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WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Gary Crowton

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ONE has to hand it to Gary Crowton: He isn't shying away from the expectations on him for the 2012 season.

Crowton, 54, was introduced with the rest of the Bombers coaching staff Tuesday and naturally, given his impressive offensive credentials in the U.S. College game and the circumstances surrounding his arrival to Winnipeg, his presence garnered most of the attention.

The new offensive co-ordinator has been hard at work the last seven weeks, breaking down CFL film and boning up on Canadian-style offences to bring his mind up to speed on the three-down game.

Football is football, right? Not exactly. Not when you have one less down to play with, a wider field, an extra player, receivers in motion, and a bunch of concepts you're trying to integrate with the current offensive system to ensure a seamless transition for all involved.

The clock is ticking on this homework assignment. He has to absorb all that and then repair a Bombers offence that struggled to find its rhythm for most of the second half of the schedule last year and that took most of the blame for the disappointing ending to the 99th Grey Cup.

Crowton knows he was brought in to fix the Blue Bombers offence and anything short of that will be seen as a disappointment.

"I feel like that's why they hired me," the veteran coach said. "You always feel pressure in this game because you're such a competitor or you wouldn't be in it. I've been in it a long time, which I'm hoping that shows that I've been able to handle a lot of the pressures throughout all the leagues that I've been in. I know they did some very good things on offence at times last year."

Other points of interest involving the new Bombers O.C.:

-- Crowton expects to call the plays. Period. End of discussion. "The transition that I've made, coming from the States into the Canadian Football League, it's been a good transition. Of course, I'll be always looking for input from (head coach Paul LaPolice) because he's been successful in the league in doing that."

-- Crowton has chatted with quarterback Buck Pierce a few times, but is leery of dumping too much of the new playbook on No. 4. "I didn't want to give it to him too fast, because I don't want to all of a sudden (say), 'No, I've changed that.' I'm still putting this thing together with coach LaPolice. So it's a situation where I've had a chance to see him a little bit, but between now and (spring) camp I'll probably see him a lot more."

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

TEACHER'S LOUNGE

A quick glance at head coach Paul LaPolice's coaching staff heading into the 2012 season:

Gary Crowton, offensive co-ordinator: Entering his 31st year as a football coach; coached in high-profile college programs like Oregon, LSU and BYU.

Tim Burke, defensive co-ordinator/defensive backs: Joined the Blue and Gold before the 2011 season; built the defence into one of the best units in the CFL last year.

Pat DelMonaco, offensive line: Part of the original staff that LaPolice started with in 2010; well respected by players and coaches.

Markus Howell, receivers: The former CFL pass catcher moves to the offence after serving as the defensive assistant/linebackers coach last season.

Will Plemons, defensive line: First season in the CFL. Comes to Winnipeg via the Fresno State program.

Chip Garber, linebackers: Fired as the Toronto D.C. last season; decades of experience on the defensive side of the ball.

Kyle Walters, special teams/running backs: Entering his third season with the Bombers, his unit turned things around in 2011.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 21, 2012 C4