O-line shuffle a going concern

Goosen to start if Picard can't go

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 3:00 AM CDT Friday, Aug. 28, 2015

THERE'S already a lot on their plate on a weekly basis -- most sacks allowed so far this CFL season, light experience with their understudy quarterback, starting running back Paris Cotton and deep-threat receiver Darvin Adams both sidelined for a while.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/08/2015 (3998 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THERE’S already a lot on their plate on a weekly basis — most sacks allowed so far this CFL season, light experience with their understudy quarterback, starting running back Paris Cotton and deep-threat receiver Darvin Adams both sidelined for a while.

So, for the 3-5 Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their offensive line, continuity issues are about as much fun as disposing of a hornet’s nest.

But here they go again.

‘I feel like I’ve been training really hard and watching a lot of film, so I feel prepared for whatever opportunity comes’

— Matthias Goosen

When the West Division-leading Calgary Stampeders visit Saturday for a 5 p.m. game at Investors Group Field, at least one change is coming in that front five for the fourth straight week.

Right tackle Jace Daniels appears to be out long-term, so that’s going to bring Patrick Neufeld back into the mix this week.

There remains some doubt veteran centre Dominic Picard can be ready for this week’s game after suffering some kind of upper-body injury in practice last weekend, though head coach Mike O’Shea imported some optimism to the press room Thursday after Picard missed another practice.

“Hopeful,” O’Shea said. “He’s feeling better today so we’ll give him a little bit more time and see. It’s one of those things where we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and hold off making the decision for another day.

“Usually all those decisions are made (by) now but it’s one of those situations where we can’t make it right now.”

The team will reveal Picard’s status today.

If he’s unavailable, 2014 first-round draft pick Matthias Goosen will be the man who goes into that spot. It would be Goosen’s first start at centre, having made four start last season at right guard.

The 22-year-old out of Simon Fraser has been taking reps at centre during practice all week and was trying hard Thursday to downplay the switch from guard to centre, if it happens.

“I haven’t done it yet so we’ll see,” Goosen said after practice. “I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do. I feel ready. I feel like I’ve been training really hard and watching a lot of film, so I feel prepared for whatever opportunity comes.”

It won’t be like tossing some green rookie into the fray if Goosen has to play centre.

“I think every game you get a bit more accustomed to seeing the fronts people run,” the second-year pro said. “The more you do it, the more you see, the more it becomes second nature. As a centre, a good centre is somebody who sees… somebody like Dom, sees something and it pops into his head just like that. That’s what I’m trying to get to, that level, to make it automatic.”

O’Shea was unequivocal about Goosen’s ability, asked about that option Thursday.

“He’s going to be (ready), absolutely,” said O’Shea. “He’s been here a year and a half. We still like his tenacity. He does a great job learning the playbook and understanding what he’s supposed to do. What he’s lacking is a little bit of experience, and the only way to get experience is to get experience.”

Goosen’s progress is maturity, the coach said.

“The second training camp go-around, you’re relaxed so you can take in more information,” he said. “I think the first time everything’s going so quickly and you’re trying to find where you fit in and everything like that.

“As you talk to the second-year players, things slow down significantly and because of that their confidence goes up. So I think his overall confidence has gone up. He believes he can step in there and lead the O-line and so do we.”

Bombers left tackle Stanley Bryant gave the “no-big-deal” look when asked about Goosen’s potential switch this week.

“I’m really confident in him,” Bryant said.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca