Game Day: 411

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/09/2011 (5424 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MAN OF THE MOMENT

Any doubt about how Merrill Johnson feels regarding his new standing as the Blue Bombers’ starting weak-side linebacker was answered this week.

“I’m loving every minute of it right now.”

Of note: The huge smile on his face.

After bouncing around the depth chart the last two seasons, the Auburn product has finally worked his way into the starting defence. Middle linebacker Joe Lobendahn’s torn ACL in the Banjo Bowl meant a shift for Marcellus Bowman, which in turn finally opened the door for Johnson to see some regular work.

That work is just starting, he figures.

“I’ve had to wait for this opportunity and now that it’s here, I have to take advantage,” said Johnson, who has 11 defensive tackles, 10 special teams tackles and a sack this season. “I can’t relax now — I won’t. That’s not the type of player I am.”

Johnson’s patience speaks well of the type of person he is but it also lends itself to mention the amount of talent the Bombers have assembled behind the starters. They haven’t missed a beat when injuries have popped up, which is one reason for the 8-3 record and their current first-place position.

“Part of our success has been the depth we’ve had here,” coach Paul LaPolice said. “(GM Joe Mack) has done a good job bringing in people. It (the depth) is certainly better than last year. We targeted who we liked and we kept them around.”

ROSTER WATCH

The Bombers: Kick returner Tim Brown (hand) and defensive end Bryant Turner (undisclosed) are on the one-game injured list. Defensive tackle Dorian Smith returns after sitting out five games with an ankle injury. Linebackers Dustin Doe and Leslie Majors, along with defensive back Johnny Sears, are on the 46-man roster. The Argos: Offensive lineman Taylor Robertson (leg) is out. Joe Eppele takes his spot. Ejiro Kuale (foot) and Jason Pottinger (knee) are both expected to play. Fellow linebacker Jordan Younger (shoulder) is out.

ROAD DOMINANCE

The Bombers are 4-1 away from Manitoba, trailing only Calgary (5-0) for top spot in the league. Heading into today’s action, visiting clubs have won 22 of 44 games this season. The last time the road squads have bettered the home sides was in 1983, when the visitors held a 36-35-1 record.

EXTRA POINTS

After dropping all three games to Toronto in 2010, Winnipeg has won both games against the Argos in 2011… The clubs will meet again at the end of October… The Bombers are a perfect 5-0 versus East Division opponents… Winnipeg has five more wins than losses, but they only hold a slight 15-point advantage in the points scored-points allowed differential. Four of the Bombers’ wins have come by less than a converted TD.

— Wazny