Awards just keep on coming

Bombers defence has won seven -- and counting

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

It's seven and counting for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence.

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It's seven and counting for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/10/2011 (5152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s seven and counting for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence.

Seven is the number of defensive player of the week awards the club has picked up through 16 games of the 2011 regular season. Defensive end Jason Vega is the latest recipient of the honour, recognized for his two sack, four tackle performance in Winnipeg’s crucial 26-25 win over Montreal last Saturday afternoon.

The Bombers rookie, who has seven sacks this year, said he was pleased with how things unfolded for him against the Alouettes.

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Jason Vega had two sacks and four tackles against Montreal, earning him defensive player of the week accolades. — KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Jason Vega had two sacks and four tackles against Montreal, earning him defensive player of the week accolades.

“I had some success in some of the things I was doing, but I still have a lot of work to do as far as being the type of player I want to be,” he offered earlier this week.

Vega, who was a part of an effective defensive line rotation that pressured Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo for six sacks, joins linebacker Joe Lobendahn (two times); defensive backs Jovon Johnson, Jonathan Hefney, and Alex Suber; and safety Ian Logan as weekly defensive award winners.

Quarterback Buck Pierce (twice) and receiver Cory Watson have also earned player of the week awards.

Logan said the players get excited with the national recognition, but it’s not what they’re in the business for.

“We don’t need awards to know that we played well. Sometimes an individual on another team is going to have a better game, but the whole thing is about winning and that’s what we care about.”

— PICKS AND GIGGLES: Speaking of Logan, might he be considered a dark horse for the Bombers interception title?

“Two games left… I think Jovon might have this one wrapped up,” he laughed. “I wouldn’t mind getting one or two more.”

Logan’s first-quarter pick against Montreal gives the safety four on the season, tying a career-high (2009) and putting him among the team leaders in the category.

It’s an impressive standing for the Canadian, considering the ball-hawking ways of the Winnipeg defence. As Logan mentions, Johnson leads the way (and the CFL) with seven. Jonathan Hefney (5) is second on the club, with Brandon Stewart and Logan tied for third spot. Alex Suber, Johnny Sears, and Joe Lobendahn have one apiece.

Like most patrolling the secondary, though, Logan says it’s the ones you don’t catch that you think about more.

“When I got that fourth (one) I’m thinking to myself, ‘If I would have caught that other one and the one over there and that other one — man, I could have 10 picks.’ “

— ROSTER MOVEMENT: On the deadline to trim practice rosters back down to the seven-player limit, the Bombers made three minor moves Tuesday.

Import defensive lineman Quentin Davie and import defensive back Leslie Majors were released from the practice roster. There was little room for Davie, what with Rodney Fritz returning to health (hamstring) and Dorian Smith still on the roster. Same situation for Majors: he wasn’t going to supplant Deon Beasley or Johnny Sears as a backup defensive back.

Winnipeg also parted ways with Tim Brown, who couldn’t secure the kick returner position after he was given multiple opportunities earlier in the season.

Head coach Paul LaPolice said all three players could be back at training camp next year.

— SIGH OF RELIEF: A tentative deal was reached between BC Place and the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union late Monday night. That’s good news for the CFL, who was looking at the possibility of having to manage two regular season games, a potential West division final, and a Grey Cup in Vancouver without unionized stadium staff.

— FINALLY: Former Bombers special teamer Neil McKinlay is back in the CFL, coming out of retirement to sign with the B.C. Lions Tuesday. McKinlay, who had 92 special teams tackles in 105 games for the Bombers (2004-09), was working as a firefighter in North Vancouver when the injury-riddled Leos called.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny

No Changes

Head coach Paul LaPolice confirmed the Bombers (10-6) will head into Friday’s matchup with the Toronto Argonauts (4-12) with the same starting lineup they had against Montreal. The lone question mark for the total roster remains DE Odell Willis, who didn’t practice much as he deals with a rib injury. The Bombers are back on the field again this morning.

Crowd Count

There are still roughly 2,000 tickets left for Friday’s contest — the final regular season home game at the 58-year-old Canad Inns Stadium. The organization is planning elaborate pregame and halftime tributes to the old park, complete with a nine minute video, distinguished alumni, and a flyover from the Snowbirds. The club is on a six-game sellout streak.