‘Garbage-bag day’ for Bombers

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This article was published 10/11/2008 (6392 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s ‘garbage-bag day’ for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — that annual tradition when Canadian Football League teams clean out their lockers — but it’s coming two Mondays too soon for the organization.

Still stinging from their East Division semifinal loss to the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday, the Bombers gathered for meetings with management and to say good-bye as their off-season comes two weeks short of the Grey Cup.

"Everybody had high expectations, whether it be the fans, media, coaches, players management," said head coach Doug Berry. "We wanted to finish a little stronger than we did and make a statement in the playoffs.

"I learned something this year in terms of what the season is all about: it’s not just about how you finish, it’s not how you start, it’s about the whole season in total. For me it was the 0-4 start, but after the 0-4 start we were an 8-6 football team. We just got out of the gate really slowly."

Asked which areas he wanted to improve on for 2009, Berry said: "Let’s say all of them. That’s easy."

Here’s some thoughts on other players interviewed by the Free Press during Monday’s final team function:

–Quarterback Kevin Glenn on his future with the club:

"I want to be somewhere where I’m wanted. But it’s the nature of this position and this job. Things happen. Saskatchewan wins the Grey Cup and Kerry Joseph gets traded, so things do happen. I can’t answer the question on whether or not I’ll be here. That’s something to ask the people who have that control.

"If they didn’t (want him) then they would have said something. Whatever happens, happens. I can live with if they don’t want me here, then they don’t want me here. And if they do I just want to be somewhere where I’m wanted and they haven’t given me any indication they don’t want me here."

–Linebacker Barrin Simpson, whose future here is in doubt with the arrival of Zeke Moreno and the emergence of rookie Joe Lobendahn:

"It’s always good to get it done before you leave so we’ll get it dealt with shortly. We’re going to sit down and have a conversation and then go from there. It’s definitely going to have to be a situation that we address. Me and Zeke have both been all-stars in this league and Joe being a nice up and comer… it’s a matter of seeing where they want to go. We pretty much want to know what’s going on, but it’s having that final conversation before the decision is made.

"There’s definitely going to be some teams interested. That’s not something that I’m worried about. I know there are going to be some teams ready and willing to pick me up but it’s a matter of I’m still under contract with the Bombers right now so that’s what we’re going to talk about today or tomorrow to see what’s going on with that.

–Running back Joe Smith, acquired from B.C. for Charles Roberts, on his days in Winnipeg:

"That would be ideal, for both myself and Fred (Reid) to come back because we have a good tandem going on and it would be good to expand on that next year. It was a great time here. The fans are great, the community is great, the teammates in here and upper management were really good.

"Right now I’m going to head home and then tomorrow or the day after I’ll be heading to The Phillipines to bask in the sun and eat mangos and plenty of filipino food."

–Running back Fred Reid, scheduled to become a free agent in February:

"I think we could do some good things if we spent a whole season together and really put together a tremendous amount of yardage. Most definitely I want to come back. I’ll come in with more goals and hopefully we’ll get to the Grey Cup next year. That’s all I’m focussed on: I want to win a championship.

I got more confident this season and feel like when I have the ball in my hands I can help a team win."

–Linebacker Cam Hall, also scheduled to become a free agent:

"As in no other profession, to a certain extent everybody in this locker room is unemployed for the next six months in one capacity or another. It’s a tough pill to swallow at times.

"I enjoy Winnipeg and I hope that things work out and get figured out. But, at the same time, I do have a family and I have to do what’s best for us and whereever that puts me, it puts me, but I’d definitely like to be back in Winnipeg. But you can’t put too much thought into it because if you do, you’d probably age about 10 times faster than you’re supposed to. What happens is what happens and all you can hope for is you put yourself in a bargaining position. I feel like I’ve done that for myself."

–Linebacker Ike Charlton, another possible free agent:

"I haven’t talked to anybody about that. I’m going to go home and spend time with my girls, I’m sure they miss Daddy. But I’m not going to continue to go through this in the off-season… it’s out of my hands. It’s about being wanted. Do they want me? I don’t know. It’s the nature of business. All options are open. I would like to stay here because being down in the NFL for five years, I played on three different teams and I don’t want to keep doing all this moving. I’m comfortable here. But if I’m not here I’ll have to move on. Will it hurt? Yeah, but it’s the nature of the business.

–Defensive Gavin Walls, free agent in February:

"I just want to win. I’ll probably think about free agency after the quick end to this season. Earlier in the year people come to me and ask about stats and stuff. I could care less about that. Winning is the ultimate. If I’m back here I want everybody to have one mind set: winning. Obviously a lot of people aren’t going to be here, it’s subject to change every year. The chemistry needs to change here. We need a commitment to winning and that’s what all of us need to think about in the off-season."

–Defensive tackle Doug Brown, who will be in Montreal next week for the Grey Cup and the Most Outstanding Player Awards as the top defensive player in the East:

"I’ve got a lot of free time now. I get to bring a date and Milt will be there. I’ve never gone to the Grey Cup to be involved as a nominee and not have my team there. In 2006 I was there as a nominee but it was in Winnipeg so there were still guys around and involved in the festivities. It’ll be unusual and disappointing to be there without the backing and inclusion of your team.

"I didn’t leave the house (after the loss to Edmonton). I didn’t go out Saturday after the game and then on Sunday the shock set in. The first month of the off-season is the worst for me. You go from having everything and planned and dictated to nothing. There’s absolutely nothing required of you. It’s an uncomfortable feeling. Especially knowing almost half the league is still going about their football business. Especially after having gone to the very end last year and then taking two steps back and not getting to the Grey Cup or the division final."