YES, Buck Pierce spoke too soon regarding his injury timeline.

The Bombers quarterback made a faux pas when he gave himself the green light earlier this month. The veteran starter, who suffered a left-foot injury July 13, told reporters and his radio show he would be ready to return to the field before September. Well, here we are, less than a week before the calendar flips and he won't play this weekend.

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Buck Pierce

"There's been no setback. It's just doctor's orders and wanting to be cautious with me at this point, and make sure I don't go out there and be hard-headed like I have been in the past."

Pierce was apologetic for his initial diagnosis.

"It's a pretty significant injury," he said. "I'm an optimistic guy. I wanted to get (back) out there and I felt like I could... probably not the smartest decision."

HELP WANTED: Right now, it doesn't look like the Bombers will bring in another coach.

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Paul LaPolice

That's the impression Burke left Tuesday, anyway. The football club is down a coach now that Paul LaPolice is gone and Burke is holding both the defensive co-ordinator and head coach titles, but will make due until a name comes up they feel can help the current mix.

"We're looking at that, but we can get by with the way we are," said Burke, who's asked defensive coaches Will Plemons and Chip Garber to provide a list of names.

Don't hold your breath, though, as the Bombers are finding it difficult to find a coach in the middle of the season (or on the eve of both the NCAA and NFL campaigns). Burke did confirm he considered Joe Lobendahn as a coach, but the former Winnipeg linebacker (who was released by the team in the off-season) signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders this week.

Burke said he's looking for a quality control type of coach to pick up some extra duties on defence.

QUOTE: Receiver Terrence Edwards was asked what he thought of GM Joe Mack's decision to fire LaPolice, and as expected, he holds enough veteran savvy to know what his role is in the club dynamic:

"Do I agree with everything that's been done? No, I don't. But it's not my job to question Mr. Mack; it's not my job to question the things coach LaPo did; it's not my job to question. My job is to make plays when the opportunity presents itself, be a leader, and help my team win."

INJURY WATCH: Defensive back Jovon Johnson (tailbone) and defensive lineman Bryant Turner (leg) sat out Tuesday's practice, but both are expected to be fine. "(Turner) is just going to take a couple Vega days off," Burke said, taking a little dig at defensive lineman Jason Vega's propensity to take a rest day or two during the week.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny

King Burke

Tim Burke was asked if he has to change anything, now that he's adding the interim head coaching title to his defensive co-ordinator responsibilities: "I was planning on getting a crown and a sceptre, but no," he joked. Interestingly, Burke added he won't be moving into LaPolice's old office.

Clock talk

Burke said he'll be working on game-clock management, a tutorial he hopes will bring him up to speed. He also plans on asking a few veterans for advice during the game, as well. Which veterans? "I'd rather not say right now. I don't want to throw them under the bus if I make a screwed-up decision," he laughed.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 29, 2012 C3