January can’t afford to chill

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/06/2010 (5655 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Glenn JANUARY is no dummy.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Houston product has been around long enough to figure out how things are shaking down on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive line.

He hears the whispers about his situation and the circumstances surrounding it, but he’s not dwelling on what the future might bring or forecasting any doomsday scenario.

He’s not doing it publicly, at least.

“Kelly’s playing well and I think I’m playing well too, so I’m not going to worry about it,” January, 27, offered after Day 6 of Blue Bombers training camp at Canad Inns Stadium Friday. “I can’t worry about anything else. I can’t worry about how many imports are going to play on the line, or who is going to play where.”

Sounds good, but let’s take a closer look at January’s predicament.

The “Kelly” he refers to is Kelly Butler, a hulking 6-foot-8, 350-pound import brute the Bombers brought in to challenge for a spot in the trench. Just the sight of the former NFL offensive lineman has created quite a stir during camp and he seems like a lock to be a part of the protection package in front of quarterback Buck Pierce this season.

No one knows if Butler can do it in games yet, of course, but the assumption is that he can.

In 2009, the Bombers had just one import on the O-line — a ratio most CFL teams subscribe to. If Winnipeg goes with Butler and January (something the club wants to avoid), then they’ll have to find another place for a Canadian starter, causing a potential ratio headache somewhere else on the field.

The January ratio squeeze is just one of the storylines involving the Bombers’ big men. Starting spots are akin to musical chairs, as players who were in a set position last year are finding themselves moving to a different area this time around.

January moves over from right tackle to left tackle — a spot he was in before the former regime asked him to protect the blind side of lefty Stefan LeFors. After Lefors went down, former coach Mike Kelly decided to keep things as is for replacement Michael Bishop.

Obby Khan remains at centre and Brendon LaBatte is the left guard, but Steve Morley, the 2009 starting left tackle, moves inside and could be in a dogfight with Luke Fritz and Ryan Donnelly at right guard. Or the club could just keep non-import Morley out at left tackle — putting an extra squeeze on January.

We haven’t even mentioned the five other linemen in camp.

Winnipeg allowed a CFL-low 26 sacks in 2009, so the O-line is certainly a position of strength for the club, but all this uncertainty has ramped up the urgency within the group to perform at a high level now. Miss any time due to injury, and your spot could be filled: Out of sight, out of mind.

“It just doesn’t feel like you’re part of the crew when you’re hurt,” said Donnelly, who sat the last few days with a sore knee.

“Training camp is no fun, but you don’t want to miss things. Not right now, with so much change going on.”

The Bombers take part in a walk-through this morning in preparation for the Montreal Alouettes Sunday (1 p.m., Canad Inns Stadium).

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca