Bombers D close, no need to make a mountain out of a Bighill, linebacker says

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This article was published 20/6/2018 (247 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

His defence was scorched for 408 passing yards in Week 1 but Winnipeg's Adam Bighill wasn't wringing his hands over an opportunity lost in Winnipeg's 33-30 loss to Edmonton.

The preparation and effort were all good, he insisted, and he expected the execution to improve in Week 2.

"I felt great about it, honestly," the four-time CFL all-star middle linebacker said Wednesday. "Contested balls, 50-50 (balls), they had three big plays. We were in great position, hands up, they make a great play. Shoot, that’s football (and) we’ll live to play another down. As long as the ball’s not over our head with miscommunication and no one in sight, I couldn't care less.

"I mean, guys are fighting hard. Take three plays away and you take 180-something yards off (the total).... Big plays have big impacts momentum-wise and we saw that the other night. We’re going to come down with a lot of the 50-50 balls, too. There’s no room for panic."

Bighill, O-lineman Sukh Chungh, running back Andrew Harris, defensive lineman Craig Roh and Will linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, who all took maintainence days earlier in the week, were full participants in Wednesday's practice as the 0-1 Blue Bombers prepared for Friday night's matchup with the 0-1 Alouettes in Montreal.

Second-year man Santos-Knox, who collected six defensive tackles and a sack against Edmonton, admitted the arrival of Bighill via free agency has helped to transform the Winnipeg defence. Bighill tied Anthony Gaitor for a team-high seven tackles in Week 1.

"I’m sure a lot of teams, with a guy that’s as good as him, want to game-plan against him," said Santos-Knox, 23. "I can only do my job and when the play’s there, make it. I think Adam helps open up a lot of things for me...

"With Adam, the leadership, the football knowledge and the football IQ is through the roof. Things I haven’t seen, you know, he’s already picking up on. He’s saying, ‘Do this. Look for this, look for that.' He’s expanding my knowledge. To be able to have that guy on your side, it’s great."

Santos-Knox said his transition from college to the pro ranks finally seems right in his sophomore season.

"I'm light years more comfortable," he said. "I understand the game plan, the scheme. I understand why we’re doing things and why we’re getting after people the way we are. It makes my overall game a lot faster."

The revamped Blue Bombers defence will have an interesting challenge Friday when they face the Als, losers of 12 consecutive regular-season games, with former Blue Bombers quarterback Drew Willy at the helm. Winnipeg traded Willy to Toronto midway through the 2016 season and he landed in Montreal last year.

"He did well for us for a time and I think if you look at our team now, compared to that team Drew Willy was leading, we’re a better team now," said Bombers head coach O'Shea. "Drew, I thought, worked extremely hard and got us off to a helluva start at 5-1 and 6-3 (in 2014). Then, sometimes everything catches up with you."

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS: Kicker Justin Medlock is well known for a meticulous dedication to his craft. It was a serious blow then, when backup quarterback Alex Ross suffered a lower-body injury and left the game after bobbling a hold for a field goal attempt in wet and wild conditions against Edmonton.

With Ross likely heading to the six-game injury list, slotback Weston Dressler has stepped into the breach as Medlock's holder.

"I’ve worked with Dress, so it’s fine," said Medlock, who hit on a 34-yard field goal in his only official attempt in Week 1. "At the end of the day, you’ve gotta make kicks. I’ve always said 'be comfortable with being uncomfortable.' Just gotta get used to his tendencies. They’re different and get used to what other guys' tendencies are."

The 34-year-old, who contemplated retirement in the off-season, feels good about his prospects for a bounce back in 2018 after he dipped to 80 per cent (56-for-70) on field-goal attempts in 2017 after kicking at a 88.2 per cent rate (60-for-68) in 2016.

"I just wanted to get back in good kicking shape, that was the biggest thing," said Medlock. "Being more mentally in tune. Just being a little bit more motivated and competitive. Hopefully it carries on to this season."

IS IT LEGGETT TIME? Maurice Leggett has made steady progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon suffered last October.

There's been plenty of media speculation about the veteran linebacker/defensive back's return. Will it be back this week and could he fill one of the club's four designated international spots to serve in a backup role against the Als?

"We’re going to make sure we’re cautious with Mo and we have been," said O'Shea. "Physically, we believe he’s ready but we also have to make sure he’s sharp in terms of catching up from all the training camp that he missed."

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14