Coaching edge goes to Blue

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/09/2010 (5543 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hard to imagine the Blue Bombers holding an advantage over their CFL counterparts in Regina heading into the Labour Day Classic, but there might be something off the field the Winnipeg club can build from.

Forget about the win-loss records and consider those with the clipboards: Wearing the Bomber jackets are head coach Paul LaPolice, offensive co-ordinator Jamie Barresi, and defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed. Those three men all worked the sidelines for the Saskatchewan Roughriders a year ago and in the cases of LaPolice and Barresi, have been there for extended stays.

Take a look at those in Green: Former Winnipeg head coaches Doug Berry (now the Riders offensive co-ordinator) and Jim Daley (special teams co-ordinator) are joined by one-time Bomber receivers coach Bobby Dyce, who takes on a similar role with the Riders.

All are new to the Saskatchewan sideline and given the amount of change within the ranks of their former employer, they wouldn’t have a deep scouting report on most of the players. Tie that to the fact the Riders haven’t really seen a whole lot of turnover from last season, and the foundation for the following argument is set:

This current Bombers staff has a better understanding of most of the Riders personnel then the coaches who replaced them.

"It is an opportunity to take advantage of the knowledge we have having worked with those guys so recently," explained Reed after the Bombers went through a wet and windy workout at Canad Inns Stadium Thursday. "But we have to be on top of our game despite the knowledge we have."

Let’s use Darian Durant as an example of how this knowledge can power Winnipeg (2-6).

Both LaPolice and Barresi worked closely with the Riders QB in 2009, with LaPolice serving as the OC and Barresi working as the QB coach.

They had a major hand in developing Durant into one of the top pivots in the game, so they would know a little something about what he likes to do in certain situations or where players like SB Andy Fantuz or RB Wes Cates like to settle in underneath coverage.

Reed says preparations for the Riders (5-3) offence have been productive, and that extra awareness comes in handy when anticipating what Durant and his supporting cast will do once the play breaks down and they’re forced to freelance.

Of course, the familiarity between the Bombers game planners and those who remain in Regina goes both ways. For as dialed into what the Riders are doing, Reed figures Saskatchewan head coach Ken Miller and defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry have a big book on what the Bombers might employ.

Reed says players aren’t the only ones with predispositions. Remember: Etcheverry’s defence practised against LaPolice’s offence last season.

"It’s one of those things where you have to do something different that would throw them off of your normal tendencies," he said. "One thing remains true, though: Most coaches will always go back to what they’re most comfortable with in tight situations.

"It’s a chess match. Understanding the psychology of the coach as well as knowing the capability of the player may actually give both sides an advantage here."

Sure, the coaches are well-versed with the Riders roster and it’s true that the Green Machine still subscribes to a lot of the offensive sets put in by LaPolice, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some new wrinkles to deal with when the clubs take the field Sunday (3 p.m.).

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The Winnipeg coach doesn’t put a lot of stock in any advantage his staff may have as they look to end a four-game losing streak, anyway.

"I’m sure they’re scheming some new things," LaPolice cautioned.

The Blue Bombers are back on the practice field today.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca