Bombers feeling good about Friday win

Posted: 12:06 PM CDT Saturday, Jul. 2, 2011

The Blue Bombers arrived back in Winnipeg this morning, quietly feeling good about their season debut.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

The Blue Bombers arrived back in Winnipeg this morning, quietly feeling good about their season debut.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/07/2011 (5246 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Blue Bombers arrived back in Winnipeg this morning, quietly feeling good about their season debut.

In case you missed it, the Bombers orchestrated a 24-16 come-from-behind win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium Friday evening, a victory that gave the Blue and Gold its first road triumph since October 2009.

A good start to the campaign, but team brass weren’t ready to grab a Bombers flag and run up and down Portage Avenue just yet. Remember: Winnipeg won its first game last summer, too, and everyone remembers how that season turned out.

“Really proud of the players,” head coach Paul LaPolice said after stepping off the plane at James Richardson International airport.

“What was nice was that each side of the ball contributed to the win.”

While the offence struggled at times (netting only 230 yards on the day), LaPolice was happy with the way they effectively managed the play with the game on the line. Special teams had its moments, too, largely thanks to rookie returner Perry Floyd and his 136 yards on five kick-off returns. Kicker Justin Palardy was 2-for-2 in the field goal department, earning him a mention here.

“It was a good start for us,” Floyd said. “We still have some work to do, but it’s nice to get that first win.”

No slight to Floyd or the Bombers offensive group, but Friday’s victory is largely thanks to the defence, specifically the four interceptions and stifling play in the second half that held the Ticats offence scoreless.

The biggest pick came from DB Alex Suber, who found himself in the right spot at the time of a Hamilton QB Kevin Glenn overthrow early in the fourth quarter. Sixty-six yards and a touchdown later, Winnipeg grabbed a 19-16 lead — an advantage they wouldn’t give up.

The first win of the season came with some cost, however.

Rookie WR Kito Poblah (knee), SB Terrence Edwards (ribs), DB Jovon Johnson (hip) and back-up S Brady Browne (bicep) all left Friday’s game with injury. LaPolice wouldn’t speculate on the seriousness of any of the injuries until they were looked at later today.

The Bombers are back on the practice field Monday.