Enlarge Image

Linebacker Henoc Muamba, a former No. 1 overall draft pick, is growing quickly into his role as Winnipeg's starting middle linebacker. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

Related Items

1. Articles

   • Hair-pulling perfectly legal
   • Big Blue will have one helluva punter

As Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Tim Burke reminded everyone Tuesday, it was only five weeks ago that people were questioning linebacker Henoc Muamba's future as a CFL regular.

No one is saying that anymore.

Muamba had the biggest game of his CFL career on Friday night in Winnipeg's 34-12 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Canad Inns Stadium.

To cap it off, the 23-year-old sophomore from St. Francis Xavier University was named the league's Canadian player of the week for his performance, the first player-of-the-week honour of his CFL career.

"He feels more confident so he's willing to cut loose now, 'I'm reading my key and now I'm just going to go make a play.' That's the level he's reached right now," said Burke, who worked closely with Muamba as the club's defensive co-ordinator before taking over as head coach on Aug. 25.

"After you've played for a while, the game starts to slow down. When you first get in there and you're a rookie, and I kind of consider Henoc a rookie because he missed a lot of last year (knee injury), things are moving so fast, especially when you're in the middle of the field."

After taking over the starting middle linebacker position during Week 8, Muamba finally owned his role in the game on Friday.

He had five defensive tackles, one pass knockdown and one sack. Muamba also forced one fumble, which gives him a league-leading five on the season.

When asked, Muamba admitted it was the best game of his career.

"It was a good time for me to have a good game while the team was having a good game so it was definitely up there," said Muamba, the Bombers' first overall pick in the 2011 CFL Draft. "With bigger guys, faster guys, for me anyway, it took me a little time to get comfortable and I feel like I'm getting to that level. Hopefully I continue to increase my abilities at this level."

Muamba missed the first seven games of the 2011 season due to a knee injury but came back strong. He finished last season second with 15 special teams tackles despite only playing in 11 games.

This season, he got his first start at middle linebacker on Aug. 16 and hasn't looked back.

His five forced fumbles are just one back of the club's single-season record of six held by former Blue Bomber Daved Benefield.

"You go for body, the ball, the hand, everything and you just hope that ball pops up," said Muamba, smiling. "It's just a matter of being aggressive, especially when you're coming from behind, attacking the player as well as the ball. It is a big emotional lift, confidence booster. A lot of times, momentum turns. Turnovers are a big part of this game and the more we have the better."

Muamba said the return of veteran quarterback and undisputed team leader Buck Pierce was a a big reason the Bombers had success all over the field.

"We (the defence) spent a lot of time on the bench because Buck and the offence did a good job holding the ball and giving us long breaks," said Muamba.

The Bombers had the ball for 37 minutes and 13 seconds in the game.

"That's definitely huge for us playing special teams and defence and saving some legs in the fourth quarter," he added. "You're able to react faster and play better."

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

today's bomber report C4

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 26, 2012 C1