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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
five burning questions
1. Buck's back, but can he post a 'W'?
Buck Pierce returns to the starting lineup and despite his solid stats -- he has the second-best QB rating to Montreal's Anthony Calvillo -- the most-important number is lacking. He is just 1-3 as the starter, ditto for Steven Jyles, and the Bombers need desperately their No. 1 gun to be a difference maker.
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2. Can Logan and Bowman be defensive anchors?
The Bombers will make four defensive changes: Ian Logan returns and takes over from Brady Browne at safety; promising newcomer Marcellus Bowman is back from a hand injury and will take turns again at weak-side linebacker; Brendan Hicks is out and will be replaced by Clint Kent at the strong-side linebacker spot with Brandon Stewart getting back into the starting lineup at halfback where Kent used to line up. That's a whole pile of shuffling. But Logan is an athletic safety who can make a difference in the secondary while Bowman is a violent hitter who can be an intimidator.
3. Is there a a cure for drops-itis?
And Adarius Bowman, this note's for you. He's a huge target with the physical skill set that has had coaches drooling since his days at Oklahoma State. But... size and speed matter not for a receiver if he can't secure the ball. Two potential TDs were dropped in the Bomber loss to Montreal and the big man has had eons to think about those gaffes through the bye week. Head coach Paul LaPolice said earlier this week Bowman has a lot of leeway with him, but that could be measured by quarters, not games.
4. Are LaBatte and Greaves ready to protect the blind side?
Big changes to the left side of the Bomber offensive line -- the gents who protect a right-handed quarterback's blind side -- with Brendon LaBatte moving from left guard to left tackle and rookie Chris Greaves sliding into the Labatte's old spot. Consider this: Sunday will be LaBatte's first start as a pro at tackle while Greaves, as impressive as he has been in limited action, was drafted by the Bombers in the sixth round this spring as a defensive tackle. Gulp.
5. Do Jovon, Palardy & Co. have some special-teams magic in them?
New kicker Justin Palardy -- subbing for the injured Louie Sakoda who was brought in to replace Alexis Serna -- has attempted just one field goal as a pro, and he nailed a 45 yarder in the loss to Montreal. If Palardy emerges as a solid contributor and return man Jovon Johnson can continue to get it done as a punt returner -- his two scores leads the CFL -- the Bomber special-teams unit that began the season falling on its mug could actually emerge as a force.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 5, 2010 A32
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