Speedy Floyd deployed as KR

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This article was published 26/06/2011 (5251 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There stood Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice Saturday, discussing the players who didn’t make the cut.

Not surprisingly, he was being rather solemn in his delivery. It’s never a fun job telling someone they’re not good enough.

But sunshine poked through from behind those dark clouds, and it was easy to see the second-year sideline boss bursting at the seams with anticipation for the coming season. The evaluation process is now in the rear view mirror, and the optimism for better days provides exciting times for everyone still in Blue and Gold colours.

Tough gig, this football business.

“Not a great day for coaches; tried to be fair with everyone,” LaPolice said, summing up the roster-forming process.

Less than 24 hours after announcing the release of 12 players, the Bombers were back trimming again, paring eight more bodies from the bloated training camp roster Saturday.

Among the notables not on the 46-man active roster today: DT Moton Hopkins, RB Alex Henderson and RB/KR Chris Garrett, who joined the Bombers as a returner late last season.

“We really felt Perry Floyd did a very good job (at KR),” LaPolice said. “Not only that, but when (Floyd) had opportunities offensively to make plays, he made some plays offensively (at slotback).”

The subtraction of Garrett and Henderson means Canadian rookie RB Carl Volny has won the backup running back spot.

LaPolice also confirmed veteran Glenn January beat out sophomore Kelly Butler for the starting right tackle position on the offensive line and Jason Vega has won the defensive end spot formally occupied by 2010 CFL sack leader Phillip Hunt (who signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the off-season).

“We’re going to give (Vega) a chance to play a little bit at one of the ‘Jack’ (rush end) spots,” LaPolice said. “Maybe it helped him that he was in training camp last year.”

Fourth-string QB Justin Goltz, OL Brendan Dunn, DL Remond Willis, LB John Surla and DB Chris Smith also received their pink slips Saturday.

The club announced DB Johnny Sears and OL Paul Swiston have been put on the nine-game injured list. Sears has a tricky high-ankle sprain, suffered in the 30-23 loss to the Toronto Argonauts Thursday night.

Sears can come off the reserve list if the injury heals sooner rather than later. Swiston’s situation is unknown, suggesting the Bombers may just be hiding him on the nine-game list to avoid losing him to another club.

Other Winnipeg roster moves have DB Clint Kent (ankle), DL Deji Oduwole (ankle) and LB Henoc Muamba (knee) starting on the one-game injured list.

The club did not announce its seven-player practice roster, but expect Henderson, Surla, Dunn, and DL Bryant Turner — who was released Friday — to appear on that list at some point.

LaPolice warned that this current Bombers product created out of training camp is not necessarily ready to be fired in the kiln.

The club considers its roster a flowing entity, meaning the coach and GM Joe Mack will take a look at what other clubs have discarded and determine if any upgrades at any positions are possible moving forward.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca