Big Blue gotta pluck win from Banjo Bowl

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This article was published 10/09/2010 (5539 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A sold-out crowd and a 2-7 record don’t always go hand-in-hand, particularly in the CFL.

But if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are to salvage their 2010 season, beginning that quest Sunday in front of their faithful at the sold-out Banjo Bowl is a dandy starting point.

"Our two wins are at home (2-2 overall)," said head coach Paul LaPolice after practice Thursday. "That’s the first thing we wanted to establish as a club and that hasn’t changed. We want to play great at home for our fans. I hope our fans make it as loud as they can for the guys in green because their fans last week did a good job. But, I’m sure our fans will be pretty loud."

Sunday’s sellout will be the first since last year’s Banjo Bowl, a 55-10 spanking of the Bombers by the Riders.

Interestingly, there’s been a lot of love in Bomberland this week after a decent performance in the Labour Day Classic, albeit in defeat. But veteran Doug Brown apparently wants to ensure the defence, in particular, doesn’t get swelled heads.

"We talked about our defence not being complacent," said LaPolice. "Doug Brown just spoke to the team and said, ‘You know, we did some good things, but the bottom line is we still didn’t win the football game. If we could have stopped them on that drive…’

"There’s a lot more things left on the table for the defence as well as the offence. We have to make sure we play as a complete team."

NO NEWS IS… NO NEWS: Here’s the update on the Jesse Lumsden-to-the-Bombers story: Lumsden was flying to Ontario from Vancouver on Thursday and the two parties should heat up their chat today. Assistant GM Ross Hodgkinson said the parameters of a deal have been discussed in brief.

"He understands his situation and circumstances and I’ve explained our position," said Hodgkinson. "I think we can certainly work something out based on the discussions.

"As I said, we will not get into a bidding war. Here’s my philosophy — players play in a place for three reasons: 1. Money is probably paramount; 2. Geography is significant and 3. What they perceive as their opportunity to get as much play(ing) time as possible.

"I won’t change the money and I can’t change the other two elements."

For what it’s worth, here’s what Lumsden tweeted on Thursday: ‘Thanks for all the support from the fans out there. The bombers and I have spoken briefly and will continue to talk in the near future.’

BLUE NOTES: RB Fred Reid (sickness) missed practice Thursday but is expected in the lineup for Sunday’s Banjo Bowl. Yvenson Bernard, who hasn’t dressed for a single game this year, took the reps in Reid’s place… New SB/RB/KR Chris Garrett, added on Wednesday, could be activated to jump-start the kickoff return game. "He had a great career returning kicks and that could be a direction we go," said LaPolice. "We’ll see in the next day or so. His big forte is kickoff returns. He’s a very talented kid and that’s one of the reasons Mr. Mack really had faith in him."… Andre Douglas was back at left tackle during practice with Brendon LaBatte at left guard with the No. 1 offence. Douglas has missed the last four games due to injury after starting the season at tackle… Doug Brown’s Free Press column on the NFL contemplating going to an 18-game schedule was referenced by ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons on Thursday. Check out: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmonsnfl2010/100909.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca