Bombers running Wild

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This article was published 23/09/2015 (3904 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

AS the seasons turn, so does the Blue Bombers’ roster.

Winnipeg made a number of moves Tuesday, most notably the addition of import linebacker Ian Wild, who was cut by the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers in training camp. Wild signed a contract that will see him don Blue and Gold through 2017. It’s the second stint in Winnipeg for Wild, who started 14 games with the Bombers last season and led the team in tackles with 73.

“It starts with (Bombers CEO) Wade (Miller) and coach (Mike) O’Shea,” Wild told reporters Tuesday at Investors Group Field explaining why he chose to re-sign with Winnipeg despite having other offers from CFL teams. “I don’t have to start over. I know a lot of people here now, so it’s kind of a second home for me.”

In 29 games with the Bombers over the past two seasons, Wild started in 23 of them, recording 142 defensive tackles, 27 special teams tackles, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown. He said he’s been watching the Bombers all season and understands they are struggling this year and a playoff berth is very much in question. He still knew Winnipeg was the place for him.

“I know things haven’t been going so well, obviously, but Rome wasn’t built in a day,” he said. “A lot of it is just chemistry and putting it together at the right time. I think that’s something that can be done with time, so that’s why I came back.”

O’Shea wouldn’t say exactly where he planned to fit Wild in the lineup long term, but added he’d like to see him dress for Friday’s game against the Stampeders, likely on special teams, a unit in much need of improvement in a season that’s seen the group give up a number of game-deciding plays, including two big returns by Montreal’s Stefan Logan — a 78-yard punt-return TD and a 95-yard kick return that also led to a score — in a 35-14 loss to the Montreal Alouettes Sunday.

Last season, Wild was in the middle-linebacker position and given his body type — he comes in at six feet, 205 pounds — he’s best suited for there, where Sam Hurl now is, or on the weak side, a position currently occupied by standout rookie Khalil Bass.

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“He’s obviously a real good football player,” said O’Shea. “Off the field he’s an extremely hard worker; he’s making sure guys are getting together to watch more tape. He’s a model professional, so when you got a chance to add a guy like that to your organization, you have to take that opportunity.”

Wild still has to learn a defence that’s different from last season, but feels confident he’ll be able to pick up new defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall’s game plan in no time.

“It’s probably pretty different,” said Wild. “I haven’t really looked at the playbook yet… but defence is defence. It’s Canadian football. I’ve been playing it for two years, so I should be able to pick it up.”

To make room for Wild, the Bombers released linebacker Jasper Simmons, a player the Bombers signed in August after a rather public war of words between Calgary and his agent. The Bombers also signed import receiver Kevin Cone (6-2, 215, Georgia Tech). The 27-year-old has spent the last three seasons in the NFL, most of that time with the Atlanta Falcons, where he saw action in 28 games.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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