Unfinished business Core of lineup that came up short in Grey Cup returns to Big Blue By: Jeff Hamilton Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Friday, May. 12, 2023

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This article was published 12/05/2023 (849 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have become the envy of the CFL, not only for their success — and boy, oh boy, has there been a ton of that — but also for the culture they’ve been able to manifest in recent years.

No other team, at least not in recent memory, has been able to build an environment comparable to that of the Blue and Gold. Several players have made Winnipeg their home year-round, even more have agreed to take less money to stay and everyone — from the star quarterback to the last man on the practice roster — is leaned on and appreciated for their role on the club.

The results have been, simply put, truly incredible. The Bombers have made the trip to the Grey Cup the last three years, winning in 2019 and 2021 (the 2020 season was cancelled owing to COVID-19), before falling to the Toronto Argonauts by a single point, 24-23, in last year’s championship game.

It’s because of that culture and the camaraderie that comes with it the Bombers roster remains mostly intact heading into the 2023 CFL season, another campaign in which the Bombers find themselves as Grey Cup favourites. Last year didn’t turn out as planned, so there’s a new feeling to this year, one that’s overflowing with a sentiment of unfinished business.

Alas, the wait for redemption is finally over, with the Bombers kicking off training camp on Sunday. That marks the start of a three-week tuneup period before the pursuit of another league title begins in earnest with a Week 1 matchup at home against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 9.

To get you ready for what is gearing up to be another eventful season, here’s a training camp preview, which includes a look at all three phases — offence, defence and special teams.

THE OFFENCE

It’s a group highlighted by quarterback Zach Collaros, the CFL’s reigning back-to-back most outstanding player, a nasty offensive line that has created a brick wall in front of him, a group of receivers that was stellar even before welcoming back perennial all-star Kenny Lawler and a run game led by local product Brady Oliveira, who is fresh off his first 1,000-yard season in what was his first year as a starter.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a weakness, and it wouldn’t be a reach to suggest a unit that finished at or close to the top of nearly every statistical category in 2022 could be even better this year. A lot is riding on the health of Collaros — Dru Brown is a capable, but still inexperienced No. 2 — but if all goes well, Winnipeg will have another prolific attack.

Along with Lawler, who returns to the Bombers after a year with the Edmonton Elks, the group of receivers also includes Dalton Schoen, Nic Demski, Rasheed Bailey and Drew Wolitarsky, all of whom were starters last year. Schoen led the CFL in receiving yards (1,441) and touchdowns (16) as a rookie; Demski and Bailey both had career years as well, including 10 and nine touchdowns, respectively; and Wolitarsky is highly respected for doing the dirty work that often goes unnoticed by the casual observer. Carlton Agudosi is another intriguing piece of the puzzle, with the lanky receiver eager to prove himself after impressing in his debut, only to suffer a season-ending injury a week later.

Back on the edges of the O-line are left tackle Stanley Bryant, the league’s West Division nominee for most outstanding offensive lineman the last five years, four of which he won, and Jermarcus Hardrick, who, for many people’s money, is the best right tackle in the league. The interior of the O-line will have a different look this year with the departure of centre Michael Couture to the B.C. Lions, but Chris Kolankowski played admirably in his absence after Couture broke his hand early in the season. Patrick Neufeld, a CFL all-star the last two years, is a lock at right guard, with Geoff Gray pencilled in at left guard, though Liam Dobson and Tui Eli will certainly be battling Gray for playing time.

Oliveira will command the backfield, but once again he’ll have support from Johnny Augustine and Greg McCrae, who will also provide depth at receiver. Indeed, this is a deep group, top to bottom.

THE DEFENCE

At risk of sounding repetitive, the Bombers defence, much like the offence, is coming off a stellar run in 2022. The group allowed the fewest points and limited their opponents to the lowest net yardage and passing yards against.

It all starts up front with the defensive line, led by defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat. Defensive tackle Jake Thomas, the longest-standing Bomber, is back in the middle, alongside Ricky Walker, who, barring being beat out by one of the newcomers, should see his reps increase with Casey Sayles now a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The depth is a bit thin after that, especially with Thiadric Hansen still months away from returning from an Achilles injury suffered last season, meaning there will certainly be competition for work.

The club’s two linebacker positions — the strong-side linebacker or dime is and should always be considered part of the secondary — seems spoken for, at least when it comes to Adam Bighill playing down the middle. Kyrie Wilson at weakside is somewhat of a question mark, despite a couple stellar years in Winnipeg, because he’s returning from an Achilles tear suffered in training camp last season. Malik Clements and Canadians Jesse Briggs and Shayne Gauthier provide some quality depth, and as you’d expect the scouting staff has brought in even more talent, as linebacker, particularly at weak side, is considered an easier position to scout.

That leaves a secondary that although returns a majority of its pieces, went through a heck of a lot of injuries last season. In fact, the Bombers started 15 players in the secondary, making it nearly impossible to find consistency, despite boasting impressive stats like fewest passing touchdowns and passing yards against. Safety Brandon Alexander will start the year healthy after missing the first few months of 2022 rehabbing a knee injury, with corners Winston Rose, Demerio Houston and Desmond Lawrence, as well as Deatrick Nichols also in the mix. Jamal Parker and Evan Holm, both of whom made strides in their rookie years, are the front-runners for weakside halfback. Alden Darby Jr. is slated at the dime spot, though he could be pushed by Canadian Redha Kramdi.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Because the Bombers had such little roster turnover from last year, much of the focus among fans over the off-season surrounded the kicking game. It was understandable, of course, as Marc Liegghio proved inconsistent and costly in his full first season of doing both placekicking and punting.

That chatter ended just days ago with the signing of Sergio Castillo, who returns for a third stint with the Bombers, inked to a one-year contract just hours after being released by the Edmonton Elks last Thursday. Castillo took over place-kicking duties from Liegghio late in 2021, and he would go on to play a pivotal role in the Bombers’ Grey-Cup victory, connecting on all five of his field-goal attempts in a 33-25 overtime win over Hamilton. Castillo is certainly the favourite to win the job, but there is some competition at camp, with a total of seven kickers currently on the roster. Liegghio could be in line for the punting job, but like everyone else, he’ll have to prove he deserves to stick around.

Janarion Grant has cemented the role of kickoff and punt returner after a solid 2022 campaign that saw him scamper for four touchdowns — three off punts, one from a kickoff — including a punt-return score in each of the West final and Grey Cup. Since joining the Bombers in 2019, Grant has seven return touchdowns in 33 games.

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.

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