Bombers bolster offence with signings of Demski, LaFrance

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This article was published 13/02/2018 (3035 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT wasn’t the way many envisioned the Winnipeg Blue Bombers attacking the first day of CFL free agency Tuesday, even if it did result in a couple of familiar faces joining the team.

After posting the second-best record in the CFL last season at 12-6 — mostly because of a dominant offence — but getting bounced from the playoffs in the first round for a second straight year — mostly because of a futile defence — it was the former that took priority once free agency opened at 11 a.m. Tuesday and dozens of players across the nine-team league became available on the open market.

But few will care about that, at least for now, given whom the Bombers added to their roster and primarily because of where they come from.

After going silent for the first hour, the Bombers came out with a bang by inking former University of Manitoba Bisons wide receiver Nic Demski to a one-year contract. Less than an hour later it was another local product — and a former teammate of Demski’s on the Bisons — that was added, with Winnipeg signing running back Kienan LaFrance to a one-year deal. Both are Winnipeg natives who starred with the Bisons and both played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders last season.

Only later in the day, as a number of highly coveted defensive players were getting gobbled up, did the Bombers finally land a notable piece on the other side of the ball.

Winnipeg signed defensive back/linebacker Chandler Fenner to a two-year deal. Fenner was with the B.C. Lions the past two seasons and a player that had piqued Winnipeg’s interest leading into Tuesday’s free-agent frenzy.

Overall, it was a solid day for the Blue and Gold. What remains, though, is the hole at the middle linebacker position. With Sam Hurl out of the Bombers’ future plans, and no obvious replacement on the roster, the goal for the Bombers is likely to wait until the price drops on a current free agent.

Multiple sources said in the days leading up to free agency that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Larry Dean was showing a strong interest in Winnipeg. That idea was quashed after he re-signed with the Ticats shortly before the deadline. Taylor Reed, who spent the last two years in Ottawa and recorded 94 defensive tackles in 2017 with the Redblacks, is an enticing option, with a price tag that could be on the lower end of the money line.

While there is still time for the Bombers to fill the void at middle linebacker, it appears the clock has run out on signing two other key contributors from last season in halfback T.J. Heath and defensive end Jamaal Westerman. Sources said Heath was close to signing with the Toronto Argonauts, returning to the team that traded him to the Bombers midway through the 2016 season, while Westerman has been heavily rumoured to be joining his brother, Jabar, in Montreal with the Alouettes. Both had yet to reach a deal by press time.

Heath was coming off his “rookie” contract and was due a sizeable raise and Westerman, who, according to sources, made around $160,000 last season, was also due a boost in pay. But because the Bombers signed a pair of veterans in receiver Adarius Bowman and quarterback Darian Durant in recent weeks, both of whom are said to make more than $140,000 per season, the purse strings are tight and therefore it would be challenging to reach a last-minute deal with either player.

According to sources, Westerman made it clear he wanted to test free agency. The Bombers were said to have spent weeks trying to retain him, offering three separate offers, with the last one coming in at nearly $200,000.

With Fenner, the Bombers have another reliable and versatile defensive back on the roster. Last season, despite having three all-stars in the secondary, Winnipeg ranked near the bottom in yards and points allowed and touchdowns surrendered. Fenner, who is said to be a quality locker-room guy and is also a major contributor on special teams, with 27 tackles last season, is one of three former Lions defensive backs — Anthony Gaitor and Steven Clarke being the other two — the Bombers have picked up over the off-season.

What’s most impressive with Fenner is his comfort level at multiple positions on the defence. He played all 18 games for the Lions at strong-side linebacker last season but can also play halfback or corner. The Bombers’ starting strong-side linebacker, Maurice Leggett, is expected to return from a torn Achilles in time for the regular season but if he is to suffer a setback, the Bombers are covered with Fenner.

If Day 1 of free agency suggested anything, it’s Winnipeg should flourish on offence.

Though Demski does come with a few concerns around his ability to stay healthy — he was limited to nine games last season — if he can stay upright he’s talented enough for the Bombers to be able to start two Canadian receivers (along with Matt Coates), which would solve any potential ratio problems with the loss of Westerman. As for LaFrance, he, too, is a reliable threat and should play a key role in preserving the health of starting running back Andrew Harris by playing spot duty.

Even without the recent additions, the Bombers already had a strong offence. With the likes of Matt Nichols at quarterback, Darvin Adams and Weston Dressler at receiver and an offensive line that allows few leaks, the best defence just might be a deadly offence — even if nobody saw that coming.

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