Under the guidance of general manager Kyle Walters, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers success-plan has taken some major steps forward over the past two and a half seasons. Three solid draft classes, some big name free-agent signings, and stability in the coaching department highlights the positive Bombers success. Usually, when these three factors are combined, at the very least it leads to some playoff appearances, but the Bombers have been left out since their 2011 Grey Cup appearance.
Kyle Walters Key to Bombers Success
Why are the Bombers still a sub-.500 team despite some major steps forward? It all leads back to how decimated the roster was when Walters took over as GM midway through the 2013 season. Walters predecessor, Joe Mack, left the roster in shambles. Quarterback Buck Pierce was constantly injured, and his replacement was a revolving door; that was a product of the offensive line, which was as leaky as the Titanic on her maiden voyage.
The defence was full of holes, and the special teams were never very special; but most of all the Canadian talent was lacking. In 2013, when Canadian linebacker Henoc Muamba had his sights set on the NFL, the team’s national depth hit an all-time low.
When the interim tag was lifted and Walters was officially named the boss going into the 2014 season, the plan was clear: increase the Canadian talent – and the Bombers brass has done just that over the past three years. In his first two drafts, Walters took an offensive lineman in the first round, and now both Matthias Goossen (2013) and Sukh Chungh (2014) are key Canadian starters on what looks to be a strong offensive line. Arguably the best signing Walters has made to date is Canadian defensive lineman Jamaal Westerman. After spending six years in the NFL, Westerman came in and dominated during his first season, winning the 2015 Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Player award, along with Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and Most Outstanding Canadian. To top it off, this off-season Walters signed CFL.ca’s top ranked free agent, and Winnipeg native, Andrew Harris.
So does the improved Canadian talent mean Walters has the Blue and Gold on the verge of something great? It’s a large part of it. Having two ratio busting All-Stars in Harris and Westerman is a luxury the Bombers haven’t had in a long time; but that’s not all. A healthy Drew Willy makes a huge difference for the Bombers, who were 3-1 last year when the quarterback finished the game, and 2-12 when he didn’t.
Walters bought an insurance plan at quarterback this year by signing last year’s second half starter Matt Nichols to back-up Willy for the 2016 season. Nichols was 2-5 as a starter for the Bombers after coming over from the Edmonton Eskimos via trade last September. That record could have been a lot better had former place kicker Lirim Hajrullahu not missed four field goals and a convert in a one point loss to the Eskimos. That collapse came on the heels of missing what would have been a game-winning field goal against the Calgary Stampeders the game before. Walters addressed the struggling kicking game this off-season by signing Justin Medlock, who, at 84% over his five-year career, is the most accurate field goal kicker in CFL history.
Another factor adding to the foundation of what hopes to be long-term success is the stability at head coach. Between 2005-2015 the Bombers have employed a total of six head coaches. Having a head coach last about two years before getting canned sends a bad message to the players. Current head coach Mike O’Shea seems to have put a stop to that. Despite a poor 12-24 record over his first two seasons, O’Shea has the confidence of the Bomber brass, and has earned the respect of his players.
Sticking with O’Shea during this re-build is perhaps one of the smartest things Walters has done, as maintaining stability at a vital position in an organization that has lacked it for so many years is an important part of building a winner. During the Bombers current 25-year Grey Cup drought every head coach that has lasted long enough to start his third season has at least appeared in a Grey Cup game. Time will tell whether or not O’Shea can keep the trend alive.
The Blue and Gold faithful have plenty of reason to be excited for this year’s team. New offensive coordinator, and former head coach Paul LaPolice has some fancy new toys to play with in former Saskatchewan Roughriders receivers Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith, to go along with Harris, who all should provide an immediate punch to an offence that has struggled in recent years. Hang in there fans; your patience may finally pay off in the not too distant future.
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