Buck says ‘ready, set,’ but LaPo won’t say ‘go’

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This article was published 08/11/2011 (5140 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

QUARTERBACK Buck Pierce is in gear but his head coach isn’t ready to give the green light yet.

If you’re looking for storylines as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers enjoy the fruits of their East Division regular-season title and the bye week that goes with it then look no further than Pierce, his wonky right knee, and the prospects of him leading the offence in the East Final Nov. 20 at Canad Inns Stadium.

This scenario involving a banged-up Pierce and his chances for starting the next game has played out a few times this season. And just as he has said in the past, Pierce feels he’ll be good to go.

“No question in my mind,” he confidently said Monday.

Pierce, who completed 63 per cent of his throws for 3,348 yards with 14 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 2011, injured his knee in the Oct. 28 game against the Toronto Argonauts. He did not practise last week and was left in Winnipeg when the Bombers lost to the Calgary Stampeders 30-24 last Saturday.

Pierce feels the bye week should be enough time to put him on the field. There was no timetable given for his recovery when the injury occurred and that hasn’t changed this week, according to Paul LaPolice.

“He’ll be day-to-day until we see how he can move around and everything,” LaPolice said.

That probably won’t come until next week, when the team returns to the continuity of a full practice schedule. Pierce wouldn’t say how much he’ll need to show coaches before the East Final, but it’s expected the club would like to see him on the field for at least 2-3 days before making a decision on his status.

“I’m ready to put the pads back on and go,” said Pierce, who has a career-high 16 starts this season.

INJURY UPDATE: After Pierce, the Bombers injury situation looks pretty healthy.

Receiver Terrence Edwards (elbow) is sore but should be fine. Receiver Greg Carr (bruised rump) is also expected to be fine, as is safety Ian Logan.

Logan underwent an emergency appendectomy last week (the team originally told media it was the flu), but the coach is optimistic he’ll be able to practice next week.

“We’re hoping to get him back for the East Final,” LaPolice said. “He’s certainly crucial. A starting Canadian who’s played very well — it’s hard to lose those guys. Hopefully he’ll be ready to play.”

As for receiver Kito Poblah, a decision won’t be made on his playing status until next week. The rookie non-import has missed the second half of the season with a shoulder injury.

TOUGH TO WATCH: Thanks to his sprained knee, Pierce was forced to watch the final game of the regular season on television. What did he take away from the 30-24 loss in Calgary?

“It (was) frustrating. I was with those guys all 17 games up until that point and not being able to be on the road with them, in a critical matchup like that at this time of the year…it’s tough.”

The quarterback had this to say about Winnipeg picking up first place in the East the hard way:

“We didn’t make it easy on ourselves by any means, but we won the season series against (Montreal and Hamilton) and put ourselves in this position. I think we deserve a lot of that credit. Obviously, we lost games we feel like we shouldn’t have lost, but those things are going to happen. We’re excited about the position that we’re in. It’s an achievement that we should be proud of.”

TOP PLAYERS: Edmonton receiver Adarius Bowman (offence); Calgary linebacker Juwan Simpson (defence); B.C. kicker Paul McCallum (special teams); and Toronto receiver Andre Durie (Canadian) were named the players of the week.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny