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Bishop to start, but Bramlet will be ready

Kelly cites game experience as key factor in decision

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 09/16/2009 1:57 PM | Comments: 0 (including replies) | Last Modified: 09/16/2009 1:58 PM | Updates

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New pivot Casey Bramlet (left) chats with starter Michael Bishop. (JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA )

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WINNIPEG - Winnipeg Blue Bomber head coach Mike Kelly has taken all of the mystery out of the juiciest story in Bomberland this week -- veteran Michael Bishop remains the team’s starting quarterback.

Bishop and newcomer Casey Bramlet shared reps with the No. 1 offensive unit today but Kelly has declared the vet will take the first snap against the Montreal Alouettes this Sunday at Molson Stadium.

"We’re going to start Mike Bishop," said Kelly at his daily media scrum. "Going into that atmosphere, that venue, I think we need somebody who has experience going in there. But Casey got equal snaps today as you all saw and we’ll get him out on the field and see what he can do."

Bishop is now 2-4 as a starter for the Bombers, but has thrown just three touchdowns against nine interceptions this year and has the lowest QB-efficiency rating (55.7) among starting CFL pivots. Bramlet, who bounced around the NFL and NFL Europa, arrived just last Wednesday and has had just three full practices working with a new offence in a new game.

But Kelly did say he will see action against the Als.
"He was in here yesterday getting some extra preparation and we gave him equal snaps with Michael today," said Kelly. "So, we’ll get him out there and see what we have."

Meanwhile, linebacker Barrin Simpson was on the sidelines although not participating at practice. His grievance with the CFL claiming he did not sign the waiver placing him on the nine-game injured list had yet to be ruled on but, in an odd twist, Kelly said the Bombers asked Simpson if he would suit up for this weekend’s game and he refused.

"We asked him, ‘Do you want to play?’ and he said no," said Kelly. "He’s not suspended, we haven’t kicked him off of anything but we would like him to be mentally prepared if he so chooses that he wants to come back and play that he’s in tune to what we’re trying to do defensively.

"It’s one of those things where we’ll just play it out and not get too crazy about it."

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

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Updated on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 1:58 PM CDT: Adds starting quarterback named, quotes from coach Kelly

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