Veltung, McDuffie await chance to shine in Bombers pre-season game

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/06/2016 (3398 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Courage — Mike O’Shea’s word.

It’s the definition of the word courage – the ability to do something that frightens oneself – that’s the first intangible the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach looks for when evaluating his prospective kick returners.

Of course, speed, vision and the ability set up blocks and audible on a dime if coverage blows up right in front of you is required. But it’s the ability to understand that the Canadian Football League has no fair catch rule and the threat of decapitation is often not far away, that’s what O’Shea likes.

“The good returners that I’ve seen have zero fear when it goes to tracking a ball into a crowd, knowing they should be afforded some protection,” he said.

In some respects, and O’Shea made mention after Friday’s practice, the evaluation of this particular part of the special teams package is slightly disadvantaged prior to the live bullets that come naturally with a preseason game.

Training camp begins on the same day for everyone, but for Quincy McDuffie, Justin Veltung and others looking to lock up a spot returning punts and kickoffs, their chance to truly shine and prove their worth is just a few days away against the Montreal Alouettes.

“I was always told, ‘Practice how you’d play,’” McDuffie said. “I’ve been trying to work at my craft here in practice so when it comes to the game, it’s second nature to me. I’m ready to go out there and showcase what I’m capable of doing in the return game.”

McDuffie isn’t a stranger in the return game by any means. His speed – he once ran the 400m in 46 seconds (world record is just over 43 seconds) – is his primary asset. The man runs with the stride of a gazelle and Bomber fans might remember him from two seasons ago, where he took a 66-yard punt return to the house against the team he’s now trying to win a job on.

Both McDuffie and Veltung bring with them the versatility coveted by any coach, with the latter showing fans and O’Shea that last season.

Veltung made the team out of camp and slotted in the return game for the injured Troy Stoudermire immediately after Stoudermire broke a finger in training camp. Veltung then played a spell at receiver, filling in for the Nick Moore, who went down with a back injury in Week 5.

In Saturday’s 12-on-12 drills, Veltung was the beneficiary of a few touchdown passes from quarterback Drew Willy.

“This year, I’m trying to be that guy back there (in the return game),” Veltung said. “Just being able to go out there wherever they put me and be that guy, whether it’s in the inside slot or playing outside receiver or returning punts. I just want to go out there and score.”

O’Shea, for the record, likes what he’s seen from both guys.

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“They seem to catch everything,” he said. “McDuffie is obviously very fast. And I’m not going to not mention (running back) Carlos Anderson. Last year in the preseason, he was on his way to returning a kickoff to the house before he hurt himself. All three of those players could contribute offensively and in the return game. There’s good competition in that regard.”

Meanwhile, Veltung proclaims himself as a different dude. In and effort to standout, he can often be seen, clearly, from the stands in a colourful pair of tights. His latest standout pair was neon green, and he’s got more colours on the way.

“It gives me that feel-good feeling,” he said. “It gives me that little spark like, man, I got these bright tights on, someone has to be watching me. You see the bright green. It’s me being me. It brings fun to the game. I’m a team guy, of course, but I like being myself.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @scottbilleck

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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