When ball comes to Denmark, it’s a trip

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This article was published 12/06/2011 (5563 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON — Nowhere on the field are the Winnipeg Blue Bombers deeper right now than at receiver.

The embarrassment of riches available to Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice at that position this training camp was prominently on display at practice Saturday in Brandon as Clarence Denmark put together his own highlight reel.

In a camp where all the talk has been about returning all-stars (Terrence Edwards), burgeoning superstar (Greg Carr) and blue-chip Canadian rookies (Kito Poblah, Jade Etienne), you’ve got to do something pretty special to get noticed out there and Denmark did exactly that on Saturday.

First, the 5-foot-11, 187-pound Floridian went high between two defenders to make some magic on a deep ball from Bombers starting QB Buck Pierce.

Then, as fans were still digesting that little piece of acrobatics, Denmark fought off DB Leslie Major to wrestle away another glorious catch on a throw from backup Alex Brink.

Put it together and Denmark, the former Jacksonville Jaguar who spent parts of the last two seasons on the Jaguars’ practice roster and suited up for three preseason games, made it clear he does not intend to make LaPolice’s decision at receiver any easier.

Denmark, however, would accept no praise.

“I felt pretty good today,” said the Arkansas-Monticello product, “but those were good balls, that’s all that was. I give all the credit to the quarterback. They threw them to a perfect spot both times.”

Denmark said he is trying to make the team this month not with highlight-reel catches but by consistently making the simple ones.

“Just being consistent is the biggest part of it,” he said. “Coming to work every day and just trying to do my part, that’s all I’m trying to do.”

Still, that was quite a day at the office for Denmark on Saturday and LaPolice made it clear he is both revelling in the riches he has at receiver while at the same time wrestling with some very tough choices he will have to make soon.

“We’ve got a bunch of young little guys — (Perry) Floyd, Denmark, (Cory) Watson — who just run.” LaPolice said.

“I mean they run all day long. And then they make great catches. It’s great to have the competition in that spot.

“Our depth at rookie receiver this year compared to last year is night and day,” he continued. “It will be tough decisions with these kids.”

On the sick list

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The number of walking wounded in camp continued to rise Saturday.

DE Odell Willis (hip pointer) and WR Kito Poblah (sore calf) both missed practice for the first time, but LaPolice described their conditions as minor.

C Obby Khan (groin) missed his sixth consecutive practice while DB Jonathan Hefney (ankle) missed his fifth in a row.

Also continuing to watch from the sideline — as they did for most of last week — were Damian Sherman, Aaron Hargeaves, Scott McHenry, Deon Beasley and David McKoy.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca