PAUL WIECEK THINKS YOU SHOULD KNOW…

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/06/2011 (5547 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A crowd of about 3,500 turned out at Canad Inns Stadium on a cold, drizzly Sunday morning to watch the Winnipeg Blue Bombers open 2011 training camp and simultaneously answer one of the intriguing questions to emerge from what was a truly remarkable week in this city’s sports history.

If there was any lingering doubt whether there was still enthusiasm for the Bombers in the new NHL era that has just been ushered in, it was clearly on display Sunday as thousands of fans turned out in miserable conditions to watch a practice that was dominated by especially boring special teams drills.

Their conviction did not go unnoticed. About midway through practice, the entire field emptied as the Bombers players abruptly headed to the sidelines en masse to thank the fans and slap hands at the rail.

Head coach Paul LaPolice said the fans deserved plaudits. “The fans were tremendous and it really helps our players,” LaPolice said, noting a guest coach remarked to him that Sunday marked the first time he could recall a pass caught on a simple route during practice drawing applause from 1,000 people.

First-round draft picks Kito Poblah and Jade Etienne both earned applause with some nice catchess and veteran Terrence Edwards made two great stabs, pulling down one in traffic on a perfectly thrown ball by QB Buck Pierce. Defensively, LB/DB Clint Kent got the loudest ovation with his pick-off.

LaPolice said he simplified opening day this year, putting players in just helmets without pads and then staging only one practice instead of two to allow time for a walk-through and meetings “so we didn’t waste any reps on the field.

“I thought that really helped — there was less mental errors — and that’s something we’ll keep from now on.”

LaPolice also repeated his pledge that no one’s job is safe at this year’s training camp. “I’ve given the coaches carte blanche — whatever the best mix is, put it in and get it done. We have enough competition this year, I think, where we can put people where we want to put them.

“Just because you played last year, does not mean you will play this year.”

Among the players getting a look at punt returner on opening day was the diminutive Perry Floyd. Floyd is very generously listed at 5-foot-8, but looks to be at least two inches shorter.

While he’s nominally listed on the depth chart at slotback with all-star veteran Terence Edwards and blue-chipper Poblah, Floyd — who earned applause going fully extended to make a catch — has no illusions about what job he is really auditioning for.

“Any way I can get out here, I will do whatever it takes. But pretty much, returning kicks, yeah,” said Floyd, who was an NCAA Division II second team All-American as a return specialist at Wingate last season.

SICK BAY — WR Tim Brown (foot) is expected to be out for awhile yet… LB Rico McCoy missed practice (intestinal/stomach) but is expected back today… WR Damian Sherman, WR Liam Mahoney (hamstrings) are expected to be out at least a couple more days, Mahoney possibly longer.