Running backs busy on a windy day at Bomber training camp

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This article was published 01/06/2015 (3770 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With a stiff breeze blowing on Tuesday morning that made the passing game difficult at times, the five men auditioning to become the starting running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2015 got a chance to strut their stuff on Day 2 of training camp at the University of Manitoba.

Incumbent tailback Paris Cotton and challenger Carlos Anderson both had long touchdown runs on a day the running game got a long hard look from a Bombers coaching staff that is hoping to improve a ground game that was second last in the CFL last season in yards rushing — and dead last in average yards per rush.

Cotton comes into his second CFL season with the advantage of incumbency, having taken over the starting tailback duties for the Bombers late last season after the club jettisoned Nic Grigsby.

But Cotton says he has no illusions the fact he ended last season as Winnipeg’s starting tailback means he will start this year’s season in the same role.

“We’ve brought in a lot of backs and we’re all here to compete,” said Cotton, a 25-year-old out of Central Michigan. “The best man will win it and the guy that does make this team will have a great team in front of him.”

While much has been made about the effect off-season improvements to the Bombers offensive line will have on the club’s passing game, Cotton says all that new beef up front is also going to open up some big holes for the running game.

“The possibilities are endless, to be honest. If we do what we can do up front — and we’re looking great already — I’m really excited about this year…

“I’m seeing some unison with those guys already. It’s only the second day of practice and already those offensive line guys are on the same page and getting the job done.”

Among the running backs the Bombers have brought in this spring to challenge Cotton for the starting job is Bradley Randle, who was a late-season pick-up by the B.C. Lions last season and saw special teams action in one game.

Randle is no stranger to challenging an incumbent for the starting tailback position — he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2013 as an undrafted free agent and went up against some guy named Adrian Peterson in camp that year.

“Going up against guys like that just taught me that whenever you’ve got an opportunity, you just have to give it your all,” said Randle, a 24-year-old out of UNLV. “I’m excited. I’m happy. I’ve been in the CFL before and anytime I can put pads on, I’m happy to do it. It’s just a blessing to be out here and play the game that I love.”

At least three players were conspicuous by their absence from the field on Tuesday. Non-import receiver Addison Richards, who turned heads with a strong rookie camp last week, was once against absent from action on Tuesday but head coach Mike O’Shea continued to insist it’s no big deal.

“From the time I said it’d be a day or two, it’s been a day,” said O’Shea, “So it might be ‘or two.’”

Veteran linebacker Dan West and rookie cornerback Winston Wright have also yet to suit up at camp, although both men reportedly passed their physicals on Saturday. O’Shea refused to say what — if anything — is wrong with either man or why they haven’t yet practiced.

“We’re not going to talk about injuries — not right away,” said O’Shea. “We’ll get into that later in the season to see how we want to deal with injuries on a personal level with players.”

The Bombers also announced Tuesday morning that they’ve signed import defensive back Patrick Hall (6-0, 185, USC).

email: paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek