Football club locks in Renaud, ‘one of best punters in league’

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 13, 2011

IN a profession where there are myriad things beyond his control -- the snap, the rush, the wind -- Winnipeg Blue Bombers punter Mike Renaud says he wanted to put to rest one of the few things he can control -- who he plays for.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/07/2011 (5236 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IN a profession where there are myriad things beyond his control — the snap, the rush, the wind — Winnipeg Blue Bombers punter Mike Renaud says he wanted to put to rest one of the few things he can control — who he plays for.

Renaud and the Bombers announced Tuesday they have reached agreement on a contract extension that locks down last year’s CFL East Division all-star punter for the foreseeable future.

“You can’t get rid of me,” Renaud laughed after practice at Canad Inns Stadium Tuesday afternoon. “It wasn’t a secret I wanted to stay here and it was just a formality in getting it done. It was done pretty quick.

‘You can’t get rid of me. It wasn’t a secret I wanted to stay here.’ — Bomber punter Mike Renaud

“My biggest thing is I wanted to know where I would be, and there was no question in my mind where I wanted to be. And so having done that and pushed it aside, it just gives me the off-season focus I need to look ahead in terms of housing situation and making Winnipeg my home.

“It will allow me to work harder and train harder, knowing where I’m going to be and what I’m going to be doing. It just keeps me grounded, knowing I will be here for the next three years and then some.”

The Bombers didn’t officially release the terms of Renaud’s deal, but the 28-year-old Ottawa native did confirm he was in his option year.

Renaud comes into 2011 off a sensational 2010 season that saw him earn the all-star nod after leading the CFL last year with 5,623 yards punting for a 42.9-yard average.

Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice said the club was delighted to lock down their non-import punter. “We think Mike is one of the best punters in the league,” LaPolice said. “We wanted to get him locked up and extended. He’s been a priority for us.”

Renaud’s extension comes barely a week after the club announced it signed running back Fred Reid to a contract extension. LaPolice said he interprets the extensions as a vote of confidence from the players in the direction Bombers GM Joe Mack has taken the organization.

“We’re locking up a lot of guys who don’t want to go anywhere else, who want to stay in this organization. It speaks well for what Mr. Mack has done,” LaPolice said.

Renaud is in his third season with the Bombers and he laughed when it was pointed out that former Bombers punter Bob Cameron hung onto his job as the Bombers’ punter for 23 seasons.

“That’s what I want to do — to be here for a long time and continue to play for this club and these fans and this wonderful city,” Renaud said.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca