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If Tim Burke is bluffing, he's doing a very convincing job of it.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach once again on Thursday repeated that his team's veteran defensive backs will either improve this season or they will be looking for new jobs.

And yes, Burke confirmed Thursday, that includes the all-star duo of Jonathan Hefney and Jovon Johnson.

"That includes every guy in the secondary. That's just the way it's going to be," said Burke Thursday following the second day of a Bombers rookie training camp at Investors Group Field that includes a whopping nine defensive backs -- most of any position.

"We're either going to play better as a group or we're going to have a new group."

cont.

"Let's say we went to the Grey Cup and even won it last year -- I still think that every year you're trying to bring in some guys who are going to make you better," said Burke, who has retained a keen interest in the secondary even after he took over the head coach's job last summer.

"You're always trying to replace who you think is the weakest of your defensive backs with somebody new."

Frankly, I love that guys are being forced to complete .. to stay hungry .. to prove something. After Swaggerville a lot of guys got complacent ..

Bob Irving ‏@BobIrvingCJOB5m

Tim burke calls out his veteran defensive backs again--somebody is in trouble. More on the 680 cjob sports show tonite

kelowna beat me to it, while it doesn't sound good, love that Burke clearly isn't messing around. I wonder if the cuts were to happen who they would be.

This must be off the presser that Burke did and he's just pushing the sports show later.

 

Either way, the pm session must have the boys show better in the secondary.

 

Can you say hustle?

Yeah I noticed that as well, I thought he was in line for the SAM postion, I guess this has to do with the WIL position now being the "nickelback" spot.

It's the sam that they've renamed "nickleback". Washington is the guy behind Hefney who's pushing him for his spot. Burke has said as much.

 

I saw a TSN article that said Washington is penciled in as the wil lb. Parker is the guy who's currently #1 on the depth chart at wil, or at least he was practicing with the #1 unit at that spot.

I think they're getting mixed up, Washington is way too small for WIL

According to Penton on Twitter, sounds like it's Hefney that is in major trouble.  Not sure why.  Also - if he is just goofing off out there, not sure why he thinks that he can just get away with that.  Perhaps he thinks this TC is like all others?

I don't think that should be a surprise to anyone. Hefney has always been a bit like that... before he was just so good that it didn't matter. If his performance is slipping it's no wonder he'd be in trouble. People always piled on Johnson last year for a bad attitude but I think that was a load of crap. Johnson will put in the effort he needs to, he's just arrogant, which is to be expected but if there was one guy was going to get lazy in that secondary I always felt it would be Hefney.

It's the sam that they've renamed "nickleback". Washington is the guy behind Hefney who's pushing him for his spot. Burke has said as much.

 

I saw a TSN article that said Washington is penciled in as the wil lb. Parker is the guy who's currently #1 on the depth chart at wil, or at least he was practicing with the #1 unit at that spot.

Good to know, thought it was the other way around.

I think they're getting mixed up, Washington is way too small for WIL

He is indeed. Sizewise, Parker is a better fit.

I wonder who this is most directed too.  I lean towards Hefney.

I wonder who this is most directed too.  I lean towards Hefney.

yes that seems to be the Twitter consensus.  I can't comment as I'm not there.  People who have been attending the practices would know who's been dogging it among the veterans in the secondary.

lol, at least the DBs that are in the doghouse at your camp don't get oven mits taped on their hands! 

How would people feel if Hefney was cut?/

How would people feel if Hefney was cut?/

 

teams that need DBs like Hamilton (and maybe even us due to injuries and retirements) might bring him in if you do.

 

(plus, the team can do the ol' steal the playbook move)

How would people feel if Hefney was cut?/

annoyed.. dunno at who but annoyed.. He is one of our best defensive players.  I'd have to hope (if its him) he gets his head on straight.. 

How would people feel if Hefney was cut?/

A lot of people would rage in an epic way. You think Mack is unpopular now the shitstorm that would cause would be a sight to behold... but I personally would be ok because I trust that if they say he's not good enough or not showing the required effort that there's a good replacement who will put in the effort. You remember how people reacted to Clint Kent being cut? Turn that up to 11 and that's the reaction if Hefney got the boot because he is a name and he's popular.

A lot of people would rage in an epic way. You think Mack is unpopular now the shitstorm that would cause would be a sight to behold... but I personally would be ok because I trust that if they say he's not good enough or not showing the required effort that there's a good replacement who will put in the effort. You remember how people reacted to Clint Kent being cut? Turn that up to 11 and that's the reaction if Hefney got the boot because he is a name and he's popular.

I don't think they should cut Hefney out-right, but if he's dogging it and not bringing it then at least put him on the 46 man and make him sit and think about his bad attitude and lack of effort for awhile, and see if THAT finally wakes him up.

I'd be fine with Hefney getting cut.  His play has dropped a lot (in fairness, the whole team dropped last year) but I will always remember Stewart and Hefney getting into a shouting match about Hef not subbing in for part of the special teams practice.

If anything Hefney would be traded, not released but I doubt either will happen.

If anything Hefney would be traded, not released but I doubt either will happen.

 

if you were an opposing GM and Mack called you (lol, yeah right) to trade Hefney, would you give up an asset, or just wait for his inevitable release?

...because he wouldn't release him? It's not like he would have no trade value during the season so why would it make a difference now?

...because he wouldn't release him? It's not like he would have no trade value during the season so why would it make a difference now?

 

the point is though, if a GM is shopping a veteran, it's unlikely he'll be keeping him.

 

anyway, how certain are we that Hefney is in the doghouse?

I don't necessarily disagree but if Arland Bruce can can be traded at any point in the season, Hefney would at least fetch a pick or two I figure.

 

As for your question, this is all based on a tweet by Penton and I thought his logic to get to that conclusion was rather weak. If anything it seems like a motivational tactic by Burke.

I don't necessarily disagree but if Arland Bruce can can be traded at any point in the season, Hefney would at least fetch a pick or two I figure.

 

As for your question, this is all based on a tweet by Penton and I thought his logic to get to that conclusion was rather weak. If anything it seems like a motivational tactic by Burke.

 

if Mack could do that, i'd be impressed.

Didn't say it had to be a good pick. It's hard to trade anyone in this league but the main thing is, I think it's incredibly doubtful he gets traded or cut but between the two a trade seems more likely.

the point is though, if a GM is shopping a veteran, it's unlikely he'll be keeping him.

 

anyway, how certain are we that Hefney is in the doghouse?

Well Burke has gone about 3 days in a row, as well as at the very start of rookie camp that the veteran secondary players weren't good enough last year and aren't showing good enough effort so far this year, and Hefney is known to be one of the flakier guys back there so it's a lot of conclusions being drawn, but it's something that sounds believable.