FYI

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/06/2010 (5651 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

— BACK TO BACK: Head coach Paul LaPolice was asked if there are some similarities between Bombers RB Fred Reid and Roughriders RB Wes Cates, whom LaPolice had when he was offensive co-ordinator with Saskatchewan.

While Reid (5-foot-8, 185 pounds) might not be as big as Cates (6-foot, 215 pounds), LaPolice believes Reid can be just as effective in the offensive system — in both pass blocking and coming out of the backfield as a throwing option.

"Once we can get him the ball in space in a number of different ways, I think that’s going to help his game," LaPolice said. "He’s already a tremendous runner with the ball in his hands (and) inside the tackles, but we want to feature him in some of the other things, too — outside the box, screen passes and crossing routes."

With so much focus put on the quarterbacks and the receiver battles, Reid, who rushed for 1,371 yards in 2009, has gone under the radar in this camp.

— JOVON BACK: After sitting out the better part of a week of workouts, DB Jovon Johnson expects to be back on the field this morning. Johnson had been sidelined with a bruised kneecap, an injury he suffered during a cover drill last week.

"I’ll be back, most definitely. It just needed a few extra days to get right. If this was regular season, I would have been back sooner."

Johnson had this morning as his return date, knowing that he’d have to get in some reps to be eligible for Sunday’s game. One thing he’s less sure of is his kick return role. LaPolice has been auditioning a number of players for the role, looking to focus Johnson’s energy on pass coverage. The player wasn’t having any of that talk:

"As far as I’m concerned, it’s still my job until someone shows they can do it as well as me," he said.

— NO. 1: No decision on who the No. 1 quarterback will be for the Bombers yet and that announcement probably won’t be made until early next week. The competition is still ongoing, LaPolice said, and the coach wouldn’t tip his hand on which way he’s leaning. Given his CFL experience, the smart money is on Buck Pierce, but the coach loves the way Steven Jyles can make things happen with his athleticism.

No matter what the decision, the Bombers could have a situation much like the one Pierce was a part of in B.C. — two QBs, each with different challenges for opposing defences.

The question is: Can Jyles be as effective as Jarious Jackson?

— ON THE HORIZON: The Bombers have just two more training camp workouts before they head to Hamilton to take on the Tiger-Cats in pre-season action Sunday.

Countdown

Winnipeg must be down to 46-players by next Thursday (2 p.m.). The club is just 16 days away from the start of the 2010 regular season, when it opens at home versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats July 2nd.

Flu Bug Gone?

The bug which has been circulating through the Bombers locker room seems to be nearly done. Just three players (LB Marty Bowman, LB Courtney Smith, and WR Kenny Strickland) missed practice Wednesday.

Stars of the Day

Great showing by WR Adarius Bowman, SB Brock Ralph, RB Fred Reid, and S Ian Logan. Honorable mention goes to the sunny weather.