Ekakitie trying to elevate his game

Bombers tackle sees physique, skill set as projects

By: Mike Sawatzky Posted: 10:26 PM CDT Tuesday, May. 22, 2018

It was the middle of January when Faith Ekakitie, having recently returned from a winter vacation, stood on a scale and got the shock of his life.

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It was the middle of January when Faith Ekakitie, having recently returned from a winter vacation, stood on a scale and got the shock of his life.

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It was the middle of January when Faith Ekakitie, having recently returned from a winter vacation, stood on a scale and got the shock of his life.

The number — he weighed in at 322 pounds — stunned the 25-year-old Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle.

How did he react?

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Bombers DT Faith Ekakitie has been working to develop his pass-rushing ability and cut weight in a bid for more playing time. — BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Bombers DT Faith Ekakitie has been working to develop his pass-rushing ability and cut weight in a bid for more playing time.

“Not necessarily panic, it was more of a low point for me,” said Ekakitie, who was sporting a streamlined 292-pound physique following the third day of Winnipeg’s training camp Tuesday afternoon. “The fact that I let my weight get that out of hand… I’d never been that heavy in my life. I know, going into the off-season, my goal was to lose weight and get into better shape — that was going to happen, no matter what. Coming back and seeing that number on the scale, I was like, ‘Here’s where we’re starting from. Here’s where you need to get to, now get to work.’”

Ekakitie, a highly touted former member of the Iowa Hawkeyes, had been conspicuous by playing sparingly during his rookie season in the CFL after being chosen No. 1 overall in the 2017 CFL Draft. He registered five defensive tackles and dressed for 14 regular-season games, but the general sense was his star potential was a work in progress.

The eventual weight loss came thanks to some intensive workouts and a transformed diet — he cut out sugar and processed food. “I wasn’t starving myself,” said the product of Brampton, Ont.

Ekakitie also knew he had to refine his technical skills. Adjusting to the Canadian game came with the usual hurdles for a U.S. college product, but he struggled to become an effective pass-rusher after serving mostly as a run-stopper at Iowa.

“I’m still primarily a run-stopper but when it comes to pass rush, it’s a huge, huge project,” said Ekakitie, who weighed 314 pounds at the end of the 2017 campaign. “The technical side of pass-rushing, I understand it, but actually getting it done and having the ability to rep it out over and over again and have that feel for being a good, explosive pass-rusher. I think that’s where I’m really lacking — that repetition.”

He’s trying to absorb as much as he can by watching his teammates at work.

“The onus is essentially on me,” he said. “I try to reach out to the older guys, (asking) ‘Hey, how are you so successful with what you’re doing here? What can I implement in my game?’”

Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea admitted he’d like to see Ekakitie broaden his skill set, including his pass rush.

“It’s one of the things that we talked about,” O’Shea said.

“It’s very easy to stick with your strengths, it always feels good to stick with your strengths and have that kind of success. But where you’re going to grow and have much more success and longevity is if you work on your weaknesses continually. It’s good that he recognized that.

“It’s not just him, every guy’s gotta keep working… It’s not just Faith working on pass rush, it’s all these guys — getting one step better, getting one step faster. Getting a little better with their hands. Listening better. Communicating better.”

It’s uncertain what Ekakitie’s role will be in 2018.

The Blue Bombers are believed to be considering a scenario in which they will start four American defensive linemen, including tackles Drake Nevis and Cory Johnson.

As well, the club announced Tuesday it had re-signed veteran Canadian defensive tackle Jake Thomas, which almost certainly won’t translate into more playing time for Ekakitie.

Thomas, who has spent his entire six-year CFL career in Winnipeg after being chosen 29th overall in the 2012 draft, is coming off a career year in which he registered 21 tackles and four sacks.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sawa14