Today’s Bomber Report

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/09/2009 (5856 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

 FYI

Sin City, here they come!

THE Bombers head to Montreal on Saturday and it’s widely regarded as the CFL’s version of Sin City — lots of distractions, lots of reasons for a player to bust curfew.

"That’s something we have not had one single problem with this year," said head coach Mike Kelly. "When we go to play, our guys are focused and understand the task at hand. I also have meetings at night… I don’t worry about this football team. I haven’t doled out a lot of fines this year because guys haven’t done anything to warrant fines. They’ve handled themselves tremendously on the road. I’m not worried about the guys going out and running the streets of Montreal.

Quotable

KELLY, when told by the CBC’s Mitch Peacock that a bus driver had told him Sunday’s Banjo Bowl loss was the first time he had ever left a game before the final gun:

"If I knew he was leaving early I had gotten on the bus with him. I didn’t want to watch any more of that, either. Or maybe I’d stand in front of the bus… how’s that one? I know our fans are out there and they’re frustrated. We’re trying to do everything we can. I empathize with everyone because it’s been a long drought here, but we’re trying to build something that can sustain. We really feel like we’re close."

Elephant in the room

BOMBERS linebacker Barrin Simpson has asked to be traded and is at odds with club management but remains part of the team. It’s strange to see Simpson at practice every day chatting with players. But players find a way to cut the tension and on Friday long-snapper Chris Cvetkovic had his teammates giggling when he slipped into a No. 5 jersey (Simpson’s number) before proceeding to walk around in an imitation of Simpson’s trademark pigeon-toed gait. At the end of the day, it’s just a game.

Hall of Fame stuff

PAUL BENNETT passes along this tidbit from next week’s big Hall of Fame week extravaganza: There are still some tickets remaining for the Sept. 25th Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, but sales of the event end on Monday, the 21st. For more info contact the Blue Bomber offices at 784-2583 or the team’s website at bluebombers.com. As well the Hall of Fame football fantasy lottery — with prizes that include tickets to the Grey Cup, Rose Bowl and Super Bowl — will be available at Boston Pizza, the Bomber Stores and up until kickoff of next Saturday’s home date with the Argonauts.

— Ed Tait