Maybe Buck does stop here

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/09/2011 (5303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Buck Pierce wants to play, but that’s hardly news. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ starting quarterback is always game for a challenge.

But reading the tea leaves about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ quarterback situation these days, it’s beginning to look like someone other than Pierce will be the starter for the first time this season when they face the Montreal Alouettes Friday evening at Canad Inns Stadium.

That’s not because anyone actually came right out and said Tuesday that Pierce’s bruised ribs will prevent him from starting Friday night. On the contrary, the word Tuesday from Pierce, his backup Alex Brink and Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice was that no decision has been made on who will start for Winnipeg against Montreal.

But the fact is it was Brink who led the Bombers’ first-team offence Tuesday as the squad returned to the practice field for the first time since a devastating 25-24 loss to the Toronto Argonauts Saturday in which they also lost seven players to injury, including Pierce and Brink.

As Pierce watched practice with a ball cap perched on his head, Brink took the majority of first-team reps and showed no ill effects from what he revealed for the first time Tuesday was a separated left shoulder, sustained against Toronto when Brink was brought in off the bench in relief of Pierce, who had re-aggravated a lingering rib injury.

Brink said it was the first time he separated his shoulder and that it was reset on the sidelines Saturday night.

“A couple days off and it feels good,” he said. “It didn’t bother me at all today… I’m dealing with a little stiffness, but no pain…

“I’m going to be available to play. Whether or not I start, that decision will be made later in the week.”

Brink has started just one game in his CFL career, a 4-for-18, 61-yard debacle last October against B.C. But he has been effective in relief of Pierce and in short-yardage situations this season, completing 25 of 39 passes for 257 yards and two TDs and running for three touchdowns.

Pierce said he hopes to practise today. He was asked if there’s still a chance he could start against the Alouettes on Friday.

“There’s always a chance. I’ll never rule anything out for sure,” he replied. “It’s pretty sore today. We’ll continue to do what we do, (the trainers) will work their magic and I’ll try to get back…

“If there’s a chance of me going and I feel good, I’m going to go.”

That sounded a lot less definitive than Pierce has been the past couple weeks when he talked about playing with the sore ribs.

And the more he talked Tuesday about the need to keep in mind the bigger picture than just Friday’s game against Montreal, the more he sounded like a man beginning to get used to the idea that his career-long streak of 12 consecutive starts may be about to end.

“It’s tough to do what I do at this position when your core is sore like that,” Pierce said.

“The coaching staff is wanting to put me in the right position as well. They don’t want to put me in harm’s way, and I won’t do that. I have to feel comfortable with it.”

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The Bombers have just one more full practice today prior to the Montreal game. LaPolice said he wasn’t sure if Pierce will practise today, but said even if he doesn’t practise, he’d still consider starting him Friday.

“He’s a veteran enough guy that he can play with minimal practice reps,” LaPolice said.

He said he’d love to give the quarterback a week of rest, but is mindful of the significance of Friday night’s game.

“There’s a lot to play for,” LaPolice said. “I’ll make sure I protect him. That’s my job.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca