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Chad Simpson

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Brady Browne

WHY did Chad Simpson only get seven carries Friday night?

That was a real head-scratcher following the loss to the Alouettes, an obvious oversight by the coaching staff -- specifically head coach Paul LaPolice and offensive co-ordinator Gary Crowton -- given how effective the tailback was when his number was called.

Simpson had five carries for 57 yards in the first half. He only had two carries in the second half, finishing his night with 65 yards on the ground. He caught three balls for 40 yards, including a tough, 35-yard run that saw the 26-year-old break six tackles and give the Bombers offence life heading into the fourth quarter.

LaPolice explained Simpson's lack of involvement this way: The coaches were trying to get quarterback Alex Brink into a rhythm, which is difficult to do when the unit is two-and-out all the time. If they were able to extend more drives, Simpson, who LaPolice admitted "looked like our best football player" would have seen more action.

As for why backup running back Will Ford was in the game in the last five-six minutes, LaPolice said Simpson was banged up. The former NFL back has been dealing with a foot injury for most of the season.

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THE injury bug has taken another big bite out of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' depth.

Backup safety Brady Browne suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot and is done for the season, the club announced Saturday. The fourth-year Bomber went down on his own in the fourth quarter of the 36-26 loss to Montreal Friday night, as he attempted to change direction during a play. He was in obvious discomfort and could not put any weight on his foot as he was helped off the field.

Browne, the club's special teams captain, called the injury "bad" after the game.

It's the second Achilles injury Winnipeg has incurred this year (running back Chris Garrett tore his Achilles tendon prior to the season opener) and the second serious injury Browne has had to deal with in two seasons. The 29-year-old missed most of the 2011 campaign with a torn biceps muscle.

Winnipeg (1-5) started its bye-week break Saturday and won't see action again until Aug. 16, when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit Canad Inns Stadium.

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Speaking of safety, it sounds like Ian Logan will resume his position when the Bombers resume practice next weekend.

LaPolice suggested Friday night the club would get a "couple" of players back in the secondary, and educated guesses pointed to Logan and defensive back Alex Suber being the players in question.

Both have been dealing with lower body injuries the past few weeks.

Getting Logan back would be a huge boost for the defence, as Winnipeg looked very uncomfortable with rookie Dan West and cornerback Jovon Johnson filling in at safety when Browne went down Friday night.

Johnson admitted he blew the coverage on Jamel Richardson's 60-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter.

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As expected, linebacker Marcellus Bowman made an immediate impact in his return to the Winnipeg lineup Friday night. The Boston College product, who missed the first five games with a hamstring injury, had an active 2012 debut, making five defensive tackles and three more on special teams.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 5, 2012 B2