Ed Tait is a writer for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This article was originally published at BlueBombers.com.
The calendar has flipped to October and by the time the frost is on the pumpkin, as the old saying goes, Canadian Football League teams will have established who and what they are.
We know the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, for example, have a dynamic offence featuring a scrappy offensive line, a fiery quarterback, some deadly weapons at receiver and workhorse tailback.
There are certain givens with the Bombers defence, too. Veterans Chris Randle and T.J. Heath anchor one side of the secondary, linebacker Maurice Leggett has a flair for the dramatic play at just the right moment, and safety Taylor Loffler takes great pleasure from hitting guys so violently snot bubbles leak from their nasal cavities.
And yet it could be said that the key to this Bombers defence – and by extension, to the entire 2017 season – might rest with the continued development of the four fresh-faced CFL newcomers who hold down a third of the starting positions in the defensive dozen: defensive backs Brian Walker and Brandon Alexander, linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox and defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat.
Where they’ve come from and how quickly they’ve morphed into starters is worth revisiting.
JOVAN SANTOS-KNOX
- Signed: May 22, 2017
- Age: 23
- Games started: 3
FYI: Played all over the field with the UMass Minutemen before passing through the 2016 NFL Draft… Had a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles… Initially made his mark with the Bombers on special teams – he is second on the team to Mike Miller with 15 special teams tackles – before earning his first start in the Banjo Bowl for an injured Kyle Knox.
“It’s definitely exciting and it’s great to know that some of us young guys could make an impact,” said Santos-Knox. “Coming in here with those guys, being in the rookie mini-camp with them and then seeing how things have unfolded over the long haul here… it’s pretty cool.
“That rookie camp seems like a long, long time ago. It’s amazing to see the growth and the progress we’ve made during this stride. Now we all want to continue to build on it.
“It’s funny… Coach Richie Hall said last week, ‘Anybody sitting in this room right now is not a rookie. You might be a first-year player, but you’re not a rookie anymore. You know the ropes and how the game plays.’
“It’s been a great run. It’s as fun as you could imagine. I couldn’t have asked for a better first year.”
BRANDON ALEXANDER
- Signed: April 17, 2017
- Age: 24
- Games started: 10
FYI: Began his college days as a walk-on at the University of Central Florida before earning a full scholarship… Was named to the American Athletic All-Academic Team in 2013… Twice nominated for the Bulsworth Trophy, awarded annually to the college football player who began his career as a walk-on… Had a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons two years ago… Was teaching high-school algebra when the Bombers called this winter with a training camp invitation.
“So much has changed for me since then,” said Alexander. “I look at our defence and I think the young guys are doing a decent job.
“That’s the whole thing about not being a rookie any more now that midseason has passed. Now we’re more comfortable. Now we can move faster, play faster, play harder just because we know more about our assignments than when we first started. That being said, guys like Chris Randle and T.J. (Heath) and Moe Leggett have helped us out so much. They understood that in order for us to get it we had to understand it.
“It’s a matter of trust and now that everyone is starting to trust us that’s tough to beat.”
BRIAN WALKER
- Signed: May 22, 2017
- Age: 21
- Games started: 8
FYI: Came straight to the Bombers after playing last year at Division II Fayettville State after transferring from North Carolina… Spotted at a Bombers free agent camp in Charlotte, N.C. by Danny McManus, the Bombers Assistant GM/Director of U.S. Scouting, after paying his $100 camp fee.
“That camp seems like a long time ago. It’s crazy,” said Walker. “I never thought I would be up here, period. But being here, being on a 10-3 team… we’re deep, we’re having fun. It’s a blast, man. This is something I would have never even imagined turning out this way.
“I’m blessed for it. But my goal and our team’s goal is to win a championship. We have to live in the moment to a certain extent, but still see that bigger picture.
“It feels real good to know we’re playing a part now in helping this team win. I feel like we can be a lot better, especially myself. I know I can be a lot better. But it means a lot to me that we’re chipping in and doing our part.”
