Bombers ‘looking for big things’ from Garrett

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This article was published 18/06/2012 (4855 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice has declared his starting running back for when the team opens the CFL regular season June 29 in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions.

LaPolice is normally painfully circumspect in answering even the most routine of questions during his daily availabilities with reporters.

But he did not hesitate to provide a definitive answer when he was asked Monday afternoon following practice at Canad Inns Stadium if Chris Garrett — the starting tailback for the Bombers at the end of last season — would have the honours again when the 2012 regular season opens.

“Yes,” said LaPolice. “I told him he’s doing a good job. Certainly he’s got some competition in camp, which is always a good thing…

“I think he’s taken a veteran professional role out of it. We’re looking for big things.”

Garrett averaged 6.3 yards per carry and rushed for 576 yards and 4 TDs in just six games with the Bombers last season after he stepped in to fill the voids created by season-ending injuries to Fred Reid and Carl Volny.

Coming into training camp, the general consensus was Garrett had a good handle on the starting job again this year, but he has faced a stiff challenge for the job from a long list of talented contenders. Management has been high on the speed and finesse NFLer Chad Simpson has shown during camp and Bloi-Dei Dorzon and Anthony Woodson both impressed with big runs during a pre-season win in Montreal last Thursday.

But while LaPolice was definitive about Garrett on Monday, he was hedging his bets on a couple of other issues.

On injured slotback Cory Watson, LaPolice said the news on a lower leg injury was encouraging — Watson was doing pushups on the sideline today but did not practise. Still LaPolice said Watson will likely be out at least one-to-two weeks depending on a diagnosis expected to come later today.

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Asked if that meant that Watson was definitely not playing in a pre-season game this Wednesday against Hamilton but could play June 29 in the season opener in BC, LaPolice said he didn’t know yet.

“I’ll know better tomorrow,” said LaPolice.

LaPolice also said he still hasn’t decided on his quarterback rotation for Wednesday night’s game at Canad Inns Stadium. “It hasn’t been determined yet. We will tomorrow.”

FIELDNOTES — LaPolice was asked his first impressions of newly signed import tackle Shannon Boatman. “A little out of shape. But he’s athletic.”…Glenn January and Andre Douglas, the Bombers projected — but injured — starting tackles, once again missed practice Monday. Also missing was linebacker Marcellus Bowman, who’s been out a couple weeks now with an unspecified leg injury but has been jogging during practice…Backup QB Joey Elliott, who impressed with his performance against Montreal last week in his first game since tearing his ACL early last season, looked very tender on Monday and was clearly limping…The Tiger-Cats are not flying into Winnipeg this week until Wednesday, the day of the game.