It’s his mess, his problem

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/07/2009 (6163 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Distractions can have a funny effect on a football team.

They can either serve to galvanize the men in the locker-room or split them like an axe.

Since Thursday’s wildcat strike in Edmonton, Derick Armstrong and management have been locked in turmoil and on Sunday, director of player personnel John Murphy and head coach Mike Kelly decided a “cooling-off” period was needed.

The team gave Armstrong the day off while the rest of his teammates returned to practice in preparation for Friday’s home opener against the Calgary Stampeders.

Word has it that the Bombers are attempting to trade the truculent pass catcher.

Reaction from Armstrong’s teammates was difficult to gauge, as most players preferred not to comment.

“Disappointed. That’s about it. Very disappointed. He’s a good player and a good friend but I’m very disappointed,” said fellow receiver Terrence Edwards when asked about the Armstrong situation.

“I’ve played on many teams where you lose close friends. It’s a game, you have to move on.”

Edwards, however was quick to say he would welcome Armstrong back into the locker-room.

“I would. This is not his character. This is not something he’s done before. I think the guys would embrace him,” said Edwards.

“I’ve talked to him. I stayed out of it. It’s none of my business. I’m here to play football. I stay out of his ordeal. I’m sure stuff like this has happened in other places, but I’ve never seen it before.”

Edwards believes Armstrong’s presence in Thursday’s game could have helped the Bombers.

“He’s a damn good player. He could have made a difference. We lost as a team though. It wasn’t his fault,” said Edwards.

Linebacker Barrin Simpson said he didn’t know what happened between Armstrong and the coaching staff.

“People make choices. They make their own decisions and have to live with the consequences. That’s as much as I can say,” said Simpson. “You make choices and whatever comes out of those choices, you live with.”

Offensive lineman Kelly Bates, who reportedly had to step between Armstrong and coach Kelly during a shouting match on Saturday afternoon, said he and his teammates remain focused.

“Maybe the outside perception is that it’s been disruptive, but the honest truth is that it has been quite productive. The feelings that come from a tight loss like that… everyone’s been back in here trying to get ready for the next game,” said Bates.

“Those are things that none of us as players have any control over, we’ll just let the coaches take care of that. I don’t know the circumstances around the decision so it would be unfair for me to comment. I’d love to comment or make an educated guess, but I don’t know what went on.”

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca