Coaches will insist there are more important and more telling defensive statistics than the quarterback sack, despite all the hype and glory wrapped around it.
That said, let’s all at least acknowledge that outside of points allowed, the coolest and sexiest of all defensive stats is indeed the sack. It represents so much in one play, from a defence imposing its will on an opponent, to dominating at the line of scrimmage and being a disruptive force.
It was also occasionally a talking point with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers ‘Dark Side’ defence last season, even as the unit finished first in fewest points allowed, fewest passing TDs surrendered and opponent net offensive yardage and passing yards per game.
Here’s why: the Blue Bombers managed 36 sacks last year, which ranked eighth in the Canadian Football League. It was also the lowest total by the club since racking up 35 sacks in 2016. One factor impacted that number significantly – injuries.
Two years ago, the Blue Bombers saw both Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat named to the CFL All-Star Team – a first for the club dating back to 1962. But with Jeffcoat missing a third of the season and Thiadric Hansen — a key rotational player at end – gone for the final eight games and with Jonathan Kongbo having left for the Denver Broncos, the depth at end was severely affected.
That also meant opponents were able to pay more attention to Jefferson, often doubling him in an attempt to limit his damage. He still managed a team leading seven sacks, but Jeffcoat’s total went from nine to four.
The Blue Bombers will return all but Casey Sayles to their defensive front this year, as the veteran tackle exited to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in free agency. Ricky Walker, who dressed for 12 games last year, is the leading candidate to fill Sayles’ cleats.
Winnipeg has had consistent and under-rated play from Jake Thomas for his whole career – he’s also averaged a respectable four sacks over each of the last five years – and Cam Lawson, acquired in a draft day trade with Montreal last year, is a talent looking more comfortable in the position with every snap. The Blue Bombers also focused heavily on adding Canadian depth in the draft, selecting end Anthony Bennett in the first round and then tackles Tanner Schmekel and Collin Kornelson with back-to-back selections in the fourth and fifth rounds.
As of this writing, four new American defensive ends are coming to camp in
Joe Beckett, Nate Givhan, Aaron Sterling, O’Bryan Goodson and that number could grow when rookies hit the field on Wednesday.
Summing up, the Blue Bombers will look to continue to dominate defensively in 2023, regardless of what the sack total might read. It’s just that they have a lofty standard to meet – their own – and racking up more QB takedowns will only further enhance the reputation of ‘The Dark Side.’
TRAINING CAMP 2023 PREVIEW
A LOOK AT THE DEFENSIVE LINE
The Returnees: DE Willie Jefferson, Jackson Jeffcoat; DT: Jake Thomas*, Cam Lawson*, Ricky Walker, Thiadric Hansen (G), DeJaun Cooper, Cole Adamson* (a defensive tackle at Manitoba, he is being shifted to OL for camp, but could move back to the D-line).
Departed: DT Casey Sayles (Hamilton, free agency); DE Cedric Wilcots (Hamilton, trade last October for Alden Darby, Jr.); Keion Adams (unsigned free agent).
2023 CFL Draft picks: Anthony Bennett (1st round, 8th overall); Tanner Schmekel (4th round, 35th overall); Collin Kornelson (5th round 44th overall)
CFL newcomers: Joe Beckett, Nate Givhan, Aaron Sterling, O’Bryan Goodson, Damian Jackson, Jadrian Taylor
Keep an eye on: Aaron Sterling
The Blue Bombers signed Sterling in March and the University of South Carolina edge rusher is an intriguing prospect. He’s battled injuries but brings an element of toughness that could make him a key fit in the D-line.
Read more about Sterling here in Blue Bomber scout Cyril Penn’s Tales from the Scouting Trail piece.
Did you know?
The last Blue Bombers player to lead the CFL in sacks was Phillip Hunt, with 16 back in 2010.
Notable Number: 75
The Blue Bombers club record for sacks in a season is 75, set in 1984 (the stat was first tracked by the CFL in 1980). That year Tyrone Jones led the club record with 20.5 sacks (back when the league used half sacks), which was a club record before Elfrid Payton had 22 in 1993).
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.
