Starting QB a joint decision

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/08/2010 (5869 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We’ll see. That’s seems to be the official stance on everything regarding Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Buck Pierce these days, as the local CFL club continues to evaluate, examine, assess and determine the status of the starting quarterback’s strained right knee.

"I’m feeling better," Pierce said after practice at Canad Inns Stadium Tuesday afternoon. "Definitely better than I felt in a long time, so we’ll see what happens. It’s sore still. It’s still going to be sore, but that’s something we knew was still going to be that way. As long as I’m able to move and step into the throws and do the things necessary for us to be successful, then I’ll be all right."

Yes, we’ll see.

The 28-year-old has missed the last three games with that right-knee strain, an injury suffered in a 28-7 loss to Hamilton in Week 3. That was more than three weeks ago, and should Pierce not be able to play (or even dress) for the Tiger-Cats Friday night, it will mark a four-week stint on the shelf.

If Pierce had his way — and for the record, he doesn’t when it comes to injuries — he’d be under centre.

"I feel I can (play). It’s up to them — the (training) staff and the coaching staff — so we’ll see what happens," he said.

Though we’ll see how Pierce and his knee respond to the workout today, one thing we can say with absolute certainty is that the New Mexico State product actually engaged in some real participation on the field Tuesday. Backup Steven Jyles, who was 24-of-35 for 349 yards and two TDs in the loss to the Ticats last Saturday, took most of the snaps with the starters, but Pierce took his fair share of turns as well, testing the knee on a variety of rollouts and spins within the pocket to see how the joint reacts.

"I have a lot more confidence in it; I think that’s a big thing," Pierce said, adding that he’ll be playing in a brace if he does suit up. "I was able to talk to the doctors earlier in the week, and things look good.

"We’ll see what happens."

So Pierce is feeling healthier than he has in a long time and is hoping to start Friday. The remaining questions are just how healthy the starting quarterback is and can he convince the coaching staff that he’s ready to go.

Let’s see what the head coach has to say…

"Let’s just say he’s not the most qualified guy to make that decision in some ways," Paul LaPolice chortled when told by reporters that Pierce says he’s able to play quarterback again.

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Everyone agrees the knee is looking better, but the biggest concern for the Bombers regarding Pierce is his mobility out of the pocket. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound pivot, who was 52-of-79 for 774 yards and five touchdowns in two-plus games before the knee issue, needs to be able to prove to LaPolice that he can scramble out of situations and be an effective offensive option with his legs again.

Not the 14.8 yards per carry he put up pre-injury — that’s probably too much to ask — but a reasonable facsimile.

"If your quarterback doesn’t have any mobility, he puts himself in a position to be in danger and get hurt," offered LaPolice, adding that the club is working on a scenario where Pierce is the starter this week.

A decision on Winnipeg’s starting quarterback will be made in the next two days.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca