Pierce, Watson win player of the week awards

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This article was published 26/07/2011 (5219 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A trend is emerging with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the CFL weekly awards committee.

 It seems when the Bombers win over the weekend, a player on the club picks up a weekly award from the league office. That was the case Tuesday when two Bombers — QB Buck Pierce and WR Cory Watson — picked up Gibsons Finest player of the week awards for their efforts in the 33-24 victory over the Toronto Argonauts at Rogers Centre Saturday.

 Pierce was named the top offensive player, for his 22-of-27 for 361 yards and three touchdowns against the Argos, leading the Bombers back from a 17-6 deficit at halftime.

 Wideout Cory Watson was named Canadian player of the week on the strength of his seven catches for 75 yards.

 The two are the third and fourth Bombers to receive a weekly award this season. Safety Ian Logan picked up the prize as the top Canadian in Week 1, while linebacker Joe Lobendahn was named the defensive player of the week a week later.

 Both awards came after Winnipeg wins, as well.

 The Bombers (3-1) take on the B.C. Lions (0-4) at Canad Inns Stadium Thursday. Winnipeg is tied for top spot in the East division with the Montreal Alouettes, while basement-dwelling B.C. is the only winless club left in the league.

 Lobendahn will not be in the lineup for the game. His ankle injury is not quite 100 per cent, so the team has decided to hold him out.

Second-year linebacker Marcellus Bowman, who usually plays the weak-side linebacker spot, will move to the middle. Merrill Johnson starts in Bowman’s place.

 There was still good news on the Lobendahn front Tuesday, though, as the league has chosen not to fine him for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Argos QB Cleo Lemon. The hit knocked Lemon’s helmet off and forced the quarterback from the game with a mouth injury. No penalty was called on the play.