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Blue Bomber Report Record: 0–0–0
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
At the point of no return
Desperate Blue need something 'special' out of Thorpe
Craphonso Thorpe hopes he can provide the Blue some instant offence with his kick and punt returns, a craft he honed for several years in the NFL. (MIKE.APORIUS@FREEPRESS.MB.CA )
In stumbling to a 1-2 start, some of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' special teams haven't been so special.
Bomber coach Mike Kelly praised the kick-cover team, which has been stifling, but acknowledged that there's still work to go with the return team, which has been stuffed so far this season.
That's why this Friday against the Toronto Argonauts, the Bombers will be turning to Craphonso Thorpe, who returned six punts and 15 kickoffs for the Indianapolis Colts in 2007.
"Our coverage units have been very good. I think our return game needs to be addressed, and that's why Craphonso is in here," said Kelly.
Thorpe, 26, said that he feels at home on special teams, which could be a major boon for the Bombers.
"I'm pretty experienced at punt returning and kick returning. I've been doing it pretty much my whole life," said the Tallahassee, Fla., native. "I'm pretty comfortable back there."
Thorpe has his sights set not just on creating instant field position, but instant offence, which punt returners Arjei Franklin and James Johnson haven't done, combining for 77 yards on 13 returns.
"The ultimate goal of any kick returner is to return (for touchdowns), so clearly that's what I hope to accomplish," said Thorpe. "I can't say 'I' with my teammates. We hope to return kicks and hopefully we can do that."
Kelly said that Thorpe will see time at receiver on Friday, but it was his return ability that actually kept him out of Winnipeg until this season.
"He's another one of those Florida State athletes that can really run," said Kelly. "He was on the radar with (former general manager) Brendan Taman and (director of football operations) Ross Hodgkinson, and every time they'd try to go sign him, another NFL team swooped in because of his return ability. We were able to get him this time."
Aside from the Colts, Thorpe has been a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans, who released him on July 7.
"I'm here now, and I plan on staying here," said Thorpe. "I don't have any intent on going back over that way."
Kelly said that Thorpe is picking up the rules of the Canadian game, but still adjusting to some other differences.
"He's worried about the condition he's in, he's never run this much before," said Kelly. "You tell guys 'you have to get in NBA-type condition to play in the CFL game,' and most NFL guys think they're in pretty good shape till they get up here and get on this field and see how much they have to run."
daniel.falloon@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 22, 2009 D3
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