Question period

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/06/2011 (5250 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the dust settled on another Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp, coach Paul LaPolice was asked to describe what kind of club he’s put together.

Is it a playoff team? Is it a contender?

Or is it going to be another season of regression in the standings; another nightmare of frustrating play and maddening results?

“You won’t know what this team is until the end of the season,” LaPolice said.

OK, then. For the record, the second-year coach figures his 2011 Bomb Squad will be faster and more physical in all areas. He expects the defence to be more aggressive and the offence to move the ball without issue.

As for the goal for this club: Make the playoffs and win the Grey Cup.

To put that proclamation into perspective, worth noting is that the Bombers have missed the playoffs two straight seasons and haven’t won a Grey Cup since the 1990 season.

But a new season brings new hope, and a list of pressing issues. So as Winnipeg returns to the practice field today, preparing for the 2011 kickoff in Hamilton Friday night, let’s address some of those questions:

1. How do 4-14 teams improve without making drastic changes?

By staying the course with young players and allowing them to develop, according to the Bombers blueprint. Unlike many of their CFL brothers, Winnipeg did not bring in any veteran pieces this off-season, feeling that a maturing talent base will breed success. Will the plan work? The team is a year older now. Results are on the clock.

2. Is Buck’s football future now?

No one questions the heart, leadership or talent the likeable Pierce brings to the table, but if he can’t stay on the field this year the Bombers will have to strongly consider going in another direction for 2012. In his last 27 starts, he’s had to leave the game 10 times due to injury. He needs to put together a healthy year — for both Winnipeg and himself.

3. What can RB Fred Reid do for an encore?

It’s probably too much to ask the 29-year-old to repeat the CFL-leading 1,396 yards rushing he put up last season. But with non-import rookie Carl Volny slotted in as the backup (for now), having Reid approach the 2010 numbers is paramount for the Bombers offence. His success takes the pass rush off Pierce, too.

4. Terrence Edwards: Same question.

Same answer. Edwards’ 1,372 yards receiving and 12 TDs in 2010 were career bests. Despite the youthful exuberance around him, he remains the most important pass catcher in the offence.

5. Why fix something that isn’t broken?

Jovon Johnson, Jonathan Hefney, and the rest of ‘Swaggerville’ allowed a league-low 4,580 yards passing (254 yards average per game). Not too shabby. New defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke loves a press-man coverage. Interesting. It could make a tough group to play against even tougher, or it could be an unnecessary ask of a physically smallish group.

6. Where do the young Canadian receivers slot in?

As starters, it looks like. With sophomore Cory Watson, and rookies Kito Poblah and Jade Etienne, the Bombers haven’t had this kind of top prospect, non-import talent in the wings since, well…forever. Watson and Poblah are expected to produce right away; Etienne is a work in progress.

7. Kick coverage: Still a concern?

Yes. Winnipeg cannot afford another 2010 disaster (six returns against for TDs), and giving up a return touchdown in the pre-season can’t be good for special teams coach Kyle Walters’ job security, either. The Bombers might want to start going for it more on third down.

8. Which new face will make the most noise?

Johnny Sears, the special teams dynamo, starts the year on the nine-game injured list and DB Leslie Majors has shown an ability to cover people underneath, but 5-foot-5, 180-pound KR Perry Floyd is the one to watch.

9. Will there be enough pressure up front?

With Phillip Hunt (and his 16 sacks) in an NFL holding pattern, DE Odell Willis will garner a lot more attention. To counter this, Burke is moving Willis and new DE Jason Vega around the defensive front these days with the hopes of confusing the offensive line. Willis needs to get into the backfield consistently.

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10. Are GM Joe Mack and LaPolice on the slightly warm seat now?

The freebie season after the Mike Kelly show is over, so yes. A slow start — or another ‘close but no cigar’ summer tour — will not be received well by football fans.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca