Bombers’ Leggett ‘all in’ for Winnipeg

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This article was published 30/05/2016 (2881 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Maurice Leggett has fallen in love with Winnipeg. So much so, in fact, he’s now calling the city his home.

It’s a decision not taken lightly, of course, but Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea described it as one where Leggett is showing he’s “all in,” and a lead he hopes other guys will follow.

For Leggett, the chance to put down some roots in this town and bring his son up in the place he plies his trade has its own set of settling qualities. No more living out of a hotel.

“It’s a relief,” said Leggett, originally from Pittsburgh, Pa. “I can be myself here. It’s laid back, it’s a family city and it kind of reminds me of Kansas City (where Leggett spent three years as a member of the NFL’s Chiefs). I fell in love with Kansas City, and I brought my family up here to visit one time and they fell in love (with Winnipeg) as well. The people, they just make me feel at home.”

Leggett is heading into his third year as a member of the Blue Bombers defensive secondary. The veteran has experienced his share of ups and downs over his career, including a series of injuries that derailed his time in the NFL.

In the CFL, while mostly healthy, Leggett has been part of just 12 wins in 36 games.

With the off-season overhaul the Bombers underwent, the changes Leggett sees are as palpable as they are invigorating for the Valdosta State University alum.

“Their spirits,” he said. “Even their posture, their body language, everything is completely different. There’s excitement now. We’re going back to when we were kids and loved the game of football.”

Heading into his second year with defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall’s schemes, Leggett is still learning something new every day.

“Last year is different from this year for the simple fact that it’s another year with him,” he said. Now, the playbook is progressing and now we can open up the playbook more as a result.”

Leggett’s flexibility in Hall’s defence is something the coach relied heavily upon in his first year in charge. Leggett moved from safety to linebacker when Chris Randle went down with injury in the Labour Day Classic, and he’s made that spot in the front seven his home so far in this training camp, taking snaps at strong-side linebacker.

“We got three starters, we got flexibility to do a number of things,” Hall said. “The whole thing that we have in the secondary, we got some depth.”

Bomber fans are used to dominant bulwarks of years past, with the most recent being the Swaggerville squad of 2011. Leggett knows all about former Bombers defensive end Odell Willis; they played with each other in college. Swaggerville isn’t the identity Leggett is looking for from this group.

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“We don’t need that boost to actually identify ourselves,” he said. “We go out there and work hard. We can move in silence and do our job each and every day. That’s all-star defence to me.”

❚ Who stood out: Bomber fans have seen running back Andrew Harris torch their own team before, so having him on their side this year will be a relief. Harris looked good Tuesday, putting his smash-mouth style to work. Wide receiver Darvin Adams also made some impressive snags in one-on-ones. He could be in line for a big year.

❚ Injury notes: Defensive back Johnny Adams and offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld both missed Day 3 of training camp with ailments. O’Shea said it was nothing serious but was coy on when they’d be back on the field. Linebacker Shayne Gauthier also pulled up lame with an apparent leg injury.

❚ Today’s schedule: Two-a-days continue today with another 8:30 a.m. start at IGF.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @scottbilleck