Adam Bighill has yet to pull on a Winnipeg Blue Bombers jersey – heck, he won’t even cross the 49th parallel into Friendly Manitoba for a couple of days – but his signing nonetheless created a palpable buzz on the opening of training camp.
The Bombers held their first full-team session Sunday morning and while all eyes were on the returning vets and new faces on the turf at a sun-drenched Investors Group Field, the signing of the all-star linebacker 24 hours earlier still dominated the post-practice conversation.
And the reviews from Bighill’s teammates – some old, some new – read like the gushing takes on a Hollywood hit movie…
“I know how much it improves our team in general, but the initial thought is I don’t have to get hit by that train like the rest of the guys in the league have to deal with now.” – Bombers QB Matt Nichols.
“He’s a great asset for us. He’s a guy who practices hard. I mean, I remember my first year when he came into B.C…. he was almost annoying to practice against because he was one of those guys that is just scrappy. He’s going to find a way to give you a charley horse or poke you in the eye or step on your feet because he just goes so hard. He talks about being a savage and he’s absolutely a savage.” – Bombers RB Andrew Harris.
“He was one of my best buddies with the B.C. Lions and so I’m really excited to have him out here and I know he will have an amazing impact for the team.” – Bombers defensive end and former Lion Craig Roh.
“We’re getting a competitive guy, a guy with so much energy. Not only that, he’s got a feel for the game and a knowledge. You get a vet like that who has been around the league that long, you’re adding value to the team. When I first went to B.C. and seeing him play, oh my God, he jumped off the film. That’s the kind of the guy you want on the field next to you running around because you know he’s going to do his job and help you win ball games.” – Bombers defensive back and former Lion Anthony Gaitor.
Now, some questions regarding Bighill are still to be determined – where he will line up in the defence, how much it will cost him to get his No. 44 from Shayne Gauthier, for example – but what is a given is the versatility he offers the Bombers defence.
“There are pictures in your head of Adam Bighill playing two-high safety and dropping back and being an over-the-top coverage guy, so… he’s got that speed and ability to do that,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea. “He certainly adds some versatility. He’s had a couple of years where he’s generated a lot of sacks and a lot of pressure.
“I think you can use him in a lot of different spots and ask him to do a lot of different things. He’s got to be a smart football player to be able to do all that and do it well.”
And if there was any concern about the ‘fit’ of Bighill in the room – this team is forever referencing the culture and chemistry it has developed – those doubts were instantly erased by the men who have already suited up with him.
Harris, for example, shares the same agent as Bighill and was on the phone with him before he had signed, giving him the Winnipeg and the Bombers sales pitch.
“I had a great conversation just before he signed and tried to recruit him a little bit. I was just talking about all the great things this city has to offer. I’m super pumped that he decided to make the switch and come over to Winnipeg,” said Harris.
“I told him how great the golf courses were because he likes to golf. I told him how the cost of living is a lot cheaper than it is in Vancouver… those are the two biggest sells for Biggie. I think he wants to come in and help us win a Grey Cup.
“He’s going to be a great asset for us, however he fits in on our defence and special teams. We’re happy to have him.”
Added Nichols:
“He’s a guy I have a tremendous amount of respect for. Super hard worker and from everything I’ve heard about him, he is an excellent leader who is going to demand the best from the guys around him. Those are the guys we want around here and I think, honestly, it’s a great fit for the guys on this team and Coach O’Shea and the personality of this team. I couldn’t be happier about that signing. He’s going to elevate the guys around him.”
BOMBER CAMP REPORT | DAY 1
FYI:
Bighill will arrive in Winnipeg in a few days, and in the meantime the No. 1 defence featured Kyrie Wilson, Jovan Santos-Knox and Chandler Fenner as the linebackers. Maurice Leggett, coming off a ruptured Achilles, was in attendance but did not practice.
Also on the mend was RB Kienan LaFrance.
QUOTABLE:
O’Shea was asked during his media conference if he was surprised the all-star linebacker ultimately chose to sign here rather than return to B.C.
“No,” he replied with a grin. “I’d come here, too.”
“It says something, him choosing us. I’m sure there are a bunch of factors that he’ll probably elaborate on at some point, but it’s good for us.
“We’ve got a lot of good linebackers in camp. We’ve got a good solid group of linebackers. We’ve got time to figure it out and see where everybody lands in their spot. Competition does get tougher by one body, obviously, but he’s a good addition and certainly brings a wealth of experience besides all his other attributes.”
ONE MORE ON BIGHILL:
He is scheduled to speak to the media upon his arrival in Winnipeg, but he did use his Twitter account to post a message on Sunday.
Thanks to the @Wpg_BlueBombers and all their fans for their welcome, I already feel at home! Also thanks to all of the #CFL fans that have reached out with kind words and continue to be big supporters of me! I can’t wait to get back to work! pic.twitter.com/eIAYx3Go9l
— Adam Bighill (@Bighill44) May 20, 2018
COMINGS/GOINGS:
The Bombers added a couple, suspended three and had another prospect retire before the opening of camp.
Coming aboard are:
- OL Dillon DeBoer (6-6, 300, Florida Atlantic), who spent four seasons with the Owls and was a two-time USA All-Academic team selection. DeBoer signed with the Los Angeles Chargers last year as an undrafted free agent.
- DB Jordan Thomas (6-0, 185, Oklahoma) played four seasons with the Sooners, recording 127 total tackles and eight interceptions in 50 games. In 2016, Thomas was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and his 17 pass breakups tied for third most in Oklahoma single-season history.
As well, the Bombers also transferred receivers Chris Givens and Dominique Reed, and defensive back Eric Patterson to the suspended list, and retired defensive back Tharold Simon. Givens and Reed were both no-shows at last week’s rookie camp. Givens dressed for four games last year and started three, including the playoff game, while Reed was impressive at the mini-camp in April.
UN-FRIENDLY WELCOME:
New Bombers DE Craig Roh tweeted out over the weekend that he had the tires slashed on his vehicle in front of his new place in St. Boniface. Not a very good first impression. But the man does know how to roll with the punches.
“The day before camp I was running a few errands and came out and the nicest lady pulls up to me and tells me someone slashed the tires down the entire street,” said Roh. “So 10-15 cars had their tires slashed. It wasn’t directly towards me specifically… I don’t think anyone in Winnipeg has it out for me just yet.
“I sent out a Tweet… ‘Hey, our tires got slashed. Can anyone help us out?’ and we got an amazing response from all the people in Winnipeg and the organization was extremely helpful and came in and helped us tow the car and handle everything. So it was really great.”
NEXT: Monday, May 21: 8:30- 11:35 a.m. at Investors Group Field. All practices are open to the public.
