Today’s Bomber Report

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/06/2009 (5941 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Top secret

There was all kinds of unnecessary secrecy surrounding the health of Bombers offensive lineman Brendan Labatte on Wednesday but quiet reports suggest the club’s top blocker will be just fine.

Labatte left the pre-season game in Montreal during the second quarter on Tuesday and did not return. He was unavailable to the media after the game and upon the club’s arrival in Winnipeg on Wednesday, reporters were again told he was unavailable.

When coach Mike Kelly was asked what he could say about Labatte at the airport his reply was terse.

"That he plays left guard. That’s all I can tell you right now. I’m not going to tell you about injuries so nobody else ask about injuries," ordered Kelly. "We’re not going to talk about injuries until we’re prepared to say anything about injuries. So don’t ask me about injuries. Any other questions?"

Labatte is considered the club’s top lineman and an NFL prospect and losing him for any extended period of time would be costly so we can understand Kelly being testy.

Early reports suggest Labatte had a burner (numbness) in his shoulder after a head-on-head collision and the team was taking precautionary measures. The player did not wear a neck brace on the flight home.

Trade bait

Kelly has a nice problem on his hands due to the excellent play of rookie running backs Lavarus Giles and Yvenson Bernard. They’ve pushed for spots and with veterans Fred Reid and Joe Smith already with the team, decisions have to be made.

One route is to trade on of the four running backs in camp. Kelly was mum on the subject.

"I’ve had my phone off during the flight. I can’t disrupt the pilots. I don’t know how many we can keep. I can’t give you an answer right now," said Kelly.

GM John Murphy said the team hadn’t received any tempting offers as of mid-day Wednesday.

HOME AGAIN: Bobby Singh, released by the Bombers prior to training camp, has passed his physical with the Lions and is expected to sign with his old club this week. Singh, 33, played with the Lions from 2004-06.

D-DAY: All CFL teams must declare their rosters (42 active, four-man reserve list plus the practice roster) by 3 p.m. CT on Thursday. The Bombers will likely have to cut a dozen players to meet that mark.

MR. VERSATILE: Jonathan Hefney, converted to linebacker with the Bombers after playing corner and safety at Tennessee, also returned three kickoffs against the Als… LB Jasper Johnson led all Bombers with 14 tackles in two preseason games.

Home again

Bobby Singh, released by the Bombers prior to training camp, has passed his physical with the Lions and is expected to sign with his old club this week. Singh, 33, played with the Lions from 2004 to ’06.

D-day

All CFL teams must declare their rosters (42 active, four-man reserve list plus the practice roster) by 3 p.m. on Thursday. The Bombers will likely have to cut a dozen players to meet that mark.

Mr. Versatile

Jonathan Hefney, converted to linebacker with the Bombers after playing corner and safety at Tennessee, also returned three kickoffs against the Als.