If there’s a Willis, there’s a way at DE

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This article was published 29/07/2010 (5603 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WITH one Willis out, another Willis moves in.

All signs point to import Armond Willis making his Canadian Football League debut when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium Saturday night. The rookie, who joined the club after the first game of the season, will come off the practice roster and start in the defensive end spot usually occupied by Odell Willis (no relation).

Willis — Odell, not Armond — left the team after the Edmonton game and no timetable has been provided for when he’ll be back in Canada. There is speculation he has a work-visa issue and will not be able to play until the paperwork has been cleared up, but the organization would not confirm or deny that talk.

The club’s official position has transformed from a "personal matter" Tuesday to this statement put out Wednesday: "The matter concerning Odell Willis is a private issue and there will be no further comment from the Winnipeg Football Club."

Willis has two sacks and is coming off his best game of the season against the Eskimos. He had a sack, a knockdown and forced Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray into throwing a first-quarter interception for a touchdown.

Big shoes to fill for Armond Willis, but he feels he’s up to the challenge.

"I’m out there this weekend and I’m very excited about it," the 23-year-old said after Wednesday’s practice at Canad Inns Stadium.

"My energy has been high this week, like to the 10th power right now," he added. "I know come game day it’s going to be like Tasmanian Devil out there… I’m going to have to keep that in check and not be too fired up."

In Willis, the Bombers get a 6-foot-2, 232-pound rush end who’s been waiting patiently for his chance to shine since arriving earlier this month. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native took his college turns at Florida International, generating 66 tackles and five sacks in three years with the Golden Panthers.

Willis has impressed the coaches with his strong work ethic in the film-room, after-hours work, so the hope is that adding a new face in the defensive end position is as effortless as switching over the name bar to another jersey.

Head coach Paul LaPolice said linebacker Marcellus Bowman is still nursing a bad hand (he has a nasty cut on the palm between the fingers, plus there could be a break). His status for Saturday is still to be decided.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca