Stanley Bryant returns to Blue Bombers practice

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This article was published 06/08/2015 (3955 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers breathed a collective sigh of relief as offensive lineman Stanley Bryant made his return to practice at Investors Group Field Thursday afternoon.

Bryant missed the last two days of work, presumably nursing an ailment following last Thursday’s 23-13 win over the B.C. Lions. He was able to finish the game, however, and when asked after practice what kept him sidelined, a simple shrug of the shoulders paired with few words indicated enough to support he’s more than ready to suit up for the Blue and Gold when they take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons field Sunday afternoon.

“Nothing wrong, nothing serious, I’m fine,” was how Bryant put it. “I’ll be ready.”

Besides a boost to the O-line, the return of Bryant to the left tackle position also represents a mark of stability for the front five, an offensive unit that has been subject to some notable turnover in recent weeks. The moves began with Chris Greaves, who started the year at left guard but was replaced by Patrick Neufeld prior to the win over the Lions last week. Then there’s Jace Daniels at right tackle — a spot originally reserved for off-season pickup Marc Dile, who has since been cut from the Bombers — he too has missed action, sitting out a Week 5, 32-3 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos with an ankle injury, leaving the job open for Devin Tyler to get the start.

Needless to say, the offensive line has taken its punches through the first third of the season, and perhaps it’s the turnover of personnel that has Winnipeg atop the leaders in sacks allowed in the CFL this season with 16.

“We got to be better together as a whole,” said Bryant, adding “protection goes for the O-line, running backs, receivers — whoever is blocking — as a group we’ve got to be better.”

Bryant admits keeping his quarterback upright rather than on his butt is vital, but noted the high number of sacks against the Bombers can be a misleading stat when it comes to the overall evaluation of the O-line.

And it’s not like Drew Willy, who despite leaving injured two of the six games this season only to return the following week, hasn’t been effective this year.

Through six weeks, Willy is owner of the top QB efficiency rating at 113.3 and has been able to complete more than 70 per cent of his throws. His seven touchdowns compared to two interceptions also bode well for the O-line, suggesting the time and space is there for him to roam in the pocket.

Head coach Mike O’Shea said he’s seen an improvement from the start of the season but feels there’s plenty of room to grow on the O-line given the difficulties that come with having new bodies in and out of the lineup.

“They’re improved and they’re hungry for more,” O’Shea said. “They’ll continue to grow in that manner.”

INJURY REPORT: Receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino returned to practice Thursday and was taking reps with the first-team offence. Nick Moore, who returned to practice Wednesday, left early Thursday and his status was unknown for Sunday’s game.

Absent from practice again were defensive linemen Bryant Turner and Greg Peach (six-game injured list), receiver Addison Richards, offensive lineman Devin Tyler (six-game injured list) and linebacker Tony Burnett (six-game injured list).

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

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