Bombers unveil offensive and defensive starters

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This article was published 24/06/2012 (4846 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday unveiled their projected starters on offence and defence for their first regular season game this coming Friday in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions — and there are some significant changes from last season.

The Bombers had a brief one-hour practice at Canad Inns Stadium Sunday morning — their first since a pre-season loss to Hamilton on Wednesday — and the coaching staff put the first-team offence and defence through their paces for the first time since the team made its final cuts on Saturday.

On the first-team defence, the Bombers had defensive back Jonathan Hefney (and a little bit of Brandon Stewart) playing at strong-side linebacker in place of Clint Kent, whose release was greeted with shock on Friday. Johnny Sears took the place of Hefney and Stewart at half-back.

There were also some surprises on the defensive line, where Alex Hall was slotted in at the defensive end position that veteran Kenny Mainor had anchored for almost all of training camp.

Also on the defensive line, the Bombers had Brandon Collier playing in the nose tackle position that was vacated by the release of Dorion Smith on Friday.

At middle linebacker, Pierre-Luc Labbe, as expected, took the first-team reps, winning the battle for that job with Henoc Muamba.

On the first-team offence, the Bombers had Chris Kowlaczuk starting at centre, indicating he had won the job over Justin Sorenson.

At receiver, Chris Matthews has won the wide-receiver position vacated by the off-season departure of Greg Carr. The Bombers also had Rory Kohlert taking first-team reps at slotback, in place of projected starter Cory Watson, who was placed on the one-game injury list and will miss the season opener.

Injured offensive tackle Glenn January did practise on Sunday, but did not take first-team reps. January said after practice that it’s still not clear if he will play in the season opener. He’s expected to play, but if he doesn’t, the Bombers had non-import Paul Swiston playing in his spot.

At the other offensive tackle position, Andre Douglas is still injured and will not play this Friday. Jordan Taormina has that job in his absence.

At quarterback, the Bombers had Alex Brink taking second-team reps and head coach Paul LaPolice confirmed after practice Brink had won the job over Joey Elliott as the immediate backup to starter Buck Pierce.

Earlier Sunday, the Bombers set their 46-man regular season roster with the announcement of their injured lists and practice squad.

The biggest news is that OT Tyson Pencer — the Bombers’ top draft pick last month and third overall — will start the season on the nine-game injury list. Pencer hurt his shoulder in the pre-season loss to Hamilton. Unconfirmed reports from field level that night suggested Pencer had separated his shoulder. LaPolice said Sunday the injury is not overly serious.

Pencer was the only player placed on the nine-game injury list, but seven others were placed on the one-game injury list, meaning they cannot play in Vancouver on Friday.

Topping that list are Watson and Douglas, as well as linebacker Marcellus Bowman, all projected starters this year. Also placed on the one-game list were backup quarterback Justin Goltz, defensive back Darrell Pasco, running back Carl Volny and fullback Jordan Matechuk.

Finally, the Bombers announced seven players had agreed to join their practice squad: wide receivers Doug Pierce, Isaac Anderson and Cassidy Doneff; linebacker Terrell Parker; running back Bloi-Dei Dorzon; defensive back Jeremy McGee; and offensive lineman Brendan Dunn.