FYI…

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/07/2010 (5538 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SPECIAL TEAMS SHUFFLE: If there’s one problem area you can point to on this Bombers club this season it’s the special teams. That unit just took another massive hit Thursday with the release of import Derrick Doggett.

The 25-year-old, who rejoined his teammates in Winnipeg after getting released by the Pittsburgh Steelers before the CFL season, was given his walking papers after it became apparent he wouldn’t earn a spot within the linebacker depth.

According to the team, it was tough to keep an import special teams-only player — especially when you’re already carrying an import kicker (Alexis Serna).

With Marcellus Bowman nursing a bad hand (he’s unlikely to play in Calgary), the weak-side linebacker spot falls to Courtney Smith. Doggett was third on the depth chart at that spot, and that wasn’t enough bang for the Bombers’ buck to justify keeping him around.

"I know he played on special teams for us for a couple weeks, but with the injuries we had we need to have… it’s just very hard for us to keep him," head coach Paul LaPolice said.

Doggett played in two games this season, registering just one special teams tackle.

His release raised some eyebrows among the media followers Thursday — especially when you consider that veteran special teams stud Shawn Gallant was placed on the nine-game injured list Wednesday.

The special teams dynamic duo of Doggett and Gallant had 57 tackles on kick coverage in 2009, prompting some to wonder if the team would have been better served to keep Doggett around while Gallant is out.

"One person won’t make our special teams better. It is a collective group, a collective unit. There will be mistakes that happen… but with the play of our special teams improving, we think we’ll be OK," LaPolice countered.

A positive addition to the special teams group is non-import Brady Browne. He’ll be back chasing down returners after sitting out the last two games. Browne wasn’t hurt, he just saw limited kick coverage action due to the fact he was starting at safety (replacing Ian Logan, who is back in the lineup) and the coaches couldn’t risk his health pulling double duty.

All this change forced the coaching staff to meet with the special teams group after practice Thursday; to remind the young players on the unit (specifically the Canadians) that any success the team has will be a direct result of preparation and the ability to grow into their special teams roles as fast as possible.

OLD FRIENDS: Romby Bryant, Arjei Franklin and Jabari Arthur — all former Bomber pass catchers — are expected to suit up for the Stamps.

Here’s Franklin, the only one who really left River City on good terms, on the subject of facing his former team: "I keep in touch with some of the guys out there, and from what I hear, things are very different from last year," Franklin told the Calgary Herald. "And all the best to them. (Receiver) Terrence Edwards is a good friend of mine; I don’t want to see him do anything special on this field on Saturday, but I wish him all the best. (Safety) Ian Logan, too."

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MORE STAMPS: Looks like WR P.K. Sam and DB Brandon Smith will not be in the lineup against the Bombers. Sam has a knee issue, while Smith is dealing with a groin problem. The Stamps shouldn’t miss a beat replacing Sam, as the always dangerous Ken-Yon Rambo returns from a lengthy layoff stemming from a knee injury last season.

— Adam Wazny