THE CANADIAN PRESS
CFL.ca Staff
With files from BlueBombers.com
WINNIPEG — Drew Willy and Clarence Denmark emerged as one of the CFL’s top quarterback-receiver duos this season, and on Thursday the first accolade rolled in.
Fourth-year receiver Denmark was one of 26 players named to the 2014 CFL All-Star team this week, after finishing second in the league with 1,080 receiving yards this season.
The 29-year-old was the go-to receiver for quarterback Drew Willy, and was one of just three receivers all season to finish with 1,000 or more receiving yards.
“It’s great,” said Denmark, spending his off-season at home in Jacksonville, Fla. “It’s always good to be recognized for the hard work you put in. It’s a great feeling.”
Denmark has improved statistically in almost every season in the league, this year earning the nod alongside Adarius Bowman, Duron Carter and Chad Owens.
“Those are some guys that when I came in the league, they were the guys I looked at and watched on film,” he said. “It’s an honour.”
Willy and Denmark were able to develop a high level of comfort from the outset, especially while Nick Moore was forced to miss time due to injury. That was especially important for Willy, playing with a brand new team and starting for the first time.
“He’s just dependable. He’s got all the skill-set you want in a receiver,” said Willy of his team’s leading receiver. “His run after the catch is always impressive for us as an offence.”
“He just really understands the scheme,” he continued. “He knows when I need to get the ball out of my hands.”
“He’s the total package receiver that you want, and we look forward to building our relationship this upcoming year.”
Even more will be expected next season from this duo, which helped the Bombers to a 5-1 start in 2014 out of the gate. With Willy starting in the league for the first time and Denmark coming into his own as a number one option, together they made strides this season.
But despite Denmark’s benchmark and Willy finishing third in the league in passing, the Bomber offence tailed off after that. The team lost 10 of its last 12 games, ending the season in disappointment without a playoff spot.
This off-season, Willy has already started working out while Denmark will soon follow suit, as the two will aim for an even better performance a year from now – not just statistically but in the win-loss column.
“I’m always talking to Clarence about what he does to stay healthy,” joked Willy, who missed only one start all season.
“I stayed pretty healthy in the beginning of the year and then I was kind of banged up in the end,” he continued. “I’m really putting everything I can in this off-season to make it a special 2015 for us.”
As the Bomber offence takes a step forward in a crucial second season under Head Coach Mike O’Shea, expect Willy and Denmark to continue their emergence as one of the league’s great duos.
