Blue defence sets sights on Willy

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This article was published 19/06/2018 (2689 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ defence would like to turn the page on last season and focus on 2018 but they are still haunted by reminders of the past.

Thursday’s regular-season-opening 33-30 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos was a case in point. An early 101-yard pass-and-run play from quarterback Mike Reilly to wide receiver Derel Walker staked the visitors to an early 7-0 lead. Later, another dangerous Edmonton receiver, Duke Williams, hauled in a high pass from Reilly for a 46-yard gain.

Then, with time winding down in the fourth quarter of a 30-30 tie, Winnipeg’s D was unable to withstand the pressure as Reilly masterfully negotiated two second-and-long situations before driving his offence down the field and setting the stage for Sean Whyte’s winning field goal.

The mistakes looked all too familiar to defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall.

“I thought we competed, we played hard,” said Hall. “I thought we had some mental mistakes or it looked like mental mistakes that cost us. A couple of explosion plays and some other things that might have been significant… They were significant in allowing them to keep drives alive but we played well enough to win.”

Cornerback Chris Randle, who provided tight coverage and got a finger on the football before Walker pulled it away and sped untouched to the end zone in the first quarter, said it is important not to dwell on mistakes.

“You’ve gotta have that (short) memory,” said Randle. “Otherwise you’re not going to advance. You’re going to replay it and stay in that situation and that play and not go forward, not advance. We flushed that, we definitely flushed that after the second intermission (of the lightning-delayed game). So we’re on to the next opponent.”

Next up for the Blue Bombers on Friday night are the Montreal Alouettes.

The Als, 22-10 losers to the B.C. Lions Saturday, provide a prime opportunity for Winnipeg to get into the win column. Montreal has lost 12 consecutive regular-season games dating back to last season and are heavily revamped from 2017, with a new head coach and large turnover in personnel.

Former Winnipeg QB Drew Willy is the Als’ newly annointed starter but he isn’t close to rivalling the accomplished Reilly on the field. The Lions sacked Willy five times as they turned an early deficit into a convincing win. Putting the heat on Willy will be a priority for the visiting Bombers.

“You’d love to be able to put pressure on him with four people,” said Hall. “There’s times where we had pressure on Reilly with four people. At times it was five, at times it was six. Again, we have to have a consistent push up the field with regards to how many people we bring and then we’ve got to take away the big play.

“Even though they didn’t throw the ball deep a lot against B.C., they completed a couple of big balls against B.C. and we’ve gotta make sure we’re on top of the game in that aspect.”

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea saw enough from Willy to have concern for whatever challenge the 31-year-old may present. Willy went 25-for-35 passing for 281 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

“I saw him step up in the pocket and deliver some deep shots with good accuracy,” said O’Shea, who coached Willy for two-plus seasons between 2014 and 2016. “I saw him pull the ball down and run it when he had to, take a couple of shots and bounce right back on the horse again. I’m sure they’re still getting used to the new coach and playbook.”

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Two other former Blue Bombers — middle linebacker Henoc Muamba and defensive end Jamaal Westerman — are expected to be key contributers for the rebuilding Als.

Muamba, pursued by Winnipeg before signing a free-agent deal with Montreal in the off-season, had four defensive tackles and one special teams tackle against the Leos while Westerman, who spent three seasons in Winnipeg before leaving as a free agent, had a sack and three tackles.

NOTEWORTHY: veteran running back Andrew Harris was a full participant in practice Tuesday after taking a maintenance day Monday. Meanwhile, linebackers Adam Bighill and Jovan Santos-Knox were spectators but are expected to play Friday. O’Shea hoped to have defensive end Craig Roh and offensive lineman Sukh Chungh back on the field today.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14