D was built

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011

WHILE the Blue Bombers defence has clearly come into its own this season, Swaggerville was not built in a day. Or even a season.

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WHILE the Blue Bombers defence has clearly come into its own this season, Swaggerville was not built in a day. Or even a season.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/08/2011 (5265 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WHILE the Blue Bombers defence has clearly come into its own this season, Swaggerville was not built in a day. Or even a season.

Indeed, a closer review of how the Bombers acquired the starting dozen that make up the most dominant defence in the CFL reveals that this is a project assembled for the most part over the last couple of seasons and with roots as far back as 2001.

Here’s how and when the Bombers acquired each of their starting 12 defenders for the 2011 season:

CP
Trevor Hagan / THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
In the mould of Clay Matthews, the Bombers have turned Odell Willis into a pass-rushing machine. — CP Trevor Hagan / THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES In the mould of Clay Matthews, the Bombers have turned Odell Willis into a pass-rushing machine.

Defensive line

Defensive end (Jack) Odell Willis: Acquired September 2009 in trade with the Calgary Stampeders that saw the Bombers get Willis and receivers Titus Ryan and Jabari Arthur in exchange for lineman Derek Armstrong and receivers Romby Bryant and Arjei Franklin.

Defensive end Jason Vega (injured): Expected to return to lineup this week. Vega was a training camp cut by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2010 and signed with Winnipeg as a free agent in May 2011.

Defensive tackle Dorion Smith (injured): Signed to Bombers practice roster in 2008 on recommendation of former Bombers coach Mike Riley, who coached Smith at Oregon State.

Defensive tackle Doug Brown (injured): Acquired in 2001 in trade with the Calgary Stampeders.

Linebackers

Joe Lobendahn: Lobendahn played three pre-season games in 2007 with the Detroit Lions and was on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats negotiation list. But when Hamilton dropped him from their list, the Bombers immediately put him on theirs and signed him for the 2008 season.

Marcellus Bowman: Signed in 2010 out of Boston College.

Clint Kent: Kent played in Montreal back in 2006, but was two years removed from the Canadian game and playing football in Finland — where he was the MVP of the 2009 championship game, recording 11 tackles, two interceptions and a 92-yard kickoff return — when the Bombers signed him for the 2010 season.

Secondary

Cornerback Brandon Stewart: Released by Calgary in 2008 after just one game. Winnipeg signed Stewart for the 2009 season.

Cornerback Jovon Johnson: Released by Saskatchewan after playing two games for the Grey Cup champion Riders in 2007, the Bombers signed Johnson for the 2008 season.