Bombers big names not concerned about lack of individual production

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This article was published 07/09/2023 (786 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some of the biggest names on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been held in check in recent weeks.

Defensive end Willie Jefferson hit the ground running this season with eight sacks in the first seven games. Since then, he’s gone five straight contests without taking down a quarterback.

It’s only the second time he’s gone that long without a sack since joining the Bombers in 2019. It also happened for a stretch in 2022.

Jefferson didn’t even record a tackle in last weekend’s 32-30 Labour Day loss in Regina.

The Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders meet again this Saturday in the annual Banjo Bowl matchup at IG Field at 3 p.m.

“They can be beat. Like we really left a lot of stuff on the field,” said Jefferson after Thursday’s closed practice. “For me, communication wise, operation wise, we could’ve done a lot more. We’re glad we get the opportunity to play them again this week, back at our house with the noise on our side.”

It’s the same story on the opposite end of the D-line as Jackson Jeffcoat, a fellow Texan who has four sacks in 2023, hasn’t added to his total in the last four games. He’s had two instances in his CFL career where he was shut out for five games (2017 and 2022) and he’s in jeopardy of having that happen for a third time.

“They’re getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands fast and they’re not giving us a chance to get to the quarterback,” said Jefferson.

“It’s just offensive co-ordinators trying to do their best to get us out of the game.”

Jeffcoat is quick to point out that it’s opened up the middle. Veteran defensive tackle Jake Thomas (five) has tied his career high for sacks through 12 games, and fellow DTs Ricky Walker and Cam Lawson have both chipped in with three a piece. Linebacker Adam Bighill also has four sacks to his name with two of them coming on Sunday.

“They’re blocking us with two people, three people. I’m not saying they’re making it hard, they’re just getting the ball out fast and they’re making sure we’re not getting one on ones which is fine because the guys in the middle will make their plays,” said Jeffcoat.

“I mean, it doesn’t frustrate me. That’s how it is.”

Wide receiver Kenny Lawler can relate to the two star defenders as his numbers have also taken a dip in recent weeks. He’s had just two catches in each of the last four games for a total of 182 yards and two touchdowns. He had more yards, 200, in Week 9’s 50-14 home victory over the B.C. Lions then he’s had all last month.

The Bombers have tried to get him the ball as he’s been targeted 21 times since the B.C. game.

“You can’t beat yourself up about it… If it doesn’t come to me, I know it’s going to go to someone else and someone’s going to make a play. That’s just how I have to think. I can’t let my emotions get the best of me just because when it is my time, I might be too caught up on the play that I didn’t make and that might potentially take away from the play I’m about to make so that’s my outlook,” said Lawler.

“After the game when I had 200 yards, coach O’Shea told all the media that it’s not always going to look like that, and it’s not going to always look like that for me. I’m not always going to have a 200-yard game, I might not have a 100-yard game, but I know what my presence on the field does. I impact the defence and they need to know where I’m at at all times.”

Grant still out

Star kick returner Janarion Grant was running sprints last week at practice. Despite that, it could be a few more weeks until he’s back playing as the Bombers have extended him on the injured list until October. An ankle injury has kept him out since July 7.

Greg McCrae failed to fill his shoes, and defensive back Jamal Parker didn’t fare much better on Labour Day.

Parker gave up two rouges on punts against Saskatchewan and averaged 8.1 yards on his seven punt returns. McCrae was sent down to the practice roster Wednesday to make room for linebacker Malik Clements who’s back from injury.

“I was told to do exactly that. The only one that I’d probably want back is there was a shorter punt that I let hit the ground and we kind of lost yards. That’s truly the only one I want back, but the other two, I just did my job, honestly, with the points,” said Parker.

Parker is coming off a strong rookie season where he started eight regular season games as well as the West Division final and Grey Cup. He took reps at corner and halfback and recorded 37 tackles, a sack and an interception.

He’s been unable to build off of that as he picked up an injury in the pre-season finale which led to him starting the year on the six-game injured list. Parker has zero starts on defence in 2023.

“We got a deep room. We got a lot of good guys, so, you understand,” said Parker.

“Whenever my time is to play defence again, I’ll be ready. But until then, I’m gonna star in my role.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31