Bombers’ co-ordinator Richie Hall sees big things happening

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This article was published 21/06/2016 (3394 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IT was a loaded question, but one Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall didn’t hesitate to answer. Asked what he wanted the club’s identity to be on defence this year, Hall recited a motto he’s carried with him throughout training camp.

“We want to talk, hit, swarm and score in everything we do,” he said following Tuesday’s practice at Investors Group Field. “We want to be relentless, we want to be aggressive. When you have an attitude like that, then a lot of good things happen.”

As quick as Hall is to state what he wants from his defence, he’s equally fast to admit there’s much more work to be done to reach a standard that has only heightened since his arrival at the beginning of last season.

“I think we’re a long ways (away), just because our expectations are real hard,” he said.

That doesn’t mean Hall hasn’t seen improvement from last season. He said there’s a good mix of returning players, those who bring a familiarity with the playbook and new additions, including upgrades to the defensive line with the signing of tackles Keith Shologan and Euclid Cummings, whose CFL experience has added stability to the group.

“I like to think that we have a good foundation. Instead of starting off at ground-zero, we’re starting off halfway up and I believe it has shown regarding our preparation,” he said. “There’s a certain confidence level they have heading into this year. They’re very excited to play with one another.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea said he’s also seen improvement from the defence since the start of training camp. But with film from only two pre-season games, most of which were spent evaluating depth positions, it’s still too early for any final assessments.

“I don’t know what the ceiling will be,” he said. “I guess the point is to make sure our defence is holding teams to one less points than we score. What that translates to for defensive stats, I don’t know that we really care about that.”

Last season, the defence ranked near the bottom of almost every statistical category the league kept. But they also had the league’s worst offence, meaning they were on the field more than any other team.

But a new season provides a new slate, and for Hall, Friday’s game is a chance to set a new tone for the year.

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“We have a great opportunity to start off 1-0 and a win is always important,” he said.

Harris hobbling

Running back Andrew Harris hobbled off the field following a drill late in practice.

O’Shea was unable to provide an update after, but did say he was being evaluated by team doctors. O’Shea said he had talked to Harris, who told him he was OK. Any type of injury would hurt, as Harris is expected to play a big role in the team’s new-look offence.

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

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

Every piece of reporting Jeff 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.