LaPolice gaga over receiver’s return

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/09/2010 (5523 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Paul LAPOLICE inadvertently mixed up the words ‘skills’ and ‘tools’ Tuesday — perhaps hinting at a level of personal excitement regarding Terence Jeffers-Harris’ return to the lineup.

Question: How was the rookie in his first day of full practice?

“Rusty, but you know, he’s got some stools,” the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach accidentally said, ignoring his verbal slip and continuing with his praise of his talented first-year pro. “He’s a playmaker. Just get the ball into his hands; he can make things happen, so I think he’ll be ready to go.”

However you want to say it, having Jeffers-Harris back in the receiving corps is enough to make any Blue and Gold supporter stumble over their own tongue.

The 22-year-old speed merchant looks ready for action after missing seven games with a high ankle sprain suffered in a July 31 contest in Calgary and, despite varying timetables for a possible return, the Georgia native says he can’t handle the idle status anymore.

Now’s the time — two months is too long to sit out.

“A lot of waiting, a lot of anticipation, a lot of watching other guys and a lot of wondering when I’ll be able to play again,” he said, listing off the frustrating aspects to the slow-healing injury. “It’s been… let’s just say it hasn’t been a good situation.”

The club probably feels the same way, too. Not only have the Bombers (3-9) struggled in the time Jeffers-Harris has been away, they also haven’t been able to find a suitable stand-in for the production he provided before going down.Think a healthy Jeffers-Harris isn’t a big deal for the Bombers offence? His 317 yards receiving is still fourth on the club — and only 19 yards behind Brock Ralph for third spot.

The ankle also derailed talk of Jeffers-Harris being a candidate for rookie of the year. That hurts almost as much as the injury did, he admits.

“It’s my most serious football injury and it comes during my rookie year — a rookie year you only get once,” he said. “It puts a damper on things, especially with the way I started.”

LaPolice wants to see how the player responds to workouts before making an official ruling on Jeffers-Harris, and that roster move isn’t the only decision the coach will have to make when the Bombers take on the B.C. Lions (4-8) in Vancouver Saturday. Rookie WR Greg Carr, fresh off of a 184-yard, two touchdown game, also figures to be in the Bombers lineup again, possibly pushing experienced pass catchers Adarius Bowman and Chris Davis to the sidelines.

Carr, who is currently nursing a serious shin bruise, has landed in the Bombers lineup out of nowhere, and even the coach said he still doesn’t know enough about what the 6-foot-6, 214-pound giant can do.

“I know he’s got some play-making ability, but he’s not taking over for Milt Stegall,” LaPolice cautioned. “It’s one game… he had a couple opportunities and he made (the most of) those opportunities. He’s not coming off the roster.

“He gets another opportunity to prove himself, more so than someone who didn’t.”

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca