Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Matt Bucknor not taking starters job for granted

WINNIPEG — Blue Bombers’ defensive back Matt Bucknor is coming off what was probably his best season as a professional, but with a lot of competition in the secondary at this year’s training camp he’s not taking anything for granted.

“Never. There’s no given,” said Bucknor.

“In this business, in this game there’s always competition. There’s always guys coming to take your job and everybody that’s here can contribute to this team so you have to understand that and come out and make plays every chance you get.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "In this business, in this game there's always competition. There's always guys coming to take your job and everybody that's here can contribute to this team so you have to understand that and come out and make plays every chance you get."

Demond Washington is the only starter from the secondary not back from last season. Bucknor is listed atop the depth chart at the field side cornerback position where he started every game the last two seasons. But Chris Randle has moved back to defensive back after playing at linebacker last season and they’ve also brought in a number of DB’s with NFL experience.

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Bucknor, 30, is entering his fifth season in the CFL and third with the Bombers. The Canadian was second on the team with three interceptions in 2015 but feels he still has room to grow.

“For me I humble myself right,” Bucknor said. “I’m always trying to learn something new. There’s always something to learn. When I get into the meeting room and get out onto the field it’s just an opportunity to make the team and that’s my approach.”

With a sudden influx of Canadian starters through free agency the Bombers could opt to use an all American secondary instead which would leave Bucknor as the odd man out.

“If there’s a rookie that comes in and shows that he’s going to be a playmaker then we got to give it a serious thought on how he fits in,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If there's a rookie that comes in and shows that he's going to be a playmaker then we got to give it a serious thought on how he fits in," said head coach Mike O'Shea.

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Bucknor won’t go down without a fight though because he still remembers when no teams would give him a shot.

“I’ve been in the position where I was watching training camps in 2010 and 2011. Watching training camps and not getting invited. Being out here it’s an honour. It’s a privilege and so you take advantage of every single rep, every single day you’re in the meeting room and the locker room cause you never know when it can be taken away.”