Outstanding Medlock aims higher
BLUE BOMBERS: Kicker looks to build on breakout season that ended in loss to Leos
WINNIPEG — What will Justin Medlock do for an encore?
During his first season as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the kicker/punter quickly showed he was worth every penny as a coveted off-season addition.
Not only did Medlock lead the CFL in scoring with 227 points (which was also a club record), he set a league record by connecting on 60 of 68 field-goal attempts.
Combine that with a career-high 42.7 punting average and it was little surprise Medlock captured the CFL award as the Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
“I’m trying to work on a couple of things with breaking some different punts in,” Medlock said after practice Monday. “There were a couple of things I didn’t feel good about last year. I want to clean some of those things up. I’m trying to iron out a couple of little things.”
Despite knocking down 88.2 per cent of his field-goal tries last season, pushing his No. 1 all-time ranking in field-goal percentage to 87.7, Medlock got off to a slow start and that’s one thing he’s looking to avoid in 2017.
“I started off really rocky and then we kind of got into a groove,” said Medlock, noting he encountered something similar when he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and had to get used to a new holder.
“At the end of the year, we were pretty lights out. I want to keep that going. My No. 1 thing is to get off to a good start and then go from there.”
Medlock certainly played a large role in the Blue Bombers going 11-7 and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
As the Blue Bombers fell to the B.C. Lions in the West semifinal, Medlock had a strong game but came up short when head coach Mike O’Shea made the controversial decision to send him out for a game-winning field goal from 61 yards on third and four in the final minute of regulation.
Obviously, Medlock was disappointed to miss the attempt, but wasn’t about to let it haunt his off-season.
“I never even thought twice about it,” said Medlock. “That’s a tough kick in general.”
For what it’s worth, Medlock drilled a 63-yarder during Monday’s session, though it was aided slightly by having the wind at his back.
Earlier this week, Medlock spent some time hitting field goals off a tee and was seeing plenty of length.
“I’ve gotten used to hitting it more solid off the tee, that’s something I didn’t really practise (with) last year,” said Medlock, who used the tee for the 61-yard attempt in B.C. Place.
“(On Sunday), we were out here and I didn’t get them going on track, but the ball was easily going 65, 70 yards off the tee. If you get the right wind, you could probably hit it 75 yards. It’s just (a matter) of keeping the ball on line for that long.”
Medlock is considered by many to be the best kicker in the CFL already and he believes there are better things to come this season.
“I feel like it’s going to be a little bit better,” said Medlock. “But you never know. You’re zero-for-zero and you’ve got to start off strong and finish strong. Make some bigger kicks. I want to do a better job on some longer kicks. I feel pretty good and I’m a lot more confident.”
Along with confidence, being mentally strong is essential for a kicker during good times and bad.
“It’s something I’m always trying to get better at,” said Medlock. “I’m getting better at those areas every year. If you want to kick better, you’ve got to be better in your mind. That’s probably the biggest thing.”
He’s also well aware that several others around the league will be determined to unseat him as the top kicker in the CFL.
“You’ve got to compete a little bit better,” said Medlock. “You’ve got Swayze Waters up here now (after a stint in the NFL) and if he’s making field goals, he’s pretty tough to beat. There’s going to be some competition. You’ve got a good punter in Rob Maver, he’s always directionally sound. (Rene) Parades is always solid. Sean Whyte, he’s had strong bounce-back years the last couple of years.
“To stay on top of your game, consistency is the name of the game.”