Enlarge Image

It’s official. Blue Bombers coach Mike Kelly (right) has announced that his starting quarterback for Saturday’s game in Toronto will be Michael Bishop. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

"I just hope our first pass is completed. I don't care how long it is. I just want it completed," said Kelly, when asked if he'll order newly appointed starting quarterback Michael Bishop to throw deep on his first play.

After watching his offence make just eight first downs in last week's 19-5 loss to the Toronto Argonauts and three different quarterbacks total for 66 yards passing, Kelly signed the veteran Bishop and installed him at practice as the No. 1 man. On Thursday, Kelly made it official.

"We're gonna go ahead and start Michael Bishop. We've got the jumper cables in our hands, we might as well use them," said Kelly. "Let's go ahead and get this going and put Michael out there and see what we can get accomplished."

Kelly has been smug at times about his knowledge of the offensive game but humility has been in the air all week.

"I'm excited to just move the football. I don't care if it's Ronald McDonald running the offence. I just want to move the ball downfield and I do feel Michael gives us the opportunity to provide a little different look. He's certainly going to put a threat on the defence," said the rookie head coach.

Bishop has seen just four days of practice with the Bombers offence but Kelly says he's picked up the system in quick fashion.

"We're probably going in with a package that has 30 less items in it. But the package is something that he's familiar with from his past experiences and he's executed it pretty well," said Kelly.

Bishop has seen time with the Argos and Saskatchewan Roughriders in his seven years in the CFL and has thrown for 51 touchdowns and 56 interceptions to this point.

"I'm ready for it. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play some football, to compete, to make some reads and complete some passes and score some points," said Bishop. "I've watched film and seen the mistakes that were made and this a great opportunity for us to bounce back."

Bishop was with the Argos until midway through last season when he was traded to the Riders after losing a power struggle with fellow QB Kerry Joseph. After starting 12 games in 2007 for Toronto and running up an 11-1 record, the Argos brought in Joseph and dealt Bishop after an ugly quarterback controversy.

"Toronto is Toronto. It is what it is. There's no grudge. Two or three years ago there might have been a grudge," said Bishop. "I'm bigger than that. I'm good with the situation and how it went down. The guys that made the decisions, they have to live with that."

Bombers receiver Terrence Edwards said Bishop changes the face of the team's offence.

"He brings some experience. He's a strong-armed quarterback and I think he's going to do a great job for us," said Edwards, before adding there is no time to quit on a passing route with Bishop doing the slinging. "There are no dummy routes. He'll throw it deep and that's something we like to do and it's something we haven't been able to do."

Don't expect a quick hook on Saturday as Kelly believes Bishop needs a chance to settle in.

"I'm a very patient person. He needs the opportunity to play and get back into game speed. I know there's going to be an adrenaline rush," stated Kelly. "Part of my job will be to keep him as even keeled as possible. I think it will come back to him quickly."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

today's bomber report c3

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 31, 2009 C1