13°c A few clouds
19°c Variable cloudiness
Blue Bomber Report Record: 6–12–0
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Muamba likely to anchor Bombers' defence Thursday
Henoc Muamba
It looks like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will try a fresh face in the middle of the defence Thursday night.
Second-year linebacker Henoc Muamba has been getting most the reps at the middle linebacker spot in practice this week, a good indication that he will draw the starting assignment when the last-place Bombers (1-5) host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-3) at Canad Inns Stadium (7 p.m.).
Muamba would move ahead over veteran Pierre-Luc Labbe on the depth chart. Labbe has seen most of the minutes at middle linebacker since the start of the season, but with the quick and highly explosive Ticats offence coming to town, the club appears ready to make a change.
"He’s a good athlete," head coach Paul LaPolice said of Muamba after practice Monday. "He’ll have good opportunities to make a play on that tailback, because that tailback is fast. They’re a fast football team."
LaPolice said the club hasn’t made an official decision on the middle linebacker position, but did say there’s a "good chance" Muamba – the top pick in the 2011 draft – will get the call.
As for the rest of the linebacker group will remain status quo.
Marcellus Bowman will occupy one of the spots, with Jonathan Hefney filling in on the other side. Starter Brandon Stewart will miss his fourth straight game with a leg injury. Stewart is hopeful he can return next week.
Other Bombers news from practice Monday:
- Quarterback Buck Pierce was not on the field, a bit of a surprise considering the strides he’s made with his foot injury the last two weeks. The club said he underwent treatment in the morning and was going to be too sore to participate in the two-hour session.
- Jordan Taormina, and not Shannon Boatman, was back with the No. 1 offence at the right tackle position. LaPolice downplayed the sighting by reporters, suggesting the two are simply in a rotation.
- The club welcomed back running back Chad Simpson to the practice field once again. Simpson, who hasn't practised much as he continues to get back from a foot injury, stands to do well against the Hamilton defence: The Tabbies are averaging a league-worst 145 rushing yards against per game this season.
More Bomber Report
- Back to Top
- Return to Bomber Report
-oct24.jpg)
Poll
Most Popular Bomber Report
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Bombers cut Green, Yenga, Matechuk
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Goodbye phone call upended QB's plans
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Bombers training camp opens June 2
- Man with no plan tries again
- Buck's No. 1, aims to prove durability
- Blue sign draft picks Fitzgerald, Pavlopoulos
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Big Blue will have one helluva punter
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Bombers cut Green, Yenga, Matechuk
- Bombers training camp opens June 2
- Blue sign draft picks Fitzgerald, Pavlopoulos
- Goodbye phone call upended QB's plans
- CFL gains when draft picks go south
- Man with no plan tries again
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- Bomber boozers will change or they 'won't be here': GM Mack
- Hall turning heads at Bomber mini-camp
- Bombers are watching you
- CFL draft pick Mulumba would be proud to be a Bomber
- Bomber security to wave wands this season
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Bomber GM silent on Tebow's CFL prospects
- Packers prospect a risky pick
- Hall makes good first impression
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Argos release ex-Bomber Brink
- Bombers detail parking plan for new stadium
- Buck 'goes long' for Winnipeg
- Bombers tackle parking issue
- Game ball to tour communities before grand opening of new Bomber stadium
- Hall, Clement go to school
- Blue Bombers board of directors accepting nominations
- Bomber security to wave wands this season
- Bombers handing off opening-day ball to fans
- New Blue stadium lives up to the hype; now it's up to you
- Bombers GM agrees with coach: players need to act like pros
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 register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The 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.