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Blue Bombers bring on QB Bishop

By: Ed Tait

26/07/2009 1:44 PM | Comments: 34

Quarterback Michael Bishop throws a pass while playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in November 2008.

TROY FLEECE / THE CANADIAN PRESS Enlarge Image

Quarterback Michael Bishop throws a pass while playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in November 2008.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have recruited veteran Canadian Football League quarterback Michael Bishop to help breathe life into their comatose offence.

Bishop, the seven-year vet with both the Toronto and Saskatchewan, was to arrive Sunday and will be on the practice field Monday when the team returns to work following last Friday’s 19-5 loss to the Argos.

Bombers quarterback Stefan LeFors involuntarily lies down on the job after another play goes wrong in the battle against the Argos at Canad Inns Stadium on Friday.

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Bombers quarterback Stefan LeFors involuntarily lies down on the job after another play goes wrong in the battle against the Argos at Canad Inns Stadium on Friday. (JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

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The club won’t officially announce his addition until the contract is formally registered with the league, likely by Monday, and won’t confirm whether he will start next Saturday in Toronto until they determine how quickly he picks up their offensive gameplan.

A source told The Free Press the Bombers also considered former CFL Most Outstanding Player Casey Printers, currently unemployed, while the names Quinn Gray, Brian Johnson and Marcus Crandell also came up.

The Bombers opted to go with Bishop, 33, because of his 11-1 run as a starter for the Argos in 2007 and his ability to fit in well with teammates.

Printers has a notorious rep, rightly or not, of rubbing people the wrong way; Gray has a family and is considering playing in the new United Football League, as is Johnson. Crandell is now on the coaching staff of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Bishop has one of the strongest arms in pro football, but has bounced around from the Argos to Saskatchewan - he was traded their last year for a draft pick – because critics say he often forces passes. The former Kansas State star - who finished second in 1998 Heisman Trophy voting to Ricky Williams - spent time in the NFL and the Arena League and has a career touchdown-to-interception ratio in the CFL of 51-56.

He started eight games for Saskatchewan last year, going 4-4 and including back-to-back wins over the Bombers in September, but was released after throwing three interceptions in a playoff loss to the B.C. Lions and as the Rider made the commitment to go with Darian Durant.

The Bombers offensive performance in Friday’s loss was one of the worst in eons as the team managed just three points offensively, the other two came when the Argos conceded a safety, and included starting QB Stefan LeFors as well as back-ups Bryan Randall and Richie Williams combining to throw for just 66 yards.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca
 

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34 Commentscomment icon

to all you people on here who think that either dinwiddie or randall are capable of successfully playing in this league give your heads a real good shake. dinwiddie's arm was way too weak (kinda like someone we have now) and randall is incapable of making an intelligent onfield decision and is completely bamboozled when handed the ball. exactly which games have you all been watching? the only one on this team before bishop showed that was capable of playing qb is listed as third string (williams).that alone shows us what an astute judge of talent kelly is.

Nice to see that Mike Kelly has his tail between his legs after the dreadful performances of his savior from Edmonton, Stefan LeFors. LeFors should have been honest in his interview today with the media regarding the arrival of Bishop.....he should have said...."Yeah, I stunk and deserve to be riding the pine! I hope Michael Bishop can get a win for us, because I sure can't!" Now THAT would be honesty, but too much to ask for, I'm guessing!

Ohhh, and Mr. Kelly....you're obviously NOT that great in terms of judging talent since you decided to release the best QB you had in camp.....Ryan Dinwiddie! NICE JOB! Don't give Dinwiddie a chance....NO....replace him with an inept QB that rode the same horse with you to Winnipeg from Alberta. Give me a break!

I have a strong feeling you'll be riding a Harley out of town faster than you can say "Jeff Reinbold".......

Paper napkins or not.....I miss Brendan Taman! At least he knew talent.

I think, and hope that Bombers are on the right track now. They should have done this way prior to spring training. That is, an experienced QB (like Bishop) and one or two QBs to learn from him. Let the unseasoned guys learn from the vet. Maybe our Bishop can put a good word in to the Pope who could pass it onto his Boss for some help for the Bombers.

bjp1055@live.ca, according to the official game stats posted at CFL.ca, Barrin Simpson had 14 tackles and forced one fumble.

While reading the reports of the fiasco that took place on
Friday night Ed Tait mentioned that Simpson set a record for
tackles at 14 surpassing the previous high of 13. Then while
reading a different story it mentioned Simpson had 13 tackles
for the night. Can some one please set the record straight was
it 14 or 13 tackles. This type of reporting is almost as bad as
the Bombers play on offense.

I think this is a good move. Randall is toast. LeFors should be 3rd string. Bishop or Williams will be starting Friday.

Just wait until Asper takes over the ownership of the Blue Bombers, I'll be supporting the Green Riders.

The Bombers need to create the offensive scheme to fit Bishop not have Bishop learn a new system. He needs the shotgun, play actions and bootlegs to give receivers time to get 60yrds downfield. Plus the man can still run which we haven't had, like ever. Who was the Qb before Dieter Brock, could he run? I don't know, maybe someone older than 42 can answer that one.

I know Mike Kelly has not made many friends in Winnipeg this time around BUT he has built an incredible defence (best in the league in my opinion) and simply needs a QB who can generate a few 1st downs. Casey is my preference over Bishop, but Bishop can get the 1st downs - I would take the longshot bet on Winnipeg to win the Grey Cup now.

Lefors and Dinwiddie are from the same skillset - but Lefors is smarter. Lefors reads well - he just can't get the ball where he wants. Lefors will be a good backup like a Huffnagel of the 80's. The Bombers need a QB now to salvage this season, but also need a younger QB for the years to come with Lefors as the backup.

It is time for Kelly to hire an OC (I am available) - the play calls are quite poor - 1st down screens work in the first quarter in the playoffs but not week 4.
We could use a decent Cdn receiver (or 2) to get an extra Oline spot for an american. Reid is better than Charles Roberts (kudos to the dumb ex-coach) and gives hope if there is just a little more front push.

Advice to Bishop - use what you got - three great receivers and good legs - and a strong but erratic arm - stretch the field but take what they give you.

If this doesn't work out, Dunigan would love to play for Kelly one more season.

He'll start if he can learn the system???? How hard is it to learn a system that generates one first down and 30 yards of offence in a half?? If Bishop can't learn that system then I guess sledmaster's right...... :D

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