Bombers CFL’s big mystery

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/06/2009 (5945 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There are actual colours on a canvas now. Some shapes appearing, some faces recognizable. But if you were to describe the work-in-progress that is the 2009 Winnipeg Blue Bombers after two pre-season games and 18 days of training camp it would be…

Well, what WOULD it be exactly?

"First thing I would tell you is we’re gonna fight," said receiver Terrence Edwards after the Bombers’ 31-27 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in Tuesday’s final dress rehearsal. "And then I would say that I like how guys have been really trying to make this club because they know it’s going to be something special.

"We’re encouraged. I hope the fans are encouraged, too."

The folks in Bomber Nation will have to take the word of Edwards & Co. because the evidence won’t really become concrete until next Thursday with the regular-season opener in Edmonton against the Eskimos. Until then, the Bombers remain easily the CFL’s biggest mystery with final cuts expected today.

"We have a good football team," said head coach Mike Kelly. "We’re nowhere near where we need to be yet, but I’m very pleased with the way this group has come together in a short period of time. Right now all I can tell you is we’re on task and that’s where we need to be."

For what it’s worth, here’s one man’s take on some storylines we’ve been tracking since training camp opened:

WHAT’S BEEN ANSWERED

The QB question: No shock whatsoever that Stefan LeFors has been anointed the No. 1 gun. And while his numbers in Tuesday’s pre-season loss to the Als set off alarm bells among the diehards — he was just 9 of 21 for 145 yards with no TDs and an interception that was returned for a score — we like what little we’ve seen of the new starter. Our take: he moves around the pocket well, doesn’t have a cannon but is an accurate passer and seems to have the respect of his teammates. After that, it’s still all a guess.

Perhaps the most-intriguing development at the QB position was the obvious growth by Bryan Randall, who looks wa-a-a-a-y more comfortable running this attack.

The kicking concerns: Alexis Serna was six of seven in the pre-season after finishing up last year hitting on 10 of his last 11 field-goal tries. And when the Bombers take to the field next week in Edmonton that will count for exactly zero and diddly. We’ll say this, though, Serna looks much more relaxed with Mike Renaud handling the punting chores.

O-line or Oh-Oh line? Sounds like Brendon LaBatte suffered a "burner" in his neck against the Als and that news caused an audible sigh of relief in Bomberland. The underachieving Steve Morley will start at left tackle with import Glen January at right, veteran Kelly Bates was a solid pickup and Obby Khan is shaking off the rust at centre.

A case for the air defence: It’s been significantly revamped with just Ian Logan and Jovon Johnson returning, but there are some people flying around back there and making an impression — players like Ronyell Whitaker, Keyuo Craver, Brandon Stewart, Lenny Walls and James Johnson have all had their moments.

WHAT’S STILL PENDING

Is there a kick returner in the house? The Bombers insist they have the pieces but we didn’t see anybody grab punt or kickoff chores by the throat and squeeze.

The crowded backfield: Lavarus Giles has been the talk of the two pre-season games, especially with vets Fred Reid and Joe Smith not carrying the ball at all. Yvenson Bernard has also had his moments. We’re just guessing here, but if the club can’t make a trade, expect the Bombers to keep Reid, Smith and Giles and put Bernard, who exited Tuesday with some kind of injury, on the reserve list.

Good to go or taking it slow? We wish we could give you some kind of take on the impact three ex-Eskimos — defensive end Fred Perry, receiver Brock Ralph and linebacker Siddeeq Shabazz — will have on their new team. But it’s near impossible when they rarely practise, let along participate in pre-season games. Word is both Perry and Ralph will be good to go next week while Shabazz may need another week. And that may be how this football team should be evaluated right now: on a week-to-week basis.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca