Don't expect much from the Bombers – Winnipeg Free Press

Defense

Willie Jefferson, the Bombers' top defensive player, is back for another year, while Jake Thomas, the team's longest-tenured player, also returns in 2024. With Jeffcoat and Walker gone, the Bombers plan to go along. some combination of Cam Lawson, Celestin Xaba, Anthony Bennett, Tanner Schmekel and others to fill the void. It's also a position area where teams lean heavily on their scouting staffs to bring in cheap and effective talent from south of the border.

Winnipeg will begin the 2024 season with players who graduated from last year, as Adam Bighill patrols the middle and Kyrie Wilson continues in his role at weakside. At strongside linebacker — a position often grouped with defensive backs — Canadian Redha Crumdy will earn a starting role after training camp.

As for the rest of the Middle Ages, Alexander returned to safety; Deatrick Nicholls and Evan Holm provide the best one-two punch in the midfield; and Jamal Parker will also return to play either the boundary or field corner. There will be plenty of competition for the vacant cornerback spot left by Houston, but the inside track seems to belong to Tyreek McGee. The club was high last year before the 25-year-old Georgia native was injured in training camp.

Special teams

Long snapper Mike Benson, also a proud Winnipegger, is back to deliver the ball again this season. However, the Bombers need to sign someone to give him a shot.

This is not true at all. Winnipeg has all-around player Jamison Sheehan on its roster and the club hopes he can make strides in his sophomore season. It's not yet signed until 2024, namely Sergio Castillo.

This was reported by information sources Free press The Bombers are working on a new contract with the Castillo camp and there has been significant progress. Negotiations have been positive, so there is hope that the contract will be implemented.

What about dynamic returner Janarion Grant? There seems little confidence that Grant will be signed ahead of Castillo, but without a solid replacement option, the Bombers have a real chance to make a concerted effort to re-sign him. If Grant doesn't re-sign, it won't be through free agency, as with the defensive end and defensive linemen, but a replacement could be found through the scouting staff. That work began last week with the signing of Aaron Cruickshank, who had a standout collegiate career with Rutgers before making NFL appearances with Chicago and Pittsburgh.

The Bombers' return and coverage teams took a big hit last year when Miller was forced to retire for the season after suffering a neck injury in training camp. Shane Gauthier, another mainstay of the group, is limited to six games in 2023 due to injury.

Miller, of course, won't be available, but he brings a wealth of knowledge to his new coaching role, while Gauthier returned to a clean bill of health and signed a one-year extension on Monday. Nick and Noah Hallett were re-signed, along with many other regulars on special teams. One notable exception is veteran linebacker Jesse Briggs, who has been with the Bombers since 2016 but is yet to sign a contract for this season.

[email protected]

X: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

After several injuries playing hockey that included broken wrists, hands and jaws; medial collateral ligament tears in both knees; and with a collapsed lung, Jeff felt his interest in sports was better off the ice and in the classroom.

Read full bio