Blue Bombers ink a Wild extension

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This article was published 08/01/2018 (2882 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been among the most active teams in the Canadian Football League when it comes to putting pen to paper this off-season.

Since their elimination from the CFL playoffs in mid-November, general manager Kyle Walters has worked hard to reunite the team that finished the 2017 regular season at 12-6 — second in the league only to the 13-4-1 Calgary Stampeders. Winnipeg has reached deals with 10 players from last year’s club, with extensions that range from one to two years.

The most recent came on Monday, with the Bombers announcing they have signed linebacker Ian Wild to a one-year contract.

Wild, like every other Bomber who has been signed recently, was a pending free agent, set to hit the open market come February. Unlike others, though, Wild missed 13 games with a broken wrist, following up a 2016 campaign where he missed six due to another injury.

In fact, Wild has yet to play an entire season at full health, with his most games played in a single year coming as a rookie in 2013, when he suited up for 15 with the Bombers.

“When I talked to Kyle at the end of the year I wasn’t really sure, just because of my injury and everything, what direction they were going to go and I was really happy to hear they wanted me back,” said Wild in a phone interview from his office in Pittsburgh, where he works as a certified financial planner in his months off the field.

“I know I’m a good player. I just want to prove myself that I can be one for 18 games. That’s definitely a goal of mine.”

Though relieved the Bombers wanted him back despite what might be concerns about his durability, Wild seemed destined to return for another year with the Blue and Gold.

When healthy, the Bombers like his speed as a linebacker and vision when it comes to tracking down bodies. He’s versatile in that although he’s most comfortable playing weak side, he’s also been used in the middle for certain packages.

He’s also a personal favourite of head coach Mike O’Shea for how well he treats his body and the level he competes at every day at practice.

“Last year was kind of a bummer for me because I thought I was ready for one of my best years and that got put on hold,” Wild said.

“I would say the wrist is just about back to normal and once I start working out hard again it should get better and stronger from that.”

What stands out most about the signing of Wild is what side of the line of scrimmage he lines up on. Of all the contracts reached by the Bombers in recent weeks, Wild is just the second defensive player to ink an extension. Defensive tackle Drake Nevis, who signed a one-year deal late last month, is the other.

While Wild and Nevis can be seen as solid additions for next season, a number of important players from last year’s team are still without a contract. The unsigned starters include a pair of 2018 CFL all-stars in cornerback Chris Randle and halfback T.J. Heath. Defensive lineman Jamaal Westerman, the Bombers’ sack leader over the past two seasons, and linebacker/defensive back Maurice Leggett are also without a contract. Leggett is arguably the most important unsigned player but also the biggest question mark as he continues to recover from a season-ending Achilles injury.

Free agency opens Feb. 13 and it’s expected Walters will reach deals with most players still on the list. It helps that the defensive staff for next year is finally set, with the Bombers keeping defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall for another year, firing two assistants and adding one.

Defensive backs coach Tony Missick and defensive line coach Todd Howard were told last week their contracts would not be renewed.

Glenn Young, who has been the linebackers coach the past two seasons, will assume the duties left by Howard and Jordan Younger has been hired to coach the DBs.

“With Todd and Tony gone, that definitely kind of hurts because you built personal relationships with them. I don’t think coaching is ever really an issue,” Wild said.

“The players, we hold each other accountable more than anything and the way the players react to one another is what makes a defence or what makes a team.

“That’s important and I think I can definitely do a better job at it and there are other veterans that can do a better job at holding each other accountable. We’ve gotten a lot better since I’ve started here five years ago but there’s still some room to go.”

O’Shea and Walters have spent four years trying to find the right mix of players and to install a group cohesive enough that when the inevitable issues arise, the leadership inside the locker room is strong enough to withstand any setbacks. They’ve achieved that goal for the most part with continuity, leaning on a number of familiar faces to set the right example.

If it’s not right now, then time will soon be an issue. It’s not an easy job for Walters, who must work under a tight salary cap. The Bombers GM must weigh not just what a player brings to the field when they’re here, but what effect it might have if they are to sign elsewhere.

Change is also something that must be considered. The defence ranked at or near the bottom of almost every statistical category that doesn’t include takeaways. With a 27-year Grey Cup drought — and the frustration from fans that comes with such a streak — hovering overhead, every move will matter.

“I definitely think it’s important to get your key guys back on defence. It’s definitely important to have continuity but I think last year we started a good bit of rookies and they were real good players for us,” Wild said.

“Building on some youth isn’t always a bad thing. The guys that want to be in Winnipeg will end up there. The management is pretty fair in terms of working out contracts and if the veteran guys that haven’t signed yet want to come back and play an important role like they do, then I think they’ll be able to.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @jeffkhamilton