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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Ground control key to attack

Blue want backs Reid, Bernard to see ball more against Stampeders

By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 08/7/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Fred Reid, who ran for only 26 yards against Toronto last week, is looking forward to having more involvement in the offensive game plan against Calgary. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES)

Balance is something we all pursue in our lives. A little broccoli, a little chocolate. A few circuits with the lawn mower countered with a siesta in the hammock. Or, in the case of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the run and the pass.

In last week's 13-12 win over the Toronto Argonauts, the Bombers relied heavily on the pass and limited running back Fred Reid's opportunities on the rush. Reid, perhaps Winnipeg's most electric offensive player, had just eight carries for 26 yards in the victory.

After watching the offence stagnate for a couple of weeks in a row, the Bombers brought in quarterback Michael Bishop and went heavy with the pass, throwing 30 times against just 13 rushes. While it paid off with a win over the Argos, relying entirely on the aerial attack just won't work over the long term, so finding a way to mix the two methods of moving the ball is paramount.

"We're going to get back at running the ball this week. Last week we wanted to get (QB) Michael Bishop comfortable with everything and let him get the ball down the field so we can have two threats," said Reid, who sits sixth in league rushing with 319 yards on 62 carries. "We've been working on it in practice this week and hopefully we can get it going it again."

Reid doesn't like sitting middle-of-the-pack in rushing.

"I'm looking to be at the top of the league. I'm not happy with where I'm at right now," said the fourth-year Blue Bomber. "I want a good outing this Saturday in Calgary. My goal coming into the season was to lead the league. I know I can blow everything open. That's what I'm looking for."

Coach Mike Kelly says he'll look to have Reid more involved against the Stampeders.

"I thought we had a pretty good mix the first couple of weeks and I liked the balance of our pass-to-run ratio. I think against Hamilton we ran the ball more than we threw it and I don't want to see that," said Kelly. "I'd prefer us to be about 60 per cent pass and 40 per cent run. I think you have to be that to be successful in this league. Some teams might find that a little run high, but when the weather changes in Winnipeg I feel it's key to be able to run the ball."

Kelly considers Reid a weapon that needs to be utilized.

"I think he's a dynamic player and he was proving that earlier in the season," said Kelly. "He needs to have the ball in his hands. He needs the ball 20 times a game, somehow, someway. Whether it's 13 runs and seven passes or vice-versa, I'd like him to touch it 20 times a game and that's when I'll know we'll be in control of games."

The Bombers have also used Yvenson Bernard in the backfield this week in practice and the club would like to get him the ball as well.

"We've been doing some stuff with both of us in the backfield and me in motion or Yvenson in motion," said Reid. "It's good to have change of pace. If we can get both guys going, that'd be great."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 7, 2009 C3

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