Bomber has big cleats to fill
Augustine eager to step into considerable shoes of suspended all-star Harris
WINNIPEG - Back in 2017, at the CFL combine in Regina, Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters was raving about the performance of running back Johnny Augustine.
More than one GM at the combine said Augustine was the most impressive player there and, subsequently, his CFL scouting bureau ranking shot way up.
But when draft day came around, Augustine’s name was never called.
The Bombers, like everyone else, passed on the 5-foot-9, 206pound tailback from the University of Guelph.
He was signed as a free agent by the Edmonton Eskimos, released, signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders and released again.
Finally, just before training camp last season, Augustine signed with the Bombers, a clear indication that his impressive combine still stuck with Walters.
On Sunday, back in Regina, Augustine is expected to get his first CFL start in place of the suspended Andrew Harris at Mosaic Stadium in the annual Labour Day Classic.
“Hard work and not giving up, simple as that,” Augustine said of his path to this point.
“Not getting drafted, that obviously was unfortunate. Sometimes I hate hearing about it because it doesn’t matter now. Here I am, two three years removed from it. I don’t know who the first-round pick was I don’t know where he is. I’m here and that’s all that matters now.”
Interestingly, the Bombers took defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie with the first overall pick of that 2017 draft. He was cut before training camp last season and is now out of football.
Meanwhile, Augustine waited for his chance and now, finally, it’s in front of him.
“Obviously, it’s unfortunate with the situation (with Harris) but I’m looking forward to it, especially one of the biggest games of the year, the Labour Day Classic,” Augustine said. “It’s a huge opportunity.”
Augustine, 26, has rushed nine times for 60 yards in eight games this season. He started the year on the practice roster and third on the running back depth chart behind Harris and rookie Brady Oliveira.
After Oliveira got hurt in Week 3, Augustine came onto the roster and has performed well when called upon late in games, with the Bombers looking to kill the clock.
Mopping up late in games is a far cry from what Harris does for the Bombers every week. He’s not only a dynamic runner who has won back-to-back CFL rushing titles, he’s also a tremendous receiver, blocker and pass protector.
“Obviously I’m going in and playing a position played by a future Hall of Famer in Andrew, but I’m just ready for this moment,” Augustine said.
Harris is leading the league in rushing again this year with 908 yards and also has 46 receptions, so Augustine will have immense shoes to fill.
The Bombers will also be without No. 1 quarterback Matt Nichols (shoulder injury, six game injured list), which means Chris Streveler will be at the controls, as he was last week in a 34-28 win over the Eskimos in Edmonton.
Streveler actually led the Bombers with 95 rushing yards last week but the Roughriders will surely key on him — and the inexperienced Augustine — in order to slow the Bombers offensive attack down.
Bombers coach Mike O’shea believes his team has the horses to fight through a fierce Riders defence, though he wasn’t even willing to admit it will be Augustine carrying the load at running back on Sunday.
“We’ve got several options and I’m excited about all of them,” O’shea said, presumably referring to practice roster running back John Santiago and slotback Nic Demski, who can also play tailback.
“Guys aren’t waiting for their opportunities, they’re working to earn them and when they get them there’s a sense of pride and a sense of commitment to do it right and to do it to the level expected by their teammates.
“I’m excited for all the opportunities a young guy gets.”
Augustine was working with the first team offence on Wednesday. He and his Bombers teammates worked with piped-in crowd noise blaring, which will surely serve notice to Augustine and Streveler about what they’re about to encounter on Labour Day weekend at an amped-up Mosaic Stadium.
“It’s two pretty big games coming up, but at the end of the day it’s just football,” Augustine said. “No matter if it’s 30,000, 50,000 people I gotta play no matter what. The moment I start thinking about other things, it’s gonna distract from the game.
“I’m gonna enjoy the moment. Family and friends are more excited than I am. I’m excited too but I just want my teammates to be confident in me, believe in me.”