Don’t count Bombers out against Montreal: Pierce

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 2:31 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 Last Modified: 2:54 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 | Updates

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The oddsmakers in Las Vegas have installed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the underdog in their first-place matchup against the Montreal Alouettes Saturday afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium.

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The oddsmakers in Las Vegas have installed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the underdog in their first-place matchup against the Montreal Alouettes Saturday afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/10/2011 (5158 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The oddsmakers in Las Vegas have installed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the underdog in their first-place matchup against the Montreal Alouettes Saturday afternoon at Canad Inns Stadium.

So what else is new, wondered Bombers starting quarterback Buck Pierce. “We’ve been underdogs a lot this year. People keep counting us out,” Pierce said Thursday afternoon after his team went through its final full practice in advance of Saturday’s game. “We feel confident in what we can do as a team. And that’s what it comes down to.

“The people who matter are the people in the locker room and the organization and how we feel about each other and how we feel as a team.”

Bombers starting quarterback Buck Pierce (left) with coach LaPolice.

The second-place Bombers trail the first-place Alouettes by two points in the CFL’s East Division heading into this weekend, but the season series between the two clubs is tied 1-1.

Winnipeg stunned just about everyone but themselves in beating Montreal at Percival Molson Stadium in mid-September, but then lost the rematch at home on Sept. 30 when the Bombers failed twice in the final seconds to score the game-winning touchdown from the 1-yard line.

With those two games as the backdrop to this weekend, Pierce was asked if he felt his team had the upper hand on Montreal in the head-to-head matchup. “I wouldn’t say we have the upper hand,” said Pierce, “but I also wouldn’t give Montreal the automatic go-ahead on this game either. We’ve played very well against them.”

Defensive lineman Rodney Fritz and special teams player Tim Brown were the only players not practicing for Winnipeg on Thursday, but head coach Paul LaPolice continued to stage auditions at punter and centre.

LaPolice has had Brendan LaBatte taking first team reps at centre this week, with backup lineman Chris Greaves sliding in at LaBatte’s left guard spot and veteran centre Obby Khan the odd man out in some of the reps.

“We’re evaluating that,” said LaPolice. “We’ve had Brendan taking a lot of the snaps this week with Chris Greaves playing the left guard. So that’s one of the scenarios we’re talking through.”

Jamie Boreham also continued on Thursday to handle all the punting during practice and LaPolice said he’s been happy with what he’s seen out of Boreham, who will replace veteran punter Mike Renaud — who’s been struggling — for at least this week and will also take over the kickoff duties from Justin Palardy.

“He kicked off today down inside the five-yard line, so he’ll be great with kickoffs,” said LaPolice. “And his punting? I think he’s a good directional punter. He might have the same leg as Mike Renaud and he directionally punts well.”