Another Kent hard to find

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2012 (4767 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It is a position that has already chewed up and spit out three of the best Winnipeg Blue Bombers defenders this season — Jonathan Hefney, Brandon Stewart and Jovon Johnson.

Now 15 games into the season, the Bombers’ brain trust is still looking for someone who can replace Clint Kent at strong-side linebacker.

Kent was more than capable at the SAM position for the Bombers the past couple of seasons.

Hybrid position

Though he never earned an all-star selection, Kent was widely regarded as one of the CFL’s most solid performers at an exceptionally difficult hybrid position that requires the bulk and strength to play the run game, but also the speed and quickness to drop into pass coverage.

In a season full of bad decisions, the Bombers never fully explained the one to cut Kent following training camp, and it continues to haunt the club to this day.

Enter Demond Washington.

Washington is best known in these parts as a kick returner. But after he fumbled a punt last weekend for the eighth time this season — three were recovered by Winnipeg, the other five were turnovers — Bombers head coach Tim Burke announced Washington’s days as the team’s punt returner in were over. Forever.

(Burke clarified on Wednesday that Washington will still return kickoffs. It’s just punts that are now off Washington’s to-do list.)

No sooner did Washington go into the head coach’s doghouse than Burke hauled him right back out this week and gave him more responsibility than he’s ever had as the team’s newest SAM.

After Johnson was schooled by Calgary last weekend, Burke decided to replace him with Washington at SAM against the Toronto Argonauts this Friday and let Johnson go back to his more customary cornerback position, where he won the CFL’s most oustanding defensive player award last year.

All of which, depending on your perspective, is either a golden opportunity for Washington to redeem himself or a can’t-miss setup for more failure.

Washington prefers the former possibility.

“Every chance is an opportunity,” Washington said after practice at Canad Inns Stadium on Wednesday.

While defensive back is his natural position, Washington doesn’t think the move to SAM is all that revolutionary for him.

“It’s the game of football — you cover guys and you hit guys.”

Which is true, but Johnson says the trick is figuring out — while a play is unfolding — which guys you’re supposed to hit and which guys you’re supposed to cover.

“Things change in a New York, so you’ve got to be able to adjust on the fly. It gets difficult. When the bullets are flying, it’s very difficult to make adjustments.”

Johnson took to his Twitter account Wednesday afternoon to proclaim he has a new humility as he prepares to reclaim his old job.

“There is a difference btwn confident and cocky…I flirted on that line and set myself back because I acted as if I was so good nobody would throw at me. I regret those actions…I will work harder and talk less…”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca