Whitehead admits he’s still learning details of the Canadian game

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This article was published 10/07/2019 (2252 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG’S quick-strike offence accounted for another long touchdown during Week 4, and this time it was slotback Nic Demski’s turn when he hooked up with Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols on an 82-yard pass-and-run play against the Ottawa Redblacks.

Interestingly, while Demski was slipping behind coverage, it was slotback Lucky Whitehead who was attracting the attention of two Ottawa defenders. It’s the kind of spillover effect you might expect after Whitehead’s Week 3 explosion in which he scorched the Edmonton Eskimos for two touchdowns and 155 yards on seven catches.

Whitehead was targeted three times against the Redblacks, catching one pass for 16 yards.

“I’m excited to see what I’m going against this week,” Whitehead said after practice Wednesday. “But as you see, if that happens, we’ve got other weapons to take it over the top.”

Whitehead admitted he’s still learning on the job, and he’s paying special attention to the details of the Canadian game that haven’t yet become second nature.

For example?

“My routes as far as getting to my right depth, because I’m already coming from a waggle and I’ll break off my routes kinda early sometimes,” said Whitehead, a 27-year-old from Manassas, Va., who spent four years in the NFL. “It’s because I feel like it’s taking too long. There’s a lot going on processing coverage.

“I’m still adjusting to that, figuring out coverages and where I need to be and how I’m going to beat my guy.”

ALL-STAR BREAKTHROUGH: The numbers are modest, but Willie Jefferson, a two-time CFL all-star defensive end signed as a free agent by Winnipeg in the off-season, could be close to a breakthrough.

After a combined 18 sacks in the past two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Jefferson has two tackles and one sack in three games with his new club. But he was a forceful presence against the Redblacks, making life frenzied for quarterback Dom Davis.

Glen Young, who coaches Winnipeg’s defensive front seven, said it’s only a matter of time before Jefferson reaches the next level.

“With Willie, it’s continuing to understand what we’re doing,” Young said. “I think what you saw in the Ottawa game is he’s getting comfortable, so when Willie gets really comfortable, he’s going to be really effective with his skill set. He’s getting to that point where he’s feeling good about what he’s doing, he understands our scheme and how I expect each individual to play in it. And then once you understand your role and you’re effective in your role and you know what you’re doing, that’s when you see these guys start to shine.

“All these things factor in. If you’re not really sure about it, you kinda play tentatively.”

BIGHILL UPDATE: Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea reported linebacker Adam Bighill (hamstring) did not practise during the club’s closed workout Wednesday but has not been ruled out for Friday’s game against the visiting Toronto Argonauts.

Bighill didn’t play last week in Ottawa but has six tackles in two games in 2019.

“I think it’ll come right down to game (time),” O’Shea said. “I don’t think he needs to practise to play.”

NOTEWORTHY: Blue Bombers offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick was one of four players fined by the CFL this week.

Hardrick was disciplined for delivering a blow to the head of Redblacks defensive lineman J.R Tavai, while Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman David Dean was punished for a high hit on Montreal Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

Meanwhile, B.C. Lions receiver Duron Carter and Alouettes running back Stefan Logan were both fined for violating the league’s social media policy.

The amounts of the fines were not disclosed.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14