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Blue Bomber Report Record: 6–12–0
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Reid's run is all done
Bombers release veteran tailback
RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will start the 2012 season without veteran running back Fred Reid.
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A year removed from winning the CFL rushing title, running back Fred Reid is looking for work.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released the import running back Monday, a move that came as little surprise given the recent injury history of the fifth-year back. Reid went down in a game against the Toronto Argonauts last September, tearing the ACL in his right knee, and with his 30th birthday less than three weeks away, the Bombers figured they had to protect themselves financially.
If Reid came to training camp and got hurt again, his salary would be on the books for the 2012 year. Reid signed a contract extension with the team before the 2011 season.
"As always in this business, these types of decisions are hard ones to make. However, for a variety of reasons, we feel comfortable going in a different direction at this time and are confident this move is in the best interest of the football club," Bombers GM Joe Mack said in a statement.
Messages sent by the Free Press to Reid were not returned.
The move to cut Reid loose leaves the Bombers with five running backs on the roster, though none of them have what you would call significant CFL experience. Import Chris Garrett, who had 689 yards on 111 carries in less than a season of work, remains slotted in as the starter.
Garrett (@TheChrisGarrett) took to Twitter Monday to express his appreciation for what the former CFL all-star meant for his own Canadian football acclimatization:
"Thankful to have learned from Fred, he's a great pro, even better person," Garrett tweeted. "Wishing him the very best in what life has to offer him! GodBless!"
Garrett will be joined by a group that includes non-import Carl Volny (who is coming off a serious knee injury of his own), practice roster hopeful Bloi-Dei Dorzon, rookie Canadian Anthony Woodson, non-import Nick FitzGibbon and veteran Chad Simpson.
The mystery man on this list is Simpson, who spent most of his three-year career bouncing in and out of NFL lineups. The Bombers are hoping he can challenge Garrett for the No. 1 job this season.
Reid led the CFL in rushing in 2010, running for 1,396 yards and six touchdowns, but did not enjoy the same success in 2011. He struggled to find holes, running for just 759 yards on 181 carries, and his yards-per-carry (4.2 yards) was more than two yards less than his average touch during the 2010 season.
The Mississippi State-product rushed for 4,505 yards and 22 touchdowns with the Bombers, taking over full-time duties in the Bombers backfield at the tail end of the 2008 campaign.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 28, 2012 D6
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