FYI

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/06/2010 (5910 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WEATHER WOES: A pounding mist from the north greeted coaches and players Wednesday morning. The standard wear for the players during the workout: long sleeves and tights under the jersey and shorts. As has been the norm this camp, head coach Paul LaPolice dusted off another teaching tool. "We can’t control the referees or anything that happens with the officials. We can’t control the weather, but we can control how we handle it. I thought the intensity was really good for a cold, rainy day."

BAD FEELINGS: On the fourth day of camp, the first signs of player anger emerged. The defence started to assert themselves on the ball, not only grabbing the odd lame-duck pass, but initiating some contact, usually a rarity at this stage. S Brady Browne had the biggest knock on a pass catcher, hammering WR Adarius Bowman to the turf in one of the drills. Bowman got up slowly and answered the secondary challenge with a big grab over DB Keyou Craver a few reps later. Then LB Thaine Carter crushed RB Yvenson Bernard with a hit that almost ignited the first skirmish between offence and defence. Nothing materialized, but LaPolice spoke to his players after the physical threat started to emerge: "I loved the tempo of our defence, and our offence has to understand that’s how we’re going to go," he said.

SPEAKING OF RAIN: The West Coast conditions meant several Bomber hopefuls had difficulty with the slippery pigskin. "It was tough out here today," said returner Willie Foster. "The rain blew right into your eyes as you’re trying to watch the ball into your hands." Foster had a couple of drops during a team punting exercise, but took full responsibility. "I need to be better — that’s the bottom line."

QUARTERBACK WATCH: The Blue Bombers confirmed Buck Pierce will see some snaps in the first exhibition game against Montreal Sunday. As for the other pivots in camp, LaPolice said there’s a two-man race for No. 1 and a two man fight for the No. 3 spot. The head coach revealed no more, but there’s little doubt Pierce will be No. 1. Former Saskatchewan Roughrider backup Steven Jyles has the inside track for No. 2.

SO LONG: The club released WR Will Franklin Tuesday night. The former fourth-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs (2008) went down with a hamstring injury in rookie camp last week.

Check out our Bomber Insider Blog for daily camp updates at winnipegfreepress.com.

— Wazny