Bombers cut Wilbur

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 4:03 PM CDT Thursday, Jun. 21, 2012

The Eric Wilbur experiment is over.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/06/2012 (4842 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Eric Wilbur experiment is over.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Thursday afternoon that they have cut the American kicker/punter — one day after Wilbur missed two very makeable field goals in a 26-25 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, including a 37-yarder on the last play that would have won the game.

Because Wilbur is an import, the general concensus coming into training camp was that he was going to have to outplay both Bomber incumbents, punter Mike Renaud and place kicker Justin Palardy.

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS archives
Eric Wilbur has been cut from the Blue Bombers. — KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS archives Eric Wilbur has been cut from the Blue Bombers.

Wilbur did out-punt Renaud in both of Winnipeg’s pre-season games, but Palardy held his own and Wilbur’s shaky performance Wednesday night likely sealed his fate.

The Bombers announced Thursday that they also cut safety Johnny Aprile, wide receiver Jeremy Blount and offensive lineman Adam Rogers.

The cuts get the Bombers down to a 66-man roster. Saturday is the league deadline for teams to declare their 46-man roster, seven-man practice roster and injury list. Expect Winnipeg to announce another 6-8 final cuts on Friday.