Provide Pierce with tools to succeed

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/11/2011 (5177 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Buck Pierce has undeniably been the key on-field figure in the resurgence of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and management will gamble next season that he’s also the man to get them over the top.

There’s no guarantee in that regard as Pierce has demonstrated that while he’s a serviceable quarterback when healthy, there are flaws in his game.

The Bombers were good this year under Pierce but not great. It takes great to win and club management will stake its reputation on Pierce and his game.

But really, what other choice do GM Joe Mack and head coach Paul LaPolice have in constructing their plans for next season? None is the answer.

Promote Alex Brink? Sorry, but no. Brink has made some strides forward but to suggest he’s better than Pierce at this moment just isn’t true. Trade for Henry Burris or hope to sign him as a free agent? That’s a desperation move and should be left to the Hamiltons and Torontos of the CFL.

“Well of course. I want to be here more than anything. This place is home for me and I want to get something done. You never know, I don’t see any huge problem. We made strides this year as a football club and I think I was a big part of that,” Pierce said Tuesday morning as the team cleaned out its lockers.

LaPolice wouldn’t anoint Pierce as his starter but he gave every indication that will be the case.

“Absolutely,” said LaPolice, when asked if he wanted Pierce back. “He’d be the heavy favourite. Every year is different but he’d be the favourite. It’s a little different now that we’ve got some depth at that position but certainly, you go in with a pecking order and go from there. That doesn’t mean the order doesn’t change.”

Mack says talks should proceed quickly to get Pierce signed to a new contract.

“I don’t anticipate any problems. I think Buck and I have a very good relationship and I think it’s very productive. He knows how I think about him as a person and a player,” said Mack.

The GM bristled when asked if the contract would be an incentive-based package such as the one Pierce is currently on. “I wouldn’t go into specifics of any player’s contract. That’s kind of personal.”

The Bombers roster was a game away from winning a title and management fully expects to move forward and challenge again next year. A capable quarterback is a must for such a scenario and now is not the time to go in a new direction at pivot unless there’s a sure-fire winner available.

There is a lot to like about Pierce. He’s a leader, is courageous and his teammates love him. He’s got a great brand, he works hard in the community and he’s loved by his fans.

None of that, of course, adds up to a Grey Cup as we’ve just found out. Certainly Sunday’s loss can’t be entirely pinned on Pierce and a number of his teammates came to his defence on Tuesday whispering to reporters that the game plan, play calling and lack of execution from the skill-position players made Pierce look bad.

“We didn’t give Buck a chance. There were drops early and we were too conservative in our approach for too long,” said a teammate who demanded anonymity. “When did we start to move? When Buck started calling his own plays. Both our touchdowns came with Buck calling the plays. We were way too caught up in playing safe. We called scared plays. Buck is a good quarterback. We need to get him a few more tools to work with and let him do his thing. They have to bring him back.”

Pierce oversaw an offence that led the league in two and outs and was unable to deliver a knockout punch time and again this season. The Bombers got to where they were mostly on defence and with an offence that would tread water more than anything else.

“We need to be more consistent as an offence. That came up and bit us. Throughout the course of the year we had great games and then a few holes here and there and that was under the surface throughout the course of the year,” said Pierce. “I think it’s a little early too put a finger on what caused that right now.”

That, however, is exactly the task for Mack and his coach. They need to pour over game film and determine where they are lacking. They’ve made the call that Pierce is their man. Now they have to help him.

Better protection, better receivers and more aggressive play calling.

Tough decisions need to be made in those areas but change is imperative.

Mack and LaPolice worked over a net the last two years but now they’ve given the public reason to expect big things. The challenge just got bigger and the stakes higher.

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @garylawless

Unfinished business

Things we heard and learned at Garbage Bag Day as the Bombers cleaned out their lockers and prepared for the off-season…

Potential free agents (if not re-signed before Feb. 15, 2012)

QB Buck Pierce

QB Alex Brink

QB Joey Elliott

WR Aaron Hargreaves

WR Greg Carr

OL Brendon LaBatte

OL Glenn January

OL Steve Morley

OL Andre Douglas

LS Chris Cvetkovic

S Brady Browne

S Ian Logan

DT Don Oramasionwu

• Coach Paul LaPolice on kicking game: “We need more competition there.”
• Veteran Canadian defensive tackle Doug Brown is expected to retire and was asked if he might have a change of heart:

“Don’t hold your breath. I don’t know what happens next. I guess I’m still in denial about the whole thing. It’ll sink in more when next season comes or when things start to move forward without you. It’s a little misleading internally right now.”