Reid counting wins, not yards

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This article was published 11/08/2011 (5264 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It is the gold standard by which all running backs are measured — the 100-yard game. And through six games of this 2011 CFL season, Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Fred Reid has yet to reach that milestone even once.

In a way, Reid couldn’t be happier about it. Just listen: “I love to get wins more than anything else,” Reid said Wednesday at Canad Inns Stadium.

“I’m happy with the wins. I’m happy with the progress the team is making. I’m happy with everything that’s going on around this team right now.

“It’s a feeling I haven’t had in a while since I’ve been here. So my focus is on that and doing the things I need to do. Other than that, everything else will take care of itself.”

Now in his fifth season with the Bombers, the 29-year-old Floridian has known his share of what have been some very lean times in Bomberland. He also has the odd distinction of having put up the best numbers of his career last season, when the 4-14 Bombers hit rock bottom.

Reid rushed for 100 yards four times in 2010 and had three more 90-yards-plus games en route to the 2010 league rushing title and a career-high 1,396 yards. But it was a bittersweet accomplishment in such a disastrous season for his team.

This season, Reid is second in league rushing and his total rushing yards are roughly on pace with last year’s numbers, with his 470 yards through six games translating into 1,410 yards in the course of this season.

Winnipeg also leads the league as a team in total rushing yards (729) and average yards rushing per game (121.5).

But in other key categories, Reid’s production is clearly down. He has just one rushing touchdown so far — last year he had six. And his 4.6 yards per carry this season is a full two yards off his 6.6-yard average last season and is the lowest average among the top 15 rushers in the CFL this season.

Then there’s that elusive 100-yard plateau. The closest Reid has come thus far this season came last week against Edmonton, when he rushed for 96 yards on 19 carries in a 28-16 Winnipeg victory.

“It was a little bit disappointing, yeah,” Reid said of coming so close. “I’d really like to get a 100-yarder. But it is what it is and I still got 12 more games to get some 100-yarders.

“I’m not down on myself. I did some good things in the game to help the team win.”

Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice was asked if he might have given his running back another carry late in the game against Edmonton if he’d known Reid was so close to finally finding the century mark.

“That’s a milestone and I might have made sure he got a carry or two to give him an opportunity,” LaPolice said, “but I’m not going to push any agenda on each guy. We just want to do what’s best to get the win.”

In any event, LaPolice suggested we all perhaps make too much of the 100-yard plateau. “If one of his runs had gone five more yards, does that mean we were more efficient?” LaPolice asked.

“He’s going to have his explosive plays — his 50-yard runs, his 40-yard runs, whatever they may be. That’s coming. We just have to make sure we’re patient with the run.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

GAME 7: At B.C., Saturday, 9 p.m., TSN

What’s in a name?

Arland Bruce apparently has a new name to go with his new team. Traded to B.C.

by Hamilton last week, Bruce announced he is leaving behind what he calls his “slave name” and has taken on a new name, Runako Reth, which Bruce told reporters translates to “handsome king” in an African dialect. Reth wore his new name on his practice jersey in B.C. this week and is expected to play against Winnipeg on Saturday.

Swagger, not arrogance

“We’re not an arrogant bunch, and that’s what can get misconstrued by what’s seen… It’s more of a mindset. We come to practice every day and we fly around and… we don’t take days off. We compete every day, and I think that’s what it’s about. For everyone who just sees what they see on the highlights, I think it’s more than that.” — Bombers QB Buck Pierce on the subtleties underlying the brashness of Swaggerville