JACKSON JEFFCOAT
- Signed: February 21, 2017
- Age: 25
- Games started: 11
FYI: Big-time star at Texas where he was a Consensus All-American, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Big 12 and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the top defensive end in college football in 2013… Signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014, also spent time with the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins… Appeared in nine games with Washington… Son of long-time Dallas Cowboys star Jim Jeffcoat.
“I’ve found my love for the game again up here,” said Jeffcoat. “Sometimes when you’re in different situations or bouncing around you lose that love a little bit. Getting up here really reminded me of why I love football.
“I’m just blessed to be back playing again. I love this game. I love this team. It’s been fun. I came in here just to find a spot on the team and now I’ve been blessed to be able to start. I want to keep improving and become that guy that when the team needs a play to be made, I’m that guy.
“That’s what all of us young guys want: to be counted on by our teammates.”
BOMBERS REPORT – October 4, 2017
The Bombers completed their final full practice today in advance of Friday’s home date with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Investors Group Field.
Here is the news of the day before the team has its walk-through on Thursday…
NEW FACES
The Bombers have added six players as part of the CFL practice roster expansion (up to 15) where clubs are able to establish their own 30-day window any time between September 1st and the last game of the regular season to evaluate new talent.
Coming aboard are quarterbacks Josh Straughan and David Washington, defensive backs Jordan Bowman and Antoine Tharpe, linebacker Jevaris Jones and Canadian defensive tackle Ian Marouf.
Straughan (6-2, 203, Southern Illinois) played one season with the Salukis, starting eight games, after transferring from Division II Stillman College. He threw for 2,429 yards and 15 touchdowns against four interceptions.
Washington (6-3, 210, Old Dominion University) played four seasons with the Old Dominion University Monarchs, including starting 16 games at wide receiver. In his senior season, he started all 13 games at quarterback and threw for 2,836 yards, 31 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He was also named a Conference USA Honorable Mention. For a good read on Washington, courtesy The Virginian-Pilot from last November, click here.
Bowman (6-0, 210, California University of Pennsylvania) played in all 44 games over four seasons with the Vulcans. Made 170 tackles and added 13 interceptions in his collegiate career and was selected to the All-PSAC West Second-Team in his senior season.
Tharpe (5-10, 175, University of Massachusetts) played four seasons with the Minutemen, including 11 games in his senior season where he recorded 49 tackles. For the last three years, Tharpe has played in the Indoor Football League, most recently for the Spokane Empire.
Jones (6-1, 228, Shorter University) played three seasons with the Hawks. Registered 235 career tackles, including 106 in his final season and finished second in Division II with 80 solo tackles. Jones signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent this May, but was later waived.
Marouf (6-3, 210, University of Guelph) was selected by the Bombers in the sixth round, 50th overall, in the 2017 CFL Draft. After playing just one season with the University of Guelph Gryphons, Marouf played with the Hamilton Hurricanes in the Canadian Junior Football League during the 2015/2016 season and recorded 25 tackles in seven games.
The Bombers have also released international defensive back Zavian Bingham from the practice roster.
“We want to evaluate these guys, they’ve all been identified as guys that have the potential and we’ll see more in the next three weeks or so as to being able evaluate them,” said O’Shea. “It’s how well they learn, how they are on the field and see if they fit into a training camp scenario for next year.”
OUCH REPORT
WR Julian Feoli-Gudino was at practice on Wednesday, but did not participate and his spot with the No. 1 offence was again held by Matt Coates.
LB Moe Leggett has also taken some turns in practice and O’Shea wasn’t tipping his hand as to any lineup shuffling after practice.
“Both guys (Feoli-Gudino and Leggett), I believe they’re going to be available, but we’ll keep checking with them,” said O’Shea. “They’re the type of guys, too, that I don’t think they need a lot of practice time. I always err on the side of letting them play if they can.”
LB Ian Wild was also back at work on Wednesday. He has dressed for only two games this year before suffering an arm injury.
“He’s the type of guy who is already in great shape,” said O’Shea. “He never lets that slip, ever, no matter how he’s got to do it. It still might be a few weeks… we’re not sure yet.”
Receiver Weston Dressler was also running around at practice and O’Shea said the veteran is ‘making progress’ but had no timetable on a possible return.