Harris back for Blue and Gold

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This article was published 28/08/2021 (1472 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Andrew Harris is back.

It’s a sentence that should be music to the ears of everyone in Bomberland. 

The future Canadian Football Hall of Famer and the CFL’s rushing leader from the past three seasons will make his 2021 debut today at IG Field against the Calgary Stampeders. 

The star running back has been sidelined for the first three games of the season with a calf injury. Thursday’s practice was closed to the media, but Harris didn’t participate on Friday, making Saturday’s announcement that he was good to go a bit of a surprise.

“It’s definitely going to be emotional,” Harris told reporters via Zoom after Saturday’s walkthrough.

“It’s been 20-some-odd months since I’ve taken a hit, been in the huddle, and played in front of fans. But ultimately and honestly, I’m just trying to block that out and get the emotion out of it and just focus on executing the plays and help my team win.”

Harris was electric in the last game he played. He torched the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 Grey Cup, en route to being named the game’s Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Canadian. The only problem is that it was 644 days ago. Harris missed essentially all of training camp and only began to participate on a limited basis this week. Throw into the equation that he’s 34 years old and you have to wonder what kind of player Haris is today. 

“I mean, I’ve had doubts even when I was 24. Every year coming back into the season I had doubts about it: ‘Can I do this still? Am I fast enough? Am I strong enough? Do I still have the same vision?’ It’s no different now,” Harris said.

“I got a little more grey hair on my chin, but I have a lot more wisdom and I’ve seen a lot more defences. I’ve (had) a lot more snaps. That wisdom and that experience definitely goes a long way.”

With no football in 2020, it was an extra tough pill to swallow to have to sit and watch for the first three games — especially a memorable Week 1 matchup at home against Hamilton that kicked off the 2021 CFL season.

“That was obviously a big day, but every game has been tough. Every practice has been tough. Everything that I haven’t been able to be a part of has been tough to deal with,” he said.

“After being at a certain point with the team and you’re not in that same role, it’s definitely tough to be around and watch from the sideline. You just got to try and do your part.”

His part will now be getting the Bombers run game back to its old ways. Fellow Winnipegger Brady Oliveira shined in Week 1 with 126 yards on 22 carries, but in the next two weeks against Toronto, the second-year running back was held to an average of 2.8 yards per carry. 

“I think Toronto played a great defence against us. That’s not taking away from what Brady’s capable of or our O-line. It happens in a season when you have some games where you get stymied a little bit,” said Harris.

“Obviously, the run game is a big part of our offence and getting involved early and often is what we like to do, but it’s one of those things where those guys get paid, too.”

Whether Harris fills up the stat sheet against Calgary or not, his presence alone will make a difference for the Blue and Gold.

“We were fine with Brady (Oliveira) doing what Brady does, running the ball and doing exactly what we needed him to do. (But) having Andrew back just gives us a little bit more confidence,” said defensive end Willie Jefferson.

“Andrew brings a little bit more smooth running to the offence. Brady with his power in his attack joined with Andrew’s smooth (running) and knowledge and experience of running the ball in the CFL is going to be something to deal with.”

But will Harris and Oliveira be a one-two punch or will the Bombers lean heavily on the veteran right away?

“I do believe when Al Couture our head therapist says a guy’s ready to go, he’s ready to go,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

“How the game plays out is something different. We’ll just see how the game unfolds and we’ll manage it from there but that’s every game and for every person that plays.”

There’s nothing left for Harris to accomplish or prove in this league. Even though his 11th CFL season hasn’t gone the way he had hoped thus far, he’s still not ready to say that it’ll be his last.

“I’m taking it day-by-day, man. That’s about it,” said Harris.

“If I feel after this game that I can’t do this anymore, then I’ll shut it down. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. I’m just going to take it day by day, by the week, and assess as I go.”

CRAPIGNA PLACED ON SIX-GAME IR

The Bombers placed kicker Tyler Crapigna on the six-game injured reserve on Saturday. Rookie Marc Liegghio, who’s been handling punting duties so far this season, will take over the kicking duties.

“We’ll move forward with Marc Liegghio. He’s a very accomplished kicker at the CIS (U Sports) level, a high 80s, 90 per cent guy, so, he’s been waiting for this opportunity, too,” O’Shea said.

“No player likes getting opportunities based on an injury but they all have to be prepared to take it. (I’ve got) full confidence in him.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @TaylorAllen31