Showtime Sheed rides momentum

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This article was published 28/07/2022 (1189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The monkey’s off his back and now he’s looking to kick the door in again starting Saturday evening at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Rasheed Bailey hauled in a 26-yard pass for his first touchdown of the year last week against the Edmonton Elks. The Philidelphia native — who turns 29 Friday — hopes to celebrate in style this weekend with another impactful performance and an eighth-straight victory for the Bombers at the top of his wish list.

“You get that monkey off and you got to kick the door in,” said Bailey following Winnipeg’s practice Thursday. “So for me, you just want to keep that energy going.”

Bailey’s touchdown came when the Blue Bombers needed someone to step up as an end zone threat, with star receiver Greg Ellingson out of action in Edmonton. He was open about the fact that high-level athletes do feel it when things aren’t going the way they want, but isn’t one to fold under pressure.

“A lot of guys find themselves in that position, and a lot of guys fold and they pout and they whine, but I’m the type of guy that when things aren’t going well, I take it out in the run game, I get after it,” he said. “If things aren’t going right, try to find a different way to channel your good energy. Don’t allow the game to take away… what makes you good.”

One of the first Blue Bombers players to dash over after Bailey hauled in his touchdown last week was receiver Drew Wolitarsky. He was the first to wrap his arm around his teammate before the rest of Winnipeg’s offence joined the celebration.

“It’s always fun to score and I know he’s been waiting for that one for a while,” said Wolitarsky. “I was very proud, very happy.”

Seeing Bailey find the end zone for the first time this season brought joy to all areas of the team.

Star defensive lineman Willie Jefferson said it was a great moment, especially for someone such as Bailey who he said works hard and is a hype man for the team. Jefferson said it’s a big deal, especially since his teammate had gone the previous six weeks without a touchdown.

“Sooner or later everybody’s gonna get their chance to shine,” said Jefferson. “When you get your time to shine everybody’s gonna come together and celebrate you.”

Bailey was held to just five receiving yards on two catches and added three rushing yards on one carry when the Blue Bombers played the Stampeders in Week 6 at IG Field. He said while players always want to contribute more, it’s important to channel any frustrations into better energy for the sake of the team.

A key part of Winnipeg’s culture is putting aside your ego and executing the role you’re in to win championships. Bailey added things change each week and sometimes you might be the guy scoring touchdowns and in others, one big catch or carry for a first down could make the difference.

“If you want to get to the ultimate goal the championship is the main thing,” he said. “I’ve won two, so I know what it’s like to get there. So for me, it’s just how can you continue to contribute?”

The third-year receiver said Thursday the best is yet to come. Bailey had 629 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season and saw last week’s contest in Edmonton as a good jumping-off point.

“I’ve been doing this for some time now, they say once one gets in they start coming in bunches,” he said. “I want to show that I’m consistent, but I’ve been doing this though… I’ve been putting the work in, sometimes the ball just doesn’t find you.”

A highly anticipated rematch between the 7-0 Winnipeg Blue Bombers and 4-1 Calgary Stampeders is on the horizon and Bailey will be looking to show more of the flash that’s earned him the nickname “Showtime Sheed.”

“One receiver can go for 200, 150 and one guy can have one catch. I mean, that’s how this league works, you know?” said Bailey. “That day for me is coming real soon, and it will and I’ll be excited and we’ll be kicking some more doors down.”

Gavin.Axelrod@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: Gavin77axe