Where there’s a way there’s Willie

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/08/2019 (2214 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Come on down to Willie-peg.

While the B.C. Lions are still waiting for their big investment on quarterback Mike Reilly to pay off, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have already seen a positive return on the money spent on defensive end Willie Jefferson.

The Bombers lured Jefferson away from the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the off-season and signed him to a one-year deal worth more than $200,000, and so far, he’s been worth every penny. Jefferson showed his worth in Thursday night’s 32-16 victory over the Lions at IG Field as his interception in the third quarter completely changed the game.

Despite the fact the Bombers appeared to be outplaying the Leos, the Lions were still in the mix as they only trailed 15-13 with less than seven minutes to go in the third quarter. The Lions had the ball at midfield and were looking to regain the lead, that is until Jefferson fooled Reilly. Reilly took the snap and Jefferson, who began the play lined up at defensive end, took a couple steps forward before retreating back into coverage. But Reilly never saw the six-foot-seven defender as he was locked in on receiver Jevon Cottoy. And the pass, obviously, never made it to Cottoy as Jefferson snatched it out of the air and took it down to the Lions’ 29-yard line.

“At the beginning of the game, coach wanted us to get on the ball and get a little pressure in (Reilly’s) face,” said Jefferson, who leads the Bombers with five sacks this season. “And then he just threw something different out there, tried to get the ends to drop into coverage a little bit more and bring the linebackers and stuff like that. That’s one of the other things that I’m good at — dropping into coverage. Being a big body, a big target and stuff like that. Just trying to get my hands up and in a throwing lane.”

It was all downhill from there for the Lions. The Bombers capitalized on the turnover, with quarterback Matt Nichols finishing a quick five-play drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown to make it 22-13.

The good times kept coming for the Blue and Gold as less than two minutes later, Marcus Sayles blocked a punt at the nine-yard line, recovered the ball and jogged into the end zone to give Winnipeg a commanding 29-13 lead before the third quarter ended.

“He certainly doesn’t cease to amaze you. He’s very athletic. He’s very smart. And I think most importantly, man does he love playing football. He just enjoys it thoroughly.”
– Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea

It might have been Jefferson’s first interception as a Blue Bomber, but it’s not the first time the fans at IG Field have seen him pick off a pass.

“Yeah, we’ve seen that before. We’ve been on the other end of that,” said head coach Mike O’Shea after the game with a smirk, referring to last year’s Banjo Bowl when Jefferson intercepted Nichols and ran 97 yards for a touchdown.

“He certainly doesn’t cease to amaze you. He’s very athletic. He’s very smart. And I think most importantly, man does he love playing football. He just enjoys it thoroughly.”

Jefferson would put an exclamation mark on the game as he sacked Reilly with 2:27 left before celebrating with a Ric Flair strut. The Bombers took Reilly down seven times on the night.

“He had a nice sack. I thought the guys were getting after Mike (Reilly) up front pretty well,” said O’Shea. “So, that certainly helps the game. Willie’s game overall was very impressive.”

Jefferson, who entered the game tied for the league lead in forced fumbles (three) and pass knockdowns (seven), said the interception is just another example of how he’s a complete football player.

“That’s just me. I’m an athlete. I don’t want to be just known as a pass rusher. I don’t want to just be known as a guy that can drop back and catch balls in the flat or whatever. I want to be known as an athlete that can go out there and get the job done, period.”

 

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31