THE CANADIAN PRESS
WINNIPEG — Phillip Hunt and Odell Willis are making a name for themselves because of their explosive, relentless pursuit of quarterbacks.
But when it comes to nicknames, the second-year Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive ends already have some.
"He’s Lambo (for Lamborghini) and I’m Ferrari, because we keep that motor rolling, you know what I’m saying," Hunt explained after Wednesday’s practice.
"The fastest defensive ends you’re going to see in the CFL, as of right now," Willis added.
The pair is backing up their bravado on the field.
The six-foot-one, 248-pound Hunt is leading the CFL with nine quarterback sacks, two more than Montreal defensive end John Bowman.
Six-foot-two, 255-pound Willis has pulled down pivots five times this season, but it’s the pressure they bring that’s also wreaking havoc on offences.
In last week’s 31-2 win over Saskatchewan, Willis tripped up Riders running back Wes Cates, causing him to be short on a third-down gamble.
The victory snapped Winnipeg’s five-game losing streak and has the team (3-7) on a high heading into Toronto for Sunday’s match (1 p.m. ET).
Toronto (5-5) is on a three-game losing streak and has given up 13 sacks during the skid, including six in last week’s loss to B.C.
Does that have Lambo and Ferrari salivating?
"We just want to come and play with a higher intensity and more motivation than they do," Willis said.
"I feel like we’re the best and we’re going to continue to be the best. That’s not being cocky, that’s not being arrogant. It’s just the confidence and the determination we have going into every game."
Willis was acquired in a trade with Calgary last September and recorded 10 sacks in 16 games. The 25-year-old grew up in Alabama and attended the University of West Georgia.
Hunt played at the University of Houston and was named All-Conference USA defensive player of the year in his senior year (2008). Undrafted, he attended the Cleveland Browns training camp before signing as a free agent with Winnipeg last year.
The duo is even competitive against each other in practice and games.
"I look at him and see how fast his motor is rolling and that gives me more wanting to play harder, so we play off each other," Hunt, 24, said.
But they don’t have any wager on their final season stats.
"It’s just the spirit and the love of the game," Willis said.
"We come into every game to compete, regardless of whether it’s sacking quarterbacks, tackles for losses. We just want to cause hell every time we step on the field."
Bombers defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed knows he’s got two gems on his hands.
"Even in training camp, we expected great things from them," Reed said.
"It’s just a wonderful thing that they’re constantly learning, they’re eager, they’re still hungry and they’re playing with enthusiasm and having a lot of fun out there."
He believes their potential is unlimited if they continue to stay humble and hungry.
"I always use the analogy, when a heavyweight fighter becomes civilized that’s when his career ends," Reed said.
"I hope they remain, quote, unquote, uncivilized."
Winnipeg head coach Paul LaPolice has praised his rush ends and even likened their potential to CFL greats such as former Hamilton ends Joe Montford and Tim Cheatwood.
Bombers defensive tackle Doug Brown describes Hunt and Willis as "tenacious."
"They have great passion for their position and their job and their responsibilities," the 10-year veteran said.
"Throw in the fact that they’re both extremely hyperactive, I think it bodes well for them on the field of play."
So are they the best defensive ends in the league right now?
"They’re definitely up there as a package," Brown said.
"I can’t really think of any other pairing of defensive ends in the league I’d rather have right now on our team than those two."
Hunt and Willis know it takes hard work to excel and it’s a trait they each learned from their mothers.
Willis was four when his father died from a massive heart attack in his mid-30s. His mother developed multiple sclerosis more than 10 years ago and raised he and his brother and two sisters through her teaching job.
She had to retire early and now uses a walker or wheelchair.
"As you go through life, a lot of the things she did you can relate to the football field — like her will and her fight and her everyday struggle with MS," Willis said.
"With us being 2-7, we could have easily laid down, but we kept fighting and you see what we came out and did — we beat the crap out of Saskatchewan."
Hunt grew up in the inner city of Fort Worth, Tex. He and his brother and sister were raised by their mother.
"Every day, she has to do her work as a beautician and then she has to take care of business family-wise and pay bills, take kids to school," said Hunt, who has a degree in kinesiology.
"I just look at her as a hard-worker. She could have easily gave up on us a long time ago, but she stuck in there and I want to make her proud."
Notes : Bomber assistant GM Ross Hodgkinson said Wednesday he’s still waiting to hear from free agent running back Jesse Lumsden … Kicker Louie Sakoda, who pulled a calf muscle in the pre-game warmup before his first game with Winnipeg last month, was back kicking at practice.
