‘Dreams come true if you put the work in’

Major Williams isn’t shying away from the fact that last call is about to arrive.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back hopeful is thinking more about the chance to leave one more lasting impression, rather than the uncertainty that could follow as the CFL team is forced to get down to final numbers after Friday’s final pre-season contest against the B.C. Lions at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday (7:30 p.m. kickoff).

Williams finds himself right in the heart of the battle for one of the openings at defensive back and a strong showing against the Lions might ultimately help him land a starting job — not just a spot on the roster.

“It’s all about finishing this week and trusting my preparation and all of the hard work that I put in,” said Williams. “I’m definitely going to make this one count. There’s a little pressure I put on myself, but at the end of the day, it’s the next opportunity, so it’s probably going to be my best opportunity.

“I know there’s a lot of competition at this time. I can’t really worry about that. Just control my side of things and put what I can on tape. It’s an exciting time. A spot on the roster is open to be taken.”

Williams, 24, attended training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, appearing in several pre-season games with them before he was released.

In October, Williams was signed to the Bombers practice roster and received his introduction to the three-down game.

Although he didn’t get into any game action down the stretch with the Bombers, Williams learned a lot and was much more prepared to make an impact in his first CFL training camp when he arrived this May.

“The biggest thing was just being here with the (veteran) players. Those guys have seen me before and they know I am ready to work. My job was to prove to them that I can be reliable and I can be trusted,” he said. “I know my strengths and how to play to them in order to help my weaknesses. I can play any position on the back end.”

Williams’ ability to play multiple positions effectively could make him a weapon in Bombers defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger’s complex scheme.

“It’s unique and I think I fit very well with the way I play and with my savviness,” said Williams. “There are different concepts, but the pieces move, so you’ve got to be versatile and that’s exactly who I am.”

Williams grew up in Florida and grew up in an athletic family, excelling in a number of different sports, including track and field (where he was a high school state champion in the 4×100-metre relay), basketball and football.

His older brother, Antavian Edison, paved the way on the football field, earning a scholarship offer from the Purdue Boilermakers and suiting up in the NCAA from 2009-12 as a wide receiver.

“I’ve been playing football since I was four years old,” said Williams. “I have to thank my brother. He went to Purdue when I was in elementary school. I remember all of the college coaches coming to the house.

“I kept researching (football) and digging and digging and I figured that growing up, this is who I wanted to be. Dreams come true if you put the work in.”

Former NFL star Deion Sanders is someone Williams has patterned his game after, though you’re not likely to see him high-stepping down the field after an interception.

“I might do exactly what he does, but I definitely model a little bit of my game (after Sanders),” said Williams, who started his own college career at Virginia and ended it with Carson-Newman.

“The swag, the confidence. I’m not the most verbal guy, but my actions are going to speak. I want to be noticed every time that I’m out there. You’re going to know that Major Williams is going as hard as he can right there in that moment.”

Williams’ speed has been evident, but that’s only part of the package he brings to the table in his pursuit of a spot on the active roster.

“Steady growth. That’s important,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea after his team completed its walkthrough on Thursday afternoon. “As more and more plays got installed, he was not plateauing. He’s stepped in front of some footballs and made some plays.”

With the next round of cuts looming on Saturday, the time to make a few more plays is now for Williams.

As the Bombers wrap up the pre-season schedule on Friday, they will dress a lineup composed mostly of players vying for spots on the periphery of the roster — though there is the potential for a starting job or two to still be won with a strong showing against the Lions.

“I want to see them play hard and I want to have them put really tough decisions in our hands,” said O’Shea. “That’s what everybody wants. Everybody wants a great opportunity to be looked at seriously to be a contender to make our roster.

“You’re trying to get answers, but you’re trying to also prepare for that Week 1 contest.”

Pivot possibilities

Part of that equation means getting a bunch of veterans some additional rest to help them prepare to face the Calgary Stampeders in Week 1 of the regular season on the road June 5.

The Bombers are not dressing quarterback Zach Collaros on Friday, which means Taylor Elgersma will be getting the start and Bryce Perkins is scheduled to come on in relief.

Although the quarterback room was depleted from five pivots to three with Payton Thorne placed on the suspended list last week and Terry Wilson eventually released earlier this week, there’s a clear path for Elgersma to become the backup.

But he’s not taking anything for granted.

“Ultimately, this sport is about never-ending, constant improvement,” said Elgersma. “If you want to have a long, successful career, you need to be process-oriented, no matter what situation we’re in.

“I’m going to challenge myself to be better every single day.”

Perkins was five-for-nine for 67 yards and one interception in Saturday’s 31-27 pre-season loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders as he got his first taste of CFL game action and he’s hoping to take another step in his progression on Friday.

“It’s been an adjustment for me, but it’s been good. Every day I’m learning something new,” said Perkins, who credits Collaros and Elgersma with helping him with the transition to the three-down game. “It’s always nice because you are competing, but you’re also wanting to push each other. You’re wanting to get better. You want to see the other guy be at his best, so he can push you to be at your best.

“Not all quarterback rooms are like that, so you definitely appreciate it when you have one that is willing to teach each other and willing to learn from each other and you can ask questions and everything like that.”

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