Maston plans to show no Mercy as newest Bomber defensive back

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This article was published 04/08/2019 (2266 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mercy Maston is a man of few words, but the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are hoping their newest defensive back will make a lot of noise on the field.

The Bombers announced on Sunday morning the signing of Maston, a 26-year-old Bakersfield, Ca., native, and the defensive back was on the field later in the day taking part in his first practice.

Maston, who played college ball at Boise State, spent the 2017-18 seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos where he recorded 57 tackles and two interceptions in 19 games. His rookie season in Edmonton was limited to seven starts as he tore his Achilles in warmup before a game against the Calgary Stampeders. Edmonton released Maston back in January as he signed a futures contract with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles cut Maston in May.

Maston said he ultimately chose to sign with the Bombers because he believes it’s a great fit. When pressed for an explanation as to why he feels that way, he credited the Blue and Gold’s defensive line.

“(Those guys) are going to eat,” Maston told the media after Sunday’s practice. “And if they eat, I’m going to eat.”

Maston was also asked about his brief time with the Eagles.

“It was a great experience, like no other,” he said. “Not a lot of guys get that opportunity, so I took it, went about my business and now I’m a Bomber.”

With Brandon Alexander and Marcus Rios on the six-game injured list, the Bombers were on the hunt for more depth in the secondary.

“He’s got some experience,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “He’s got to get in a little better shape, which will come. Today, he’s breathing heavy, but tomorrow I’m sure he’ll feel a lot better. That’s how it usually goes when you’re first thrown in. We threw him in right away, let him take some reps and see what he can do. We watched him play in Edmonton and we thought he played some pretty damn good football and he parlayed that into an NFL tryout and he was available.”

When Maston was asked what his best attributes are, he said you’ll have to wait and see until he’s on the field. O’Shea, on the other hand, did offer some insight as to what kind of player Maston is.

“Well, the biggest thing for me right now is that he’s done it. That experience is invaluable,” O’Shea said.

“He’s got all the attributes that allow him to play pro football as a defensive back. He’s got good size, strength, breaks on balls, he plays the ball well in the air, he breaks up passes, those things are all good. We’re still learning about what he is and how he fits with us, with his eyes, feet, footwork and how he works a play, based on how we expect it to work in terms of the coaching aspect. We’ll find that out in short order. What allows us to figure it out in short order is that he’s got experience playing the game here.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31