Bombers coach shuffles Boreham to punter spot

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This article was published 18/10/2011 (5160 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Expect the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to have a new punter on the field for Saturday’s game with the Montreal Alouettes.

Head coach Paul LaPolice told reporters after Tuesday’s workout that Jamie Boreham, the veteran acquired from the Saskatchewan Roughriders two weeks ago, has moved ahead of incumbent punter Mike Renaud on the depth chart for practice this week.

“I’m going to give Jamie a lot of the reps and see how he is throughout the course of the week,” LaPolice said. “If he’s fine, then we’ll put him in a position to be on the roster this week.

“Mike’s had some struggles and he’s frustrated with his play. I understand he is, but I have to do what’s best for the team. Two things: Jamie has a live leg on the kickoffs and he can also punt – and those are two areas we need help in.”

If Boreham, an eight-year punter/kicker who hasn’t seen any game action this season, is on the roster for Saturday, expect him to take over the kickoff duties from kicker Justin Palardy, as well.

Renaud’s struggles have been well documented. He’s struggled through most of September with hang-time, direction and distance – occasionally shanking balls out of bounds with modest yardage.

In last week’s 24-10 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos, Renaud hit a 22-yard punt out of bounds from deep in the Winnipeg end. The resulting 10-yard penalty for an illegal punt gave the Eskimos the ball on the Bombers’ 29-yard line; favourable field position that eventually led to an Eskimos touchdown.

Renaud punted nine times for a 38.3 yard average against Edmonton.

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“We look at everything as we try to get better as a team,” LaPolice said. “This is an area that we’ll evaluate and go. There’s only one way to do that: give the other guy a chance.”

The Bombers (9-6) are a game behind the Alouettes (10-5) for top spot in the East division. The Saturday afternoon contest at Canad Inns Stadium is the third and final meeting between the two clubs. A Winnipeg win would go a long way in securing first place (and a first round playoff bye) for the Bombers. If Montreal wins, they claim first in the division.