The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ most reliable subdued flex may be this one. And in these parts, it has turned into an annual event. Indeed, the Blue Bombers secondary’s faces rotate year after year. While the turnover varies from season to season, it’s often not that extreme. Nevertheless, even if the club’s air defense sees frequent movement of parts, the outcomes are usually constant. Here’s the evidence: in 2023, the Blue Bombers led the Canadian Football League in opponent passing yards against (229.4 yards per game), a decrease from their 2022 total of 253.6 yards. For the record, in 2021 the team had the most yards in the same category, topping the entire league with 216.4-as a vital element in the development of the infamous “Dark Side” defense.
Additionally, the script for training camp and the 2024 regular season will follow the same plot as we continue our Positional Preview Series with an emphasis on the defensive backs. This is because additional change is coming to a team that, for some reason, doesn’t often spark much discussion throughout the league.
Demerio Houston, the leader in interceptions and a CFL All-Star, signed a free agent contract with the Calgary Stampeders this winter. Veteran cornerback Winston Rose, who is currently unattached to any team, is also no longer in the team’s plans, as we witnessed at the end of 2023 when Jamal Parker took over that position.
Notably, Winnipeg utilized three different players at the boundary in Houston, Rose, and Abu Daramy-Swaray, in addition to four different field corners in Desmond Lawrence, Rose, and Parker last season. Alden Darby, Jr., Redha Kramdi, and Jake Kelly (who began the regular-season finale when some starters were rested) were the other three players that started at the dime spot.
Despite the numerous changes, two Western All-Stars remained consistent: Evan Holm at halfback and Brandon Alexander at safety. Deatrick Nichols, who was surprisingly overlooked in the all-star voting the previous season, filled the other halfback position. These three guys return in 2024 to stabilize the unit together with Kramdi, who has discreetly wrapped his mitts around the dime gig.
The return of Canadian Tyrell Ford after a stint with the Green Bay Packers might provide the team an intriguing alternative and some ratio flexibility. The versatile Parker is the front-runner at one corner slot and can play across the secondary if necessary.
Prior to training camp, Tyrique McGhee, a former University of Georgia player who only appeared in one regular season game after spending the majority of the year on the practice squad, was the front-runner to replace Houston at the other corner position. As of this writing, Danny McManus and his outstanding scouting staff have added eight additional defensive backs this summer. All of them are new Parker and Alexander, and prior to that, Houston and Dee Alford (Atlanta Falcons).
Not to be forgotten in this context is the fact that this group’s consistent success can be attributed in part to the guidance they’ve had in recent years. This season, there will be a minor alteration as well. Richie Hall, one of the most well-liked individuals in the league, will still be a vital voice, but as a defensive assistant; Jordan Younger, the defensive backs coach, will now be the defensive coordinator.
Even with the changes, the challenge will still be assembling a combination in the secondary that can dominate.They probably roll up their sleeves and finish it again, based on the outcomes of the previous few years.
