Flanders feels ‘blessed’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/06/2016 (3403 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All Tim Flanders wanted was a chance to compete.

So when his number was called, he grabbed his helmet and ran onto the field, knowing very well it could been his final shot to make an impression. He’d leave the field Wednesday after a 36-13 win over the Montreal Alouettes as the Bombers’ leading rusher, finishing the night with 80 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.

“I’m blessed to be in this situation that I am right now,” said Flanders. “Going through camp you may not get the look that you want, but the first time in a game situation, I mean, I probably had a couple mistakes, who doesn’t their first game, but overall I felt great.”

Flanders knows he has an uphill battle to make the roster. With the Bombers spending big money on Andrew Harris in the off-season, Flanders understands it may take some time before his number is called again. But he’s also willing to do whatever it takes, anything for another chance to compete.

“This week I’ll probably need to ask the coach, try to get some more plays on special teams and go from there,” he said. “I’m just trying to come in here and show the team what I can offer.”

Welcome home: Speaking of Harris, he certainly knows how to make a first impression. Playing in his first game as a Bomber in front of his hometown, it didn’t take long for the Bombers to give him a warm welcome. He was greeted to a loud ovation from the Bombers faithful after his first carry, a six-yard run to kick off the Bombers’ first drive.

Later in the quarter he would bring them to their feet, showing exactly why he’s considered one of the best backs in the CFL. Under pressure, Drew Willy dumped a short pass to Harris, who then deked and dodged multiple tackles, going 40 yards for the score.

“Honestly after I broke that last tackle I just blacked out, it was just a great feeling,” Harris after the game.

It was the moment he’d been waiting for since he signed a contract with Winnipeg in the off-season, so when it was reduced to a 16-yard gain after Ryan Smith was called for an illegal block, you’d think he’d be seething.

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“It wasn’t frustrating,” said Harris. “It was big for me, and I’m definitely excited. Hopefully there are many more of those to come.”

❚ wO-Line, Oh no: The Bombers were left holding their breath following Wednesday’s game after offensive lineman Jeff Keeping was forced to leave in the first half with what looked to be an injury to his left knee. Keeping, an 11-year CFL veteran, was brought into add same much-needed Canadian depth to the O-Line.

After the game, head coach Mike O’Shea was unable to provide an update on the injury but was confident Keeping wouldn’t be available for Monday’s game in Ottawa. If the injury turns out to be serious, it would be a serious blow to the Canadian depth on the O-line. With Keeping, the Bombers have just six Canadian O-linemen under contract, two of whom are 2016 draft picks in 10th overall selection Michael Couture and Zach Intzandt, who Winnipeg selected in the fifth round.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.catwitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.