Bombers deny Bishop-Kelly rift

By: Ed Tait Posted: 11:18 AM CDT Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2009

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are refuting a report on TSN Tuesday night that suggested some in-fighting between head coach Mike Kelly and quarterback Michael Bishop has the veteran pivot ready to quit and head home.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2009 (5911 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are refuting a report on TSN Tuesday night that suggested some in-fighting between head coach Mike Kelly and quarterback Michael Bishop has the veteran pivot ready to quit and head home.

In fact, Bishop in the field right now at practice as the Bombers prepare for Saturday’s matchup with the Toronto Argonauts, also 3-8, in a game both clubs desperately need to keep their fleeting playoff hopes alive.

TSN has reported that a heated exchange between Kelly and his starting quarterback had Bishop on the verge of packing up his gear and heading back to Texas.

Said Kelly in an e-mail to The Free Press before practice:
“It has been obvious that the play from that highly visible position has struggled and I have acknowledged that. It is entirely my fault that we are under producing. Michael Bishop is our leader and he has handled himself under extremely adverse conditions with the utmost professionalism. We are proud to have Michael fight with us through this difficult time and the quarterbacks we have brought in are quality people that will assist in that fight and collectively we will succeed.”

Bishop, along with the rest of the team, has struggled mightily lately and sports the worst QB-efficiency rating among starters in the CFL with four touchdowns against 11 interceptions. But he will start against the Argos with newcomers Casey Bramlet and Ricky Santos dressing as the reserve QBs.

Meanwhile, the Bombers have added receiver Dante Luciani (5-8, 180, Wilfrid Laurier), a former fifth-round draft pick of the Edmonton Eskimos who was last on the practice roster of the Montreal Alouettes.

Ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca