The Winnipeg Blue Bombers open training camp July 10^th. This is the second in our annual positional-preview series leading up to the first day…

THE DEFENSIVE BACKS 

They are the defence’s last line, charged with preventing aerial attacks and asked to contribute in stopping movement along the ground. Exceptional athletic ability is a given; communication, cohesion and a short memory are a must.

And as for continuity… well, if you study the long list of names who have patrolled the Winnipeg Blue Bombers secondary over the past two seasons the only constant seems to be change. That’s more observation than criticism, especially given the late-season adjustments the club made to the defensive backfield in the championship run of 2019 were critical in the 11^th Grey Cup title in franchise history.

Having said that, change in the secondary will again be a main theme when the Bombers open training camp next week, what with the departures of Winston Rose (Cincinnati Bengals) and Marcus Sayles (B.C. Lions). It’s also worth noting that four returnees – safety Brandon Alexander, halfback Nick Taylor, cornerback Mike Jones and dime back/Sam linebacker Mercy Maston – only have four games working together as a unit under their collective belts, beginning with the ’19 regular-season finale and then the three playoff contests.

Returning members of that unit and defensive coordinator Richie Hall have stressed over the last year their eagerness to work together to build on the cohesion that came so quickly in the playoffs. Experience matters, too, and In terms of games played Alexander and Taylor (39) and Maston (22) combine for 100. The losses of Rose and Sayles – Rose a CFL All-Star and Sayles a West Division All-Star – will be offset by the addition of veteran Josh Johnson, who 64 games to his credit in a five-year career that includes stays in B.C., Ottawa, Hamilton and Edmonton.

Let’s be clear, though, keeping that core together in 2021 is hardly a given, even with no preseason games and head coach Mike O’Shea stressing the importance of veterans in a condensed season. And here’s why: 10 different defensive backs started games for the Bombers in 2019 and a dozen in 2018. Over those two years 16 different players had at least one start in the defensive backfield. There’s more: a whopping 27 defensive backs are currently on the roster as camp approaches.

And where those names will slot into the depth chart for the season-opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on August 5th will be one of the key Bombers storylines over the next few weeks.

TRAINING CAMP 2021 PREVIEW

A LOOK AT THE DEFENSIVE BACKS

The Returnees:

Cornerbacks: Mike Jones
Halfbacks: Nick Taylor
Safety: Brandon Alexander, Nick Hallett*, Sergio Schiaffino Perez (G)
Dime back (often referenced as SAM LB): Mercy Maston
Free-agent additions: CB/HB Josh Johnson
Departed: CB Winston Rose (Cincinnati), HB Marcus Sayles (B.C.), S Derek Jones* (B.C.); Kerfalla Exumé* (Mtl); S Jeff Hecht*; HB Chandler Fenner; HB Anthony Gaitor; HB Dexter Janke*, Marcus Rios, Chris Humes.
2020/2021 CFL Draft picks: DB Noah Hallett*, Redha Kramdi*
CFL newcomers: Jhavonte Dean, Deatrick Nichols, Terrence Alexander, DeAundre Alford, Joshua Allen, Christian Angulo, Clifton Duck, Marwin Evans, Demerio Houston, Jeremiah Johnson, Jamalcolm Liggins, Dexter McDougle, Josh Miller, Prince Robinson, Ranthony Texada, Mazzi Wilkins, Raekwon Williams, Sam Wiliams

*Indicates Canadian; (G) – Global player

IMPACT NEWCOMER(S)

CB/HB Josh Johnson

He can play both inside and outside and on either side of the field, giving the Bombers coaching staff the positional versatility that is key in putting together a lineup. Known as a solid communicator, too, which will be critical in this unit.

X FACTOR: CB Mike Jones

Lost in the work of so many of the Bombers stars in the ’19 Grey Cup playoffs was the emergence of Jones at the cornerback spot opposite Rose. He didn’t make his first start until the regular-season finale, but improved with every snap in the playoffs, capped by his sensational work in the Grey Cup – four tackles, three pass knockdowns and an interception.

BIG STAT : 133

Winnipeg’s interception total over the past five years – 24 in 2019, 20 in 2018, 25 in 2017, 30 in 2016, 21 in 2015 and 13 in 2014. That number is the most among CFL teams.

FYI

Two members of the XFL Houston Roughnecks secondary – Jeremiah Johnson and Deatrick Nichols – are in camp with the Bombers. Nichols was leading the XFL in interceptions with three when the 2020 season was cancelled.

Also in amp is Ranthony Texada, who spent part of his 2020 with the XFL’s New York Guardians.