No worries — Freddie will be ready

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/10/2009 (5836 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the CFL’s leading rusher misses practice for the second day in a row, alarm bells have to ring for the team that employs him.

But Fred Reid says ignore the alarm — it’s nothing more than burnt toast and not a four-alarmer spreading from the basement to the upstairs.

"I’ll play on Sunday. Most definitely. One hundred per cent," said Reid, who injured his hip in last Monday’s win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Bombers (6-8) host the B.C. Lions (7-7) on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Canad Inns Stadium, and having Reid in the lineup is likely good news for both teams.

The Bombers want one of their best offensive weapons at their disposal, and the Lions, who Reid embarrassed to the tune of 260 rushing yards in a 37-10 Bomber blowout in their last meeting back in August, would like to get their hands on the shifty tailback.

"They have to be thinking about what we did to them last time," said Reid, who has rushed for 1,135 yards this season and is expected to get in a little work at today’s practice.

"I’d like to have another big day like the last time," Reid said.

"I’m always aiming for that before every game. But more important than me having a big day is the win. Right now, I’m just happy to get the wins. If they try to take me out of the game, we have to find ways to get other people the ball and for them to have success."

Reid’s 260 yards was a Bombers record and the third-best rushing game in league history.

"Fred will be ready to practise (today)," said Bombers running backs coach Manny Matsakis. "He could have practised (Thursday), but we just wanted to give him one more day of rest. He looks fine and we’re excited to have him.

"He had a great game last time we met these guys. It was one of those career days a guy can have," Matsakis continued.

"The other encouraging thing in that game was between Fred and Yvenson Bernard, they averaged 10 yards a pop. That’s something they’re going to have to get geared up to stop. They don’t face teams that run the ball the way we do.

"More importantly, they’ve been looking at how teams have played us. We’re not going to see the same thing as we did last time — defensive co-ordinators are too good in this league. You’re not going to see that twice."

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Bombers head coach Mike Kelly says Reid’s historic romp against the Lions is simply history.

"What’s in the past is in the past," Kelly said. "I’ve tried to explain to the players this week that winning brings individual accolades. We don’t need to be talking about individual accomplishments.

"This is about the team that’s winning right now and all the personal glorification will come as we win," he said.

"We were doing what we could do back then. We have become more balanced since then. We do the things that we think are necessary and are working in the game. If that means running the ball is what’s going to get it accomplished, we run the ball. If it’s the pass, we’ll pass more."

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca