The way this season has gone, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were due for another dose of bad news.
They delivered it on Thursday: Middle linebacker and defensive leader Adam Bighill has limped onto the six-game injured list with a bad hamstring.
It has been a parade of players on and off that list all season, but this is a parade nobody is celebrating going into the Blue Bombers’ home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday.
“He’s one of the best linebackers I’ve ever seen,” head coach Mike O’Shea said. “But no one’s job is to go in and replace him. Their job is to go in and play like they can play. So we’ll be good.”
They’ll be hard-pressed to be as good as they have been the last little while.
With Bighill calling the shots, telling teammates where to go based on what only he can see and anticipate, the Winnipeg defence has been the CFL’s best.
Fresh off more than 100 minutes of shutout football and back-to-back wins over B.C. in which they gave up a combined 11 points, the Bombers have rocketed to the top in fewest points and yardage allowed, touchdowns allowed and opponents’ passing efficiency.
You can’t help but wonder if veteran backup Shayne Gauthier steps in simply not wanting to mess things up.
“Not really,” Gauthier said. “It’s not going to be perfect. But one thing I know is my effort’s going to be 100 percent, like always. Usually with 100 percent effort, good things happen. Physically I can do whatever Adam’s doing. It’s more the understanding of the game that he’s more advanced. He’s been doing this for a lot of years … he’s one of a kind.”
Gauthier has done this before, of course, even earlier this season.
At 32, he’s three years Bighill’s junior. But he’s paid a ton of attention to the man ahead of him on the depth chart, spending all but the first two years of his career learning from the three-time winner of the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award.
“It’s hard to get to that level,” the Quebec product said. “He’s been playing defence his whole career, and I’m just there watching, watching, trying to get as much information from him. But on the field it’s a little different … it happens fast. But I’ve been there in the past. I think I’ve done a great job when I stepped in and I’m ready to go.”
O’Shea has no concerns, saying Gauthier long ago showed him he could probably have played a bigger role, but remained patient.
“Whatever he did differently in the off-season, he was flying around in training camp,” the coach said. “He’s always been very smart, very tough, extremely strong, nose for the football. He’s proven that year after year after year. This is not difficult for him. He’ll be good.
“You can’t be anything but patient if you’re behind Adam Bighill.”
Bighill joins star receiver Dalton Schoen, veteran O-lineman Pat Neufeld, receiver Drew Wolitarsky, D-lineman Cam Lawson and linebacker Kyrie Wilson on the six-game list, to name a few of the starters lost long-term.
BLANKET AWAITS BO LEVI
Winnipeg’s defensive backfield continues to gain notoriety for its blanket coverage on opposing receivers.
It’ll be tested by strong-armed Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell on Friday.
Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros knows Mitchell will have his hands full.
“Having to go against them every day, their level of communication is just off the charts,” Collaros said. “It sounds like a crowd, because they’re all talking … all on the same page and communicating.”
One of them, Tyrell Ford, is coming off his fourth interception of the season, tied for the second-best total in the league.
“It’s like playing football in the parking lot with your friends,” Ford said. “Everyone’s just having fun.”
Ford’s four picks is half the defence’s total, with Deatrick Nichols the only one even close to him with a pair.
“I wouldn’t say it’s heated,” Ford said of the internal competition. “Considering I’m leading by a good amount. We’re all trying to get some.
“As long as it’s within the script. Make sure I do my job first, and if it comes to me, I make the play.”
JERSEY SWAP FOR WILLIE?
Nobody has allowed fewer than Hamilton’s 14 quarterback sacks, but that doesn’t mean Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson doesn’t plan on getting into Mitchell’s face.
Jefferson has played his fellow Texan for many years now, coming away with a mixed bag of memories.
“Some really good memories, some really s—- memories,” Jefferson said. “I’ve been playing against him since 2014, since I came into the league. Real good guy, close friends.”
Winnipeg’s sack leader would love to get his buddy’s jersey in his hands in more ways than one.
“Hopefully me and him get a chance to do a jersey swap this game,” Jefferson said. “I want one of his Calgary jerseys, though. I don’t want his Hamilton jersey. It’s all love.”