LaBatte turned inside out

Guard will be shifted to tackle for Sunday's big game in Regina

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Thursday, Sep. 2, 2010

Brendon LaBatte's world suddenly got a whole lot faster.

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Brendon LaBatte's world suddenly got a whole lot faster.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/09/2010 (5543 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brendon LaBatte’s world suddenly got a whole lot faster.

The third-year Winnipeg Blue Bomber offensive lineman is making a move from left guard over to the left tackle spot this week, an inside-out switcheroo necessitated by a number of injuries to the edge position. Rookie Andre Douglas is expected to miss his third straight game with a right knee problem and his replacement, Luke Fritz, is on the fritz with a hamstring issue, pushing LaBatte to the outside for the Labour Day Classic in Regina Sunday.

"Two words: Quick feet," LaBatte laughed when asked what the biggest thing he has to focus on. "And not just my own, either.

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Offensive lineman Brendon Labatte (57) is being shunted to the outside, where he'll be facing quicker opponents. — KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Offensive lineman Brendon Labatte (57) is being shunted to the outside, where he'll be facing quicker opponents.

"The speed of the guys you’re facing — it’s a big difference," the 23-year-old continues. "You go from inside, where there would be a typically bigger guy right in your face with instant contact. Out on the edge, you have a second or two to see it coming but if you miss, they’re right by you and you’re helping your quarterback off the turf.

"It’s a different challenge, but you just have to play the angles right."

The last time the Weyburn, Sask. native took the field as a tackle was in Grade 12. Once he found his way into the Regina Rams program for university football, the coaches immediately moved him closer to the ball. LaBatte said he never saw a snap of college ball at tackle, so the past two days of workouts have been all about finding some comfort in what many consider to be the most important spot on the O-line.

No concerns about LaBatte and the move, says the Bombers coach:

"The speed out there is a little faster outside, but he’s got the feet to recover," Paul LaPolice offered about his trusted offensive lineman.

The 6-foot-4, 304-pound LaBatte will be matched up against Saskatchewan DE Brent Hawkins on Sunday, a pass rush force who has three sacks and two fumble recoveries — one of those returned for a touchdown. Hawkins has been quiet of late, but don’t try selling that story to the big man.

"All the ends up here are quick," LaBatte said. "If you look at it, there are about 40 professional football teams out there (CFL, NFL, and UFL) and to be one of the defensive ends on one of those teams, that must mean you’re pretty good. There are no slouches out there. The thing I’ve really noticed is the motors of some of these guys — they just don’t stop.

"They’re after you and after you and after you… and I know Hawkins is like that, too."

LaBatte is at an interesting point in his career. He’s proven himself to be a quality Canadian lineman in the CFL but his goal is the NFL, and while showing he can succeed in any spot on the O-line may not guarantee him a decent look from American clubs in the future, it certainly won’t hurt his chances.

It’s about showcasing yourself, LaBatte says, and putting your best foot forward every snap.

"If this is the one time I get to go out and play left tackle, I want to show that I’m capable so that when someone wants me to do it again, it won’t be an issue," he said. "You’re really just building the resumé… put together a package that shows that you have what it takes week in and week out. When there’s no drop-off, when you can show some consistency, I think a lot of people respect that."

Moving LaBatte to the outside to fill a hole means that someone else will get a chance at left guard. That job falls to rookie Chris Greaves, a highly touted talent who appears to be penciled in to make his first start as the Bombers left guard.

A sixth-round pick in the 2010 Canadian college draft, Greaves was taken as a defensive lineman and has been learning the ropes of interior line play on the offensive side of the ball ever since. He says his mind has been like a sponge over the last three months.

"I’m just trying to do the best I can," he said. "I still have a few fundamentals that need to be worked on and those show up on film, but it’s still a learning curve and a trial by fire kind of situation. I’m happy with the way things have gone, though."

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca