Bombers passing the buck on Pierce

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/07/2011 (5223 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Everyone seems to think Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB Buck Pierce will get the start against the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday. Everyone, minus the one person who makes the final decision on the matter.

“We’ll see how he is (Thursday),” head coach Paul LaPolice said Wednesday, repeating the non-committal phrase he’s made quite popular this week.

Yes, ‘we’ll see’ is the new black.

The coach went on to explain how the club wants to make sure Pierce has full range of motion in the bruised left thigh, an injury he suffered against Calgary a week ago.

Fair enough. Being cautious with all things Buck is as noble as it is good for business. Keeping No. 4 on the field has been an unsuccessful venture since the two sides agreed to work together before last season, and the team would like to see some on-field return at some point.

This week, in two full days of practice, Pierce has shown ease in rolling out of the pocket and making all the throws with his left leg planted firmly in the fake grass. He’s moving very well and the coach admitted as much Wednesday when he said Pierce has enough foot speed to escape danger and protect himself when the live bullets start flying at Rogers Centre (3 p.m., TSN, CJOB).

Pierce’s thoughts on being under centre are equally sure. He says he can start.

“That’s my plan. That’s always my plan,” he said.

So the player says he’s good and the coach says he’s good. Why then are we hearing “We’ll see” when it comes to an official announcement?

Might there be some Blue and Gold subterfuge going on here?

“You guys sometimes want me to say who (starts)… I don’t know,” LaPolice explained. “I have an idea, but I’m not going to confirm until it’s confirmed for me. We’re not trying to be deceitful or anything, we’re just trying to get it right.”

Hard to dispute those intentions, again, given Pierce’s health history (he’s been forced to leave 17 of his last 43 games due to injury and hasn’t been able to finish three starts since the 2009 season), but that’s not to say there isn’t an edge gained over a division rival by not announcing Pierce or backup Alex Brink as the starter.

Offensive co-ordinator Jamie Barresi says there definitely is a competitive advantage to not showing all your cards until the dealer asks for them.

“It depends on the style of quarterbacks,” he said. “If there’s a difference between the two, you keep the other team (guessing). These two guys have different styles. There could be an advantage that way.

“We’re not trying to look at it from that perspective.”

Barresi points to a past situation he was in where the mystery-starter formula occasionally found success. As a position coach in B.C. (2006-07), Barresi noticed head man Wally Buono loved to keep teams guessing on who he’d start at quarterback — Dave Dickenson, Pierce or Jarious Jackson, three QBs with three unique styles.

“That would be a thing Wally kept in his pocket,” Barresi said. “I don’t know if he did it on purpose, but I suspect he might have.”

There are disadvantages with this course: A lack of cohesion on offence (both QBs split time with the first-team unit, as they did Wednesday); doubt left in the heads of the pivots; and constant stream of questioning about the subject from those paid to ask questions.

Having said all that, let’s take the Bombers at their cautious word.

Even Barresi — who expects Pierce to be the starter — threw up a medical yellow before giving the green light.

Competitive advantage, be dammed.

“I’m not a doctor. It’s based all on medical information,” he said.

“That’s out of my realm. I’m in men’s wear, that’s the women’s department. You know what I mean? I’m not trying to pass the buck. He’s looking pretty good to me. I’m suspecting that it will be a go.”

We’ll just have to wait and see, won’t we?

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca