Sure-footed Medlock finds his range

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This article was published 31/08/2016 (3326 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Justin Medlock admits the task was tough at first, adjusting to his new surroundings as the new kicker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Signed to a lucrative two-year deal in February, one that pays him close to $185,000 per year — the highest salary for a CFL kicker, by far — Medlock, 32, had a slow start to 2016.

With an 87.5 per cent success rate — the best in CFL history — heading into the season, many questioned the sureness of Medlock’s foot after he began the year missing four of his first 11 field-goal attempts.

“(I’m) getting used to how things are done here a little bit more,” said Medlock after practice Wednesday. “Before, some things kind of threw me off a little bit.”

Those obstacles early on for Medlock included switching a holder midway through a game, a holder not coming out for a kick and a ball incorrectly spotted by a ref, only to be re-spotted with the clock ticking down — all firsts for Medlock over his six-year career in the CFL, including stops in Hamilton, Edmonton and Toronto.

Those issues appear to be long gone, however, as Medlock has been nothing short of spectacular in recent weeks, with his last miss coming in the third quarter of a 30-23 win in Edmonton over the Eskimos July 14.

Since then, he’s a perfect 20-for-20, a streak that’s a personal best and a Bombers club record.

Through 10 weeks, Medlock leads the CFL in kicking accuracy at 91.8 per cent, hitting 45 of his 49 total kicks (included in that is a perfect 18-for-18 on converts).

“I just try to go one-for-one to be honest,” said Medlock.

“Just help out the team by trying to get points and really that’s all that matters. I’m not really big into the records, or streaks… just into executing when called upon.”

In a 32-18 win over the Alouettes in Montreal last week, Medlock hit all six of his field-goal attempts. After the game, head coach Mike O’Shea said Medlock could have likely hit even more, with the Bombers deciding instead to punt with a field position considered to be in Medlock’s range.

“This is why we signed him,” said O’Shea. “He certainly wasn’t happy at the beginning of the season trying to find ‘it’. And now, I think he’s in a good space.”

‘(I’m) getting used to how things are done here a little bit more. Before, some things kind of threw me off a little bit’– Justin Medlock

NEW BLOOD: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Wednesday the addition of non-import offensive lineman Alex McKay to the practice roster.

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McKay, 25, a Winnipeg native and University of Manitoba product, played four seasons with the Bisons, starting all 32 regular-season games — and seven playoff games — during his collegiate career.

Listed at 6-5, 300 pounds, McKay was selected in the sixth round — 52nd overall — by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2016 CFL Draft but was released by the team July 20.

To make room for McKay, the Bombers released import receiver Kris Adams.

Adams played in two games this season for Winnipeg, recording three catches for 41 yards.

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.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.