Bombers bask in glow of big win

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This article was published 19/09/2011 (5360 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A day after the biggest win of the season, Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice still liked what he saw.

The film from Sunday’s 25-23 win against the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes doesn’t lie, the coach told reporters Monday afternoon. Initial screenings show the Bombers were able to run the ball, the Winnipeg defence frustrated Montreal into field goals and most importantly, the Blue and Gold found some success at the end of the game.

Two thumbs up, right coach?

“When you beat a team that doesn’t lose often and you bet them on the road — that’s obviously a big win,” LaPolice said. “It’s a team that we respect and want to emulate, in the fact with the success they’ve had. Anytime you can get a win like that, it means a lot.”

The Bombers (8-3) are in top spot in the CFL — first overall and, of course, first in the East division, four points up on the Alouettes (6-5). Sunday’s win erases the two-game losing streak against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and gives the club a better understanding of how they measure up against one of the better teams in the league.

It’s ‘first place or bust’ for the Bombers now, a goal that has to be the focus for the remaining seven games. LaPolice didn’t want to get into the optics of what a 8-3 record means heading into the remainder of the schedule, but he did offer a few thoughts on Sunday’s performance.

– On the Bombers physical secondary: “(Montreal) is a talented crew to play against. Their receivers are very good and (Anthony) Calvillo is very good. They’re a well coached team….I thought we responded well.”

– On quarterback Buck Pierce’s play (20-of-29 for 312 yards and two touchdowns): “Truly, I think he can play better. I told him a couple weeks ago — you can be the best in the league. He just has to keep playing.”

– On punter Mike Renaud, who averaged 34.6 yards per punt against the Alouettes: “He needs to kick the ball better because we’re losing yardage on every punt. He’s going through a little lull but we’ll work with him this week and get him better.”

LaPolice confirmed Renaud is healthy.

– On kick returner Tim Brown, who fumbled a catch (that led to a Montreal score), the coach offered this: “Last week, he was real good on the punt returns; this week he danced a little bit. (Montreal) did a good job pinning him inside. He has to, when he does have a return, get north-south a little sooner. And, obviously, he’s got to catch the ball.”

Does Brown get another week in the return spot? Yes, LaPolice said.

The Bombers also announced that the rematch with the Alouettes — a Sept. 30 game at Canad Inns Stadium — is sold out. The temporary bleachers alongside the south endzone remain up for the contest, giving the club (and fans) an extra 500 seats.

Winnipeg won’t return to the practice field until Wednesday, when they’ll start physical preparations for game in Toronto Saturday night.