411

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014

THE BASICS

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/10/2014 (4071 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE BASICS

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle Bryant Turner says it was back to basics this week for a defence that struggles to contain the run.

CP
Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Edmonton QB Mike Reilly is the kind of dual-threat quarterback who can drive Winnipeg defenders bonkers. — CP Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Edmonton QB Mike Reilly is the kind of dual-threat quarterback who can drive Winnipeg defenders bonkers.

The Bombers have given up 160 yards or more rushing in six of their last eight games — and lost all six.

But Turner says the problem hasn’t so much been an inability to stop the run as much as an inability to tackle, something that was in particular evidence in a loss to Ottawa last Friday.

“We focused a lot more in practice this week on tackling. We went back and did it training-camp style, focusing on tackling drills,” said Turner. “And honestly, we held each other more accountable as a defence, making sure we were all taking the proper angles and getting our head across.

“It’s just all these little things that will hopefully lead to big things.”

WOLVERINE?

Is Demond Washington a self-regenerating superhero?

The injured Bombers defensive back once again proved himself to be a quick healer, returning to the practice field Friday in a week in which he was initially thought to be questionable for Monday’s game.

“Demond mentioned something, that people call him ‘The Wolverine,’ ” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea laughed on Friday, referencing the popular self-healing Marvel Comics superhero.

“I didn’t know he was called The Wolverine. He might have given himself that nickname… But I’m not going to doubt him — he is The Wolverine.”

BLUE ADD LB

The Bombers added import linebacker Will Smith to their practice roster on Friday.

Smith (6-2, 220) was a seventh- round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2014. After being waived by Dallas in August, he joined the Cowboys practice squad.

Smith played college ball at Texas Tech, where he was named the 2013 Holiday Bowl MVP, recording 18 tackles in a game against rival Texas.

WIN AND IN

The CFL playoff picture continues to come into clearer focus.

A week after the Calgary Stampeders became the first team to clinch a playoff spot, two more West Division teams could clinch this week.

The Edmonton Eskimos could clinch a playoff spot with a win Monday over the Bombers, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders would also clinch a spot with a Bombers loss or a Riders win over the Montreal Alouettes.