FYI

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/08/2010 (5537 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WATER BOMBERS: It was the lightning, not the rain, which forced the Bombers indoors Wednesday. The club cancelled its practice at Rods Field just before its scheduled start time, forcing both players and coaches to scramble to find an alternate location. That spot turned out to be the second-floor banquet room above the Bombers’ offices.

“We knew there was going to be rain; we just didn’t think it would be that bad,” head coach Paul LaPolice said. “I was too worried about the lightning.”

Though the coaches managed to put players through a walk-through, losing a full day of on-field practice wasn’t the best situation for a team with a few positional question marks (quarterback, strong-side linebacker) heading into the weekend. LaPolice brought some sunshine to the situation, though, believing the players benefited with the full day of classroom work.

“We’ve always told the players that this game is 90 per cent above the neck; that you mentally have to know what you’re doing.”

QUARTERBACK UPDATE: Regarding the most important position on the CFL field, here’s what can be confirmed from the Wednesday workout:

1. QB Buck Pierce says his right knee felt good and if it were up to him, he’d play in Hamilton Saturday.

2. That being said, QB Steven Jyles ran most of the first-team offensive sets during the walk through (with Pierce standing by).

All signs point to Jyles, but take what you will from that scouting report. LaPolice, the man who will make the final decision on who his starting pivot will be, was playing coy with the media, saying his mind hasn’t been made up yet.

“We’ll evaluate (today) and see how both those guys are,” the coach said. “(Pierce) said he felt fine — he’s not going to tell me otherwise. We’ll see.”

Coach, will the Bombers bring Pierce to Hamilton even if he doesn’t start? “We’ll have two scenarios: One where he will dress and one where he won’t.”

PUNTING PROBLEMS: Not in Winnipeg, but in Hamilton, where the Ticats appear to have seen enough from non-import Justin Palardy.

The rookie holds a 42.1 yard average but the real concern with his game has been the inability to get the ball out quick. He’s already had three punts blocked this year. On Tuesday, place-kicker Sandro DeAngelis did all the punting for the Ticats at practice. Wednesday, the Tabbies announced the signing of import punter Eric Wilbur.

It’s been a tough stretch for punters in the CFL. Still looking for work is former Saskatchewan boot Louie Sakoda, who was released earlier this week.

— Adam Wazny

No interest

The Bombers, who continue to start two American offensive linemen, report they have no interest in veteran non-import OL Godfrey Ellis, who was released by Calgary on Tuesday.

No worries

“Never in my years of playing football have I given up 272 yards to a receiver. I don’t think I’ve ever given up 150 yards to one guy before. I don’t fear him, or any other receiver they have.” — Bombers DB Jovon Johnson on Hamilton’s Arland Bruce III and his production of late.

Quotable

With the next two games against Hamilton (1-4), the Bombers (2-3) have a chance to really separate themselves from the ‘Cats with a pair of wins. “If you can win the game on the road, it puts a lot of pressure on them to come here and beat us,” Bombers coach Paul LaPolice said.