O-line gets the message

Enlarge Image

Waterboy Justin Rabb hangs out with the offensive line (from left) Glenn January, Brendon LaBatte, Obby Khan and Kelly Bates at practice. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

A week ago, Mike Kelly targeted a pair of his veteran offensive linemen and in very plain language threatened their livelihood. This week, all is good in the big-guy 'hood.

"They responded very well. The old two-by-four to the mule sometimes works. Those two guys will love that line. They're media darlings," laughed Kelly, after being asked about the play of centre Obby Khan and guard Kelly Bates in the team's weekend win over the Toronto Argonauts. "They stepped up and I'm very, very proud of them for the way they responded."

With the Bombers' offence in a state of paralysis and quarterback Stefan LeFors taking most of the heat, Kelly stepped in last week to spread the blame and after grousing about his receivers, took a pointed shot at Khan and Bates.

"This is a business where if you don't produce, you're gone," said Kelly, after stating both Kahn and Bates needed to improve their play.

The veteran big men said all the right things in the media, but it was no secret they were seething and snarling behind close doors. Kelly threatened to insert backup Ryan Donnelly, an eight-year CFL veteran in his second season with the Blue Bombers, but Khan and Bates battled in practice all week and carried it out onto the field on Saturday, taking a majority of the snaps at their positions.

"I think we approached the situation as professionals, prepared throughout the week as we should, and it showed on the field," said Bates, who came over to the Bombers in the off-season after seven seasons with the B.C. Lions, including an all-star campaign in 2007.

"I can't control the way I'm approached or the way a coach chooses to approach a player. I've always been of the mindset that I control what I control, and that's the way I approach it. That's the way I react to situations and deal with things on my own. I tried to approach the situation the same as any other week. I get paid to come to work and do my job. It's all about being a professional."

Bates said the entire offensive line took Kelly's words as a shot across their bow and were determined to have a better showing.

"The entire offensive line talked about it. We're a tight-knit group and great group of guys. I think what you saw on Saturday was the unit pulling together as a group and playing well because we had to."

Bates was asked if he thought he personally had a strong game.

"I thought I played the way I usually play and the way I've become accustomed to playing over the years," said the native of Humboldt, Sask. "Not everything goes your way and that's part of the job."

Most of the talk surrounding the Bombers' offence has focused on the quarterback and the other skill positions, but Bates says the changes are just as deeply felt in the trenches.

"It's a new offence, new terminology and verbiage. Those things get ingrained in you," Bates said. "On top of all that, I've switched to the right side, and except for one year of pro, I haven't played the right side in 11 years. That may not mean much to some people, but it changes your mechanics. All those motor skills you've learned and don't have to think about, you have to unlearn and then relearn to get a balance in your body."

Bates says there's no time for the Bombers' offence to rest.

"We have to improve. We're 141/2-point underdogs to a team we beat not that long ago. No one respects us or has faith in our offence. We have to step up and put some points on the board."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 5, 2009 D3