Today’s Bomber Report

Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Monday, Jun. 7, 2010

Big numbers

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/06/2010 (5660 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Big numbers

About 2,500 fans took in the first full workout Sunday, and the Bombers were beaming. “The players really appreciate that and it really means something to them when they see the crowd after every pass or every interception cheering them on… Keep coming down, we’ll be here all week. Skip work.” — Head coach Paul LaPolice.

Walking wounded

WR Will Franklin (hamstring); S Ian Logan (neck); WR/KR Travis Shelton (hamstring); OL Brendon LaBatte (ankle). Both Logan and LaBatte will be further evaluated in the next few days.

Today’s practice goes from 8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

CAMP NUMBERS: Players: 74. Canadians: 32. Imports: 42.

All teams must declare their final rosters by June 24.

ED TAIT

THINKS

YOU SHOULD

KNOW…

— Here’s coach Paul LaPolice on whether he has had a pinch-me moment now that he is a head coach for the first time: “It was neat with the fans after practice, with people introducing themselves. There are periods where I’m in it (the drills), but in some of the individuals and special teams I’m walking around. That’s when you’re kind of like, ‘I should be doing something. I should be yelling at somebody.’ But everyone’s got it covered and so you just watch and evaluate people. That was the only pinch-me moment I had today.”

— Ian Logan’s injury means Brady Browne, the former U of M Bison, took a lot of turns at safety with the No. 1 defence. The Bombers also have veteran Shawn Gallant and Nick Kordic, although Kordic is listed on the depth chart as a linebacker. The coaches have stressed to Logan to stay mentally sharp in the meetings. He was in uniform but not practising Sunday.

— Stars of the day: QB Buck Pierce, who looked solid; DB Jason Tate, for the fourth day in a row, after picking off a pass for a touchdown; receiver Terence Jeffers-Harris; RB Fred Reid.

— Big hit — LaPolice said Saturday night’s speech to the players was a huge hit. The coach made sure everyone understood some of the team’s history, including how the Blue Bomber nickname came from sportswriter Vince Leah in reference to former heavyweight champion Joe Louis, ‘The Brown Bomber.’ “The players were really fired up. A lot of guys I talked to didn’t know that, they thought it was something from World War II. We had a lot of clips of Joe’s knockouts. When we watched cut-ups (highlights) of our best red-zone passes we’d show four clips of Joe Louis knocking a guy down, finishing guys off and then our clips. One of our cover-zero blitzes shows Joe Louis knocking a guy out. We’re trying to relate that to what we can be. I think it was a neat message.”

— New Blue: He hasn’t formally agreed to a new contract yet, but receiver David Ball was in attendance on Sunday. He has had pro stints with Hamilton, Montreal, Chicago and the New York Jets after starring at the University of New Hampshire, where he broke Jerry Rice’s career Division 1-AA record with 58 receiving touchdowns.

— The Ticats have signed DL Stan Van Sichem, the player the Bombers acquired from Montreal for Gavin Walls but cut last week before camp because of concerns he wouldn’t pass his physical.

— Worth noting: Hall of fame punter Bob Cameron was working with Mike Renaud; ex-Bomber linebacker Lamar McGriggs was helping with the defence.