He is as consistent as a metronome, regularly bulldozing the line of scrimmage to destroy anything in enemy colours and then seamlessly dropping into coverage as an extra pass defender.
As linebackers go – and especially for a team like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers coached by a legendary one, at that – Adam Bighill is positively hell bell and heaven sent. It should also be said that the 34-year-old is an absolute lock to one day have his bust including among the legends at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
So, as we begin the next installment in our Positional Preview series by focussing on the linebacking corps, it naturally starts by zooming in on the 34-year-old veteran who has been such an integral part of this franchise since signing here just short of five years ago. A three-time winner of the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award – twice with the Blue Bombers, in both 2018 and 2021 – Bighill is not only a critical component in the team’s ‘Dark Side’ defence, but a lead-by-example tone setter on and off the field.
He has led the team in total defensive plays in three of his four years, including last season when he racked up 70 tackles, two sacks, four pass knockdowns, one interception and a tackle for loss while patrolling the middle of the front seven.
The weak-side linebacker spot next to him was more-than capably filled last year by a combination of Kyrie Wilson– before he suffered an Achilles injury in the fourth game of the season – Malik Clements, Jesse Briggs and with Shayne Gauthier getting work at both spots. (Note: the strong-side linebacker spot, as it used to be known, doesn’t really exist in this defence with that now called a ‘Dime’ and manned by a defensive back).
Joining that crew are Canadian Tanner Cadwallader – who has evolved into a special-teams dynamo – along with Global linebacker Les Maruo and two guys who saw spot duty on defence last year in Brian Cole and DeJaun Cooper.
The team also added to its Canadian contingent by drafting and signing Max Charbonneau of the University of Ottawa. And, as always, the crack scouting department will have a couple fresh faces in camp to monitor.
All of this is to say the Blue Bombers have the requisite star power and veteran depth at the two linebacker positions and, as is the case with many other spots on the roster, a ton of stability. And with where this franchise is right now – having made three Grey Cup title games and chasing a third championship in four years – it could be said that familiarity is as comforting as a good pair of shoes.
TRAINING CAMP 2023 PREVIEW
A LOOK AT THE LINEBACKERS
The Returnees:
Middle: Adam Bighill, Shayne Gauthier*, Les Maruo (G); Brian Cole,
Weak side: Kyrie Wlson, Malik Clements, Tanner Cadwallader*, DeJaun Cooper, Robbie Lowes* (missed last year due to injury)
Newcomers: Christian Dixon, Barrington Wade, Gee Stanley
Departed: None
CFL 2023 Draft picks: Max Charbonneau* (eighth round, 71st overall)
*Indicates Canadian; (G) – Global player
Keep an eye on: Brian Cole
Added to the practice roster in early summer after a stint in Edmonton, it wasn’t long before Cole made an impression with his work on special teams. A former star at Mississippi State and a seventh-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, he has also had NFL looks from Miami and Carolina. He’s now got some CFL experience to his name and, like so many others entering their second year in the Canadian game, could be ready to take that proverbial next step.
Did you know?
Dating back to 1955 and the inception of the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award, seven Blue Bombers players have combined to capture the honour nine times.
They are: Bighill, as mentioned above, in 2018 and 2021, Willie Jefferson in 2019, Jovon Johnson in 2011, Greg Battle in 1990 and 1991, Tyrone Jones in 1985, Frank Rigney in 1961 and Herb Gray in 1960.
Notable Number: 817
Career tackle total for Adam Bighill. That ranks him seventh on the CFL’s all-time list, just 16 behind Solomon Elimimian in sixth place. Barrin Simpson is fifth at 955 and Chip Cox is fourth at 979. The top three are Willie Pless (1,241), Mike O’Shea (1,151) and Alondra Johnson (1,095).
The Blue Bombers open rookie camp on May 10th with main training camp following on May 14th. This is the third installment of our annual positional-preview series leading up to the first day.
