WINNIPEG – It’s a report card Winnipeg Blue Bombers won’t be sticking to their fridge.
“We didn’t win the Grey Cup, so that’s a failure,” said Bombers general manager Kyle Walters.
The Bombers will miss the playoffs for the third straight year and fifth time in the last six seasons after finishing with a 7-11 record. Walters says he won’t be afraid to make changes this off-season.
“We’ll improve every area,” said Walters. “We’ll identify why we didn’t win more football games and improve the product. We’re going to do anything to bring a Grey Cup to Winnipeg.”
One player who will definitely be back is quarterback Drew Willy. The first-year starter started 17 of 18 games and currently sits second in the CFL in passing yards with 3,769. Willy threw 14 touchdown passes and had six 300-yard games.
“Willy showed some ups and downs,” said Walters. “He showed flashes. He showed toughness. He has to cut down the turnovers, but he showed enough that we believe he will lead us to the Grey Cup.”
Walters also praised rookie head coach Mike O’Shea for his leadership and how he changed the culture in the locker room.
“I believe O’Shea’s respect for the players paid off,” said Walters. “The last win over Calgary was proof. His job is safe.”
BEST OF THE BLUE: The Bombers announced their nominees for the 2014 CFL Player Awards Wednesday.
Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu was a unanimous decision for the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams nods. The Western product was also chosen as the Bombers’ top Canadian. Hajrullahu tied a league record for rookie placekickers this season, hitting 87 per cent of his field goals.
Willy was named the Bombers nominee for Most Outstanding Player, rookie defensive back Maurice Leggett the Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Glenn January the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for the third season in a row.
The East and West Division nominees will be named Nov. 13. The 2014 CFL Awards will be handed out Nov. 27 in Vancouver.
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