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Defensive coordinator Richie Hall is under contract for the 2018 season, but Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea wants to make adjustments to that unit.
“We do need to change what we’re doing on defence. We can’t expect to do same thing and get the results we want. Every player on the defence knows that, understands that, every coach on the defence knows that,” O’Shea said. ...
Winnipeg allowed the most offensive points (478) and offensive touchdowns (51) among West Division teams, Hamilton and Montreal gave up more in both categories. Opponent passing touchdowns (33) ranked tied for last in the league. But it was the yardage total that was concerning above all else.
“It’s two years of giving up a lot of yards, but it’s also two years of over 100 takeaways. And it’s a year where we by far led the league in points off takeaways, our offence benefits from that also. We can’t hide the fact that we gave up a lot of yards and we have to minimize that in order for us to win a championship, no doubt, everybody knows that,” O’Shea said.
“But there are things that our defence does that are excellent, so we have to figure out a way to combine those good things and not give up the yards that we give up.”
The Bombers were one of two teams to allowed over 7,000 yards of offence in 2017, the Alouettes being the other. Despite the gaudy total Winnipeg came away with 42 turnovers, second in the CFL, 25 of them interceptions to lead all teams, and scored 166 points from the pilfers to pace the league.