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It may be just the first of 18 games, but some members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are putting extra emphasis on the team’s season-opener in B.C. on Saturday.

Prized free-agent acquisition Willie Jefferson says it’s a chance to show the CFL what his new team is going to be all about in 2019.

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“This is a definition game,” the defensive end said after the Bombers put a wrap on their prep with a closed practice Thursday. “We just want to come out and get that first punch. First impressions, man, they last a long time. We want to come out and show ’em the Blue Bombers haven’t been sleeping this whole off-season.

“We want to come out and show that this is the year for the Blue Bombers.”

Adding Jefferson from the rival Saskatchewan Roughriders is one of the high-profile upgrades the Bombers made in the off-season.

Receiver Chris Matthews was another.

That has helped make Winnipeg a sexy pick for prognosticators.