Jones: "We play 'we-fence.' It's all of us"

It's all there as concrete evidence to the Blue Bombers most complete defensive effort of the 2026 season.

Still, the most telling metric-statistic-number is the most basic -- six, as in the two field goals allowed by Winnipeg's defence against a Saskatchewan Roughriders attack that has regularly seen quarterback Trevor Harris julienne opposing defences like a master chef.

"I really feel like over these last few weeks it's been getting to the point where we're out there communicating at a high level and it's slowing down everything for everyone else," said linebacker Tony Jones in a chat with bluebombers.com. "We know what type of team we can be. We've put it on film now -- if we execute at a high level we know we can beat any team in this league.

"That was a really good team in Sask and holding them to no touchdowns was a big deal for us. It gives us a better mojo about ourselves. Everyone is clicking and buying in and where we're trying to get to is that place where everyone is flowing together as one."

A year ago, Winnipeg's defence ranked in the top third in many defensive statistical categories including opponent TDs allowed (tied for first with 40), net offence (third at 344.3), third in rushing yards against (94.1), second in passing yards (261.4) and first in opponent completion percentage (62.2).

There were some struggles earlier this year as offences around the league put up prolific passing totals, and the defence was scorched for a ridiculous 377 yards rushing -- a team record -- in a loss to B.C.

Yet, since then they were the first defence to hold the Montreal Alouettes to under 30 points in a win last month, held the Edmonton Elks to 22 in a loss and then limited the Riders to the two field goals in the Banjo Bowl -- that total representing the lowest output by Saskatchewan since head coach Corey Mace and offensive coordinator Marc Mueller took over in Regina in 2024.

Jones, FYI, referred to what the Blue Bombers do on his side of the ball as 'We-fence' -- a term he repeated in our chat this week.

"We always say it -- we play 'we-fence.' It's all of us," he said. "And 10 times out of 10 we want to be on the field in critical moments; we want to go out there when the game's on the line; we want to help give our offence as many drives as possible.

"That's the environment this whole defence wants to thrive in. We want it to be us out there when there's a 1:20 left or however, and we need to win the game. We take pride in that.

"When the game's on the line, I want our defence out on the field."

"'We-fence' is all 12 of us playing together, being on the same page in communicating," added Willie Jefferson. "We play together, all 12 of us from the back end to the defensive line. We've all got to be on the same page and if we are on that same page, it's hard for teams to beat us.

"A game like that is a boost because Sask is a good team and Trevor is a very intelligent and efficient quarterback with where he wants to go with the ball. So, for a defence to limit that offence and that quarterback to no touchdowns is huge. That's a huge confidence builder, momentum builder for the defence."

Critical now as the team comes out of the bye and heads into the stretch run in the battle royale fight for playoff spots in the West Division is to do it again. And again. And again.

"Once those pieces in the puzzle start going together and everyone is clicking at a high level it slows everything down and everyone can play freely," said Jones. "There's no more gray area, no more 'What's going on? What do I have?' and kudos to our coaches for putting us in the positions where we have to communicate, where we have to do the little things to get to the team we want to be.

"We realize when we do do that and we're all on the same page, we can be the team we want to be."

THE COACH SAYS: Check out Mike O'Shea's visit with the media today here:

OUCH REPORT: QB Zach Collaros did not practice for a second full day on Tuesday with Dru Brown again at the controls. RB Brady Oliveira, SB Nic Demski, OL Stanley Bryant and DT Cam Lawson were all back at their posts after missing Monday.

WR Pokey Wilson has also missed the last two days.

ICYMI: Another entertaining and insightful chat with Redha Kramdi on our latest edition of The Huddle, which goes live Tuesday's at 3 p.m. If you missed it, the episode can be found here: