18°c A few clouds
Blue Bomber Report Record: 0–0–0
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Buck wants to come back
Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB Buck Pierce says he plans on being the starter for next season, but will do whatever it takes to make the Bombers a contender. (MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce says he still believes he gives the Bombers their best chance to win and would like another opportunity to prove it next season.
But Pierce said Sunday morning as he and his team cleaned out their lockers at Canad Inns Stadium that he will understand if the team decides to move ahead without him in 2013 after a disappointing season that saw Winnipeg’s No. 1 quarterback start and finish just two games in what finished with a win against Montreal on Saturday as a 6-12 season for the Bombers.
"My mindset is get healthy, come back and be the guy," Pierce told reporters. "That’s my mindset. (But) I understand the situation that they’re going to have to do something to add depth or something might happen. But my mindset is I want to play. I feel like I’m the best chance we got . I feel like when I’m healthy and out there playing, I’m as good as anybody.
"The organization knows what I can do and they know the type of person I am and the player I am when I’m healthy. And that’s the (frustrating) part for myself and the organization. Because they’re going to have to do something to either add depth or move on and go in a different direction...
"But I’m more confident than ever in my ability and what I can do and knowing that I can lead this team and get them back to a Grey Cup. That’s my ultimate focus and that’s where my mindset is now."
The quarterback situation will be the single biggest issue confronting the Bombers in the off-season after missing the playoffs for the third time in four years, but it will hardly be the only one.
The club has a total of 11 potential free agents this winter, including six starters on defence -- defensive linemen Fernand Kashama, Jason Vega and Bryant Turner, linebacker Marcellus Bowman, defensive back Jonathan Hefney and defensive back/linebacker Johnny Sears.
All six of those men said Sunday that they would like to return to play for the Bombers in 2013, but head coach Tim Burke said realistically that’s not likely to happen.
"I would think we would want to bring most of them back. But the likelihood of bringing everyone back is not a sure thing by any stretch of the imagination. There might be one or two slip away. But certainly we’re going to make an effort," said Burke.
The other potential Bombers free agents this winter are slotback Clarence Denmark, running backs Chris Garrett and Carl Volny, backup quarterback Justin Goltz and defensive back Deon Beasley.
Burke said he told his players during his closing address on Sunday that he felt like some of them showed up complacent to training camp in 2012 after a Grey Cup appearance in 2011 and warned against a repeat of that kind of attitude next year.
"I told them that we’re going to come back and we are going to start strong next year. We cannot come back with the same attitude we had this last year when we showed up for training camp. The players approached the season as if, ‘Well, this is just going to happen every year, we’re this good and we’re always going to go to the Grey Cup.’ It doesn’t work that way."
More Bomber Report
- Back to Top
- Return to Bomber Report
Poll
Most Popular Bomber Report
- Burke keeps mum on which starting jobs still to be won
- Burke reaches out to his veterans
- QB Goltz plays game of thrones
- Forewarned is forearmed, Blue fans
- Blue hope the future is now
- Hef will be Huf's SAM
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- Mack, Burke give each other room to do their jobs
- Garrett's fire still burning
- 5 storylines
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Bombers lose 24-6 to Argos in Investors Group Field debut
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- New era begins with errors
- Etienne grabs a clue
- QB Hall discovers three less than four
- Bombers receive no love from oddsmakers
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Burke cracks down after tempers flare at Bomber practice
- Hefney decision is mine: Burke
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- Bombers lose 24-6 to Argos in Investors Group Field debut
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- No Kumbaya at this camp
- Blue offence must make teams pay for blitzing Buck
- Forewarned is forearmed, Blue fans
- Hef will be Huf's SAM
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- New era begins with errors
- Burke picks up pieces of pre-season pummeling
- Critical numbers
- CFL tells Bombers to fix press box
- Big Blue 10-1 dogs to win Grey Cup
- 5 storylines
- Is Hefney worth the gamble?
- Brett Cameron among Bomber cuts
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers release Jonathan Hefney
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- The Burke identity
- Freight train at fullback
- Bombers admit a lot of work to do
- Bomber greats to adorn gates
- Don't count out former NFLer as QBs battle for backup position
- Not enough gates to honour Blue greats
- Bombers' Hefney charged with marijuana possession in S.C.
- New era begins with errors
- Burke picks up pieces of pre-season pummeling
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.