WINNIPEG — It was like two peas in pod. And Jonathon Jennings received a pretty good taste of how exciting his new teammate Odell Willis is going to be.

As the two were going through various media obligations and TSN power pose shoots at Mark’s CFL Week in Winnipeg, the Leos’ pivot couldn’t help but think how much more upbeat the practices are going to be starting in Kamloops, B.C. in late May.

“Yeah, he and Manny Arceneaux on opposite sides, that should be fun,” laughed the 26-year old quarterback.

“It’s really cool to see and it’s good to have a teammate like Odell; someone who brings that ‘rah-rah’ mentality to your team and he’s going to bring excitement to the defence. It’s fun to be around him. He’s just an exciting character.”

Willis, of course, represents just one of many changes after the squad took a step backwards in 2017. Jennings has had a few lengthy conversations with GM Ed Hervey and has liked what the new boss has been preaching.

“I like the way he’s doing things. He’s a real straightforward guy who is going to tell you how he feels,” said Jennings.

“He has a vision of us being successful, doing things the right way and building our core group of guys. He’s doing his best to put the pieces in place and I’m excited about that. He’s really confident in me, he’s confident in our team and what we can do and I’m excited to work with him.”

The change that will impact him the most on a day-to-day basis are the additions of new offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson and receivers coach/pass game coordinator Markus Howell. Under their guidance, the Saskatchewan Roughriders led the CFL in passing last season. Jennings can’t wait to team up with the ‘other’ JJ.

“We’ve had some conversations and it’s all been positive,” explained Jennings.

“I’ve heard a lot about him through Travis and other guys who have played for him. He has talked about structure and how he wants to build things up. Change sometimes is a good thing. Sometimes you need a clean slate. I’m excited to get into the film room with Jarious and get to work.”

Now healed, the injured shoulder Jennings suffered in a memorable week three victory in Hamilton last season played a big role in what transpired the rest of the way. It was not the end result many had envisioned after everything seemed to go right in Jennings’ first full season as a starter where he joined Doug Flutie, Casey Printers and Dave Dickenson as the only quarterbacks in franchise history to pass for over 5,000 yards in a single season.

Players approach these setbacks in different ways. Jennings is of the mind you can’t simply just forget it.

“You use it as motivation,” said Jennings. “There was one other time in my football career when I was on a sub .500 team and that next year we came out with a bang because we felt we had to turn it around.

“I’m doing everything in my power to flip that around and I’m sure most of my teammates are doing the same. It’s not fun to lose and we obviously don’t want that. It’s about getting back to the football we know we can play: winning football.”

Although focused on that goal of bouncing back, the quarterback feels events like this in Winnipeg provide a nice escape from the daily offseason grind. It also serves as a reminder that although ferocious competitors on the field, CFL players hold a certain special bond with one another that maybe isn’t as common in other professional leagues.

“It’s been a good time. It’s good to see other players and really become acquainted with them on a deeper level. Talking to media is a big obligation but getting to sit down with other superstars and pick their brain is always a good thing.”

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com