Today’s Bomber Report: Orange prison garb didn’t suit Taylor

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/06/2009 (6327 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The CFL has always been about second chances and opportunity, about redemption and salvation.

And so, as much as new Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike Kelly wants to fill out his roster with fine, upstanding citizens, the reality of pro sports also says that not everyone is going to be a candidate for the front of Choirboy Monthly.

That’s why Kelly & Co. are giving players like former Texas star Ramonce Taylor — who was convicted of drug possession and parole violation — an opportunity to fly right.

“Not everybody looks good in (prison) orange, you know? I think he recognized that,” Kelly explained Friday. “When he came to Monroe, La. (for a Bomber free agent camp) his mother came with him and we all sat down. We’ve all done things that probably at the time we thought were good ideas, but as we look back now we go ‘Oh, how do we survive some of those things?’

“All we’re doing is providing an opportunity. Some of these guys come in here and if they handle themselves correctly, that’s great. They’ve learned their lesson, they’ve matured, they move on. Any sign of stupidity and the airport’s only five minutes away. It works out easy. I don’t have to honour anybody’s scholarship.”

Kelly has already spoken to Bomber rookies about staying out of trouble and will repeat the message Sunday night to the entire squad. But the reality is that players who want to will be able to seek out and find ‘trouble.’ They just might not be wearing Bomber jerseys for long afterward.

“They’re grown men,” said Kelly. “This is their job and if they go out there and do this on a regular basis then obviously they won’t be able to perform at the level we’re hoping they can perform and end up cutting themselves. Taking care of your body is taking care of your career and if they can’t do that then they really don’t respect their career.”

NEW RECRUIT? The Bombers took a peek Friday after practice at former Winnipeg Rifles punter Brendan Bowman, who is committed to the U of M this year. Bowman, a 22-year-old River East product, ranked second in the Prairie Football Conference with a 33.2-yard punting average and fifth overall in receiving with 30 catches for 524 yards.

Meanwhile, Bisons O-lineman Doug Amouzouvi was added as a non-counter this morning to take the place of Christian Oberegger of St. Francis-Xavier, who was here but not taking reps. One of those two players will likely join the main squad on the field on Sunday.

BLUE NOTES: Kelly said six to eight players will be trimmed from the roster before main camp opens Sunday morning… A reminder the Bombers are asking fans to gather Sunday for the first ‘Blue Revolution’ (their marketing slogan for ’09) meeting, just prior to the 3:30 p.m. practice that day. All fans will receive a roster card, Bomber Store special, season ticket information and a poster.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca