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Kito Poblah wants to grab top spot this year. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

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If you had to identify one or two standouts from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers workouts this past week, Kito Poblah and Cory Watson would be on the short list.

The Canadian receivers -- both expected to not only start but play key roles in Gary Crowton's new offence this summer -- had solid mini-camps. Poblah was especially dynamic, looking fast and furious.

Last year, the one where he only saw action in three regular-season games thanks to knee and shoulder injuries, was a write-off for the club's 2011 first round supplemental pick, but he's turned the page.

Or ripped it right out from the spine.

Actually, the 24-year-old is so deep into the book that not only is he ready to assume the production many around the club expect him to deliver this season, he's placing that same pressure on himself.

Poblah changed his number from No. 27 to No. 1 this spring.

He wants to be just that: The No. 1 receiving option.

"It's really nothing for me," he said of the expectations following the workout at Canad Inns Stadium Friday. "I felt like from Day 1, from last year when I first came (to the Bombers), I wanted to be that guy. It didn't matter if I was a rookie or a 10-year veteran -- I always wanted to be that guy.

"I want to be a guy who's able to help change a game."

Poblah finished with 10 catches for 99 yards in 2011. With Greg Carr gone to Edmonton, the Bombers hope he can multiply those figures by six, seven or eight this season.

LIGHT SPEED: The question to Watson went something like this: Have you lost weight?

It turns out teammates, coaches and fans have been wondering the same thing.

"Why is everyone saying that?" Watson fired back, feigning insult at the terrible suggestion that he looks to be in better shape. "I've been working on my conditioning more than anything else, as the new offensive system demands speed, but I haven't lost any weight. I'm still 205 pounds.

"Why does everyone keep asking me that?"

Quarterback Buck Pierce singled out the third-year receiver as the most impressive this past week. Pierce said Watson has really improved his route running, as well, finding better spacing away from others in various areas of the field.

Maybe it's because he's thinner?

ONE AND DONE: Jason Vega wasn't originally on the mini-camp roster. He was planning on just watching some film and taking it easy as the Bombers offence worked on a few things on the field.

The club had other ideas.

The defensive lineman was the only defensive lineman who participated at the camp, working one-on-one with new defensive line coach Will Plemons. Suddenly, Vega's week of rest quickly turned into a three-day marathon.

"Yeah, it's been pretty intense," he said. "You don't have the luxury of getting a little bit of rest with a couple more guys, but it's been important to learn as much as I can this week. I think it will be good for me in the big picture."

Vega laughed when asked if he's earned some points with Plemons and the defensive coaching staff, seeing as how he was the only defensive lineman available for work.

"It would be fair to say that," he laughed. "For me, the bottom line is that I'm just trying to get better. If I was going to be around, I might as well get some work in."

NOTES: Mini-camp came and went without an appearance by quarterback Joey Elliott. The club said he hurt a quad muscle Monday and that the injury wasn't related to the torn ACL he suffered last July... The Bombers made one move following mini-camp, releasing offensive lineman Will Henry. The Winnipeg product was signed earlier this week.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 28, 2012 C5