5 storylines

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This article was published 30/06/2011 (5247 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HAMILTON — Here are five storylines we’ll be watching when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium Friday night in the opening game of the 2011 CFL regular season for both clubs:

1. Buck or buckle?

The general consensus around the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is that the fortunes of the club this season — while dependent on myriad factors — ultimately begin and end with the health of QB Buck Pierce.

The problem is other teams know this as well — that they can almost eliminate Winnipeg from this season’s equation with a well-timed hit on the Bombers starting quarterback. The Bombers were surprised in the pre-season a week ago by how much blitzing the Toronto Argonauts did when Pierce was in the game, with head coach Paul LaPolice stating after the game that it seemed clear to him the Argos were trying to hit his quarterback.

Get used to seeing that game plan from opponents all season long, including on Friday by a Hamilton defence that includes defensive ends Justin Hickman and Stevie Baggs (who combined for a dozen sacks last season) and the outstanding defensive player in the CFL in 2010 in linebacker Markeith Knowlton.

Bring it on. “I hope they do come after me,” Pierce said Wednesday, “because we have guys who can make some plays.”

2. Will this be the day the Bombers finally win a football game on the road?

The last time the Bombers won a game on the road was Oct. 12, 2009 in Hamilton — an almost unfathomable run that will have to end quickly if this club is going to be competitive this year.

And no one needs to shed that monkey more than Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice, who coached his club to an 0-9 record on the road last season.

Old news, he said. “Last year’s last year. This year is this year.”

Still, defensive tackle Doug Brown had to admit he wasn’t exactly thrilled to open the 2011 CFL season in Hamilton. But it didn’t sound like Brown’s reluctance had anything to do with the Bombers’ road troubles.

“I don’t look forward to our opener in Hamilton,” said Brown. “But I don’t look forward to anything in Hamilton.”

3. Will there be big rewards to go with all the big risks the new Bombers defence is going to take?

The Bombers are going to unveil in Hamilton the hybrid defence they will employ this season. It will be neither be a true 4-3 or a true 3-4, but rather a hyper-aggressive melding of the two that should keep Ticats QB Kevin Glenn guessing.

The new defence will feature DE Odell Willis coming from every conceivable angle, something he promises will be a delight for Bomber fans to watch. “They’re gonna see folks flying around and knocking people out,” said Willis. “We’re gonna run to the ball, we’re not going to do nothing else.

“And when we get there? There’s going to be a problem. I’m looking forward to it.”

4. What a difference will a year make?

The Bombers lead the league with 24 players on the roster with less than two years CFL experience. But 17 of those players head into their sophomore season after cutting their rookie teeth on that frustrating 4-14 Bombers club in 2010.

The Bombers brain trust believes a year under their belts did them all good and the difference in players like WR Greg Carr, WR Cory Watson and DB Alex Suber will be palpable this season, on the field and in the locker-room. We’ll find out tonight.

5. Will Bombers fans get to see any ‘planking’ by the Blue defence in Hamilton?

The Bombers secondary and linebackers will have their hands full with a Hamilton offence that has all kinds of weapons. The Ticats boasted three 1,000-yard receivers in 2010 in Arland Bruce (1,303 yards), Dave Stala (1,015 yards) and Marquay McDaniel (998 yards) and will be even more versatile this year with the addition of running back Avon Cobourne (184-956, 5.2 yards per carry).

You’ll know things are going well Friday night if you see a lot of Bombers suddenly drop to the ground and lie flat on their stomachs. The Bombers defence have taken up the planking craze made popular on the Internet in recent months and have incorporated it into an interception celebration that sees all the players drop to the ground and lie flat and motionless on their stomachs after interceptions.

“It actually started on Twitter,” said Willis. “We just wanted to loosen the guys up.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca