Jefferson a welcome addition in Winnipeg

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This article was published 21/05/2019 (2355 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LET’S just say the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are happy to have Willie Jefferson on their side.

Jefferson was the Bombers’ biggest splash into free agency, with the 28-year-old Texas native signing a one-year deal in February after three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. At 6-7 and 248 pounds, the hulking defensive end was impossible to miss as he donned blue and gold for the first time Sunday, and was again a menacing presence on Monday.

“We’re a much more talented defence now. Bringing Willie in means another dynamic player that can do a lot of things. We’ve seen that consistently for the amount of time that he’s been in the CFL,” Bombers middle linebacker Adam Bighill said. “He’s a special player and I’m glad to have him on our defence.”

Bighill was named the CFL’s most outstanding defensive player in 2018, edging out Jefferson in a close vote for the West Division nominee. While Bighill had a spectacular season with the Bombers, Jefferson was a wrecking ball for the Roughriders.

Playing in all 18 games, Jefferson had 34 defensive tackles, 10 quarterback sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two touchdowns. One of his interceptions was against the Bombers, when he returned a Matt Nichols pass back 97 yards for a touchdown in a 32-27 win over Winnipeg in the annual Banjo Bowl.

“I’m sure it’s gonna work out. Just another really, really nice addition,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said, smiling. “The one thing about Willie is he makes plays. He’s super athletic and he turns that athleticism into plays against opponents. Obviously, that’s what we’re looking for him to do for us. It will add to a good group that played defence at a high level last year. He’s a very nice addition to our front. He’ll lead in his way, too.”

There is no doubt Jefferson has already earned the respect of his teammates for his play on the field. He said he considers himself a leader on and off the field, but is cautious not to get too far ahead of himself as he gets to know his new teammates.

“I’m saying right now, I’m just in the background. I’ve been in the league for a while, I have a voice, but for right now, I’m just letting Matt (Nichols), Stan (Bryant), Darvin (Adams), Jackson (Jeffcoat) — the guys that have been here, that (have) already been established —take control like they have been,” Jefferson said. “When they need some backup or some help, then I’ll step in and give my little two cents and make everybody come around. In the defensive room, it’s just a mentality of getting off the ball, getting to the quarterback and making some plays in the backfield.”

WALKING WOUNDED: Running back Andrew Harris, left guard Patrick Neufeld, defensive back Brandon Alexander, long snapper Chad Rempel and linebacker Jesse Briggs have all missed the first two days of training camp with various bump and bruises. O’Shea said Monday that he expected all to be back in due time, noting that none of his players were suffering from a significant injury.

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But with 93 guys in camp, and only so many reps to go around, don’t expect any to be rushed back to action either. Some might even miss a majority of camp, which shouldn’t be seen as a sign of anything other than prioritizing rest over repetition at this point in the season.

THOMPKINS SUSPENDED: Receiver Kenbrell Thompkins was added to the suspended list Sunday, after multiple attempts by the Bombers to contact him over the off-season went unanswered, O’Shea said, putting his future with the team in serious question.

Thompkins was considered a strong candidate to become the fifth starting receiver in 2019 — a role he played in parts of last season, including the Bombers two playoff games. The 30-year-old native of Miami, Fla., played in 12 games with Winnipeg, registering 29 receptions for 421 yards and one touchdown.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @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.