of whom registered more than 900 receiving yards last season for the Saskatchwan Roughriders, chose Winnipeg.

Andrew Harris, who rushed for 1,039 yards, added 484 more through the air and recorded nine touchdowns last season with the B.C. Lions, was also wooed to return home.

Factor in Darvin Adams, the club’s No. 2 receiver from 2015 with 839 yards and six touchdowns, a healthy quarterback in Willy and the Bombers have arguably their best lineup behind the ball in years.

But when you have that many players who are used to being in the spotlight, is there such thing as having too much of a good thing?

Not for coach Mike O’Shea, who, before hearing the end of the question, quickly dismissed the notion.

“Before we sign a free agent we make sure they understand their role,” he said. “If you lie to someone to get them here they won’t be very happy.”

O’Shea understands locker rooms and the kind of players needed to fill them. Before making the move to coaching, O’Shea played 16 seasons in the CFL and is regarded as one of the best middle linebackers ever to play the Canadian game.

“With the character we have, if someone is getting hot I’m sure all the other players around will want him to be getting the ball,” he said.

When the Bombers signed Harris they knew what they were getting: a talented, driven and vocal leader. His passion is what’s made him one of the most versatile backs in the CFL. That passion has also found him in hot water, too.

Harris created a stir last season when he declined to shower and then ducked the media following a Lions’ loss in which he carried the ball just four times for three yards. The Lions struggled, squeaking into the playoffs with a 7-11 record.

“It’s just about how we work together, how the coach uses us as a unit and how we gel,” said Harris. “Obviously there are a lot of ‘me’ guys in professional sports and if you have weapons like that they all have to be on the same page and work together.”

Adams is used to proving himself in the CFL. A standout receiver at Auburn, he spent two seasons with Toronto before emerging as one of Winnipeg’s top receivers last season. For a team that finished 5-13 last season, it’s the wins he cares about most.

“I could have zero catches and if we win, I’m happy,” he said. “All that other stuff comes into play with egos and I don’t think nobody has an ego here.”

At 26, another productive season for Adams could mean opportunities in the NFL. Even with that in mind, he sees gelling as a unit as the chance to reach an even bigger goal.

“I just want the Grey Cup,” he said. “It’s not only my goal, it’s a team goal. That’s what we are here for.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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