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He'll only play one quarter tonight but the pressure will be on quarterback Stefan LeFors, the man projected to be the Blue Bombers' starter. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

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Lavarus Giles might just give incumbents Fred Reid and Joe Smith a run at RB. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Sometimes a fresh perspective can be a powerful motivator for an athlete. As proof we give you Ronyell Whitaker, one of 60-plus players who will pull on Winnipeg Blue Bomber colours tonight in a desperate quest to put down football roots.

"When is the last time I played in a real game?" began Whitaker, repeating the question. "It's been about a year and 18 days... but it's not that I'm keeping track or it's been like a prison sentence or anything."

And with that the 30-year-old Virginia Tech product grinned, the kind of smile that provided a perfect glimpse at his state of mind. Whitaker, you must understand, now knows what it's like to have something he adored suddenly taken away, after failing to land work as a defensive back with the Detroit Lions last season.

So when the Bombers called last month about one more shot at keeping his dream alive, Whitaker felt both rejuvenated and reborn.

That said, he's also fully aware that today's preseason tilt against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats could be a stepping stone or the end of the line.

"It's funny... I hear a lot of guys talking about how tired they are," said Whitaker. "I tell them, 'Believe me, you're not going to be tired when you're sitting at home.' It's just going to feel real good to get out there with the live bullets and fly around.

"I'm READY. I just want to go out there and be assignment-perfect. What you have to do is come out and do the things the coaches have prepared you to do and play like your hair's on fire."

Here are 10 would-be Bombers, including Whitaker, we think will play like their 'hair's on fire' against the Ticats:

No. 17 Stefan LeFors, QB

He hasn't been officially anointed the starter -- yet -- but the Bombers need him to look sharp and move the offence as he takes the first snap from centre. Next week's final dress rehearsal in Montreal will be about fine-tuning and implementing more of the offensive playbook, but this one is all about showing Kelly -- and a championship-hungry fan base -- that he's the answer at the most critical spot on the depth chart.

No. 23 Ronyell Whitaker, CB

Jobs are there for the taking in the secondary. And Whitaker, a former NFLer with Tampa Bay and Minnesota, is a leading contender to grab one of the two corner spots.

No. 9 Mike Renaud, P

What would a Bomber training camp be like without some sort of kicking soap opera as a subplot? Renaud arrived on the weekend and if he can handle the Prairie wind and punt consistently, it would allow Alexis Serna or Dan Giancola to concentrate solely on putting kicks through the sticks.

No. 45 Jonathan Hefney, LB

Hefney, converted from corner/safety, hasn't just been impressive, he's said to have been so good thus far in camp he is pushing veteran Ike Charlton at the outside linebacker spot.

No. 40 Lavarus Giles, RB

Joe Smith is nursing a sore calf while Fred Reid has tender ribs after taking a shot in the Blue-Gold scrimmage. It's unlikely those two are going anywhere, but Giles -- and Oregon State product Yvenson Bernard (35) -- have shown some flashes in camp.

No. 31 Ian Logan, S

If he can stay healthy, if he can continue to learn the game and if the coaching staff is patient, Logan could be the starting safety for a long spell. But those are some pretty significant 'ifs' -- especially with so much import talent at defensive back and a roster flexibility that could allow the Bombers go with an American at the spot if Logan doesn't stake a claim to the job.

No. 62 Steve Morley, LT

All that upside and potential may finally be coming together for Morley. The former first-overall draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders has been coming on in camp. He's now working with the No. 1 O-line at left tackle and -- if he can get his game back -- could very well be the Bombers' most important free-agent acquisition.

No. 26 Darrius Battles, DB

We loved his game early in rookie camp and then he got nicked up and is just now getting back on the field. He's just 24 and has huge upside.

No. 37 Ramonce Taylor, WR/KR

The Bombers are raving about his pure athleticism. He's working on a bum ankle right now and is likely a game-time decision. If he does play, he's a treat to watch.

No. 92 Montez Murphy, DL

The former Eskimo has showcased the kind of versatility -- he can play both tackle and end -- that coaches love. He started 12 games for the Esks last year, picking up three sacks.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 17, 2009 C1