Jeffers-Harris elated with gift

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This article was published 25/06/2010 (5644 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THURSDAY went down as one of the more memorable birthdays for Terence Jeffers-Harris.

The gifted wide receiver from Lawrenceville, Ga., found out he’ll continue to be part of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, having survived the CFL’s active-roster guillotine with not so much as a scratch.

"It’s a great feeling, no question about it," Jeffers-Harris said, pleased his 22nd birthday did not involve catching a plane back home or turning in his Bombers playbook. "I’m really happy I worked myself into that spot. I’m going to take full advantage now and make it count.

"This is a great present. I can’t wait to call my family and give them the good news."

Following Wednesday’s housecleaning, which saw 15 players trimmed from the roster, the Bombers didn’t make any moves before Thursday’s 2 o’clock deadline. The club now sits at 46 players (not including those on the one-game and nine-game injured lists), and plans to declare its six-man (plus one Canadian developmental player) practice roster today.

That won’t have any impact on the birthday boy, though.

"It’s been a strange journey so far," Jeffers-Harris said.

"I’ve never really felt comfortable throughout all of camp because I was still learning the plays and making some mistakes. Until today (Thursday), I didn’t feel too comfortable. But there’s still work to be done. My dad has always told me to be the best I can be, and I’ve tried to do that."

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound speedster out of Vanderbilt is just one of a handful of CFL newbies the Bombers plan to trot out when the 2010 season gets underway against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats next week. Among the notable new faces ensconced in Blue and Gold include non-import WR Cory Watson, OL Kelly Butler and Andre Douglas, LS Adam Bestard, LB Marcellus Bowman, and DB LaVar Glover.

Some are first-year pros, the careers of others have taken them to Winnipeg.

Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice, making his first roster decisions as the big boss, feels he’s put together a nice blend of CFL experience and new blood.

"There were some great battles," he said. "It was a fun camp. We do think there’s a mixture of young and old in this group. Veterans provide leadership, veterans provide an understanding of the game. Some of the younger guys have been real impressive in what they’ve done. Now, when the bullets are flying, when it’s real, the game has to slow down for them quickly."

Under LaPolice and general manager Joe Mack, the Bombers to-do list this off-season addressed three issues: 1) upgrade the quarterback spot; 2) mix in some youth in a few positions; and 3) find some Maple Leaf depth.

Buck Pierce and Steven Jyles are answers to No. 1. Jeffers-Harris, Bowman, and Douglas are all 23 years old and under.

As for the third area, LaPolice feels he has a handle on the usual CFL ratio conundrum with his choices, citing the non-import flexibility on both sides of the ball. Should things stand pat in the locker-room, Winnipeg hopes to show a variety of ratio looks on the offensive line (starting two imports), on the defensive line (Doug Brown could be joined by fellow Canuck Don Oramasionwu in the interior), or at receiver (four of the eight pass-catchers are Canadian) to make the numbers work.

"The depth chart is about trying to create flexibility at the non-import status," LaPolice said. "That’s what we’ve tried to get better at this year."

The Bombers enjoy another day off today before hitting the practice field Saturday.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

tait: locked, loaded and ready for battle C3