Romby lets play do his talking… he hasn’t had much to say

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/08/2009 (6196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The discussion surrounding the lack of production at the receiver’s position on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers doesn’t seem to want to go away and it appears it will likely heat up some more real soon.

The Bombers made an attempt to sign import receiver Robert Ferguson last week before he was snagged by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and word around the club is that head coach Mike Kelly wants to see some fresh faces at receiver.

Bombers talent scout John Murphy is working his way through NFL camps, and though Kelly wouldn’t come out and admit he’s told his personnel man to sign a receiver, the signs are all there.

"We’re always looking for skilled football players, and that’s all I will say about that right now," Kelly said, following Tuesday’s workout at Canad Inns Stadium as the team prepares for this weekend’s home game against the Montreal Alouettes.

The Bombers’ passing game is ranked last in the CFL, with 80 completions on 169 attempts for 943 yards and just three touchdowns. Kelly has made adjustments in a number of areas, including benching Stefan LeFors and signing quarterback Michael Bishop, and it appears the receiving group is next on his hit list in the search for a meaningful air attack.

"They need to make more plays. There really isn’t anything more to say than that," Kelly said. "The routine catches on routine throws, we expect that. But if you’re getting paid to play, you need to make plays. You need to make that spectacular catch every once in awhile. We haven’t done that this year."

Kelly says the effort is there, but in pro football, results are what counts.

"I don’t question anyone’s effort. No one has slacked in their preparation. They just have to make plays," the coach said. "To me, that comes from concentration and confidence. We continue to put in plays to get the ball to certain players in order to try and free them up… We’re trying to get the most out of what we have and the guys are working hard at it."

Terrence Edwards leads the Bombers with 18 catches for 278 yards through six games and says he and all his offensive teammates need to accept responsibility for their scoring woes.

"I think the whole offence has to take blame. We’re only doing what we’re assigned to do. You can always do things better, but we’re doing our assignments and trying to make plays," Edwards said. "When you get a chance, you have to make a play, because you don’t know how many you’ll get. We have to make plays when our number is called."

Edwards was asked the simple question of whether he was open more last season than he has been this season, resulting in fewer catches.

"Was I open more last year? I was in a different offence last year," Edwards deadpanned. "Totally different offence. We use two-back more than we did last year. It was more open and a different type of offence. Really, only the guys back are me and Romby (Bryant). As a whole, we’re all paid to do a job, and that’s come in and make plays, and we haven’t done enough of that."

A major disappointment has been Romby Bryant, a 1,000-yard man last season who has just 12 catches for 148 yards and no touchdowns. Not to be cute, but Bryant does not speak to the media, preferring instead to let his play do the talking. Either way, the second-year Blue Bombers receiver has been awfully quiet.

Veteran Brock Ralph has 12 catches for 128 yards and understands the clock is ticking on him and his mates.

"The ownership goes around until we’re perfect. It’s all of us. As a group, I think we’re getting better and we’ve only had a couple of weeks with (quarterback Michael Bishop). But the ownership for the lack of offence, certainly some of that is on the receivers."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Edwards best of the lot