Ford’s focus on everything Bombers

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This article was published 15/05/2024 (482 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tyrell Ford doesn’t feel like he’s playing catch up.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back is picking up right where he left off after appearing in all 18 CFL games during the 2022 season when he was a fresh-faced rookie and recorded 10 special teams tackles and three more on defence.

Ford was granted his release last season so he could pursue his NFL dream with the Green Bay Packers, but he’s back in the fold and chasing a starting job in the secondary.

“It was cool. I learned a lot,” said Ford. “A lot of it was different terminology. That took a minute to get a hold of and they were playing me at nickel, which is more inside than I was used to.”

Spending time inside the hallowed halls at Lambeau Field is something Ford won’t soon forget, though most of the sentimentality gave way to a steely focus on the task at hand.

“I tried not to think too much (about) it,” said Ford. “(The NFL) was something that I’ve worked for my whole life, so when I got there it was nice that it paid off. It didn’t completely work out, but I’m glad to be back.”

Ford, 26, was one of the final cuts last August and he waited patiently for another NFL tryout that never appeared.

“My agent really thought that we were going to get a call to maybe go somewhere else, so we kind of decided to wait it out. It just didn’t happen,” said Ford. “I trained all the time.”

There are certain experiences from Packers camp Ford is bringing back as he prepares for his second CFL season.

“(The NFL) was something that I’ve worked for my whole life, so when I got there, it was nice that it paid off. It didn’t completely work out, but I’m glad to be back.”–Tyrell Ford

“I did some technique things and got a couple of tips with Jaire Alexander,” said Ford. “He welcomed me with open arms and really helped me a lot. He’s a good dude.”

Ford isn’t concerned about whether or not the NFL is going to come calling again.

“I just want to get ready for Week 1 out here and that’s it,” said Ford, who is working with the first-team defence at cornerback. “Everybody wants to start and contribute to the team. I think I’m in the same position. I want to start and I want to contribute to the team. Whatever makes us best. I’m definitely the most comfortable (at cornerback). Make a couple of plays and see how it goes.”

Ford’s twin brother Tre took the CFL by storm last season, taking over at starting quarterback for the Edmonton Elks.

“I’m not going to lie. I wasn’t surprised at all. I know he’s a great football player and if he’s given an opportunity, he’s going to run with it,” said Ford. “I’m a little older, I don’t know by how much. I always thought I had an advantage on a lot of people because I’m able to train with the best of the best every single day, whereas some people don’t have the opportunity to do so. It just pushes you so much further and further.”

Having a twin brother who has chosen a similar career path has obvious benefits.

“He’s fast, he’s fun to play with and he can make plays on the ball.”–Evan Holm

“We call every night, once he’s done and I’m done,” said Ford. “We just chat, talk about how it’s going and how we did today. It’s nice that he understands what I’m saying and I understand what he’s saying.”

Tyrell, who is from Niagara Falls, Ont., played some receiver in high school and was involved in some offensive packages in university, but ultimately landed on the defensive side of the ball, where he’s known for his ball hawking abilities.

Fellow Blue Bombers defensive back Evan Holm was happy to hear Ford was returning to the club.

“He’s fast, he’s fun to play with and he can make plays on the ball,” said Holm, who first encountered Ford at a mini-camp with the New York Jets in 2022 when the two were roommates.

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Ford is one of the leading candidates to replace 2023 CFL interception leader Demario Houston, who signed with the Calgary Stampeders as a free agent.

Should Ford do enough to win a starting job, the Blue Bombers would add flexibility when it comes to the ratio — which must include seven Canadian starters.

“He’s always been a good player and he’s always had confidence and now he realizes that it’s warranted,” said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “You can be confident in your athletic ability, because he’s faster and he’s strong and could jump past everybody. Now, he’s got confidence in playing the system and playing football the way that we want to play it here. He enjoys that and he’s made some nice plays out there. He seems to be doing very well.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X: @WiebesWorld

Ken Wiebe
Reporter

Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken.

Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.