Ed Tait Thinks You Should Know

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/07/2009 (5939 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BROWN STILL DOWN:

All-star defensive tackle Doug Brown did not accompany the team home from Edmonton on Friday. Brown, in case you missed it, was a late scratch from the starting lineup on Thursday after his battle with a viral infection took a nosedive in the hours leading up to kickoff.

Club doctors decided Brown should remain in Edmonton until he starts feeling better before flying home, either Saturday or Sunday.

Don Oramasionwu, a CFL rookie and a former U of M product, was Brown’s emergency replacement at tackle and finished with two tackles and his first sack. Edmonton managed just 33 yards rushing along the ground.

"I didn’t find out I was starting until after our pre-game meal around 3 o’clock… it was a surprise," said Oramasionwu.

"Actually, it was probably good to find out that way because I didn’t have time worry about it.

"I was lying in bed (Wednesday) night thinking about the game and that maybe I’d get one or two series because Doug’s such a great player. I thought I might get a couple reps if he got tired.

"I’m happy about how we played defensively, but most of all I’m disappointed we didn’t get the win. That’s what is most important."

THE RATIO EXPLAINED… SORT OF:

The decision to scratch Brown led to some last-minute roster/ratio scrambling by the Blue Bombers and, indirectly, to Derick Armstrong’s pouting.

The Bombers had initially opted to use linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz as one of their three designated imports, along with running back Lavarus Giles and kicker Alexis Serna.

But with Brown down, the team wanted to have Shabazz on the field as much as possible to strengthen the defensive front seven and switched the third designated-import to offence — and Armstrong.

What apparently got the receiver’s back up was the move to list him as the D.I. and not another receiver like Adarius Bowman.