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Deon Beasley

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Glenn January

-- THE daily Blue Bombers health watch has switched from Buck Pierce to Glenn January (below) -- which, if you consider the new subject matter, is good news for Pierce.

January, the veteran left tackle, was a full participant in practice Tuesday and looks to be close to returning to the Bombers lineup when they take on the Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium Friday night. The 29-year-old has been dealing with a leg issue and while he wasn't available to speak with the media Tuesday (the club announced he had "an appointment" minutes before practice ended), his head coach was optimistic January would be good to go against the Als.

"It's always good to get experienced guys back," Paul LaPolice said when asked what kind of difference a six-year CFL veteran like January could make. "If we can't, it's our job to find a way without him, but it would be good to have him back."

If January is OK, rookie Jordan Taormina would slide over to the other side of the line and fill the void left by right tackle Andre Douglas, out with a hip injury.

As for Pierce, he showed no mobility issues at practice Tuesday, after suffering a right-knee injury that chased him from the B.C. game in the first half. He'll get the start in Montreal.

-- Part of the January return and the expectation that goes along with it falls to Gary Crowton's department, where the first-year CFL offensive co-ordinator is still trying to piece together what happened in Vancouver.

Winnipeg's offence had 204 total yards against the Lions. Subtract the late touchdown drive (79 yards) during garbage time when the B.C. defenders were on auto-pilot, and the Bombers could only muster 125 yards of offence.

If that wasn't bad enough, check out the run-game figures: 12 carries for 72 yards. Included in that number was Brandon Stewart's 26-yard scamper on a fake punt. Meanwhile, running back Bloi-Dei Dorzon had five touches for four yards, a 0.8 yards per carry average. Yeesh.

After looking at the tape, Crowton had this to say about what the Bombers need to do against the Alouettes:

"We never got into a real rhythm. And I've learned fast in this league that if you get two-and-out, two-and-out and two-and-out, you're not going to get into a rhythm. What we have to do is be better on first down, we have to force ourselves to get into a rhythm, get a few first downs under our belt and get come confidence... once we do that, then we'll be able to use all the plays that are in the bag."

TICKETS, TICKETS

Individual game tickets for the final five regular season home dates are on sale this morning. Tickets for the first four games were already on sale. The club also put out word that over 25,000 tickets have been sold for the 2012 home opener July 26 against Edmonton. Reminder: all games are at Canad Inns Stadium.

Beasley close

With his hip feeling a little better, defensive back Deon Beasley was back practising Tuesday. If he gets the green light for Montreal, he may still not get into the lineup, head coach Paul LaPolice suggested. Meanwhile, Jason Vega (undisclosed) was also on the field Tuesday; fellow defensive end Kenny Mainor (ankle) was not.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 4, 2012 D3