Winnipeg Blue Bombers #30 Winston Rose
GUELPH – Canadian Football League free agency consistently provides the same and predictable storylines every February: There are big names changing addresses for huge dollars; there are some surprise defections, and bitter divorces.
And then there are also the intelligent purchases, those moves that might not grab the gi-normous headlines, but turn out to be wise additions.
Ladies and gentlemen, case in point, we give you Winston Rose, cornerback, Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Yes, rewind to this past winter and amid the crazy talent carousel that saw Mike Reilly, Trevor Harris, Gregg Ellingson, Sukh Chungh, Willie Jefferson, Micah Johnson, Ja’Gared Davis and DaVaris Daniels among many others all switch allegiances, the Bombers also made one of the shrewdest moves in the market by adding Rose.
Rose has not only quickly settled in as a lock-down corner for the Bombers, he is currently tied for the CFL lead with interceptions with Calgary’s Tre Roberson with five, including one for a Pick-6.
This from a guy who had the same total last year – which tied for the CFL lead – but was then caught in the B.C. Lions offseason roster overhaul.
“I’m not surprised I went to free agency, but more surprised that I didn’t get offered (a contract),” began Rose in a chat with bluebombers.com following practice at the University of Guelph.
“But at the same time, I know this is a business and they made a business decision. They had a new defensive coordinator, new coach… everything. It was like déjà vu when I got released from Ottawa and they brought in a new defensive coordinator in Noel Thorpe.
“But I had said in the beginning, before I even signed, that I was studying to see who was going where. I knew that Winnipeg was one game short last year of getting to the Grey Cup. I felt that signing here was perfect for me… it’s worked out. Right now it’s clicking.”
‘Clicking’ is an apt description. It’s not as simple of that, of course – there are hours and hours of training and film work, after all – but clicking also represents a comfort level Rose has found in the Bombers defence.
There’s all that, but also another critical component – while all that coin was being tossed around to higher-profile free agents this winter, the Bombers also made no secret of their desire to add Rose. And that can mean everything to a player just trying to find a home.
“That right there… it’s so important,” said Rose. “When you’re a rookie you’re kind of just going through the motions. You don’t know very much. Last year playing the whole year and getting comfortable with the game and then getting picked up this year by a team that wanted me, by a GM that reached out to my agent and told him he wanted to make me a Blue Bomber… that right there says a lot about the organization.
“Then coming in and seeing how the coaches, players and fans embraced me is like the icing on the cake.”
The Bombers did their homework on the 25-year-old Rose, but also had a bit of inside intel. Defensive backs coach Jordan Younger was in Toronto when Rose first came to the CFL as a late-season practice roster addition. And so, when it came time for the position coaches to evaluate talent that might hit the free-agent market, Younger offered a positive review.
“I knew he was talented,” said Younger. “He bounced around… left Toronto and went to Ottawa, left Ottawa and went to B.C. and did well there. And when I found out we were going to make a change at corner, he was one of my suggestions. I’m glad we were able to bring him in.
“The most exciting thing about him as a coach is how much he wants to learn and how quickly he is able to digest information and is able to use it. He was already talented, he was already gifted. Now he’s just trying to figure out how to fit in the system and identify the matchups.
“He’s having fun playing the game and being one of the hand-picked guys. There’s a sense of comfort, a sense of respect in his game. It comes also with being one of the guys being recognized as a stand out and as someone performing at a high level. He’s handling it well and getting better every week.”
Interestingly, Rose admitted that when he first signed with Winnipeg, he did carry some ‘pan-to-prove-everyone-wrong’ emotions. Every Rose has its thorn, after all.
“At first, I told my family and friends this just adds more fuel to the fire,” he said. “This offseason I just worked hard and told myself I was to just going to try to be the best at my position, the best player I am, the best person I am, and try to contribute.
“But then when I got here Coach O’Shea kept beating into my head – everyone’s head – that it’s not about me, it’s about the team. The team is bigger than me. I’m nothing without my coaches and my brothers on this team. I’m not making it about me versus another player or me versus another team. That’s a selfish way of thinking.”
The Bombers finished their final full practice in advance of Thursday’s game in Toronto behind closed doors at Alumni Stadium at the University of Guelph early Tuesday afternoon. Here are some notes and quotes from today’s media availability in our 48-HOUR PRIMER…
SICK-BAY REPORT:
The Bombers were a battered and bruised bunch when they exited the practice field on Monday, but the reports were more encouraging after Tuesday’s session.
Bombers head coach said dime back Anthony Gaitor and WR Drew Wolitarsky will be good to go against the Argos, while WR Darvin Adams and DB Brandon Alexander – who was injured Monday – will be given another day to see if they still might be good to go.
WR Chris Matthews had been working in Adams’ spot with the No. 1 offence on Monday and Chris Humes would likely be the leading candidate to replace Alexander if the veteran DB is a no go.
KONGBO GOOD TO GO:
O’Shea also confirmed that DE Jonathan Kongbo, one of the club’s two first-round draft picks this year, will make his CFL debut against the Argos after undergoing offseason knee surgery and spending the first six games on the injured list.
Asked what everyone might expect from the University of Tennessee product – who will work primarily on special teams – the Bombers boss offered:
“I expect he’ll do whatever we ask him to do and I think he’ll do it with a level of physicality and speed. The sheer physics behind it (Kongbo is 6-5, 255 pounds) should suggest he could win some battles. He’s been just going crazy on the sidelines by himself trying to get himself in shape and ready for this moment. So, once again, I applaud his perseverance. It’s been impressive.”
