Willie Jefferson

Sir Blue and Gold · August 06, 2025, 01:30:00 PM

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' defensive lineman Willie Jefferson has been named the CFL's top performer for Week 9, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), and earned a pretty remarkable accolade in the process.

The 34-year-old earned a single-game grade of 99.3 this past week, which is by far the best PFF has awarded since the organization began grading CFL games in 2023. The previous single-game high was 94.6, which was awarded to Vernon Adams Jr. while he was playing for the B.C. Lions in 2024.

https://3downnation.com/2025/08/05/winnipeg-blue-bombers-dl-willie-jefferson-earns-best-ever-single-game-cfl-pff-grade/

I just wanted to give this some air because I was critical that one of the main reasons we weren't winning was that our highly paid best players weren't impacting the game enough. Willie being one.

Well... he proved it last week with the best PFF of any player since they started using the NFL style evaluation tool in 2023. Utterly dominant. If we can get half or two thirds that output from Willie going forward it's going to make a big difference. If you were there on Friday, you witnessed in person, according to PFF, the best single performance of any CFL player on any team at any time since the start of 2023.

Thanks Willie. We needed it.

The Zipp · August 06, 2025, 01:55:23 PM

He was incredible - some nights it is all going to fall into place. Not sure if he was going against someone new or he was just in beast mode all game.

That is what we are going to need from him and others while this team racks up some wins and into a home playoff position.

For those of us lucky enough to see Doug Brown and Willy play it is crazy how they could dominate a game - very different players but ability to turn a game around is something else. NFL quality talent.

Jesse · August 06, 2025, 02:23:32 PM

You never doubt Willie's ability to have a game-wreaking week.

Now I hope to see some consistency through the rest of the season. For all those who keeping saying, "stats don't matter", look how different it is when they get the stats.

Blueforlife · August 06, 2025, 03:25:34 PM

Great posts everyone and great thread. Some panicked and thought Willie was done. He served at least a couple turkeys. He will go down as one of the best ever and while he is old, he is still outstanding and performing as good as most top DL imo. A special player and talent with a combination of skills we will never seen again in our generation. This guy is Charile / Milt good imo.

I knew he had a monster game, my gut told me one of the best we have seen but these stats back that up. He fired up the crowd, even a young kid doing the arm circles. Classic. He won't be like this all year but he will continue to show flashes of brilliance and give OL all kinds of nightmares. The evolution of his game to adapt is the most impressive to me.

If he plays like this in the playoffs he can tilt a game himself.

blue_gold_84 · August 06, 2025, 03:58:38 PM

Willie J had himself a game the other night. Simply incredible.

I hope it's a trend!

bunker · August 06, 2025, 04:33:36 PM

One thing I noticed in the Argo game was that Willie was sometimes faking going outside the tackle, and making an inside "swim move", which was often very effective. Arbuckle is not much of a risk to scramble, so they were probably less worried about contain, and staying in their pass rushing lanes.

theaardvark · August 06, 2025, 05:01:53 PM

Willie was lights out. He had the Oline figured out, and walked them like dogs.

Has he been nicked and now is at peak Willie? Or was it his supporting cast? Moving to a 3 DE Dline? Did he suddenly mesh with Vaughters and Person?

Regardless, we have to continue this to have success overall. Our O's present performance is not encouraging,and if it improves, this team changes from getting to the playoffs to being a GC contender.

And it all starts with someone like Willie putting up numbers.

Blueforlife · August 06, 2025, 06:34:55 PM

Quote from: bunker on August 06, 2025, 04:33:36 PMOne thing I noticed in the Argo game was that Willie was sometimes faking going outside the tackle, and making an inside "swim move", which was often very effective. Arbuckle is not much of a risk to scramble, so they were probably less worried about contain, and staying in their pass rushing lanes.

Some really good insight here

BLUEBOMBER · August 06, 2025, 08:23:06 PM

Willie Jefferson is aging but he still plays better than most players in the league...

gobombersgo · August 06, 2025, 10:03:59 PM

markf · August 06, 2025, 11:43:25 PM

I think earlier this season he was being told to do more contain, there were games where he was more focussed on that.... this game they let him do what he does best.

The last Grey Cup which he was superb in, was only months ago. He's the same player.

Modern football Coaches overthink things. "This guy is a dominant pass rusher. Let's drop him back in coverage. "

Jesse · August 07, 2025, 12:00:32 AM

Quote from: markf on August 06, 2025, 11:43:25 PMI think earlier this season he was being told to do more contain, there were games where he was more focussed on that.... this game they let him do what he does best.

The last Grey Cup which he was superb in, was only months ago. He's the same player.

Modern football Coaches overthink things. "This guy is a dominant pass rusher. Let's drop him back in coverage. "

I think he gives up too early. Decides he can't get the sack so waits for the opportunity to knockdown the pass.

Blueforlife · August 07, 2025, 01:01:04 AM

Quote from: Jesse on August 07, 2025, 12:00:32 AMI think he gives up too early. Decides he can't get the sack so waits for the opportunity to knockdown the pass.

I would disagree with this, he wouldn't give up too early with his ability if he could smell a sack or pressure
That said yes he will play the knockdown as good as anyone ever

The Zipp · August 07, 2025, 01:28:37 AM

Quote from: Jesse on August 07, 2025, 12:00:32 AMI think he gives up too early. Decides he can't get the sack so waits for the opportunity to knockdown the pass.

i have seen that with my own eyes.

Tecno · August 07, 2025, 07:16:01 AM

Quote from: theaardvark on August 06, 2025, 05:01:53 PMHas he been nicked and now is at peak Willie? Or was it his supporting cast? Moving to a 3 DE Dline? Did he suddenly mesh with Vaughters and Person?

Told ya guys, Vaughters is beast. And Person is legit. A complete crew opens things up...

Willie got a ton of 1-on-1's. Normally he's double-teamed. He was ripping that RT a new one all night.

Willie showed us what he can do when he turns on "playoff mode". We all know Willie doesn't always turn it on. But he will when we need it. Still one of the best.

BTW, the PFF thing is completely nutso. This is a bigger deal than many realize. That record may go unbeaten for a decade.