Bombers would love to run two tailbacks

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This article was published 09/08/2017 (2978 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Blue Bombers would love to have the luxury of using running backs Andrew Harris — a Canadian — and import Timothy Flanders in the same backfield every week.

Flanders was inserted into the Week 7 lineup to provide an extra offensive punch, carrying the ball three times for 40 yards in a victory over the Ottawa Redbacks.

But the opening, created by the absence of injured receiver Weston Dressler, is not something the Blue Bombers will be counting on.

“It’s not like we have a lot of roster spot availability for that,” Winnipeg offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice said after Wednesday’s practice.

“We were fortunate enough last week to have it and the other thing you have to understand — there’s only so many first-and-10 scenarios and second-and-short scenarios where the two tailbacks are in the game and you can utilize them.

“I’m sure Andrew could get more carries in a game… Tim’s such a good player, we want to get him on the roster and we keep teaching him new things so he can do other things within the system.”

Harris, meanwhile, had seven carries for 43 yards against Ottawa to bring his season total to 283 yards on 65 carries. He has been most effective catching passes out of the backfield, with 40 receptions for 318 yards in six games.

Roster report

Slotback Dressler, linebacker/defensive back Brandon Alexander (lower body) and non-import wide receiver Julian Feoli Gudino did not practise Tuesday or Wednesday.

Dressler missed Week 7 in Ottawa with a lower-body injury and was placed on the club’s six-game injured list. Head coach Mike O’Shea said it is unlikely Dressler will be sidelined for the entire six games.

“No, for us it’s day-to-day, we check on him every day,” O’Shea said. “He does his rehab every day… nothing new to report.”

O’Shea said there was also nothing new to report on Alexander, while Feoli Gudino, who had his most productive day of the season last week with six catches and 73 yards against Ottawa. Feoli Gudino has an unspecified ailment but O’Shea expects him to be ready.

Ryan Lankford, coming off a two-catch, 82-yard performance last week, will fill in for Dressler while non-import Matt Coates could get the call if Feoli Gudino can’t play. With Dressler sidelined, Coates also is serving as the club’s holder on field-goal attempts.

“We’ll see what happens there,” Coates, who spent his first three seasons in the CFL with the Ticats and played his junior football in Steeltown, said. “Wherever I’m put out, that’s where I perform.”

Trading places

First-year defenders Roc Carmichael and Brian Walker swapped positions in Week 7, with Carmichael heading to the corner and Walker shifting inside to halfback.

“I think the positive effect it had is both of them are playing better,” Winnipeg defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall said. “It’s easier playing outside than it is inside. Walker, he didn’t start off on the inside, whereas Carmichael did start off on the inside. Walker was on the outside, got a chance to get his feet wet, got a chance to get some confidence and then we moved him inside…

“Everyone that comes up here is a natural corner, so (Carmichael’s) back to something he’s very familiar with and he’s doing a good job.”

Kudos for Medlock, Leggett

Two members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were named CFL top performers of the week after the club’s 33-30 victory in Ottawa over the Redblacks Friday night.

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Winnipeg kicker Justin Medlock and defensive back Mo Leggett were both recognized for their play in Week 7 while B.C. Lions wide receiver Bryan Burnham was the third player honoured.

Medlock kicked a game-winning, 38-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, his second walk-off field goal of the season and third in 24 regular-season games with Winnipeg, while finishing the game six-for-seven. His longest field goal came from 52 yards. Medlock also kicked two single points.

Leggett returned from missing two games with a lower-body injury to make a significant impact on the team’s defence. He finished the night with seven defensive tackles, two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble.

Burnham, meanwhile, had five catches for 131 yards and a TD in B.C.’s 30-15 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday night.

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @sawa14